Considerations

Joint openings typically range from 1″ (25 mm) to 24″ (600 mm) depending upon movement criteria and other structural engineering considerations. Extremely wide openings of 48″ (1200 mm) are not uncommon. Not all expansion joint designs can work with all joint opening sizes. Start with your project’s service condition requirements. practice” installation procedures.

Movement types include thermal, lateral shear, wind and seismic. Thermal movement expansion joints are typically designed for smaller openings and movement ranges up to +/- 50% of the nominal opening. Seismic expansion joints are generally designed for larger openings and multi-directional movement up to +/- 100% of nominal opening size.

All horizontal expansion joints will accommodate pedestrian traffic. Many systems are appropriate for heavy vehicular or light commercial loads, such as snow plows or fork trucks. For wide-span loadings in parking structures, plaza decks, bridges and stadiums, heavy-duty seismic systems are recommended.

Parking structures, plaza decks, open-air stadiums and the like all require expansion joint systems to be waterproof. Other applications may only require that cover systems be water-resistant or shed casual water. Know and specify the difference.

Movement types include thermal, lateral shear, wind and seismic. Thermal movement expansion joints are typically designed for smaller openings and movement ranges up to +/- 50% of the nominal opening. Seismic expansion joints are generally designed for larger openings and multi-directional movement up to +/- 100% of nominal opening size.

National and international building codes require fire-rated joint systems where adjacent floors and walls are rated. Test standards have changed to address pre-conditioning (cycling), smoke penetration and field splices. Specify fire barriers and expansion joint systems from a single source to insure code compliance

All horizontal expansion joints will accommodate pedestrian traffic. Many systems are appropriate for heavy vehicular or light commercial loads, such as snow plows or fork trucks. For wide-span loadings in parking structures, plaza decks, bridges and stadiums, heavy-duty seismic systems are recommended.

Parking structures, plaza decks, open-air stadiums and the like all require expansion joint systems to be waterproof. Other applications may only require that cover systems be water-resistant or shed casual water. Know and specify the difference.

Movement types include thermal, lateral shear, wind and seismic. Thermal movement expansion joints are typically designed for smaller openings and movement ranges up to +/- 50% of the nominal opening. Seismic expansion joints are generally designed for larger openings and multi-directional movement up to +/- 100% of nominal opening size.

Movement types include thermal, lateral shear, wind and seismic. Thermal movement expansion joints are typically designed for smaller openings and movement ranges up to +/- 50% of the nominal opening. Seismic expansion joints are generally designed for larger openings and multi-directional movement up to +/- 100% of nominal opening size.