Types of Concrete Joints and How to Choose

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Concrete Joints
Types

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Concrete Joints Types

Concrete joints are used to
compensate when concrete

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Types of Concrete Joints and How to Choose

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Recommende joints betwwen curb and sidewalk. Photo by jetheriot

expands or shrinks with

changes in temperature.
Concrete joints are normally
used to prevent cracks when
the concrete shrinks, by
creating forming, tooling,
sawing and placing joint
formers. The pre-planned
cracks will provide a better
finish concrete product and
will be formed in specific
locations where those cracks
could be monitored.

Concrete Joints:
Contraction Joints
Intended to create a weakened area in the concrete and regulate where
cracks will occur, normally in a straight line. Contraction joints should be
placed to produce panels that are as square as possible and never
exceeding a length to width ratio of 1 to 1. Joints are commonly spaced
at distances equal to 24 to 30 times the slab thickness. Joint spacing
that is greater than 15 ft. require the use of load transfer devices.
Contraction joints may be tooled into the concrete surface at the time of
placement.

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Joints may also be sawed into the hardened concrete surface. It is important
to understand that the longer sawing is delayed the higher the potential for
cracks to establish themselves before sawing is complete.

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Concrete Joints: Expansion Joints

Concrete expansion joints are used to separate slabs and concrete
from other parts of the structure. Expansion joints allow independent
movement between adjoining structural members minimizing cracking when
such movements are restrained. This allows for thermal expansion and
contraction without inducing stress into the system.

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Concrete Joints: Construction Joints

Construction joints are used in circumstances where two consecutive
placements of concrete meet. Construction joints are normally placed at the
end of the day or be placed when concrete pour has been stopped for
longer than initial setting time of concrete. Construction joints should be
designed and specified by a structural engineer and it might be desirable to
achieve bond and continue reinforcement through a construction joint. If
enough PCC is available at the end of the day, the construction joint can be
placed at a planned transverse contraction joint.

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Concrete Joint Tips

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The following recommended tips should be observed:

Joints should be spaced about 10 feet and a maximum of 15 feet

Saw-cut joints should be done within 4 to 12 hours after the concrete has
been finished

Keyed joints are not recommended for industrial floors

Premolded joint filler should be used to separate slabs from building walls or
footings. Place 2 inches of sand over the top of a footing to prevent bond to
the footing.

If the slab contains wire mesh it is recommended to discontinue the mesh

across contraction joints

Metal dowels should be used in slabs that carry heavy loads

Maximum Joint Spacing should be 24 to 36 times the thickness of the

slab

When using joint groove for contraction joints, the joint should be a
minimum depth of thickness of the slab

Dry-cut joints should be made between 1 to 4 hours after completion of

finishing

Plan exact locations of all joints including timing of saw cutting

Use isolation joints between slabs and columns, walls and footings and
where curbs or sidewalks meet other concrete structures

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