Abstract:
A multi-seal waterproof expansion joint for roadways includes an L-shaped load-bearing member mounted to each end of adjacent roadway sections. The lower surface of the horizontal leg of each load-bearing member has a shaped end to receive an insert to provide a retention cavity accessible by an elongated groove. A primary seal has opposite sides captured in the cavities. Vertical leg of a support member is mounted to each of the load-bearing members. Horizontal legs of the support members are spaced from the horizontal leg of its respective load-bearing member to provide a pair of spaced chambers. A secondary seal has opposite sides captured in the chambers. Movement of the roadway sections due to temperature changes compresses and stretches the primary seal while the sides of the secondary seal slide in their respective chamber. The primary seal can be inserted and/or removed from above or below the roadway.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   This invention relates to a waterproof expansion joint for roadways and, more particularly, to a load-carrying, multi-seal expansion joint for sealing the gap between sections of roadways, e.g., bridge decks, and for inserting and removing the primary seal from above, and the primary and secondary seals from below, the bridge deck. 
   2. Description of the Technology 
   Expansion joints for roadways are provided to cover gaps or separations between sections of roadway, e.g., bridge decks, floors of parking lots, and ramps connected thereto. Expansion joints should be sufficiently wide to allow for the roadway sections to expand as the surrounding temperature increases, i.e., the joint should be wide enough such that minimal, if any, compressive forces are applied to the road sections. In instances when excessive compressive forces are applied, the road buckles and the road sections need to be repaired. When the temperature of the surrounding temperature decreases, the joint should not be excessively wide to make the roadway unusable, e.g., causing damage to the vehicles moving over the expansion joint. In addition to the joint providing adequate expansion and contraction, the joint has to (1) have structural stability to carry the vehicles moving on the roadway, (2) have minimal road surface variation to minimize road bumps, (3) have adequate sealing to prevent water from moving between the roadway sections and damaging the support structure for the roadway, e.g., steel bridge structures, (4) be easy to repair, (5) have structural members that have a life expectancy of at least 75 years, and (6) have seals that have a life expectancy of at least 25 years. 
   There are presently available joint expansion designs, e.g., disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,520,236; 3,699,853; 3,797,188, 4,295,315; and 4,374,442, and German Patent No. DE 38 14 421 C1; however, the expansion joint designs presently available do not adequately meet all of the requirements discussed above. Therefore, as can be appreciated by those skilled in the art, it would be advantageous to provide an expansion joint for roadways that provides adequate expansion and contraction of the road sections, provides adequate structural stability, provides adequate sealing, is easy to repair, and has an acceptable life expectancy. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   This invention relates to a member of an expansion joint, the member includes an elongated load-bearing member having a first leg joined to a second leg, with the second leg having a cutout end portion, an elongated insert mountable on the cutout end portion to form an elongated cavity at the cutout end portion of the second leg of the load-bearing member, an elongated groove facing away from the first leg of the load-bearing member to provide external access to the cavity, and an elongated support member having a first leg joined to a second leg, the first leg of the support member mountable on the first leg of the load-bearing member, with the second leg of the support member spaced from the second leg of the load-bearing member to provide a space therebetween, wherein with the insert mounted on the cutout portion of the second leg of the load-bearing member and the first leg of the support member mounted on the first leg of the load-carrying member, the space is converted to a chamber having an elongated opening facing away from the first leg of the load-bearing member to provide external access to the chamber. 
   The invention further relates to a road expansion joint mounted in a space between ends of first and second roadway sections. The road expansion joint includes a first load-bearing member mounted to the end of the first section, the first load-bearing member having a retention cavity or groove, and a second load-bearing member mounted to the end of the second section. The second load-bearing member is spaced from the first load-bearing member and has a retention cavity or groove with the retention cavity of the second load-bearing member facing the retention cavity of the first load-bearing member. A first support member mounts the first load-bearing member and with the first load-bearing member provides a first chamber having an elongated opening. The second support member mounts the second load-bearing member and, with the second load-bearing member, provides a second chamber having an elongated opening, with the elongated openings of the first and second chambers facing one another. An elongated first seal has a first side and an opposite second side, with the first side of the first seal in the retention cavity of the first load-bearing member and the second side of the first seal in the retention cavity of the second load-bearing member. An elongated second seal has a first side and a second side, with the first side of the second seal in the first chamber and the second side of the second seal in the second chamber, wherein as the first and second load-bearing members move away from one another the first seal is put under tension and the ends of the second seal slid in their respective chamber and, as the first and second load-bearing members move toward one another, the first seal is put in compression, e.g., forms convolutions, and the ends of the second seal slid in their respective chamber. 
   The invention further relates to a method of replacing a primary seal of a waterproof expansion joint for roadways. The method includes, among other things, pulling a cord out of a retention cavity of first and second load-bearing members, removing the primary seal from the cavities and thereafter inserting the ends of replacement primary seal in the cavities. Cords are inserted into the cavities to retain the ends of the primary seal in their respective cavity. The steps of the method can be carried out above and/or below the roadway, e.g., a bridge deck or ramp. 
   The invention further relates to the replacement of a primary seal and secondary seal of an expansion joint of the type described above. The steps include removing the secondary seal, e.g., by loosening the second support members from their respective load bearing member, followed by removing the primary seal, e.g., by removing the bead and/or the insert securing the end of the primary seal in its respective cavity. The primary seal is replaced followed by replacing or inserting the removed secondary seal. The method is practiced under the roadway, e.g., bridge deck or ramp, while the traffic on the roadway continues. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a partial orthogonal view of a roadway having a waterproof expansion joint incorporating features of the invention; 
       FIG. 2  is a view taken along lines  2 - 2  of  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 3  is an orthogonal view of a load-carrying member of the invention; 
       FIG. 4  is an orthogonal view of a support section of the invention; 
       FIG. 5  includes  FIGS. 5A and 5B  which are sectionalized perspective views of primary seals incorporating features of the invention; 
       FIG. 6  is a partial elevated side view of a load-carrying member and a perspective view of an insert member, each incorporating features of the invention; 
       FIG. 7  is a partial elevated side view of a load-carrying member having an insert member mounted thereon in accordance with the invention; 
       FIG. 8  is a perspective view of a non-limiting embodiment of the invention for engaging the end of a primary seal in accordance with the teachings of the invention; 
       FIG. 9  is a fragmented orthogonal elevated side view of an arrangement incorporating features of the invention for joining ends of adjacent sections of a secondary seal together in accordance with the teachings of the invention; and 
       FIG. 10  is a view similar to the view of  FIG. 2  showing an added road covering over the roadway and an additional seal incorporating features of the invention. 
   

   DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
   As used herein, spatial or directional terms, such as “inner”, “outer”, “left”, “right”, “up”, “down”, “horizontal”, “vertical”, and the like, relate to the invention as it is shown in the drawing figures. However, it is to be understood that the invention can assume various alternative orientations and, accordingly, such terms are not to be considered as limiting. Further, all numbers expressing dimensions, physical characteristics, and so forth, used in the specification and claims are to be understood as being modified in all instances by the term “about”. Accordingly, unless indicated to the contrary, the numerical values set forth in the following specification and claims can vary depending upon the desired properties sought to be obtained by the present invention. At the very least, and not as an attempt to limit the application of the doctrine of equivalents to the scope of the claims, each numerical parameter should at least be construed in light of the number of reported significant digits and by applying ordinary rounding techniques. Moreover, all ranges disclosed herein are to be understood to encompass any and all subranges subsumed therein. For example, a stated range of “1 to 10” should be considered to include any and all subranges between (and inclusive of) the minimum value of 1 and the maximum value of 10; that is, all subranges beginning with a minimum value of 1 or more and ending with a maximum value of 10 or less, e.g., 1 to 6.7, or 3.2 to 8.1, or 5.5 to 10. 
   Before discussing several non-limiting embodiments of the invention, it is understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of the particular non-limiting embodiments shown and discussed herein since the invention is capable of other embodiments. Further, the terminology used herein to discuss the invention is for the purpose of description and is not of limitation. Still further, in the following discussion, unless indicated otherwise, like numbers refer to like elements. 
   With reference to  FIG. 1 , there is shown two sections  20  and  22  of a roadway  24  joined by an expansion joint sealing assembly  26  incorporating features of the invention. As can be appreciated, the invention is not limited to the roadway, and the roadway can be, but is not limited to, a bridge deck, the floor of a parking garage, a roadway and/or a ramp leading to and/or from a bridge deck, the floor of a parking garage, and/or a roadway. With reference to  FIGS. 1 and 2  as needed, the expansion joint assembly  26  of a non-limiting embodiment of the invention includes a pair of generally L-shaped load-carrying members  28  and  30  having a vertical leg  32  securely mounted to ends  34  and  35  of road sections  20  and  22 , respectively, by headed studs  36 . More particularly, end  38  of the headed studs  36  is welded to inner surfaces  40  and  41  of the leg  32  of the load-carrying members  28  and  30 , respectively, and the end of the headed studs  36  embedded in the material of the roadway, e.g., concrete, to secure the load-carrying members  28  and  30  to the ends  34  and  35  of the sections  20  and  22 , respectively. The mounting of load-carrying members of seal joint assemblies to the end of adjacent roadway sections is known in the art and no further discussion is deemed necessary. Optionally, concrete can be provided under the load-carrying or load-bearing member as shown in  FIG. 2 , or the concrete can be absent as shown in phantom as  20 A and  22 A in  FIG. 1 . 
   Outer surfaces  50  and  51  of the legs  32  of the load-carrying members  28  and  30 , respectively facing one another, each has a radiused surface portion  52  ending in a ledge  54  for supporting support sections  56  and  58 , respectively, discussed in detail below. 
   Horizontal leg  60  of the load-carrying members  28  and  30  has an outer surface  62  generally flush with roadway surface  64  of the sections  20  and  22 , and an inner surface  70 . The inner surface  70  has a shaped cutout portion  72  that cooperates with shaped surface of insert member  74  to form an elongated opening  76  extending from surface  78  of the horizontal leg  60  to a cavity  80  for engaging an end  82  or  84  of primary seal  86  in a manner to be discussed below. In  FIG. 2 , the insert member  74  is shown secured in the cutout portion  72  of the horizontal leg  60  of the load-carrying members  28  and  30 , respectively, by a machine screw  88 . Although not limiting to the invention, the head of the screw  88  is shown recessed into the body of the insert member  74  to provide a flat surface. As can be appreciated, the head of the screw  88  can be recessed in a hole in the outer surface  62  of the leg  60  of the load-carrying members  28  and  30 . In the practice of the invention but not limiting to the invention, it is preferred to have the head of the screw  88  in the body of the insert member  74  to prevent unauthorized removal of the screw and/or loosening of the screw by road vibrations. 
   With reference to  FIGS. 1-3  and not limiting to the invention, each of the L-shaped load-carrying members  28  and  30  preferably has a length to extend across the roadway, e.g., from side  92  to side  94  of the sections  20  and  22  of the roadway  24  (see  FIG. 1 ). The load-carrying members  28  and  30  can be made of any structural material capable of carrying the expected load. Preferably, but not limiting to the invention, the material selected for the load-carrying members should provide a life expectancy of at least 75 years. In the preferred practice of the invention, the load-carrying members are made of steel. Further, as can be appreciated, the load-carrying members can be made of a single section or several sections joined together. For example, with reference to  FIG. 2  and not limiting to the invention, the vertical leg  32  and the horizontal leg  60  of the load-carrying members  28  and  30  are shown made of a single piece of steel with the vertical leg  32  having the radiused surface portion  52  and the ledge  54  for supporting the support sections  56  and  58 , respectively. As shown in  FIG. 3  and not limiting to the invention, L-shaped load support  98  is one piece having horizontal leg  100  and vertical leg section  102 . Vertical leg section  106  is welded to the vertical leg section  102  at  108 . The vertical leg section  106  provides the radiused portion  110  and ledge  112 , which corresponds to the radiused portion  52  and the ledge  54  of the leg  32  shown in  FIG. 2 . Each of the vertical leg sections  102  and  106  have a headed stud  36  attached thereto to secure the load-carrying member  98  to the end of its respective roadway section as previously discussed for securing the legs  32  of the load-carrying members  28  and  30  to the roadway sections  20  and  22 , respectively. 
   As can be appreciated, the invention is not limited to the dimensions of the load-carrying members  28  and  30 ; however, the members  28  and  30  as previously mentioned should have sufficient structural load-bearing capacity to carry the expected load. In the practice of the invention but not limited thereto, the members  28  and  30  are single pieces extending across the roadway  24  from the side  92  to the side  94 , i.e., the length of the members  28  and  30  which is the length of the horizontal leg  60  and the vertical leg  32  (see  FIG. 1 ). For a 2-inch (5.08 centimeters (“cm”)) expansion joint and not limiting to the invention, the width of the members  28  and  30 , which is the width of the horizontal leg  60 , is 3 inches (7.62 cm), and the height of the members  28  and  30 , which is the height of the vertical leg  32 , is 8 inches (20.32 cm). The thickness of the vertical leg  32  is ¾ inch (1.9 cm) with the radiused surface portion  52  having a thickness at its widest point of 1 inch (2.54 cm). The thickness of the horizontal leg  60 , except at the cutout portion  72  which is discussed below, is ¾ inch (1.9 cm). For a 3-inch (7.62 cm) expansion joint and not limiting to the invention, the width of the horizontal leg  60  is 4 inches (10.16 cm), and the height of the vertical leg  32  is 8 inches (20.32 cm). The thickness of the vertical leg  32  is ⅞ inch (2.22 cm) with the radiused surface portion  52  having a thickness at its widest point of 1.28 inches (3.35 cm). The thickness of the horizontal leg  60 , except at the cutout portion  72  which is discussed below, is ⅞ inch (2.22 cm). For a 4-inch (10.16 cm) expansion joint and not limiting to the invention, the width of the horizontal leg  60  is 5 inches (12.7 cm), and the height of the members  28  and  30 , which is the height of the vertical leg  32 , is 8 inches (20.32 cm). The thickness of the vertical leg  32  is 1 inch (2.54 cm) with the radiused surface portion  52  having a thickness at its widest point of 1.50 inches (3.81 cm). The thickness of the horizontal leg  60 , except at the cutout portion  72  which is discussed below, is 1 inch (2.54 cm). 
   Referring now to  FIGS. 2 and 4 , the L-shaped support sections  56  and  58  each have a vertical leg  120  connected to a horizontal leg  122  to provide the legs  120  and  122  with a generally L-shaped cross section. Gusset plates  124  interconnect the legs  120 ,  122  to provide the support sections  56  and  58  with structural stability. The gusset plates  124  are equally spaced from one another with a gusset plate at each end of the support sections, as shown in  FIG. 4 . As can be appreciated, the invention is not limited to the length of the support sections or the number of gusset plates or the thickness of the vertical and horizontal legs or the thickness of the gusset plates. In the practice of the invention but not limited thereto, support sections  56  and  58  having a length of about 24 inches (0.61 meters), the vertical leg  120 , the horizontal leg  122 , except for the end portion  128  which is discussed below, and the gusset plates  124  having a wall thickness of about 0.25 inch (0.635 cm), and a vertical leg having a height of 3 inches (7.62 cm), are acceptable. For a 3-inch (7.62 cm) expansion joint, a horizontal leg having a width of 3.13 inches (7.95 cm) is acceptable. Although the invention is not limited to the material of the support sections  56  and  58 , the material should be structurally stable, e.g., made of metal or reinforced plastics. In the practice of the invention although not limiting thereto, the support sections are made of steel. End  126  of the vertical leg  120  is supported on the ledge  54  of the vertical leg  32  of the load-carrying members  28  and  30  (see  FIG. 2 ) and the ledge  112  of the L-shaped load-carrying member  98  (see  FIG. 3 ). 
   With continued reference to  FIG. 4 , the vertical leg  120  of the support sections  56 ,  58  has a plurality of elongated holes  129  used to secure the L-shaped support section  56 ,  58  on the ledge  54  of the load-carrying members  28  and  30  (see  FIG. 2 ) or ledge  112  of the load-carrying member  98  (see  FIG. 3 ). In the practice of the invention but not limited thereto, an anchor bolt  130  is passed through each of the holes  129  in a support section, e.g., the support section  56 , and through threaded holes  131  (clearly shown in  FIG. 3  for the member  98 ) of the vertical leg  32  of the member  28  into a threaded anchor collar  132  embedded in the material of the road sections, e.g., concrete. With the start of the threading of the bolt  130  into the anchor collar  132 , the elongated holes  129  allow the end portion  126  of the vertical leg  120  to rest on the radiused surface portion  52  of the vertical leg  32  ( FIG. 2 ) or the radiused surface portion  110  of the vertical leg portion  106  ( FIG. 3 ). As the bolt  130  is threaded further into the collar  132 , the end portion  126  of the vertical leg  120  slides up the radiused surface portion and is seated on the ledge  54  ( FIG. 2 ) or the ledge  112  ( FIG. 3 ). 
   With reference to  FIGS. 2 and 4 , the end portion  128  of the horizontal leg  122  of the support sections  56  and  58  is thicker to provide upper surface  140  (see  FIG. 4 ) of the horizontal leg  122  with a grooved surface  142 , e.g., having a depth of 0.25 inch (0.635 cm). The grooved surface  142  of each of the support sections  56  and  58  is spaced 0.50 inch (1.27 cm) from the inner surface  70  of the horizontal leg  60  of the load-carrying members  28  and  30  to provide a chamber  144  for capturing end portions of a secondary seal  146  in a manner discussed below. 
   The discussion will now be directed to non-limiting embodiments of the primary seal  86  and the secondary seal  146  of the invention which function in a manner discussed below to prevent water and road debris, e.g., but not limited to deicing chemicals, from moving between the road sections  20  and  22 , e.g., but not limiting the invention, to the underlying bridge superstructure. With reference to  FIG. 2 , the primary seal  86 , which prevents water and/or road debris from moving between the load-carrying members  28  and  30 , has convolutions  150 , which allow the primary seal to expand in the wintertime and contract in the summertime without the primary seal extending above the road surface. Although not limiting to the invention, the primary seal  86  preferably has memory to maintain the primary seal below road surface during the contraction of the sections  20  and  22  during cold weather, e.g., winter months, has at least 400% elongation, has a high resistance to ultraviolet (UV) rays, hydrolysis, and fungus, acceptable low-temperature flexibility with durability, has continuous extrusion to provide a length sufficient to span any present deck width, and has an acceptable life expectancy, e.g., at least 25 years. Materials that can be used in the practice of the invention, but not limited thereto, include an ether-containing material, ester-containing material, and combinations thereof, such as, but not limiting to the invention, a urethane. The material can be a polymeric material, such as a polyester-containing material, such as a polyurethane. Other suitable materials include plastics, such as thermoplastic plastics or thermoset plastics, examples of which include acrylic, vinyl, or styrene-containing materials or polymers. In a non-limiting embodiment of the invention, the primary seal can be a urethane of the types sold by BASF under the mark ELASTOLLAN® 1100 series and, in particular but not limiting the invention thereto, under the mark ELASTOLLAN® 1175A-10W. The primary seal shown in  FIG. 2  has convolutions; however, as can now be appreciated, the primary seal can be used without convolutions depending on the amount of roadway expansion during hot weather, e.g., summer months. 
   With reference to  FIG. 5 , the primary seal  86  can have a lobe  156  at each end  82  and  84 , the lobe  156  extending from one major surface  158  as shown in  FIG. 5A , or can have a lobe  156  and  160  at each end  82  and  84  extending from each opposed major surface  158  and  162 , respectively, as shown in  FIG. 5B . The lobe  156  ( FIG. 5A ) or the lobes  156  and  160  ( FIG. 5B ) of the primary seal are captured in the cavity  80  (see  FIG. 2 ) formed by the insert member  74  and the shaped cutout portion  72  on the inner surface  70  of the horizontal leg  60  of the load-carrying members  28  and  30 , as discussed above. 
   The ends of the primary seal  86  can be captured in the cavity  80  formed by the shaped cutout portion  72  of the horizontal leg  60  and the insert member  74  in any convenient manner. For example but not limiting to the invention, an end of the primary seal  86  can be held against the shaped cutout portion  72  of the horizontal leg  60  of one of the load-carrying members  28  or  30 , and the insert member  74  attached to the horizontal leg  60  of the load-carrying member  28  or  30  by the screw  88 , as previously discussed. In this manner, the end of the primary seal  86  is captured in the cavity  80  with the primary seal  86  extending out of the elongated opening  76  as previously discussed (see  FIG. 6 ). This technique is preferred when the primary seal  86  has the lobes  156  and  160  extending from each surface  158  and  162 , as shown in  FIG. 5B . As can be appreciated, the invention contemplates securing the ends of the primary seal  86  in the cavity  80  from above the roadway and/or from below the roadway, e.g., a bridge deck and/or ramp. More particularly, in a non-limiting embodiment of the invention, when the primary seal  86  is installed from above the roadway, the screws  88  are moved through the leg  60  of the load-carrying members  28 ,  30  into the inserts  74 . The inserts  74  are spaced from their respective ends of the leg  60  of the load-carrying members to pull the lobes of the primary seal  86  through their respective cavity  80 . Thereafter, the screws  88  are tightened to capture the ends of the primary seal  86  in their respective cavity  80 . In a non-limiting embodiment of the invention, when the primary seal  86  is installed from below the roadway, the screws  88  pass through the inserts  74  into their respective end of the leg  60  of the load-carrying members  28 ,  30 . As before, the insert  74  is spaced from its respective leg  60  to allow for inserting the ends of the primary seal  86  into their respective groove  80 . Thereafter, the screws  88  are tightened to secure the ends of the primary seal  86  in their respective cavity  80 . 
   Another non-limiting embodiment of the invention to install the primary seal  86  is to secure the insert member  74  to the shaped cutout portion  72  by the screw  88  as shown in  FIGS. 2 and 6 , or as shown in  FIG. 7 , e.g., by welding the insert member  74  at  166  to the cutout portion  72 . Thereafter, the primary seal  86  having lobes  156  extending only from one major surface  158  is inserted into the cavity  80 , e.g., at the side  92  of the roadway  24  (see  FIG. 1 ), and pulled through the cavity  80  of each load-carrying member  28  and  30  from the side  92  to the side  94 . In a non-limiting embodiment of the invention, to secure the ends  82  and  84  of the primary seal  86  in their respective cavity  80  from above the roadway, an elongated bead (or cord)  168  (see  FIG. 2 ) is forced into the elongated opening  76  between the surface  162  of the primary seal  86  and adjacent wall of the opening  76  to capture the ends of the primary seal in their respective cavity. In a non-limiting embodiment of the invention, to secure the ends  82  and  84  of the primary seal  86  in their respective cavity  80  from below the roadway, an elongated bead (or cord)  168  (see  FIG. 2 ) is forced into the elongated opening  76  between the surface  162  of the primary seal  86  and adjacent wall of the opening  76  to capture the ends  82 ,  84  of the primary seal  86  in their respective cavity. 
   In another non-limiting embodiment of the invention, a primary seal  180  does not have any lobes extending from a major surface  170 , i.e., the end portion  178  of the primary seal  180  is flat as shown in  FIG. 8  for end  178  of the primary seal  180 . As can be appreciated, the invention is not limited to the manner in which the primary seal is engaged by the horizontal member of the load-carrying member. For example and with reference to  FIG. 8 , the surface  170  of insert member  172  and surface  174  of horizontal leg  176  of an L-shaped load-carrying member (not shown) each has a rough surface, e.g., but not limiting to the invention, spaced ridges to engage end  178  of the primary seal  180 . The surface  170  of the insert member  172  and the surface  174  of the horizontal leg  176  are sized to apply pressure to the end  178  of the primary seal  180  to maintain the end of the primary seal between the surfaces  170  and  174  as the primary seal expands. The insert member  172  is secured to the horizontal leg  176  in any convenient manner, e.g., by a screw as previously discussed. 
   The primary seal  86  can be removed from the cavity in the reverse order in which it was inserted into and/or secured in the cavity  80 . In the practice of the invention but not limiting thereto, it is preferred to use a primary seal having the lobes  156  extending from only one major surface, e.g., the major surface  158  as shown in  FIG. 5A  because the primary seal can more easily be pulled through the cavity  80 , and the primary seal  86  and the bead inserted from above or below the roadway surface. As can be appreciated, an advantage to removing and inserting the primary seal from below the roadway surface is that there is no interruption, e.g., stopping, of traffic to remove the old, and install the new, primary seal. 
   In the practice of the invention but not limiting the invention thereto, the bead is made of an ether-containing material of the type discussed above for the primary seal. As can be appreciated but not limiting to the invention, the bead can be made of a material selected from the same group of materials discussed above for the primary seal, and can be made of the same material as, or different material than, the primary seal. 
   As can be appreciated, the dimensions of the end portions  82  and  84  of the primary seal  86  and the cord  168 , and the durometer of the cord  168  and primary seal are selected such that the cord  168  and the primary seal can be compressed as the cord  168  passes through the opening  76  into the cavity  80 , and the cord  168  seated in the cavity  80  applies sufficient pressure to maintain its respective end  82  or  84  of the primary seal  86  in the cavity  80 . For example and not limiting to the invention, for an elongated opening  76  having a height of about 0.25 inch (0.635 cm), a primary seal  86  having a thickness of 0.125 inch (0.318 cm) between the surfaces  158  and  162 , and an end  82 ,  84  having a radiused lobe  156  having a thickness of 0.25 inch (0.635 cm) used with a cord  168  having a diameter of 0.25 inch (0.635 cm) and made of urethane of the type sold by BASF under the mark ELASTOLLAN® 1175A-10W is sufficient to maintain the primary seal  86  in the cavity  80 . Preferably, the length of the primary seal  86  is the length of the width of the bridge deck or roadway. Having a one-piece primary seal reduces leakage of water through the seal to the structure of the bridge, ramp or roadway. The width of the primary seal should be sufficient to accommodate the greatest expected expansion of the roadway sections  20  and  22 . 
   The discussion will now be directed to the secondary seal  146 . As discussed above, the primary seal  86  prevents water and/or road debris from moving between the load-carrying members  28  and  30 . The secondary seal  146  prevents water and/or road debris from the bridge structure in the event the primary seal has leakage. In addition, the secondary seal  146  provides a support to limit the downward displacement of the primary seal  86  due to the weight of the water and road debris on the primary seal  86 . Keeping the primary seal slightly below the road surface allows for removal of the water and road debris on the primary seal by the wind and vehicles moving over the expansion joint. 
   The secondary seal  146 , as shown in  FIG. 2  in cross section, has a barbell or dog bone appearance having headed ends  200  and  202  captured in the chamber  144  formed by the horizontal leg  60  of the load-carrying members  28  and  30  and the horizontal leg  122  of the L-shaped support sections  56  and  58 , respectively, as previously discussed. The chamber  144  has a width sufficient to pass body  208  of the secondary seal  146  therethrough and small enough to capture the ends  200  and  202  in their respective chamber  144 . In this manner, the expansion joint can slide along the body of the secondary seal as the sections  20  and  22  of the roadway  24  expands and contracts. A slot  206  is formed by the end portion  128  of the horizontal leg  122  of the support sections  56  and  58  and the surface of the insert member  74 . For example but not limiting to the invention, the width of the secondary seal as measured between the ends  200  and  202  is 6.95 inches (17.65 cm), the thickness of the body  208  of the secondary seal  146  is 0.495 inch (1.25 cm), the thickness of the ends  200  and  202  of the secondary seal  146  is 1.25 inches (3.175 cm), and the opening of the slot  206  is 0.50 inch (1.26 cm). The secondary seal  146  is preferably in a continuous length; however, because the primary seal  86  is continuous, the secondary seal  146  can be made up of sections having the ends joined together. Preferably, the ends of the secondary seal sections overlap and are sealed to prevent water flowing through the secondary seal to the superstructure. 
   A non-limiting embodiment of the invention to join ends of secondary seal sections is shown in  FIG. 9 . With reference to  FIG. 9  there is shown secondary seal sections  220  and  222 . End  224  of section  220  is similar to end (not shown) of the secondary seal section  222 , and end  226  is similar to end (not shown) of secondary seal section  220 . In this manner, adjacent ends of the secondary seal sections  220 ,  222  can be joined to provide a secondary seal extending from the side  92  to the side  94  of the roadway  24 . The end  224  of the secondary seal section  220  includes a step down portion  227  terminating in a finger  228  having a rounded end  230 . The finger  228  extends from the barbell end  202  to the barbell end  200  (not shown in  FIG. 9 ). A rigid plate, e.g., a metal plate  232 , is embedded in the barbell ends  202  and  200  (not shown in  FIG. 9 ) at the step down portion  227  of the end  224 . The barbell ends  202  and  200  (not shown in  FIG. 9 ) at the end  226  has a step down portion  234  and a rigid plate  236 . The step down portion  234  of the section  222  has an adjacent groove  238  sized to receive the finger  228  with the rounded end in the groove  238  when the step down portions  227  and  234  of the sections  220  and  222 , respectively, overlap one another. The groove  238  extends from the barbell end  202  to the barbell end  200  (not shown in  FIG. 9 ). Machine screws  240  pass through the metal plates  232  and  236  of the sections  220  and  222  to secure the ends of adjacent secondary seal sections together. 
   Optionally and not limiting to the invention, rigid plates, e.g., metal plates  241 , can be provided in the barbell ends  200  and  202 , as shown in the barbell end in  FIG. 9 , to prevent squeezing of the barbell ends  200 ,  202  out of their respective slot  206  as a result of, among other things, water and road debris forcing the primary seal downward and torsional and/or tensile forces exerted on the secondary seal  146  during a seismic event, e.g. but not limited to an earthquake. In addition, but not limiting to the invention, the secondary seal  146  of the invention provides the expansion joint of the invention with a design to accommodate earthquake movement and remain functional, resist earthquake forces, and help provide damping. For example but not limiting to the invention, polyurethane of the type sold by C.U.E., Inc of Cranberry Township, Pa., under Compound Numbers PO-670, PO-650, and PO-652, having a Shore Durometer in the range of 70 A to 93 A measured according to ASTM D2240-64T, can be used in the practice of the invention. More particularly, a secondary seal made of the above-mentioned polyurethane materials having a thickness of 0.5 inch (1.27 cm), a length of 40 feet (12.2 meters), and covering a divided space of 6 inches (15.2 cm), i.e., the distance between the horizontal legs  122  of the L-shaped support sections  56  and  58 , is expected to withstand a 4 degree clockwise and a 4 degree counterclockwise twist around the longitudinal center of the expansion joint, i.e., the center line between the sides of the sections  20  and  22  of the roadway  24  without tearing or rupturing the secondary seal. As can be appreciated, for a secondary seal having a 40 foot (12.2 meters) length, e.g., as measured between sides  92  and  94  of the sections  20  and  22  (see  FIG. 1 ), the secondary seal at the sides of the sections  20  and  22  of the roadway  24  has a displacement of 18 inches (0.5 meter) in the clockwise direction and 18 inches (0.5 meter) in the counterclockwise direction. 
   The invention is not limited to the durometer of the secondary seal. In geographic areas where there is no history of seismic events, the durometer can be decreased, i.e., the secondary seal can be softer because of the low probability of torsional twist of the secondary seal. In geographic areas where there is a history of severe seismic events, the durometer of the secondary seal should be increased to resist the torsional twist of the secondary seal. 
   Further, in geographic areas where seismic events occur, it is preferred to use a material for the secondary seal that has dampening properties, e.g., but not limiting the invention thereto, urethane, to prevent the vibrations of one roadway section being transmitted to the adjacent roadway section. 
   The secondary seal  146  is positioned between the horizontal leg  60  of the load-carrying members  28 ,  30 , and the horizontal leg  122  of the L-shaped support sections  56  and  58  in any convenient manner. For example and not limiting to the invention, bolts  130  are passed through the holes  129  of a support section  56  or  58  and the holes  131  of one of the load-carrying members  28  or  30  into the threaded anchor collars  132 . Each of the barbell ends  200  and  202  of a secondary seal section  220 ,  222  is positioned on one of the horizontal legs  122  with an end of the secondary seal section overhanging the end of the support section. After the bolts  130  are completely threaded, a secondary seal section is joined to the overhanging end of the secondary seal section recently secured in position. The process is repeated until a secondary seal extends across the roadway from side  92  to side  94 . The width of the secondary seal is not limiting to the invention; however, the width of the secondary seal and the chambers are sized to accommodate the smallest expected contraction distance and largest expected expansion distance for the roadway sections  20  and  22 . 
   In a non-limiting embodiment of the invention, the secondary seal  146  and/or sections  220 ,  222  of the secondary seal  146  are removed in the reverse order in which they were installed. As can now be appreciated, the primary seal  86  and the secondary seal  146  can be installed and/or replaced, and/or the sections  220 ,  222  of the secondary seal  146  can be replaced from below the roadway without stopping or interrupting traffic. 
   As can be appreciated, the invention is not limited to the material of the secondary seal, and any materials that provide the properties of the secondary seal discussed above can be used in the practice of the invention for the secondary seal. Materials that can be used in the practice of the invention include, but are not limited to, an ester-containing material, such as a urethane, a polymeric material, such as a polyester-containing material, such as a polyurethane. Other suitable materials include plastics, such as thermoplastic plastics or thermoset plastics, examples of which include acrylic, vinyl, or styrene-containing materials or polymers. Further, as can be appreciated, the primary seal and the secondary seal can be made of the same or different materials. 
   With reference to  FIG. 10  there is shown a non-limiting embodiment of the invention to cover a previous concreted roadway, e.g., the roadway  24  with a covering, e.g., asphalt. An insert member  252  is welded at  254  to the outer surface  62  of the horizontal member  60  of the load-carrying member  28 , and an insert  260  is welded at  254  to the outer surface  62  of the horizontal member  60  of the load-carrying member  30 . A top insert member  262  is secured to the insert member  252  by a screw  264 , and a top insert member  266  is secured to the insert member  260  by a screw  264 . The insert members  252  and  262  and the insert members  260  and  266  provide cavity  270  to capture ends of additional seal  272  in similar manner as the insert  74  and cutout portion  72  of the horizontal leg  60  of the load-carrying members  28  and  30  formed the cavity  80  to capture the ends of the primary seal as shown in  FIG. 2 . As can be appreciated, the additional seal  272  can made of the same material as the primary seal  86  or from a different material. 
   As can be appreciated, the invention is not limited to the non-limiting embodiments discussed above, and the non-limiting embodiments are present for purposes of illustration and not of limitation.