Bridge expansion joints are designed to allow for continuous traffic between structures while accommodating movement, shrinkage, and temperature variations on reinforced and prestressed concrete, composite, and steel structures.  They stop the bridge from bending out of place in extreme conditions, and also allow enough vertical movement to permit bearing replacement  without the need to dismantle the bridge expansion joint. There are various types, which can accommodate movement from , including joints for small movement (EMSEAL BEJS, XJS, JEP, WR, WOSd, and Granor AC-AR), medium movement (ETIC EJ, Wd), and large movement (WP, ETIC EJF/Granor SFEJ).
Modular expansion joints are used when the movements of a bridge exceed the capacity of a single gap joint or a finger type joint.   Modular multiple-gap expansion joints can accommodate movements in all directions and rotations about every axis. They can be used for longitudinal movements of as little as 160mm, or for very large movements of over 3000 mm. The total movement of the bridge deck is divided among a number of individual gaps which are created by horizontal surface beams. The individual gaps are sealed by watertight elastomeric profiles, and surface beam movements are regulated by an elastic control system. The drainage of the joint is via the drainage system of the bridge deck. Certain joints feature so-called “sinus plates” on their surface, which reduce noise from over-passing traffic by up to 80%.
Masonry control joints are also sometimes used in bridge slabs.