Dynamic response of expansion joints to traffic loading

The dynamic behaviour of expansion lamella joints in bridge decks under traffic loading is studied theoretically. Formulae describing different types of dynamic axle loading on the joint are presented. A mathematical model for an expansion joint is implemented numerically, and dynamic characteristics of expansion joints are determined, including frequency response functions and DAFs for design. It is shown that dynamic amplification is very important in design of expansion joints: factors up to 1.7 have been found, without taking into account the factor for the load. Including this factor, values higher than 2 occur easily. These values are much higher than those prescribed in the current design codes. (C) 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.