Expansion joints

An expansion joint or dredging sleeve comprising two annular end sections joined by an intermediate outwardly arched section, each end section terminating in a flange, the sleeve having a body built up from rubber and fabric ply construction throughout its length, a reinforcement in each end section comprising a ring of rubber having a Shore A hardness of not less than 70.degree. sandwhiched between two rings of a fabric comprising cords which have a compression deflection characteristic not exceeding 1% under a load of 40 kg, said cords extending substantially circumferentially of the rings and the reinforcement extends into each flange, a reinforcement in the intermediate section including a ring of rubber of a hardness not more than 60.degree. Shore A, said ring being of substantially the same thickness as the ring in the end section reinforcement.