Special Steel Profiles for Expansion Joints in Bridges
Expansion joints let a bridge cope with the movement of its decks, mostly caused by temperature changes. The joints are built from so-called lamella beams set into the movement gaps at the ends of the decks: the more beams used to fill a gap, the wider the movement the joint can absorb. Multi-gap expansion joints can handle deck movements well over 2000 mm. Each gap is sealed watertight with elastomeric profiles, so the whole joint can be drained at the deck surface. Getting this right depends on the steel profiles that carry the load and hold the gaskets in place.
Profiles for Bridge Expansion Joints
Montanstahl produces a range of carbon steel and stainless steel special profiles used in expansion joints, including lamella beams and Z-sections, lock profiles that hold the elastomeric gaskets, and transition profiles. The design of each profile can be adjusted to the structural load it has to carry and to the retention chamber needed to lock the gasket in place, so the section matches the specific joint rather than forcing the joint to fit a standard shape.
Hot Extrusion, Hot Rolling and Laser Welding
Several production routes suit these profiles, each with its own strengths. Hot extrusion is very flexible, since it can form the complex chambers that hold the elastomeric gaskets within a single section. A hot rolled gasket lock profile is another route, welded onto a hot rolled standard beam. For stainless steel expansion joints, customized laser welded profiles are often the preferred choice, helping keep projects within budget. The right method depends on the material, the geometry, and the requirements of the project.
Application Context
This sits in Montanstahl’s building and construction work, where steel and stainless steel special profiles go into the structural details that keep infrastructure running. Bridge expansion joints are a clear example: the profiles have to carry traffic loads, hold watertight gaskets, and last for decades of constant movement and weather. Profiles like these are produced to the engineer’s requirements and supplied worldwide for bridges and other large structures.