What Is A Construction Joint In Concrete Walls?

Whilst concrete is known for its strength and durability, external conditions, such as the weather, can cause concrete to contract and expand. The durability of concrete means that it is not very flexible, and as such, is unable to stretch and adapt to these forces. As a result, the pressure can cause the concrete to crack or become weakened.

What’s the solution?

The key to ensuring the longevity of concrete structures is joints. A construction joint in concrete allows for contraction and expansion, whilst stabilising the likes of concrete walls and floors. A construction joint in concrete gives the material the isolation and flexibility that it needs to change in temperament without causing damaging cracks. 

There are three main types of construction joints in concrete walls that may be used. These are:

Construction Joints: A construction joint in concrete is used when laying new concrete. These joints are used to keep new concrete in place, allowing construction workers to pour concrete in stages and control the placement of slabs. If joints are not used in concrete construction, the surface of the first pour is roughened before the placement of the next. So, using construction joints allows for a more durable and high quality finish. Placed during the pouring and finishing stage of concrete construction, these joints are usually made from wood, metal or plastic.

Contraction Joints: When concrete is laid and starts to dry, the water in the mixture starts to evaporate causing shrinkage. When shrinkage occurs, this can cause the concrete to crack. One of the most important methods for preventing this from occurring is using a construction joint in concrete. Contraction joints are added to the surface of the concrete as it starts to settle, before it has a chance to start cracking. This type of construction joint in concrete controls the direction in which cracks are formed in order to protect the integrity of the structure. This allows the concrete to shrink without causing significant damage.

Expansion Joints: An expansion construction joint in concrete separates adjacent sections of concrete in a structure in order to account for expansion. Many different factors may cause a concrete wall to expand, such as heat or temperature changes. If expansion isn’t controlled this can cause damage and cracking to the concrete structure. That’s why an expansion joint is such an important construction joint in concrete walls. Vertical expansion joints can be incorporated into the wall and will often be filled with flexible joint fillers. 

So, as you can see, using a construction joint in concrete walls is key to helping them maintain their integrity, and preventing cracking and other damage. In order to enhance the valuable properties of construction joints, it’s essential to use high quality concrete products that will be resistant to damage. At Al Manaratain, we have been supplying construction projects across Bahrain for more than 60 years. Our extensive quality control procedures, combined with our innovative use of technology ensures all our concrete products are unmatched in safety, durability and quality. To find out more about any of our concrete products, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us.