Performance of Jointless Bridges in Virginia

About the report

Since the early 1980s, the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) has routinely developed and modified bridge abutment designs that eliminate the need for deck joints. The main objective is to decrease lifecycle maintenance costs and disruptions to the traveling public while constructing resilient structures across Virginia. VDOT’s current policy is to make jointless bridges the primary design choice. A selection algorithm was developed to help select the appropriate abutment option.

The purpose of this study was to assess the in-service performance of sample bridges that push the design limits set by this algorithm and to determine whether those limits are still appropriate. Visual assessments were conducted at various sites to evaluate bridge structural condition. In addition, roadway approach conditions in the immediate vicinity of the abutment were examined.

The results indicate that, structurally, VDOT’s jointless bridges are performing very well. Although certain older bridge details have been problematic, VDOT has already amended its current practice to address those issues. With that in mind, VDOT could extend its current limits on the length and skew of its jointless structures.

On the other hand, relaxing those limits without addressing soil-structure interaction issues may amplify the pavement distress prevalent in this project. Although all types of abutments commonly have trouble with the “bump at the end of the bridge,” the thermally induced cyclical movements in jointless abutments tend to magnify this approach deterioration compared with that of conventional, stationary, jointed bridge abutments. Addressing the causes of pavement surface distress and excessive settlement at bridge approaches will enable the broader implementation of jointless bridges on Virginia’s road network.

Supplemental files can be found at https://library.vdot.virginia.gov/vtrc/supplements.

_{Disclaimer Statement:The contents of this report reflect the views of the author(s), who is responsible for the facts and the accuracy of the data presented herein. The contents do not necessarily reflect the official views or policies of the Virginia Department of Transportation, the Commonwealth Transportation Board, or the Federal Highway Administration. This report does not constitute a standard, specification, or regulation. Any inclusion of manufacturer names, trade names, or trademarks is for identification purposes only and is not to be considered an endorsement.}

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