Modern Bridge Bearings and Expansion Joints for Road Bridges

Abstract

Introduced in 2010 EN 1337 “Structural bearings” is nowadays a basic act intention of which is providing a good manufacturing quality and operation of modern bridge bearings. This act prepared during 17 years is a recapitulation of European experiences on this field. It was the first harmonized European Standard on construction products. Most of Standard parts are innovative as compared with old national ones. As bridge expansion gaps form discontinuities in pavement they cause dynamic and impact additional loads. It has influence on durability and reliability of bridge expansion joints which are often complex mechanical structures. Their quality depends on requirements fulfillment given in R&BRI Technical Approvals as well as in ETAG 032 Guideline. These requirements refer not only to assembly and installation precision of expansion joints but also to their fatigue resistance verification. Nonetheless, not only in Poland, more and more one can observe their damages and failures. Most of failures are related to the shape of surface noise reducing elements and method of their fastening.