Investigation of Bridge Expansion Joint Failure Using Field Strain Measurement

Abstract

This study was initiated after the sliding plate expansion joints of Millard E. Tydings Memorial Bridge, a long-span truss bridge, failed prematurely just a few months after their initial installation. The study included field investigation, material testing, analysis, and field testing. Test data records show numerous high spikes, which represent high tensile stresses, within their respective measured periods. By extrapolation, the failure was predicted by applying Miner’s linear cumulative damage rule. The calculation shows that the accumulative value would reach 1.0 when the first and subsequent failures were reported. The unexpected high stresses and poor workmanship caused early crack formation attributable to distress.