Jointless steel bridges design and retrofit

This paper will discuss alternate means of bridge design and rehabilitation that are available, and which have proven through many years of in-service performance, that changes in structure length due to temperature can be accommodated without joints, and at the same time provide relief from the damage due to leakage. These alternatives include integral and semi-integral abutments, as well as other details that have been very effective in reducing or eliminating joint leakage deterioration at abutments. Schematics of design details for new construction, as well as rehabilitation of joints on existing bridges will be presented. Since the National Bridge Inventory (NET) notes that over 80% of the highway bridges in the United States are 55 000 (180') or less in total length, these details are applicable to most steel bridges.