Expandable device "Hybrid Joint 3LIIA type (with guide plate)"
By shaping the steel plate into a guide plate type, it prevents damage to the main body of the grader due to expansion and contraction in snowy areas.
The Hybrid Joint 3LIIA type has a vertical integrated structure for the load support and anchor plate sections, making it highly durable with almost no damage from metal fatigue. By using steel plates vertically, the exposed areas are minimized, resulting in very low impact during operation and making the product less prone to noise and vibration. It is capable of accommodating large expansion and contraction (200–600mm) and wide gaps (up to 1230mm). 【Features】 ○ Supports large expansion and contraction and wide gaps ○ High watertightness due to double sealing structure ○ Long-term durability and maintenance-free For more details, please contact us or request a catalog.
basic information
【Features】 ○ Large expansion and contraction capacity, suitable for wide spans ○ Compatible with all types of bridges ○ Ultra-low noise and comfortable driving ○ Long-term durability and maintenance-free ○ High watertightness ○ Safe and easy installation (product height is low and relatively lightweight) ○ Replaceable ○ Economical ● For more details, please contact us or request a catalog.
Price range
Delivery Time
Applications/Examples of results
We have been adopted nationwide, primarily by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, NEXCO, urban expressways, local governments, and other public organizations.
Line up（5）
| Model number | overview |
|---|---|
| 3LIIA-200 | Extension amount 200mm (±100mm) |
| 3LIIA-300 | Extension amount 300mm (±150mm) |
| 3LIIA-400 | Extension amount 400mm (±200mm) |
| 3LIIA-500 | Extension amount 500mm (±250mm) |
| 3LIIA-600 | Extension amount 600mm (±300mm) |
catalog（1）
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News about this product（2）
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On February 26, 2026, an advertisement for the bridge expansion device "Hybrid Joint" was published in the Tohoku 6 Prefectures edition of the Sankei Shimbun, demonstrating a durability of 100 years (3LII type) verified by a third-party organization.
Crittec Industries Co., Ltd. published a newspaper advertisement (black and white, full-page 15 columns) for the bridge expansion device "Hybrid Joint" in the February 26, 2026 issue of the Sankei Shimbun Tohoku 6 Prefectures edition. In Japan, the number of bridges over 50 years old is rapidly increasing, making the longevity of bridges a critical issue. The expansion devices, which are considered a cause of bridge damage, require high water-tightness and long-term durability. Our expansion device "Hybrid Joint" offers multiple types tailored to different bridge types and conditions. Among them, the "Hybrid Joint 3LII type" has demonstrated a durability of 100 years in fatigue loading tests conducted by a third-party organization. It has successfully passed 12 million cycles of repeated loading at a maximum load of 260 kN, confirming performance equivalent to a 100-year design service life for bridges. We have numerous delivery records in the six Tohoku prefectures and can accommodate a wide range of bridge types, including steel and PC bridges. The special website linked to the advertisement allows for the review of detailed materials and inquiries or requests for documents. Please make use of it for comparing and considering bridge renewal and repair plans. Crittec Industries will continue to contribute to the longevity of bridges nationwide, starting with the Tohoku region.
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<Media Information> An article titled "Proving 100 Years of Durability" has been published in Bridge Communication.
The article "Proving 100 Years of Durability" was published in the March 1, 2025 issue of "Bridge Communication." *The full article is available in the related PDF document. Please download and read it. We encourage you to take a look!* <Excerpt from the article> Crittec Industries announced that its main product, the expansion joint "Hybrid Joint 3LII-500," has been proven to have a durability of 100 years through fatigue loading tests conducted by a third-party organization. The 3LII type meets NEXCO specifications. The load support plate and anchor plate are designed as a vertical integrated structure, providing high durability and preventing damage from metal fatigue. In October to November 2024, using a fatigue testing machine at the Construction Machinery Construction Association's Comprehensive Research Institute, a third-party organization, it cleared a maximum loading weight of 260 kN for 12 million cycles. This is based on the assumption that a 25-ton large vehicle ran over the 3LII-500 for 12 million times, equivalent to a 100-year durability. According to the "Road Bridge Design Guidelines," the standard design service life for bridges is 100 years. For newly constructed bridges, there is no need to replace the expansion joints for 100 years. The 3LII type is maintenance-free, eliminating the need for traffic restrictions for sound inspections, thereby reducing maintenance costs and improving safety.
Distributors
CRETEC, a company under Crittec Industries, was born from the combination of Create (creation) and Technology. As a comprehensive manufacturer of bridge expansion devices, we continue to develop expansion devices that contribute to the longevity of bridges and environmental protection. Moreover, we do not stop at product manufacturing; by consistently handling everything from research, design, manufacturing, sales, to construction in-house, we can manufacture and install expansion devices that meet the requests of our clients and general contractors, as well as the conditions and environments of the bridges and roads on-site. We also take into account the issues that arise during the installation of expansion devices and the damage conditions of existing devices that are removed, using this information to improve and develop our products. Please feel free to contact us for inquiries about bridge expansion devices, requests for materials, or estimates. ◆ What is a bridge expansion device? It is a component installed in the gap between the bridge abutment and the bridge girder, or between bridge girders. When designing a bridge, it is necessary to create a gap to prevent the bridge girders from colliding due to expansion and contraction caused by temperature changes. The bridge expansion device is required to cover this gap and ensure safe passage for vehicles and pedestrians.
