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Expansion joints are placed in concrete to prevent expansive cracks formed due to temperature change. Concrete undergoes expansion due to high temperature when in a confined boundary which leads to cracks. Expansion joints are provided in slabs, pavements, buildings, bridges, sidewalks, railway tracks, piping systems, ships, and other structures. This article emphases on need of expansion joint in concrete, characteristics of expansion joints, types of expansion joint and installation of expansion joints.
Fig 1: Cracks developed due to expansion of concrete.
Contents:
Need of Expansion Joint in Concrete
Concrete is not an elastic substance, and therefore it does not bend or stretch without failure. However, concrete moves during expansion and shrinkage, due to which the structural elements shift slightly. To prevent harmful effects due to concrete movement, several expansion joints are incorporated in concrete construction, including foundations, walls, roof expansion joints, and paving slabs. These joints need to be carefully designed, located, and installed. If a slab is positioned continuously on surfaces exceeding one face, an expansion joint will be necessary to reduce stresses. Concrete sealer may be used for the filling of gaps produced by cracks.Characteristics of Expansion Joints
- Expansion joints permits thermal contraction and expansion without inducing stresses into the elements.
- An expansion joint is designed to absorb safely the expansion and contraction of several construction materials, absorb vibrations, and permit soil movements due to earthquakes or ground settlement.
- The expansion joints are normally located between sections of bridges, paving slabs, railway tracks, and piping systems.
- The expansion joints are incorporated to endure the stresses.
- An expansion joint is simply a disconnection between segments of the same materials.
- In the concrete block construction, the expansion joints are expressed as control joints.
Types of Expansion Joint
Based on the location of joint, expansion joints are divided into following types,1. Bridge Expansion Joint
Bridge expansion joints are designed to allow for continuous traffic between structures while accommodating movement, shrinkage, and temperature variations on reinforced and prestressed concrete, composite, and steel structures.
Fig 2: Expansion joint in bridges.
2. Masonry Expansion Joint
Clay bricks expand as they absorb heat and moisture. This places compression stress on the bricks and mortar, encouraging bulging or flaking. A joint replacing mortar with elastomeric sealant will absorb the compressive forces without damage.3. Railway Expansion Joints
Usually, expansion joints are not provided in the railways tracks, but if the track is laid on a bridge having expansion joint, providing a expansion joint in the track becomes mandatory to mitigate the expansion in base concrete structure.
Fig 3: Expansion joint in railway tracks.
4. Pipe Expansion Joints
Pipe expansion joints are necessary in systems that convey high temperature substances such as steam or exhaust gases, or to absorb movement and vibration. Based on the type of material used in making of joint, expansion joints are further classified into following types,- Rubber expansion joint
- Fabric expansion joint
- Metal expansion joint
- Toroidal expansion joint
- Gimbal expansion joint
- Universal expansion joint
- In-line expansion joint
- Refractory lined expansion joint
Fig 4: Use of filler material in expansion joint.
