structure the expansion joint includes a first generally planar member that is configured to allow sliding of a first portion of at least one section of a structure thereon second and third generally planar members are configured to allow sliding of a second portion of at least one section of the structure thereon the second and third members are substantially co planar with each other and are substantially parallel to the first member the second and third members are vertically spaced apart from the first member an expansion device is interposed between the second and third members the expansion device accommodates expansion and contraction due to thermal effects of the second and third members and maintains horizontal alignment each surface panel may be removed independently for replacement or repair application_number US 60794703 A description by way of overview and referring to fig1 an embodiment of the present invention provides an expansion joint 10 for joining adjacent sections 12 and 14 of a structure 16 such as without limitation a bridge the expansion joint 10 and the sections 12 and 14 are supported on a beam 17 beam 17 is not necessarily of composite material the expansion joint 10 includes a first generally planar member 18 that is configured to slide on a first portion 20 of the section 12 and a first portion 22 of the section 14 thereon second and third generally planar members 24 and 26 are configured to slidably receive a second portion 28 of the section 12 and a second portion.