Understanding the tools used for the construction industry is very important as the knowledge and working know-how will help one develop better plans when aiding in the construction of a company. Let’s tell you about a very important tool in construction called the Expansion Joint which is an integral part of buildings. Without it, many buildings will cease to exist and won’t be able to handle the climatic changes. The future of the construction industry and buildings built is because of the Expansion Joint.
We recently completed successful expansion joint project at:
Plant Operations and Maintenance
Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre
2075 Bayview Avenue,
Toronto, Ontario M4N 3M5
Work performed at the site:
- Cut and removed old expansion joint and disposed off site in an environmentally friendly manner
- Perform all concrete and structural repairs around perimeter of work area, gap between expansion joint and substrate
- Supply& Install new approved Emseal expansion joint product or equivalent as specified
- Supply & Install new epoxy trowel down system to fill gap between expansion joint and flooring as required (coloured system)
Toronto Expansion Joint Contractor | Sunny Brook Expansion Joint Project
What is an Expansion Joint?
Be it concrete slabs, building faces or even pipelines, they all contract and expand during the climatic changes or even external or internal heat resources present round them. An expansion joint is an assembly between two pieces which absorbs the expansion and contraction of these different construction points. The joints are used to bridge the gap and between the building assembly and are also used to accommodate movements due to natural causes. They are also help keep the construct of the buildings or pipelines etc during natural causes like earthquakes, tsunamis etc.
When a building or a structure heats up, the materials used to build the particular structure heat up as well and then expand. The expansion joint at this time contracts to allow the increase of the structure and therefore absorbs the vibrations of the expansions. Simultaneously due to temperature drop or external cold produced, the materials of the structure start to cool down which result in the joint gap to open or expand to protect the standing of the building.
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There are many different kinds of expansion joints to ensure the durability of the structures.
Bridge expansion joints
Build between concrete or steel bridge structures, the expansion joints help survive the traffic, temperature and constant shrinkage and expansion while helping increase the durability of the structure.
Wall expansion joints
The wall expansion joints work towards restoring the function of the façade alongside the structural materials.
Ducted air systems
The bends and elbows in the ducts of the air systems require expansion joints because of the constant temperature rise or fall. The expansion joint used for the air systems needs to be of a non-corrosive flexible material which doesn’t weather out in the long run. It also adds durability and insulation to the joint of the duct system.
Pipe expansion joints
Industrial pipes which are prone to high temperature gas and fumes being let out require the pipe expansion joints. The pipe expansion joint is needed to absorb movement and vibration. It needs to be strong enough to handle the pressure inside the pipe which has very high temperatures inside it.
Copper expansion joints
Copper expansion joints are most commonly used in the buildings to handle the vibrations caused due to natural movements of tectonic plates or even the expansion or contraction due to the temperature.
Common materials used to build Expansion Joints
Expansion joints can be built of many different materials. The most common and durable expansion joints however are made of Teflon. Stainless steel, rubber, plastic, fiber glass, copper etc.