Improved Geometric Design of Bridge Asphalt Plug Joints
Publication: Journal of Bridge Engineering
Volume 16, Issue 1
Abstract
Asphalt plug joints (APJs) have several advantages over traditional bridge joints. They are easy and cheap to install and have good surface flatness. However, widespread application of APJs in bridges has been hindered by frequently observed premature failures. Detailed finite-element simulations are conducted to develop a better understanding of the parameters that influence APJ response under traffic and thermal loading conditions. The computational model employs a time and temperature dependent viscoplastic material model and is validated by comparing model results to previously published experimental data. The key parameters investigated are gap plate width, gap plate thickness, gap plate edge geometry, and geometry of the interface between pavement and APJ. The resulting information is synthesized into a proposed alternative APJ design that minimizes local demands deemed to be responsible for the observed early failures.
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Acknowledgments
The research presented in this paper was supported in part by the Korea Institute Construction and Transportation Technology Evaluation and Planning, the Michigan Department of Transportation, the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the University of Michigan, and Jeju National University, South Korea. Any opinions, findings, conclusions, and recommendations expressed in this paper are those of the writers alone and do not necessarily reflect the views of the sponsoring agencies.
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Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Journal of Bridge Engineering
Volume 16 • Issue 1 • January 2011
Pages: 158 - 165
Copyright
© 2011 ASCE.
History
Received: Sep 12, 2009
Accepted: Mar 9, 2010
Published online: Mar 16, 2010
Published in print: Jan 2011
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