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Concrete Construction Joints

Concrete construction joints are used to reinforce concrete against outside forces that might otherwise cause it to crack or crumble, as well as against structural failure.

Isolation joints are one of three kinds of concrete construction joints. They are used to separate adjacent structural members. Isolation joints allow for vertical (up and down) movement caused by heavy loads or uneven settling, as well as movement during extreme changes in temperatures. Isolation joints are also known as expansion or contraction joints. These are the kinds of concrete construction joints used to separate floor slabs from columns.

Control joints are another kind of concrete construction joints and are mainly used in concrete slabs. When the slab is subjected to drying shrinkage and contraction due to temperature changes, parts of the slab can begin to curl. This can happen at random places on the slab if nothing is done; control joints are put into the concrete slab to intentionally create places of weakness, forcing cracking to occur at a specified place instead of randomly. Control joints are put into the slab perpendicularly, and are normally installed about one inch below the surface.

The third kind of concrete construction joints are known simply as construction joints. These joints are inserted in locations where work ends on a particular day and will be picked up the next day, or where one part of the structure is cast in place against a piece of previously placed concrete. The construction joint transfers some of the stress caused by the load off of the new piece, preventing it from failing. Construction joints extend entirely through the piece of concrete to allow for even distribution.

Concrete construction joints may be a largely overlooked aspect of building with concrete, but they are of vital importance. Concrete may be strong, but it also can crumble, crack of fail when dealing with tensile stress or repeated extreme changes in temperature. Concrete construction joints remove some of the stress that slabs or columns of concrete might endure at critical areas, improving the health and safety of the building under construction.

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