Details:

Creators:
Bolluyt, James E. ; Kau, V. B. ; Greimann, L. G.
Bolluyt, James E. ; Kau, V. B. ; Greimann, L. G. Less -
Corporate Creators:
Iowa State University
Corporate Contributors:
Iowa. Dept. of Transportation ; Iowa. Highway Research Board
Iowa. Dept. of Transportation ; Iowa. Highway Research Board Less -
Subject/TRT Terms:
[+]
Bridges Bridges--Iowa--Floors--Joints Floors Joints (Engineering) Joint Sealers Sealing Compounds
Publication/ Report Number:
Project TR-437
Resource Type:
Tech Report
Geographical Coverage:
Iowa
Edition:
Final report.
Corporate Publisher:
Iowa State University
Abstract:
A pilot study was conducted on the premature failures of neoprene strip seals in

expansion joints in Iowa bridges. In a relatively large number of bridges, strip seals have

pulled out of the steel extrusions or otherwise failed well before the expected life span of the

seal. The most serious consequence of a strip-seal failure is damage to the bridge

substructure due to salt, water, and debris interacting with the substructure.

A literature review was performed. Manufacturers’ specifications and

recommendations, practices in the states bordering Iowa, and Iowa DOT design and

installation guidelines were reviewed. Discussions were held with bridge contractors and the

installation of a strip seal system was observed. Iowa DOT bridge databases were analyzed.

A national survey was conducted on the use and performance of strip seals.

With guidance from the Iowa DOT, twelve in-service bridges with strip-seal

expansion joints were selected for detailed investigation. Effective bridge temperatures and

corresponding expansion-joint openings were measured, DOT inspection reports were

reviewed, and likely cause(s) of premature failures of strip seals were proposed.

All of the seals used in the twelve bridges that had the most serious failures were in

concrete girder bridges. Experimental results show that for a majority of these serious

failures, the joint opening at 0° F predicted by the Iowa DOT design equations, the joint

opening at 0° F extrapolated from the experimental data, or both, are larger than the

movement rating of the strip seal specified on the bridge plans. Other likely causes of

premature failures of seals in the twelve bridges include debris and ice in the seal cavity, a

large skew and the corresponding decrease in the movement rating of the seal, improper

installation, and improper setting of the initial gap.


Format:
PDF
Collection(s):
US Transportation Collection
Main Document Checksum:
[+]
urn:sha256:c656ab977012839b962a533907de085308022b3e71622f631543bb70ea2f3f70
Download URL:
https://rosap.ntl.bts.gov/view/dot/23814/dot_23814_DS1.pdf
File Type:

Supporting Files

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