Bridges and Structures

Do It Right! Lessons from the field not to be repeated

Expansion joint

"Who are these guys?"

They have . . .

• Welded rusty all-thread in the deck
• Welded epoxy-coated reinforcement
• Welded on galvanized steel

. . . all in an area extremely susceptible to corrosion!

• How much strength do you think is left in these studs coming off the expansion extrusion?
  

• Whenever you’re installing a cover plate over an expansion joint, make sure that it will be able to slide over notch left to accommodate it — and that the entire plate is countersunk properly and installed low enough so that the plows can’t catch it.

• Protect expansion joint extrusions from being damaged by construction traffic.

• They are vulnerable until after the wear course is cured out.

• There isn't a lot of room for the expansion/deflection fitting under the sidewalk cover plate.

• Details, details . . .

• Make sure that Plow Fingers are installed so the expansion joint can still function as intended.

• This is still happening on our projects!

• The contractor is not supposed to be welding on epoxy-coated reinforcement, using uncoated steel on the deck, or using spray epoxy to coat welding damage.

• It doesn’t take a detective to figure out that something must be leaking water!

• There is probably a place to use that spray galv . . . but this isn’t it!

• Make sure that the sidewalk concrete under the cover plates gets vibrated sufficiently.

• This can be a surprise when it’s time to install the gland for the expansion joint.

• Loss of section on stud — for what gain?

• The contractor is not permitted to weld on galvanized surfaces prior to grinding the galvanizing off.

• They should then hot‐stick-galvanize the area to repair the damage.

• But . . . why weld here anyway?

• Welding rusty all‐thread right on the side of the extrusion — this is only an inch below the surface of the deck!