Case Study: Eliminating Bridge Joints with Link Slabs - An Overview of State Practices

Details

• Creators:
  Thorkildsen, Eric T.
• Corporate Creators:
  Greenman-Pedersen
• Contributors:
  Lawndy, Laura ; Ailaney, Raj
• Corporate Contributors:
  United States. Federal Highway Administration
• Subject/TRT Terms:
  • Preservation
  • Joints (Engineering)
  • Bridges
  • Bridge decks
  • Slabs
  • Link slabs
  • Bridge joints
  • Bridge preservation
• Publication/ Report Number:
  FHWA-HIF-20-062
• Resource Type:
  Tech Report
• Geographical Coverage:
  United States
• Contracting Officer:
  Lawndy, Laura
• Corporate Publisher:
  United States. Federal Highway Administration
• Abstract:
  This case study presents an overview of the usage of link slabs to eliminate bridge joints. Representative state agency practices are reviewed. State procedures selected for review have either large numbers of installed link slabs, available design details, or innovative installation techniques. General background for link slab usage is presented followed by design approach, including design for prevention of concrete cracking. A tabular comparison of design and construction details is presented. Example details and an example rotation calculation for a link slab are provided. Results confirm that link slabs are an alternative to replacement or repair of bridge joints, but they need to be properly designed to accommodate redistribution of bridge loads and movements. This case study is not a design guidance document but rather a summation and comparison of how State DOTs are approaching the use of link slabs to eliminate bridge joints.
• Format:
  PDF
• Funding:
  DTFH61-13-A-00005
• Download URL:
  https://rosap.ntl.bts.gov/view/dot/56218/dot_56218_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 1.65 MB]
• Collection(s):
  Federal Highway Administration
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:3cbb39a823b4131ceceda6b415c215d289b8a3927c26861f9777a299767fbeef28d4bc5425ccddafae453f96b2a20a9e6a9605b4124dcdb53e22f96e4eb8b0fe