D.S. Brown Steelflex® Modular Expansion Joint Systems have gained overwhelming worldwide acceptance for accommodating and sealing large joint movements on bridge structures.
Answer: D.S. Brown recommends continuous seals across the bridge deck. For staged/phased construction, D.S. Brown will install seals 12-18” from the field spliced end of a modular joint assembly and will roll the remaining length back onto the expansion joint. This provides enough distance so that the heat from field welding will not negatively affect the adhesive or gland. The contractor shall take all necessary precautions to protect the seal from welding and all other construction activities prior to installation and throughout the process of casting the blockout (header) concrete. Once field splices are complete, the remaining lengths can be installed to provide a continuous seal. D.S. Brown recommends the use of our installation tool for this process.
If necessary for phased construction, temporary glands may be used (understanding that water and debris will temporarily be allowed to ingress between phases) for individual phases, and a continuous seal should be installed after phasing is complete.
Learn more about Expansion Joint Systems
Since the early 1960s The D.S. Brown Company has provided expansion joint systems and structural bearing assemblies for bridges around the globe. Bridge expansion joint systems are directly exposed to vehicular wheel loads and, therefore, must resist dynamic forces causing fatigue and wear. In addition, these expansion joint systems must remain watertight to protect the bridge superstructure and substructure from corrosion.