BUILDING

CONSTRUCTION

EXPANSION JOINTS

SUBMITTED BY:
RAJAT BATRA
13BAR1055
SECTION-A
INTRODUCTION

JOINTS:
Providing materials expand or contract due to change in
temperature variations. Special Provisions should be made to
control or isolate thermal and other movements to avoid danger
in structure.
This is achieved by breaking the continuity o a structure, by
introducing joints at regular intervals.
Joints sub divide the building into smaller units and also permit
free movement of each unit.

TYPE OF JOINTS:

Expansion Joints :
These joints are provided to accommodate the expansion of
adjacent building parts and to relieve the compressive stresses
that may otherwise develop.
Isolation Joints :
When one portion of building is higher than the other, the soil
below the higher portion will be subjected to greater pressure
than the soil below the lower portion of the building. So, in such
cases, complete separation of two parts by providing isolation
joints.

Contraction Jonts :
Buinding continues to dry out during its life span and dimensional
changes occur due to shrinkage. Construction Joints are installed
to allow for the shrinkage movement in the structure.

Sliding Joints :
This joint is provided between two parts of a structure when one
part has a tendancy to slide over other due to variation in
temperature and moisture content.

Construction Joints:
Joints provided at location where the construction is stopped
either after the days of work or due to any other reason.
Construction Joints are necessary to ensure proper bond
between the old work and new work.
EXPANSION JOINTS

These joints are provided to accommodate the expansion of

adjacent building parts and to relieve compressive stresses that
may develop.
Total expansion =
co-efficient of linear expansion X length of structure (cm) X
change of temperature (degree F) (cm)

Provision of one or more expansion joints is considered when the

continues length of a structure exceeds 45 m.

Expansion Joints should be provided where a structure changes

direction for instance L, T, H and U shaped structures.

The joint is formed by providing an initial gap between the

adjacent building parts which gets widened or shortened while
accommodating the contraction or expansion of the building.

The gap varies from 10 mm to 40 mm.

There should be complete discontinuity of masonary,

reinforcement or concrete at the joint and the gap should permit
unobstructed movement of adjacent parts.
Spacing of Expansion Joints:
Walls :

(a) for load bearing walls with cross walls at intervals c/c 30
m.

(b) ware house type construction without cross-walls c/c 30

m.

Chajjas, balcony, parapet :

c/c 6m to 12 m.

Roofs :

(a) Roof slab of R.C.C. protected by layers off mud phuska

or any other in un-framed construction c/c 20 to 30 m
intervals at changes in direction as in L, T, h and U-
Shaped structures.

(b) The un-protected slab c/c 15 m.

Frames :
c/c at 30m intervals.

MATERIALS USED FOR EXPANSION JOINTS

Joint Miller:
 It is readily compressible material which can accommodate
the expansion of adjacent parts of the joint and has ability to
regain 75% of its original thickness when pressure is released.

It should be durable, resistant to decay (due to weathering,

termites etc.)

Joint filler can be made out of variety of materials such as

bitumen, bitumen containing cellular material, natural or cellular
rubber, expanded plastic, mineral ibre, coconut, pith etc.

Sealing Compound:

Sealing Compound in a joint are to seal the joint against

passage of moisture and to prevent the ingress of dust, dirt, grit
or other foreign matter into the joint.
 It should be insoluble, non-toxic and tintless and should be
readily workable for placement in position.

Madic or hot-applied bituminous sealing compound is

commonly used for this purpose.

Water Bar:

The function of water bar is to seal the joint against

passage of water. The water bar maybe of natural and
synthetic rubber, PVC or metal. The rubber or PVC water
bars are manufactured in a variety of diferent forms such
as dumbbell type, centre bulb type etc. The metal water
bar consists of thin strips of copper, aluminium or other
corrosion resistant metal. Galvanised iron sheet water bars
are also recommended in view of high cost of copper.
However, G.I. water bar should not be used under
corrosive conditions. The width of the metal water bar
should not be used under corrosive conditions. The width
of the metal water bar normally varies ffrom 15 to 20 cm
and thickness should not be less than .56 mm gauge. The
metal water-bar should have a U or V fold in the middle to
allow for expansion and contraction at the joint.

PROVISION OF EXPANSION JOINTS IN WALLS:

Centre to Centre spacing of expansion joint in all continuous
external and internal masonary wall should not exceed 30 m.
Width of joint should not be less than 15 mm.
 In case masonary walls rest on pile foundation, the
expansion joint should be taken upto the top of grade beam
of the pile foundation system.

PROVISION OF EXPNSION JOINT IN ROOF AND

FLOORS:
 Expansion joints in roofs should invariably have a joint ffiller
and waterbar to avoid leakage of water through the joint. The joint
in floor should be sealed to prevent rubbish accumulating therein.

Alternative methods of treating an expansion joint in walls

are shown in figure from aesthetic consideration, it is necessary
to cover the joint with covering sheets which may be off
aluminium hard board, timber plank or A.C. sheet.
PROVISION O EXPANSION JOINTS IN CHAJJAS
BALCONIES ETC.

In long chajjas, balconies and parapets etc. The

expansion joints may be provided at centre to centre
spacing of 6 to 12 m. The expansion joint in sunshade slab
should be stopped at a distance of 5 cm from face of the
wall in which the wall is embedded.

PROVISION OF EXPANSION JOINTS IN VERANDAH

SLAB :

In case of covered verandah slabs, the expansion joint may

be spaced from 12-14 c/c. The joint should not extend beyond the
wall and its gap should be sealed with water bar and sealing
compound.

PROVISION OF EXPANSION JOINTS IN FRAMMED

STRUCTURE :

In framed structures/ construction, it is necessary to have the

frames one on either side of expansion joint.