Roadway expansion joint device comprising a rod supporting a flexible element placed between two joint profiles
A roadway expansion joint device comprising two joint profiles placed at a distance from each other. Each profile comprises at least one upwards extending leg having at least one through hole. A pipe extends from at least one of the through holes and at least one supporting rod is provided, which fits inside and extends out from at least one of the pipes in one of the profiles. The supporting rod supports a flexible element, which is placed between the two joint profiles. The device can be used for any types of constructions joining different type of roadway parts to solve problems with bearing capacity of the flexible element while at the same time having a joint with the possibility of compensating for and taking up movements, while having a low total weight.
1 . A roadway expansion joint device comprising:
a first joint profile and a second joint profile arranged at a distance from each other so as to define a joint gap therebetween, each joint profile comprising an upwardly extending leg extending in a vertical direction from a horizontal portion, the upwardly extending leg comprising a through hole;
a first pipe extending from the through hole in the first joint profile, and a second pipe extending from the through hole of the second joint profile, each pipe extending in a direction away from the joint gap and comprising an internally tapered bore increasing in diameter from the respective joint profile toward an outer end of the pipe;
a supporting rod arranged within the first and second pipes and extending across the joint gap, the supporting rod being in clearance engagement with the internally tapered bores, being axially movable relative to the pipes and being permitted controlled transverse, angular and vertical movements relative to the joint profiles, the movement being defined by the internally tapered bores; and
a flexible element arranged in the joint gap and being supported by the supporting rod, the flexible element comprising a solid motion-absorbing material.
2 . The roadway expansion joint device of claim 1 , wherein the first and second joint profiles are L-shaped profiles having a horizontal part extending out from the upwardly extending leg, to form an L-shape.
3 . The roadway expansion joint device of claim 1 , wherein the first and second joint profiles are U-shaped profiles having an intermediate horizontal part extending out from the upwardly extending leg, and a second upwardly extending leg, to form a U-shape;
wherein the second upwardly extending leg comprises a through hole, and
wherein the pipe continues into the through hole of the second upwardly extending leg.
4 . The roadway expansion joint device of claim 1 , further comprising a spring element arranged inside the pipes.
5 . The roadway expansion joint device of claim 1 , wherein the pipe has a circular cross section.
6 . The roadway expansion joint device of claim 1 , wherein the diameter of the pipes is at least 1.5 times larger than the diameter of the supporting rod.
7 . The roadway expansion joint device of claim 1 , wherein the first and second joint profiles are made of: a composite material, carbon fiber, glass fiber reinforced plastic or a metal.
8 . The roadway expansion joint device of claim 1 , wherein the pipe and the supporting rod are made of a composite material, carbon fiber or glass fiber reinforced plastic.
9 . Use of a roadway expansion joint device of claim 1 to join two bridge parts.