ETIC Finger Joints

RJ Watson, Inc. distributes The Granor ETIC Expansion Joint System which is designed to provide continuity of vehicular traffic between two deck sections of a structure. The ETIC Joint will handle thermal movements of the decks, creep, shrinkage, rotations and vibrations.

ETIC Joints are capable of supporting heavy and repetitive traffic loadings compliant with the requirements of AASHTO and AS5100.4, with maximum comfort and minimum noise generation. These joints are used predominately on highway bridge structures, but also elevated parking structures and with a bellows type seal located below the fingers will provide an assurance of water tightness and resistance to debris ingress.

Description

Metallic Element

Tie Bolt

Elasomeric Profile

Granor ETIC Series Expansion Joints are capable of movements up to 500mm total and are made of three main components:

1. Metallic element - The metallic elements are made of extruded aluminum for strip seal joints, of cast aluminum for 'saw tooth' finger joints and of galvanized steel in the case of traditional 'slender finger' type finger joints. Segments of these metallic elements are modularized into 2 or 3 meter long sections, enabling easy transportation and simplified site installation handling.

2. Pre-stressed Tie Bolts - In each of the above joint types, all the metallic elements are fixed to the structure by pre-stressed tie bolts which are post-tensioned after infill concrete has achieved required strength by use of a torque wrench or jacking procedure.

3. Elastomeric Profile - An elastomeric continuous extrusion profile is inserted between the metallic elements in all the above Granor ETIC Joint types, providing water tightness and resistance to debris ingress into the underside structure joint gap. These Elastomeric glands are located below the riding surface and thus are not subjected to vehicular loads.

The Elastomeric glands are cellular and designed to compress and extend without transmission of excessive horizontal forces into the structure. Glands can conform to changes of grade to comply with curb upturns.

Advantages

1. Low noise - R.J. Watson can provide noise testing on stripseal and 'saw tooth' finger joints

2. Superior Ride

3. High resistance to fatigue due to fixity by pre-stressed tie-bolts

4. Accommodation of simultaneous multidirectional movements, horizontal, vertical and lateral

5. Prevents intrusion of foreign debris and water into the joint gap

6. Superior resistance to corrosion

7. No horizontal force transmission between the adjoining parts of the structure

8. Removal and replacement of joint or segments without destruction of the structure

9. Low maintenance

Installation

Installation methods for Granor ETIC Expansion Joints may vary depending on the joint type. In the case of Strip Seal type joints these can be installed by either casting in the aluminum retainers with the bridge deck surface concrete pour, or by suspension of the retainer elements over a blockout in the previously constructed deck overlay. The Finger Joint Systems are always installed via the suspension over blockout method. All these joints are modularized and Granor provides full comprehensive installation kits/suspension brackets, strongbacks, etc and written diagrammatic installation instructions.

RJ Watson, Inc.

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