Modular Expansion Joint MODULAR EXPANSION JOINT
Part 1 — General
1.1 Section Includes
A.Modular expansion joint system , and recessed parapet and sidewalk cover plates for bridge decks and approach slabs
B.Modification of existing expansion joint system
1.2 Related Sections
A.Section 03055: Portland Cement Concrete
B.Section 03211: Reinforcing Steel and Welded Wire
C.Section 03310: Structural Concrete
D.Section 05120: Structural Steel
1.3 References
A.AASHTO M 111: Zinc (Hot -Dip Galvanized) Coatings on Iron and Steel Products
B.AASHTO M 270: Structural Steel for Bridges
C.AASHTO/AWS D 1.5 : Bridge Welding Code
D.AASHTO LRFD Bridge Design Specifications
E.AASHTO LRFD Bridge Construction Specifications
F.ASTM A 194: Carbon Steel, Alloy Steel, and Stainless Steel Nuts for Bolts for High Pressure or High Temperature Service, or Both
G.ASTM A 240: Chromium and Chromium -Nickel Sta inless Steel Plate, Sheet, and Strip for Pressure Vessels and for General Applications
H.ASTM A 793: Rolled Floor Plate, Stainless Steel Modular Expansion Joint
I.ASTM C 578: Rigid, Cellular Polystyrene Thermal Insulation
J.ASTM D 395: Rubber Property – Compression Set
K.ASTM D 412: Vulcanized Rubber and Thermoplastic Elastomers – Tension
L.ASTM D 471: Rubber Property – Effect of Liquids
M.ASTM D 573: Rubber – Deterioration in an Air Oven
N.ASTM D 1149: Rubber Deterioration – Cracking in an Ozone Controlled Environment
O.ASTM D 2240: Rubber Property – Durometer Hardness
P.ASTM D 4070: Adhesive Lubricant for Installation of Preformed Elastomeric Bridge Compression Seals in Concrete Structures Q ASTM D 5973: Elastomeric Strip Seal s with Steel Locking Edge Rails Used in Expansion Joint Sealing
R.ASTM F 879: Stainless Steel Socket Button and Flat Countersunk Head Cap Screws
S.ASTM F 3125: High Strength Structural Bolts and Assemblies , Steel and Alloy Steel, Heat Treated, Inch Dimensions 120 ksi a nd 150 ksi Minimum Tensile Strength, and Metric Dimensions 830 MPa and 1040 MPa Minimum Tensile Strength
T.ASTM F 436: Hardened Steel Washers Inch and Metric Dimensions
U.American Institute of Steel Construction (AISC)
1.4 Definitions
A.Modular Expansion Joint System (MEJS) – An extruded joint with two or more elastomeric seals held in place by edgebeams that are anchored to the structural elements such as decks and abutment s and one or more transverse centerbeams parallel to the edgebeams. Modular Expansion Joint
1.5 Submittals
A.Working Drawings
1.Detailed shop drawings of fabricated materials for review
a.Include at least the following: 1) Joint assembly and installation procedures 2) Required revisions or additions to concrete blockout details, concrete, reinforcing steel , structural steel, and other components
b.Provide the seal of a Professional Engineer (PE) or Professional Structural Engineer (SE) licensed in the State of Utah.
c.Include supporting engineering calculations according to the AASHTO LRFD Bridge Design Specifications for the components of the MEJS .
2.Temporary bridging plan for modular expansion joint for review
a.Refer to this Section, Article 3.5 D.
B.Material s
1.Certified Mill Test Report (MTR) for structural steel for information.
a.Provide item number and name.
b.Refer to Section 05120.
C.Welding
1.Welding procedure specifications meeting AASHTO/AWS D 1.5 for review
D.Certificate of compliance for the MEJS for information documenting the following:
1.Manufacturer’s AISC certification
2.Welders and welding inspectors meet AWS requirements
3.The MEJS passed the Prequalification Tests required by the AASHTO LRFD Bridge Construction Specifications
4.The bearings, springs, and equidistant devices are of the same formulation and used the same manufacturing process, fabrication procedures, and configuration that were used in the Prequalification Tests
E.Manufacturer’s product data sheet and installation instructions for information Modular Expansion Joint
F.Quality Control submittals 1. Manufacturer’s technical representative information for review . Include at least the following:
a.The company name
b.The name, phone number, and documented experience of the technical representative.
2.Superintendent in charge of the MEJS installation experience for review .
a.Required when the manufacturer’s technical representative will not be on site during installation.
b.Include at least the following for at least two previous projects completed in the last 5 years: 1) Project name 2) Project location 3) Type and size of MEJS installed 4) Year of construction 5) Engineer of Record and owner contact information (phone and email)
G.Repair procedures recommended by the MEJS manufacturer for review
1.Required when watertight integrity test fail s
1.6 Quality Control
A.Provide a technical representative from the MEJS manufacturer for training and consultation.
1.Provide training in proper setting, gap sizing and bracing of the MEJS.
a.Train workers who will be installing the MEJS.
b.Coordinate training with the Engineer.
2.The manufacturer’s technical representative must be on site during system setting, concrete placement and elastomeric seal installation .
3.The Engineer may waive the requirement for the manufacturer’s representative to be on site if the C ontractor can demonstrate that the superintendent in charge of the work has performed at least two satisfactory applications of the modular expansion joint within the last five years.
a.The manufacturer’s technical representative must be available for consultation throughout the duration of the installation.
b.The Department reserves the right to require the manufacturer’s technical representative to be onsite if the Engineer is concerned with the product installation quality. Modular Expansion Joint
Part 2 — Products
2.1 Materials
A.Concrete
1.Use Class AA( LSF) for new bridge decks and approach slabs . Refer to Section 03055.
2.Use Class AA(LS) for the concrete blockout in existing bridge decks and approach slabs. Refer to Section 03055.
3.Use Class AA(AE) for bridge parapets. Refer to Section 03055.
B.Reinforcing Steel
1.Use coated reinforcing steel according to Section 03211.
C.Rigid Plastic Foam
1.Use Type II or Type IX . Refer to ASTM C 578.
2.2 Modular Expansion Joint System
A.Use the same MEJS manufacturer for all expansion joints on a structure.
B.Use a system from one of the following manufacturers :
1.D. S. Brown Modular Expansion Joint Systems
2.Watson Bowman Acme Modular Expansion Joint Systems
3.Mageba USA Modular Expansion Joint Systems
4.D.S. Tech Star Inc. Modular Expansion Joint Systems
5.Other equivalent systems as approved by the Department Structures Design Manager
C.Design and fabricate according to the current edition of the AASHTO LRFD Bridge Design Specification s and the AASHTO LRFD Bridge Construction Specifications .
D.Fabricate the entire MEJS as a single unit unless shown otherwise.
1.Field splices are per the manufacturer’s recommendations.
E.Materials
1.Structural steel
a.AASHTO M 270, Grade 50
2.Stainless steel sliding surfaces
a.ASTM A 240, Type 304
3.Bolts, nuts and washers
a.Bolts – ASTM F 3125, Grade A325
b.Nuts – ASTM A 194 Modular Expansion Joint
c.Washers – ASTM F 436
d.Galvanize all bolt assembly components with a compatible coating system according to ASTM F 3125
4.Lubricating Adhesive
a.Follow manufacturer’s recommendation and ASTM D 4070
5.Elastomeric seals
a.Provide single layer strip type according to ASTM D 5973.
b.Do not splice elastomeric seals.
c.Install elast omeric seals before shipping unless field splicing is shown.
d.Conforming to the properties listed in Table 1 Table 1 Required Elastomeric Seal Properties Property Requirement Test Method Tensile Strength 2000 psi ASTM D 412 Elongation at Break 250% ASTM D 412 Hardness, Type A Durometer 50 - 65 ASTM D 2240* Oven Aging 70 hours at 212 ⁰F Tensile Strength Elongation Hardness 20% loss max 20% loss max 0 to +10 points ASTM D 573 Oil Swell, 70 hours at 212 ⁰F 45% ASTM D 471 Ozone Resistance, 70 hours at 104⁰F 20% strain, 300 pphm, in air No Cracks ASTM D 1149 Low Temperature Stiffening 7 days at 14⁰ F Hardness (Type A durometer) 0 to +15 points ASTM D 2240 Compression Set, 70 hours at 212⁰F 40% ASTM D 395 *As modified by ASTM D 5973.
F.Check the elastomeric seal face and top of the extruded steel shape of each section for straightness after expansion joint and anchorage system fabrication.
1.Use a string line stretched taut from curb angle point to curb angle point.
G.Shop Tolerances
1.Do not deviate from the string line by more than ⅛ inch for steel surfaces. Modular Expansion Joint
H.Corrosion Protection
1.Galvanize structural steel after fabrication according to AASHTO M 111 except for stainless steel and steel surfaces coated with polytetraflouroethylene ( PTFE ).
2.3 Cover Plate S
A.Parapet Cover Plates
1.Use plates conforming to AASHTO M 270, Grade 36. Refer to Section 05120.
2.Use shear studs conforming to AASHTO M 270, Grade 36.
3.Galvanize after fabrication according to AASHTO M 111.
B.Sidewalk Cover Plates
1.Use plates conforming to ASTM A 793.
2.Use flat countersunk head cap screws conforming to ASTM F 879.
Part 3 — Execution
3.1 Modular Expansion Joint Modification Preparation
A.Prevent debris from falling into streams, pedestrian areas, traffic areas, and on railroad tracks.
B.Asphalt Removal
1.Make saw cuts at the offsets shown to define the removal area.
2.Remove asphalt surfacing in a manner that will not damage the concrete below .
C.Concrete Saw Cuts
1.Place the saw cuts at the offset s shown to define the work area.
2.Saw cut one inch deep in to the concrete.
3.2 Concrete Removal for Modular Expansion Joint Modification
A.Use jackhammer method to remove existing concrete.
1.Partial Depth Removal – Use 45 lb class hand operated jackhammers or smaller.
2.Full Depth Removal – Use 90 lb class hand operated jackhammers or smaller.
a.Use 45 lb class hand -operated jack hammer or smaller when removing concrete within 6 inch of girders, diaphragms, and concrete regions that are to remain. Modular Expansion Joint
3.Operate jackhammers at an angle greater than 45 degrees as measured from the concrete surface.
B.Parapet
1.Make saw cuts one inch deep to define the work area.
2.Remove concrete using 90 lb class, hand -held jackhammers or smaller .
a.Prevent damage to electrical conduit where encountered.
C.Existing Reinforcing Steel 1. Use sandblasting to thoroughly clean reinforcing steel that remains in place .
a.Remove corrosion and adhering materials.
D.New Reinforcing Steel 1. Place coated reinforcing steel after sandblasting operations are complete.
3.3 Expansion Joint System Installation
A.Install expansion joint system according to the authorized shop drawings.
B.Form the joint opening in the concrete using rigid plastic foam or as recommended by the manufacturer .
1.Anchor securely.
C.Use sandblasting to thoroughly c lean concrete and steel surfaces .
D.Pressure wash the concrete surfaces to clean and saturate the concrete.
1.Remove standing water while maintaining a saturated surface.
2.Saturate the concrete surface again if the surface shows signs of drying out.
E.Place and finish concrete.
1.Refer to Section 03310.
F.Keep traffic off the expansion joint system for 72 hours after placing concrete and until the concrete has reached it s 28 day minimum compressive strength.
1.Follow the authorized temporary bridging plan otherwise .
G.Install elastomeric seals in the field after construction is complete if field splicing is shown.
H.Remove material from the joint opening before the watertight integrity test. Modular Expansion Joint
3.4 Field Tolerances and Watertight Integrity Test
A.Field Tolerances for Expansion Joint
1.Re-examine steel surfaces for straightness and shop tolerance requirements after installing joint system in its final position and before placing concrete.
B.Final In -place Tolerances for Expansion Joint
1.Re-examine the extrusion face after concrete placement.
a.Deviations from the string line of more than ¼ inch are not allowed.
b.The parallel extrusion faces must not deviate from each other by more than ⅛ inch at any location.
2.Verify the assembly provides a smooth riding joint without loose or slapping components.
C.Test expansion system in the presence of the Engineer to verify that joint areas can hold a depth of at least three inches of water for one hour without leak ing.
1.Follow authorized repair procedure and perform another watertight integrity test to verify watertight integrity.
3.5 Recessed Parapet and Sidewalk Cover Plates
A.Install recessed parapet and sidewalk cover plates as shown.
Source: Utah Standard Specifications for Road and Bridge Construction, 2026 Edition. Pages 1171–1179 of 1,331.