The provisions of expansion joints for loads and temperature in steel structures have been evaluated on the formulations given in major and current steel design codes. Results indicate that as the modules or lengths subject to expansion increases and with increasing temperature, there is a drastic reduction in the safety of the joints. Although the joints appear to be practically safe at the levels of loads and temperature investigated, yet it is advisable that lower expansion widths be provided in order to increase their safety and effectiveness so as to alleviate secondary effects as may be induced by skew, racking and temperature changes, for examples, especially in bridge superstructures.
movement joints, steel structures, temperature, structural safety and system lengths
