Tailored Expansion Joint Solutions™ for Seismic movement.
Designing a Seismic Solution
In areas prone to seismic activity, expansion joints are crucial in allowing the building to flex and move during an earthquake and help avoid structural damage. For standard industry practices, expansion joints are designed for +/- 50% thermal movement. However, seismic considerations may require +/- 100% movement in any and all directions. Our expansion joints are engineered to accommodate standard thermal movement and specialty joints can absorb significant seismic forces in order to provide safety and prevent building damage.
Safety and compliance are critical when designing seismic expansion joints. These systems help buildings withstand seismic activity while protecting both structural integrity and occupant safety.
Key considerations for seismic expansion joints:
- Seismic code compliance – Meeting local and national seismic building codes and standards.
- Multi-directional movement capacity – Engineered to accommodate lateral, vertical, and shear forces during seismic events.
- Performance under high-stress conditions – Designed to function during sudden ground shifts, shock waves, and rapid movement.
- Structural alignment – Maintains alignment between slabs, walls, and other structural elements to reduce the risk of collapse or structural damage.
- Occupant safety – Minimizes trip hazards and prevents dangerous separation between structural components during and after seismic activity.
- Durability and resilience – Built to withstand multiple seismic events without performance degradation.