Durability 100 years, expansion device, hybrid joint, type 3LII.
A bridge expansion device proven to last 100 years! No replacement needed for new bridges for 100 years! Long-term water-tightness, maintenance-free [NEXCO specification compliant product].
The Hybrid Joint 3LII type has a vertical integrated structure of the load support plate and anchor plate, making it highly durable and preventing damage from metal fatigue. Its durability is equivalent to an ultra-long term of 100 years! It has been proven through fatigue loading tests conducted by a third-party organization, clearing the equivalent of 12 million cycles, which corresponds to 100 years. This assumes that a 25-ton large vehicle has traveled over the 3LII type 12 million times, equating to a 100-year durability. The standard design supply period for bridges is 100 years. For newly constructed bridges, there is no need to replace the expansion device for 100 years. The 3LII type is maintenance-free, eliminating the need for sound inspection that requires traffic regulation, leading to reduced maintenance costs and improved safety. It is a product capable of accommodating large expansion ranges (150-350mm) and wide gaps (up to 730mm), making it one of the largest among expansion devices that have passed NEXCO standards. It has been widely adopted on highways nationwide as a product that meets NEXCO specifications. For more details, please contact us or request a catalog.
basic information
**Features** 1) Ultra-long durability of 100 years: Achieved 12 million cycles in fatigue loading tests by a third-party organization, proving a durability of 100 years. 2) Long-term water-tightness of 50 years: Proven water-tightness equivalent to 50 years through water-tightness performance tests by a third-party organization. Secondary water-stop materials are standard specifications. 3) Large expansion and contraction capacity and wide gap compatibility: One of the largest expansion capacities among NEXCO-approved products. Capable of accommodating expansion from 150mm to 350mm and maximum gap of 730mm. 4) Ultra-low noise and vibration-free: A vertical integrated structure with 32mm thick steel plates arranged vertically and alternately, making it difficult for air vibrations to transmit under the beams, thus reducing noise. Smooth and comfortable driving experience. Small wheel load support intervals make it less likely for impact vibrations to occur during driving. 5) Easy to install: Can be constructed without road closures, using lane restrictions that allow shared use of one side for both new installations and repairs. Lighter compared to conventional large products. 6) Maintenance-free: The load support plate and anchor plate have a vertical integrated structure with high durability. Additionally, the structure prevents damage from metal fatigue, allowing for visual maintenance management. Visual inspections are sufficient, eliminating the need for regulated sound inspections. 7) NETIS registered: This is a new technology registered in the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism's database system "NETIS." Registration No. KT-210067-A.
Price range
Delivery Time
Model number/Brand name
3LII-150，160，200，250，300，350, 400, 450, 500
Applications/Examples of results
NEXCO, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, urban expressways, and various public organizations, including local governments, have adopted this product widely across the country. This product has passed the water stop test and durability test conducted by NEXCO.
Detailed information
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Kyoto-Ji Bypass Ujigawa Ohashi
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Tomei Expressway Abekawa Bridge
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Okawa Elevated Bridge
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Flying over the bridge
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<500kN Fatigue Testing Machine> Implementation Facility: Japan Construction Machinery Construction Association, Comprehensive Research Institute of Construction Technology (Fuji City, Shizuoka Prefecture) / Model: Hydraulic Servo Control System / Dynamic Maximum Load: 500kN / Maximum Displacement: 200mm (±100mm) / Repetition Speed: 0-10Hz (at 1mm displacement) / Loading Load: 260kN ⇔ 10kN / Loading Period: 2024.10.21 - 2024.11.25
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At the completion of 12 million fatigue load tests, the Hybrid Joint Type 3LII did not fail, proving a durability of 100 years.
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"Secondary water stop material" It is required that the expansion joint device is non-drainable, and the main body of the expansion joint must meet the water stop performance. However, since there is a possibility of leakage occurring due to some factors, secondary water stop material is specified as standard at the bottom of the expansion joint device.
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The guide board for cold regions can be applied to the borders of roads in cold areas by adopting a snow removal grader type.
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The underground joint adopts a structure that raises the ends of the expansion device to create a water stop.
Related Videos
Line up（9）
| Model number | overview |
|---|---|
| 3LII-150 | Expansion amount 150mm (±75mm) |
| 3LII-160 | Expansion and contraction amount 160mm (±80mm) |
| 3LII-200 | Expansion amount 200mm (±100mm) |
| 3LII-250 | Expansion amount 250mm (±125mm) |
| 3LII-300 | Expansion amount 300mm (±150mm) |
| 3LII-350 | Expansion amount 350mm (±175mm) |
| 3LII-400 | Expansion amount 400mm (±200mm) |
| 3LII-450 | Expansion amount 450mm (±255mm) |
| 3LII-500 | Expansion amount 500mm (±250mm) |
catalog（7）
Download All Catalogs
News about this product（5）
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Crittec Industries receives the "Shinkin Central Bank Chairman's Award" at the Shinkin Excellent Company Awards - Selected for high evaluation of its 100-year durability bridge expansion devices and social contribution activities.
Crittec Industries, a manufacturer of expansion devices for bridges, received the "Chairman's Award of the Shinkin Central Bank" at the "2026 Shinkin Excellent Company Awards" held on March 16, 2026. This award is a system that selects outstanding companies from among the business partners of 23 Shinkin banks in Tokyo. Our company was nominated as a representative of approximately 20,000 business partners of Shiba Shinkin Bank and received the award after a rigorous screening process. The development of the bridge expansion device "Hybrid Joint Type 3LII," which achieves a durability of 100 years, was highly evaluated for its contribution to reducing maintenance costs through lower replacement frequency, as well as its role in mitigating social costs such as traffic regulations. Additionally, our social contribution activities, including the utilization of senior talent, promotion of health management, and the implementation of the experiential learning program "Crittec Academy" for elementary school students, were also comprehensively recognized. With this award as a catalyst, our company will strive for technological innovation and quality improvement aimed at realizing sustainable social infrastructure and creating further value.
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[News Release Distribution] Durability proven for 100 years by a third-party organization! Attention on "Hybrid Joint 3LII"
Crittec Co., Ltd. issued a press release via PR TIMES on May 27, announcing that the durability of their bridge expansion device "Hybrid Joint 3LII" has been officially proven to be equivalent to 100 years by a third-party organization. This press release provides a compelling account of how the 3LII achieves "100-year durability," detailing its history and the passion invested in its development, presented in a fervent narrative style reminiscent of Project X by our company president. This product, which contributes to the realization of long-lasting infrastructure, is attracting significant attention. For more details, please see the news release. ▶PR TIMES "Achieve a Bridge That Lasts 100 Years" - Crittec Co., Ltd. [Hybrid Joint 3LII] Officially Proven 100-Year Durability https://prtimes.jp/main/html/rd/p/000000004.000159021.html
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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.
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We will exhibit at the Construction Technology Expo 2022!
We have decided to exhibit at the "Construction Technology Exhibition 2022 Kanto"! The Construction Technology Exhibition 2022 Kanto (C-Xross2022) will be held from November 16 to 17, 2022, at the Sunshine City Exhibition Hall. It will also be conducted online from November 16 to December 28. We plan to showcase a model of the "Hybrid Joint 3LII Type." Our booth number is D-53, located at the corner of the second-floor venue, near the exit. Since it will be a relatively small booth, don't miss it! (laughs) Many employees, mainly from the construction department, are expected to participate on the day, so we look forward to your questions and requests. If you're in the area, please stop by!
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NEXCO specification compliant product, the largest expansion device hybrid joint type 3LII.
Our product, the hybrid joint 3LII-350 for bridge expansion devices, has passed the fatigue and waterproof tests specified by NEXCO. This product is classified as a "product joint" under NEXCO's classification, with an allowable expansion amount of 350mm and a maximum applicable gap amount of 730mm. Previously, the largest product joint available for use by NEXCO had an allowable expansion amount of 230mm and a maximum applicable gap amount of 415mm, so with this certification, our product is now the largest (according to our research).
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.
