A total of 57 structures with concrete halving joints have been identified across the Queensland Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR) network. A bridge with halving joints consists of suspended spans with dapped ends supported on the nibs of abutments or adjacent cantilevered girders. The physical configuration of the joint introduces a sudden change in geometry, resulting in significant variation in the stiffness and strength within the joint section. The joints are positioned and configured in the structure so that there is no/minimal global bending moment at the joint. However, there is typically significant cross-section shear, leading to localised shear and bending resulting from the joint configuration. Reduced cross-section stiffness and strength combined with complex localised bending and shear makes them vulnerable to failure, often exacerbated by other factors. Catastrophic failure of structures triggered by failure of halving joints has occurred in recent years; for example, the De La Concorde Overpass in 2006 in Canada with five fatalities.
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