MODULAR EXPANSION JOINT
PART 1 GENERAL
1.1SECTION INCLUDES
A.Modular expansion joint system (MEJS), and recessed parapet and
sidewalk cover plates for bridge decks and approach slabs
B.Modification of existing expansion joint system
C.Replacement of elastomeric seal in existing expansion joint system
1.2RELATED 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
1.3REFERENCES
A.AASHTO M 111: Zinc (Hot-Dip Galvanized) Coatings on Iron and Steel
Products
B.AASHTO M 169: Steel Bars, Carbon, and Alloy, Cold-Finished
C.AASHTO M 270: Structural Steel for Bridges
D.AASHTO/AWS D1.5: Bridge Welding Code
E.AASHTO LRFD Bridge Design Specifications
F.AASHTO LRFD Bridge Construction Specifications
G.ASTM A 194: Carbon Steel, Alloy Steel, and Stainless Steel Nuts for
Bolts for High Pressure or High Temperature Service, or Both
Modular Expansion Joint
H.ASTM A 240: Chromium and Chromium-Nickel Stainless Steel Plate,
Sheet, and Strip for Pressure Vessels and for General Applications
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 Seals 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 and 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
1.4DEFINITIONS Not Used
1.5SUBMITTALS
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 Modular Expansion Joint
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.Required where construction traffic is anticipated to run on
the joint following installation and before final curing of the concrete in the blockout.
3.Shop drawings for parapet cover plates and sidewalk tread plates
for review.
B.Materials
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.Field welding procedure specifications meeting AASHTO/AWS
D1.5 for review
D.Certificate of compliance for the MEJS for information documenting at
least the following:
1.Product name and technical data
2.Manufacturer’s AISC certification
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 for tread plates for review.
F.Qualifications for review
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.Experience of superintendent in charge of the MEJS installation.
a.Required when the manufacturer’s technical representative
will not be on site during installation. Refer to this Section Paragraph 1.6 A3.
Modular Expansion Joint
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) Owner contact information (phone and email)
G.Repair procedures recommended by the MEJS manufacturer for review
1.Required when watertight integrity test fails
1.6MANUFACTURER’S TECHNICAL REPRESENTATIVE
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 Contractor 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.
PART 2 PRODUCTS
2.1MATERIALS
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 existing bridge parapets. Refer to Section
03055. Modular Expansion Joint
4.An alternate header material may be requested for expansion joint
system replacements.
B.Reinforcing Steel
1.Use coated reinforcing steel according to Section 03211.
2.2MODULAR EXPANSION JOINT SYSTEM
A.Use the same MEJS manufacturer for all expansion joints on a structure.
B.Use a system manufactured and supplied by 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. TechStar 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 Specifications 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.Stud Anchors
a.AASHTO M 169, Grade 50
3.Stainless steel sliding surfaces
a.ASTM A 240, Type 304
4.Bolts, nuts and washers
a.Bolts – ASTM F 3125, Grade A325
b.Nuts – ASTM A 194
c.Washers – ASTM F 436
d.Galvanize all bolt assembly components with a compatible
coating system according to ASTM F 3125
5.Lubricating Adhesive
a.Follow manufacturer’s recommendation and ASTM D 4070
6.Elastomeric seals
a.Provide single layer strip type according to ASTM D 5973.
b.Do not splice elastomeric seals.
Modular Expansion Joint
c.Install elastomeric 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 212⁰F ASTM D 573 Tensile Strength 20% loss max Elongation 20% loss max Hardness 0 to +10 points Oil Swell, 70 hours at 212⁰F 45% ASTM D 471 Ozone Resistance, 70 hours at ASTM D 1149 104⁰F No Cracks 20% strain, 300 pphm, in air Low Temperature Stiffening ASTM D 2240 7 days at 14⁰F Hardness (Type A durometer) 0 to +15 points Compression Set, 70 hours at 40% ASTM D 395 212⁰F *As modified by ASTM D 5973.
F.Shop Tolerances
1.Do not deviate from the string line by more than ⅛ inch for steel
surfaces.
G.Corrosion Protection
1.Galvanize structural steel after fabrication according to AASHTO
M 111 except for stainless steel and steel surfaces coated with polytetraflouroethylene (PTFE).
2.3COVER PLATES
A.Parapet Cover Plates
1.Use plates conforming to AASHTO M 270, Grade 36. Refer to
2.Use shear studs conforming to AASHTO M 270, Grade 36.
3.Galvanize after fabrication according to AASHTO M 111.
B.Sidewalk Tread Plates
1.Provide stainless steel plate with diamond tread pattern.
2.Use flat countersunk head cap screws conforming to ASTM F 879.
Modular Expansion Joint
PART 3 EXECUTION
3.1REMOVALS FOR MODULAR EXPANSION JOINT MODIFICATION
A.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.
B.Concrete removal
1.Make saw cuts 1 inch deep at the offsets shown.
2.Use jackhammer method to remove existing concrete.
a.Partial Depth Removal – Use 45 lb class hand operated
jackhammers or smaller.
b.Full Depth Removal – Use 90 lb class hand operated
jackhammers or smaller. 1) 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.
c.Operate jackhammers at an angle greater than 45 degrees
as measured from the concrete surface.
C.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.
D.Existing Reinforcing Steel
1.Use abrasive blasting to thoroughly clean reinforcing steel that
remains in place.
a.Remove corrosion and adhering materials.
E.New Reinforcing Steel
1.Place coated reinforcing steel after abrasive blasting operations are
complete.
3.2EXPANSION JOINT SYSTEM PLACEMENT
A.Install expansion joint system according to the authorized shop drawings.
1.Use an installation temperature determined by averaging the actual
air temperature over the 24 hours immediately preceding the setting event. Modular Expansion Joint
B.Form the joint opening in the concrete using rigid plastic foam or as
recommended by the manufacturer.
1.Anchor securely.
C.Re-examine steel surfaces for straightness after securing expansion joint
system in their final position and before placing concrete.
1.Align extrusions to not deviate from the string line more than
¼ inch.
2.Set the parallel extrusion faces so that they do not deviate from
each other by more than 1/8 inch at any location.
3.Verify the assembly does not contain loose components which may
cause banging or slapping noises under traffic.
3.3HEADER PLACEMENT
A.Use abrasive blasting to thoroughly clean concrete and steel surfaces.
B.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.
C.Place finish and cure concrete.
1.Refer to Section 03310.
D.Keep traffic off the expansion joint system for 72 hours after placing
concrete and until the concrete has reached its 28 day minimum compressive strength.
1.Follow the authorized temporary bridging plan as needed.
E.Install elastomeric seals in the field after construction is complete if field
splicing is shown.
F.Remove foreign material from the joint opening before the watertight
integrity test.
G.Verify the expansion joint assembly provides a smooth riding joint without
loose or slapping components.
3.4ELASTOMERIC SEAL REPLACEMENT
A.Completely remove the existing elastomeric seals.
Modular Expansion Joint
B.Clean the edges and inside of the steel beams using abrasive blasting and
the manufacturer’s recommendations.
1.Verify all concrete and debris have been removed from inside the
steel beams.
C.Install elastomeric seals according to manufacturer's recommendations.
1.Verify required temperature and gap requirements follow
manufacturer’s requirements.
3.5WATERTIGHT INTEGRITY TEST
A.Perform a watertight integrity test on the joint system at least five calendar
days after the seal has been installed.
1.Use fingers to manipulate the edges of the installed joint across the
full width to verify that the seal is fully seated in the extrusion.
2.Use ponding to test the joint within the full downslope shoulder
width, but not less than 6 ft.
a.Perform a full width instead of a shoulder test when shown.
3.Perform the watertight integrity test in the presence of the Engineer.
B Joints over steel or concrete surfaces that can be inspected below the joint.
1.Pond at least 2 inch of water over the joint for at least 15 minutes.
2.Inspect the steel and concrete surfaces for evidence of dripping
water or moisture while water is ponded over the joint and for 45 minutes after the ponded water has been released.
C.Joints over steel or concrete surfaces that cannot be inspected below the
joint.
1.Pond at least 2 inch of water over the joint.
2.Measure and record the initial depth of the ponded water.
3.Measure and record the depth of the ponded water after
15 minutes.
4.The test can be stopped if depth of ponded water has not changed
/8 inch or more.
5.Continue the test for an additional 15 minutes if depth of water has
changed more than 1/8 inch.
a.Measure and record the depth of the ponded water.
b.The test is considered a failure if the water level has
changed by an additional 1/8 inch or more.
Modular Expansion Joint
D.Locate the places in the joint system where leakage is occurring and take
measures necessary to stop the leakage.
1.Submit a repair procedure recommended by the manufacturer.
2.Repair joint system according to the authorized manufacturer’s
recommended repair procedure.
3.Repeat watertight integrity test.
3.6PARAPET AND SIDEWALK TREAD PLATES
A.Install recessed parapet and sidewalk tread plates as shown.
1.Cast recess into new concrete.
2.Grind recess into existing concrete.
a.Provide uniform surfaces on each side of joint opening so
the plate is in contact with the concrete on each side of the joint for the full length of the plate.
b.Use small handheld concrete grinders for tooled or rounded
edges, areas inaccessible to the walk-behind equipment and to make small adjustments to the surface so plates bear fully on the concrete.
3.Install plates in contact with the concrete surface on both sides of
the joint.
3.7PROTECTION
A.Prevent abrasive blasting material and debris from falling into waterways,
pedestrian areas, traffic areas, or onto railroad tracks.
END OF SECTION
Modular Expansion Joint
Utah revises spec sections through supplementals and new editions. We check this one every week and email you the day it changes. Free, no account.
Source: Utah Standard Specifications for Road and Bridge Construction, 2026 Edition. Pages 1171–1179 of 1,331.
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