Expansion joints maintenance for bridges

Assessment, refurbishment and replacement

Expansion Joints Maintenance

As a specialist in bridge structural component services, Freyssinet provides expert support in expansion joints maintenance. Our teams inspect, assess, and replace deteriorated roadway joints to restore safety and ensure uninterrupted traffic flow for road and motorway operators.

Expansion joints maintenance may be required in several situations:

Routine upkeep as part of a scheduled maintenance contract
Emergency repairs to quickly restore traffic safety
Coordinated work alongside other road maintenance activities, such as resurfacing

Expansion joints maintenance on Monestier viaduct / Copyright: Aline Boros

Challenges in Expansion Joints

Poorly maintained roadway expansion joints can create hazardous conditions for drivers, making timely inspections and preventive maintenance essential. As soon as signs of deterioration appear, prompt action is needed to avoid safety risks and costly repairs.

Expansion joints are exposed to constant stress from heavy traffic, especially trucks, as well as harsh weather conditions. Combined with inconsistent upkeep, these factors lead to unpredictable wear rates that vary significantly from one site to another.

When expansion joint elements are broken or their fasteners are missing or loose, immediate repair or replacement is essential. Prompt action helps prevent further deterioration of the joint and protects the underlying substructure.

Cracks, chips, or gaps in the concrete flashing near expansion joints should be addressed quickly. These defects can grow rapidly under traffic loads and may eventually compromise the integrity of the joint itself.

Planned replacement during scheduled maintenance—often carried out at night—helps avoid unexpected closures and minimizes disruption. This approach ensures the road can be reopened quickly and safely.

Leaks or failures in expansion joints can lead to serious damage to bridge substructures, including corrosion of steel bearings and concrete spalling in piers and abutments. Installing water collection systems helps prevent these issues and extends the life of the structure.

Regular preventive maintenance of roadway expansion joints is critical to preserving bridge serviceability and extending structural lifespan. Early intervention reduces the risk of costly repairs and improves long-term performance.

A Complete Range of Services

Assessment

Freyssinet regularly conducts preliminary inspections and assessments of structural components. When visual checks are not enough to evaluate wear or damage, we deploy advanced inspection techniques to carry out a more detailed analysis. This ensures accurate diagnostics and informed decision-making for effective expansion joints maintenance. For more on industry-standard inspection practices, refer to the FHWA Bridge Inspection Manual.

Planning and Preparation

Our specialized teams are equipped to respond quickly to urgent repairs or to carry out scheduled interventions for large-scale joint replacements. Whether it’s a single defective element or an entire section, we ensure minimal disruption. Speed and efficiency are central to our fully in-house process.

Speed and efficiency are the principles of a process carried out entirely in-house.

Execution

Freyssinet provides turnkey solutions for expansion joints maintenance, backed by dedicated crews, specialized equipment, and a permanent inventory of components from various joint systems. We manage every aspect of the operation to ensure high-quality, on-time delivery.

Benefits to Freyssinet

Why Choose Freyssinet for Your Expansion Joints Maintenance Project

01. Fast Restoration of Roadway Safety

Our dedicated teams are highly trained in expansion joints maintenance and supported by a well-managed inventory of spare parts and repair materials. This allows us to respond quickly and restore safe traffic conditions with minimal delay.

02. Extended Service Life of Expansion Joints

Through regular inspections and proactive maintenance, we help extend the lifespan of your expansion joints and reduce the risk of unexpected failures or emergency repairs.

03. Reduced Environmental Impact

Our approach focuses on sustainability by replacing only the damaged components, minimizing material waste and improving the overall environmental footprint of your infrastructure.

04. Minimal Disruption to Traffic

We work closely with asset managers to schedule preventive maintenance at optimal times, reducing the impact on road users and ensuring smooth operations during joint replacement.

05. Faster Response to Hazards

With efficient planning and close coordination with our clients, we tailor each intervention to the specific needs of the site, ensuring rapid and effective response to any issues.

06. Durable, High-Quality Repairs

Freyssinet designs and manufactures all the expansion joint components we install. This full control over production ensures consistent quality, long-term durability, and reliable performance.

Repairs

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A detailed look at Freyssinet’s structural rehabilitation of the James Monroe Parking Garage and highlighting our expertise in complex parking garage repairs and nighttime construction logistics.

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When a post-tensioned floor unexpectedly sagged in a multi-level parking garage at Montgomery College in Takoma Park, our team acted quickly to complete the necessary structural repairs while keeping disruptions to garage users at a minimum.

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Repairs

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Wallops Island Bridge Repairs

Due to their long-term expertise, Freyssinet was awarded the repair work to expand the lifespan of this historic structure on two separate occasions.

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Maintenance of Expansion Joints