The authors intend to propose shock-absorbing blocks to be placed at the girder-ends of bridges with the aim of reducing the joint gaps. These blocks are made to have an effect of alleviating possible colliding forces between main girders and the parapet walls of abutments during an earthquake, as well as an effect of restraining the displacement of superstructures. The post-earthquake restorability of these blocks is also considered. Static loading tests in horizontal and vertical directions were conducted on these blocks to investigate their properties. These shock-absorbing blocks showed excellent deformability and were found to be capable of reducing the girder-end joint gaps.
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