EN 1337 vs AASHTO: European and American Bridge Expansion Joint Standards Compared

Bridge expansion joints must comply with local design standards. For international projects, understanding both European and American requirements is essential. European Standards EN 1337 Series: EN 1337-1 covers general design principles. EN 1337-3 covers elastomeric bearings (applies to rubber joints). EN 14187 covers expansion joint sealing systems. EN 1990/1991 covers Eurocode loading standards. Key requirements: CE marking mandatory for EU market, factory production control (FPC) required, third-party certification by notified body. American Standards AASHTO: AASHTO LRFD Bridge Design Specifications provides overall design framework. AASHTO M 251 covers elastomeric bearings. ASTM A36/A572 covers structural steel. ASTM D2000 covers rubber classification. Key Differences: Load model - EN 1337 uses LM1/LM3 (Eurocode) while AASHTO uses HL-93 truck. Temperature range - EN 1337 uses nationally determined parameters while AASHTO uses site-specific values. Certification - EN 1337 requires CE marking while AASHTO requires State DOT approval. Our products are certified to both EN 1337 and AASHTO standards, making them suitable for projects worldwide.