SPR 2013 Prime KTC: Temperature Movement in Bridges

The design of expansion joints in bridges is primarily influenced by the expected temperature movements in the bridge. The objective of this study is to instrument the expansion joints in the Westbound Tennessee River Bridge on I-24 and to continuously monitor the temperature movements, and to compare with the movements derived from the AASHTO Code. Accurate estimates of the temperature movements is essential and can be achieved by instrumenting expansion joints in existing or new bridges, monitoring the temperature movements over a period of two or more years, and by comparing the actual movements with estimated ones. The data collected from the instrumentation will lead to more effective design of expansion joints in bridges.