ic-qa-b315 - elastomeric strip seal expansion joints · 2020. 7. 14. · b315 elastomeric strip...

Edition 4 / Revision 3 TRANSPORT FOR NSW

June 2020

TRANSPORT FOR NSW (TfNSW)

QA SPECIFICATION B315

ELASTOMERIC STRIP SEAL EXPANSION JOINTS

NOTICE

This document is a Transport for NSW QA Specification. It has been developed for use with

roadworks and bridgeworks contracts let by Transport for NSW or by local councils in NSW. It is not

suitable for any other purpose and must not be used for any other purpose or in any other context.

Copyright in this document belongs to Transport for NSW.

REVISION REGISTER

Ed/Rev

Number

Clause

Number Description of Revision

Authorised

By Date

Ed 1/Rev 0 First Issued GM,CMS 12.09.91

Ed 1/Rev 1 B315.1.2 Change AS 1683.15 and its title to title to AS

1683.15.2 Durometer Hardness. Include AS

1252, AS 1420, AS2990 and AS 4100.

GM,CEC 09.09.93

B315.2 Last paragraph - Add ",or equivalent

acceptable to the Superintendent," after

NATA Registration.

B315.3.2 Change wording to reflect '92 AUSTROADS

Bridge Design Code.

Table B315.1 Change AS 1683.15 to 1683.15.2. Ozone

concentration - change to '300 parts per

hundred million'

Figure

B315.1

Deleted

Ed 2/Rev 0 Reformatted and converted to MS Word 6.0c.

References updated.

GM, RNIC

(W Ho)

25.07.97

1.3 Acceptance of alternative products changed.

2 Testing requirements changed

3.2 Words common with '92 AUSTROADS

deleted

3.2.3 New clause on design certification with a

Hold Point

6 New Clause

Ed 2/Rev 1 Annexure

B315/1

New schedule listing Identified Records GM, RNIC 04.05.00

Ed 2/Rev 2 1.3 Reference to Conditions of Contract changed

to suit C1.

GM, RNIC 30.05.01

ii

Ed/Rev

Number

Clause

Number Description of Revision

Authorised

By Date

Ed 3/Rev 0 1.2, 2, 3.2,

3.2.3 & 4

Revised Standards, details moved to

Annexure B315/M

GM, RNIC 11.03.03

3, 4, 5 Clauses renumbered and reformatted

2 Revised elastomer properties

Ed 3/Rev 1 Fonts changed. GM, RNIC 07.08.03

Ed 4/Rev 0 Various Text revised to direct imperative style.

“Shall” replaced by “must”.

”Contractor” replaced by “you”.

”Superintendent” replaced by “Principal”.

Editorial changes

GM, RNIC

(P

Bamford)

01.11.06

Foreword New clause after the Table of Contents

Various Additional requirements

Various HB 77 replaced by AS 5100.4

Ed 4/Rev 1 1.3 Use of approved strip seals mandated and

link to lists of RMS approved bridge

proprietary products added.

GM, IC 20.04.12

Ed 4/Rev 2 4.1, 4.2 Reference to “B241” replaced by “B201”. DCS 27.10.17

Annex M Referenced documents updated.

Ed 4/Rev 3 Global References to “Roads and Maritime

Services” or “RMS” changed to “Transport

for NSW” or “TfNSW” respectively.

DCS 22.06.20

Edition 4 / Revision 3 TRANSPORT FOR NSW

June 2020

QA SPECIFICATION B315

ELASTOMERIC STRIP SEAL

EXPANSION JOINTS

Copyright – Transport for NSW

IC-QA-B315

VERSION FOR:

DATE:

Elastomeric Strip Seal Expansion Joints B315

Ed 4 / Rev 3 i

CONTENTS

CLAUSE PAGE

FOREWORD ............................................................................................................................................... II TfNSW Copyright and Use of this Document ............................................................................... ii Revisions to Previous Version ....................................................................................................... ii Project Specific Changes ............................................................................................................... ii

1 GENERAL ........................................................................................................................................ 1 1.1 Scope .............................................................................................................................. 1 1.2 Structure of the Specification ......................................................................................... 1 1.3 Approved Bridge Components and Systems .................................................................. 1 1.4 Warranty ......................................................................................................................... 1

2 MATERIALS .................................................................................................................................... 2 2.1 Metal Seal Retainers ....................................................................................................... 2 2.2 Elastomer ........................................................................................................................ 2

3 JOINT DESIGN ................................................................................................................................. 3 3.1 General ........................................................................................................................... 3 3.2 Retainers ......................................................................................................................... 3 3.3 Anchorages ..................................................................................................................... 3 3.4 Design Certification ........................................................................................................ 4

4 METAL SEAL RETAINERS ............................................................................................................... 4 4.1 General ........................................................................................................................... 4 4.2 Corrosion Protection ....................................................................................................... 4

5 ELASTOMERIC SEAL ....................................................................................................................... 4

6 INSTALLATION ............................................................................................................................... 5 6.1 General ........................................................................................................................... 5 6.2 Seal Retainers ................................................................................................................. 5 6.3 Seals ................................................................................................................................ 5

ANNEXURES B315/A AND B315/B – (NOT USED).................................................................................... 6

ANNEXURE B315/C – SCHEDULES OF HOLD POINTS AND IDENTIFIED RECORDS .................................... 6 C1 Schedule of Hold Points ................................................................................................. 6 C2 Schedule of Identified Records....................................................................................... 6

ANNEXURE B315/D – PLANNING DOCUMENTS ....................................................................................... 6

ANNEXURES B315/E TO B315/L – (NOT USED) ....................................................................................... 6

ANNEXURE B315/M – REFERENCED DOCUMENTS .................................................................................. 7

LAST PAGE OF THIS DOCUMENT IS ............................................................................................................ 7

B315 Elastomeric Strip Seal Expansion Joints

ii Ed 4 / Rev 3

FOREWORD

TFNSW COPYRIGHT AND USE OF THIS DOCUMENT

Copyright in this document belongs to Transport for NSW.

When this document forms part of a contract

This document should be read with all the documents forming the Contract.

When this document does not form part of a contract

This copy is not a controlled document. Observe the Notice that appears on the first page of the copy

controlled by TfNSW. A full copy of the latest version of the document is available on the TfNSW

Internet website: http://www.rms.nsw.gov.au/business-industry/partners-

suppliers/specifications/index.html

REVISIONS TO PREVIOUS VERSION

This document has been revised from Specification TfNSW B315 Edition 4 Revision 2.

All revisions to the previous version (other than minor editorial and project specific changes) are

indicated by a vertical line in the margin as shown here, except when it is a new edition and the text

has been extensively rewritten.

PROJECT SPECIFIC CHANGES

Any project specific changes are indicated in the following manner:

(a) Text which is additional to the base document and which is included in the Specification is

shown in bold italics e.g. Additional Text.

(b) Text which has been deleted from the base document and which is not included in the

Specification is shown struck out e.g. Deleted Text.

http://www.rms.nsw.gov.au/business-industry/partners-suppliers/specifications/index.htmlhttp://www.rms.nsw.gov.au/business-industry/partners-suppliers/specifications/index.html

(TfNSW COPYRIGHT AND USE OF THIS DOCUMENT - Refer to the Foreword after the Table of Contents)

Ed 4 / Rev 3 1

TfNSW QA SPECIFICATION B315

ELASTOMERIC STRIP SEAL EXPANSION JOINTS

1 GENERAL

1.1 SCOPE

This Specification sets out the requirements for the supply and installation of preformed elastomeric

strip seal expansion joints, including the metal seal retainers and their anchorages.

1.2 STRUCTURE OF THE SPECIFICATION

This Specification includes a series of annexures that detail additional requirements.

1.2.1 Schedules of HOLD POINTS and Identified Records

The schedules in Annexure B315/C list the HOLD POINTS that must be observed. Refer to

Specification TfNSW Q for the definition of HOLD POINTS.

The records listed in Annexure B315/C are Identified Records for the purposes of TfNSW Q

Annexure Q/E.

1.2.2 Planning Documents

The PROJECT QUALITY PLAN must include each of the documents and requirements listed in

Annexure B315/D and must be implemented.

1.2.3 Referenced Documents

Unless specified otherwise or is specifically supplied by the Principal, the applicable issue of a

referenced document must be the issue current at the date one week before the closing date for tenders,

or where no issue is current at that date, the most recent issue.

Standards, specifications and test methods are referred to in abbreviated form (e.g. AS 1234). For

convenience, the full titles are given in Annexure B315/M.

1.3 APPROVED BRIDGE COMPONENTS AND SYSTEMS

Unless approved otherwise by the Principal, use only TfNSW approved elastomeric strip seal

expansion joints. Details of TfNSW approved bridge proprietary products can be found at:

http://www.rms.nsw.gov.au/business-industry/partners-suppliers/documents/tenders-

contracts/listofapprovedbridgecomponentssystems.pdf

1.4 WARRANTY

The supply of each proprietary strip seal expansion joint must be accompanied with a warranty from

the joint supplier in the name of Transport for NSW on the serviceability of the joint for a minimum

period of five years from the date of installation. Any joint that becomes defective within this period

must be rectified by the supplier at no cost to the Principal.

http://www.rms.nsw.gov.au/business-industry/partners-suppliers/documents/tenders-contracts/listofapprovedbridgecomponentssystems.pdfhttp://www.rms.nsw.gov.au/business-industry/partners-suppliers/documents/tenders-contracts/listofapprovedbridgecomponentssystems.pdf



2 Ed 4 / Rev 3

2 MATERIALS

2.1 METAL SEAL RETAINERS

The metal seal retainers for the joint must be manufactured from steel or aluminium.

2.2 ELASTOMER

The preformed elastomeric seal for the joint must be made from vulcanized compound having

polymerized chloroprene as the only base polymer.

Provide documentary evidence to the Principal to verify that the elastomer used in the manufacture of

the seal has been tested in a laboratory with appropriate NATA registration and that it conforms to

Table B315.1.

Table B315.1 – Elastomeric Seal Properties

Property Requirement Test Method

Tensile Strength 13.8 MPa minimum AS 1683.11 (Dumb-bell test pieces)

Elongation at Break 250% minimum AS 1683.11 (Dumb-bell test pieces)

Hardness IRHD 59±5 AS 1683.15.1

Ageing: AS 1683.26 (Method A for 72 hours

at 100C)

Change in Tensile Strength -20% to 0 AS 1683.11 (Dumb-bell test pieces)

Change in Elongation at Break -20% to 0 AS 1683.11 (Dumb-bell test pieces)

Change in Hardness IRHD 0 to +10 AS 1683.15.1

Resistance to Ozone No visible cracking AS 1683.24 (Ozone concentration

100 pphm in air, 20% strain,

100 hrs at 40C)

Low Temperature Stiffening

(Change in Hardness)

IRHD 0 to +15 AS 1683.15.1 (After 7 days at -10C)

Change in Volume in Oil +70% maximum AS 1683.23 (Using Oil No. 3, after

72 hours at 100C)

Compression Set 40% maximum AS 1683.13 (72 hours at 100C)

Low Temperature Brittleness Not Brittle ASTM D 746 (B) (at -30C)

Note: The Principal may waive the requirement for testing as above provided that:

(a) The elastomer of the seal is supplied by a company which has a third party certified quality

management system to AS/NZS ISO 9001 for the manufacture and supply of elastomer;

(b) Test certificates are supplied to prove that the elastomer meets the properties specified in

Table B315.1 in Type Tests not more than six months old; and

(c) Day to day batch quality control on the manufacture of the elastomer is exercised by performing

a test which accurately measures the cure characteristics of the elastomer and highlights

variations resulting from incorrect ingredients or levels thereof; and



Ed 4 / Rev 3 3

(d) The manufacturer establishes control points and limits on batches which have been Type Tested

and uses these control points and limits for subsequent quality control purposes.

3 JOINT DESIGN

3.1 GENERAL

The design of the joint must conform to Clause 7.3 of AS/NZS ISO 9001, AS 5100.4 and this Clause.

Design the elastomeric seal in accordance with AS 5100.4 to accommodate the range of movement

nominated on the Drawings.

The width of the seal must be sufficient to ensure that it is not damaged or pulled out of the metal

retainer at the maximum design gap width.

The seal must not be wider than required to accommodate the range of movement nominated on the

Drawings to avoid entrapment of debris that will cause the seal to split and fail.

3.2 RETAINERS

Where the tops of the metal seal retainers are at road level, any legs must be at least 12 mm thick.

Where retainers are concreted in position, horizontal legs must have air bleed holes of at least 12 mm

diameter at not more than 600 mm centres.

Where any leg of a steel seal retainer is upright, provide welded stiffeners to the leg at not more than

300 mm spacing.

Extruded aluminium seal retainers must have sufficient stiffness to not require stiffeners.

3.3 ANCHORAGES

Calculate the forces in the anchorages in accordance with the laws of statics, assuming that the

concrete above the point where the anchorage enters the concrete is ineffective.

Round bars used as anchorages must be at least 20 mm in diameter.

Rectangular bars used as anchorages must have a minimum thickness of 12 mm.

Bars used as anchorages must form a loop of sufficient size to be permit anchoring into the concrete

with the contribution of the transverse and other reinforcement.

The welding of anchorage bars of the metal seal retainer must develop the full strength of the bar and

accommodate an infinite number of fatigue cycles in accordance with AS 5100.4.

Stud welded shear connectors used as anchors must be at least 16 mm diameter and 150 mm in length

and welded to the retainer only by resistance welding using a welding gun. Do not weld stud shear

connectors to aluminium seal retainers.



4 Ed 4 / Rev 3

3.4 DESIGN CERTIFICATION

Submit details with drawings of the design of the proposed joint and its anchorages and a certificate

from an Engineer eligible for Corporate Membership of Engineers Australia certifying that the design

conforms to AS 5100.4 and this Specification.

HOLD POINT

Process Held: Supply of the strip seal expansion joint.

Submission Details: Details and drawings of the joint design and certificate in accordance with

Clause 3.4 prior to supply of the joint.

Release of Hold Point: The Principal will consider the submitted details, prior to authorising the

release of the Hold Point.

4 METAL SEAL RETAINERS

4.1 GENERAL

Fabricate steel seal retainers in accordance with Specification TfNSW B201.

Fabricate aluminium seal retainers in accordance with Specification TfNSW B246.

Curve or join the metal seal retainer according to whether the elastomeric seal is curved or joined.

4.2 CORROSION PROTECTION

Steel seal retainers must be hot dipped galvanized in accordance with TfNSW B201 unless shown

otherwise on the Drawings.

Paint any aluminium surface which will be in contact with concrete with a non-metallic epoxy coating

and coat any bolts used to anchor the aluminium seal retainer with petroleum jelly before use, unless

shown otherwise on the Drawings.

5 ELASTOMERIC SEAL

Each seal must be completely uniform and homogeneous throughout. Reject any seal showing

imperfections, surface splits, or indentations.

The permissible manufacturing tolerances are nil to +2 mm in relaxed width of seal.

Obtain the required longitudinal profile of the seal to match the bridge cross section by bending the

seal to the required angle, or by joining straight lengths of seal by means of an adhesive recommended

by the seal supplier. Join all seal lengths in the factory, except that joining of seals at sharp changes in

profile may be performed in the field.

Obtain a certificate from the supplier of the seal to verify its conformity with the requirements of the

Drawings and this Specification.



Ed 4 / Rev 3 5

6 INSTALLATION

6.1 GENERAL

Following installation, the joint must be watertight.

Installation of the joint must not result in a rough ride for passengers in vehicles traversing the joint.

6.2 SEAL RETAINERS

Install the seal retainers so that they are within +0 and -3 mm of the levels shown on the Drawings,

and the opening of the joint is within ±2 mm of the opening shown on the Drawings.

Submit the procedures for installation of the seal retainers including how the specified tolerances will

be achieved.

6.3 SEALS

Submit the procedure for the installation of the seal, including field joining and testing of the installed

seal for watertightness.

Do not insert the seal into the retainers until at least three days after all the concreting in adjacent

spans or abutment is finished.

The method of placing the seal must be in accordance with the joint supplier’s instructions.

Insert the seal into the retainers using a lubricant and an insertion tool recommended by the joint

supplier.

The lubricant for inserting the seal must be recommended by the joint supplier and be a compound

compatible with the seal and the retainers and be unaffected by moisture. The lubricant must contain

at least 60% solids and comprise a suitable polymer blended with volatile solvents. It must have the

specified consistency over the temperature range specified for the insertion of the seal.



6 Ed 4 / Rev 3

ANNEXURES B315/A AND B315/B – (NOT USED)

ANNEXURE B315/C – SCHEDULES OF HOLD POINTS AND

IDENTIFIED RECORDS

Refer to Clause 1.2.1.

C1 SCHEDULE OF HOLD POINTS

Clause Description

3.4 Submission of details and drawings of the joint design and Engineer’s certificate

C2 SCHEDULE OF IDENTIFIED RECORDS

The records listed below are Identified Records for the purposes of TfNSW Q Annexure Q/E.

Clause Description of Identified Record

2.2 Documentary evidence that the elastomer complies with the specified requirements

3.4 Details and drawings of proposed joint design, with Engineer's certificate

ANNEXURE B315/D – PLANNING DOCUMENTS


The following documents are a summary of documents that must be included in the PROJECT

QUALITY PLAN. The requirements of this Specification and others included in the Contract must be

reviewed to determine additional documentation requirements.

Clause Description

6.2 Procedure for installation of the seal including field jointing and testing of the installed

seal for watertightness

ANNEXURES B315/E TO B315/L – (NOT USED)



Ed 4 / Rev 3 7

ANNEXURE B315/M – REFERENCED DOCUMENTS


TfNSW Specifications

TfNSW Q Quality Management System

TfNSW B201 Steelwork for Bridges

TfNSW B246 Manufacture and Supply of Minor Aluminium Items

Australian Standards

AS 1683 Methods of test for elastomersr

AS 1683.11 Method 11: Tension testing of vulcanized or thermoplastic rubber

AS 1683.13 Method 13: Compression set of vulcanized rubber under constant deflection

AS 1683.15.1 Method 15.1: International rubber hardness

AS 1683.23 Method 23: Rubber - Vulcanized – Determination of resistance to liquids

AS 1683.24 Method 24: Determination of the resistance of vulcanized or thermoplastic

rubbers to ozone cracking – Static strain test

AS 1683.26 Method 26: Rubber, vulcanized or thermoplastic - Accelerated ageing and

heat resistance tests

AS 5100.4 Bridge design - Bearings and deck joints

AS/NZS ISO 9001 Quality management systems - Requirements

American Society for Testing Materials' Standards

ASTM D 746 Standard Test Method for Brittleness Temperatures of Plastics and Elastomers

by Impact