What Are Concrete Joints?
Except in small jobs, it is not possible to place concrete in one continuous operation. Joints in concrete are also required for functional consideration of the structure. These joints are known as concrete joints. In this article, different types of concrete joints are discussed.
Types Of Concrete Joints
- Construction Joints.
- Expansion Joints.
- Contraction Joints.
- Warping Joints.
1. Construction Joints
These joints are provided where there is a break in construction program. The concreting operation should be so planned that the work is completed in one operation. If, however, it has to be stopped before completion of the entire work, construction joints are provided.
The location of construction joints should be such that it interferes minimum with the functional characteristics of the structure. The best locations for construction joints are as follows:
i) Beam: Joint may be located at mid-span or over the center of the column in direction at right angles to the length of the beam.
ii) Columns: Joints should be located a few cm below its junction with the beam.
iii) Slab: Joints may be placed at mid-span or directly over the center of the beams, at right angles to the slab.
Formwork for construction joint should be placed at the end of each day’s work. Before new concreting is started, the concrete surface of hardened concrete should be cleaned, roughened, saturated with water, and applied cement grout.
This will ensure proper bond between old and new concrete works. New concreting is started before the applied grout on old surface attains initial set.
2. Expansion Joints
These joints are provided to allow for expansion of the concrete, due to rise in temperature above the temperature during construction. Expansion joints also permit the contraction of the element. Expansion joints in India are provided at an interval of 18 to 21 m.
The open gap of this joint varies between 2 cm and 2.5 cm. Sometimes, to transfer load from one slab to the adjacent slab, dowel bars are also used at suitable intervals at these joints.
3. Contraction Joints
These types of concrete joints are provided to allow contraction of the concrete. Contraction joints are spaced closer than expansion joints.
These joints do not require any load transfer device as it can be achieved by the interlocking of aggregates. However, some agencies recommend use to dowel bars fully bonded in concrete.
4. Warping Joints
Warping joints are provided to relieve stresses induced due to warping effect. These joints are also known as hinged joints.
FAQ
What is standard for concrete joints?
Joints are commonly spaced at distances equal to 24 to 30 times the slab thickness. Joint spacing that is greater than 15 feet require the use of load transfer devices (dowels or diamond plates). Contraction joints may be tooled into the concrete surface at the time of placement
What are the types of precast joints?
Joints between precast wall panels may be divided into two basic types: 1. One-stage joints 2. Two-stage joints A cavity wall design is considered a further application of the two-stage joint
What are control joints in concrete?
Control joints are planned cracks which allow for movements caused by temperature changes and drying shrinkage. In other words, if the concrete does crack-you want to have an active role in deciding where it will crack and that it will crack in a straight line instead of randomly
Is code for joints in concrete?
As per IS 3414 which is a specific code for joints, it is mentioned as 30 m. It is clear from the above table that the maximum spacing for the expansion joint is 140 m. There is no specification related width of the expansion joint. However, as a general specification, it can be taken to 20 to 25 cm
How many joints are in concrete pavement?
There are five main types of concrete joints: isolation joints, construction joints, contraction joints, expansion joints and warping joints
How many joints does a concrete slab have?
Concrete control joints should be no less than ¼ of the total thickness of the slab (1” deep for a 4” thick pour) and placed no less than 2-3 times (in feet) the thickness (in inches) of the slab (8-12 feet apart for a 4” thick pour)
