Integral Abutment and Jointless Bridges

The most frequently encountered corrosion problem involves leaking expansion joints and seals that permit salt-laden run-off water from the roadway surface to attack the girder ends, bearings and supporting reinforced concrete substructures. Because neither the materials used nor the pains taken to mitigate joint leakage can fully resolve these problems, other options such as, the construction of jointless bridges, the use of integral or semi-integral abutments, and moving the joints beyond the bridges should be sought. Since 1987, numerous States have adopted integral abutment bridges as structures of choice when conditions allow. At least 40 States are now building some form of jointless bridges. While superstructures with deck-end joints still predominate, the trend appears to be moving toward integral. This paper presents some of the important features of integral abutment and jointless bridge design and some guidelines to achieve improved design. The intent of this paper is to enhance the awareness among the engineering community to use integral abutment and jointless bridges wherever possible.