Bridge deck joint failure compromises the intended purpose of deck being a shelter to protect the superstructure and substructure components from detrimental actions such as exposure to deicing salts and other chemicals transported with surface water. The new bridge retrofit trend is to redesign repair activities to eliminate deck joints over piers and/or abutments. Three different details are currently being used in Michigan to eliminate deck joints over abutments. Literature includes other similar design configurations with records of satisfactory performance. Field performance of eight bridges that utilize jointless features is presented. Comparative load demands on approach slab and deck of different backwall configurations are presented based on single girder, single span finite element models. Design detail recommendations are based on field assessment data and finite element analysis results.
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