Movement joints in buildings

A system of movement joints can eliminate

cracks and the problems they cause
and patterns of cracks. Often
the type and magnitude of
cracking will indicate the
cause. The increased use of
building design. Expansion
joints are recommended in the
following cases:
1.Where expansion joints are

M
ovements induced by higher grade Portland cement provided in the structural sys-
changes in temperature, mortars and the tendency to tem by the designer.
moisture, elastic defor- specify high compressive 2.At all places where the
mation, creep, and other strength mortars have become structural supports and roof
MAKE IT STRESS-FREE: Eliminating cracks. PHOTO: MOHAMMED YOUSUF.
factors develop stresses if the common. Although stronger assembly change direction. Each type of movement joint is concrete masonry in conjunc- A construction joint (cold
components of a building such units and mortars increase the 3.Where type of adjoining designed to perform a specific tion with reinforcement or joint) is used primarily in con-
as brickwork are restrained. compressive strength of the deck materials change. task, and they should not be joint reinforcement. This con- crete construction where con-
Restraint of these movements masonry, they do so at the ex- 4.At intersections between used interchangeably. An ex- trols the location of cracks due struction work is interrupted.
may result in cracking. To pense of other important prop- new and old buildings. pansion joint is used to sep- to volume changes resulting Construction joints are located
avoid cracks, the design should erties. The thinner walls are 5.At junctions where interi- arate brick masonry into from shrinkage and creep. A where they will least impair the
minimise volume change, pre- more susceptible to cracking or temperature conditions segments to prevent cracking control joint is usually a verti- strength of the structure.
vent movement or accommo- and spalling if provision for dif- change. due to changes in temperature, cal opening through the con- No single recommendation
date differential movement ferential movement is not ac- 6.On areas larger than 50m moisture expansion, elastic de- crete or masonry and may be on the positioning and spacing
between materials and assem- counted for properly. continuous in any direction. formation due to loads, and formed of inelastic materials. A of expansion joints can be ap-
blies. A system of movement 7.Where movement may oc- creep. Expansion joints may be control joint will open rather plicable to all structures. Each
joints can eliminate cracks and Movement joints cur between vertical walls and horizontal or vertical. The than close. A building expan- building should be analysed to
the problems they cause. Since all materials expand the roof deck due to accumu- joints are formed of highly sion (isolation) joint is used to determine the extent of move-
and contract due to temper- lation of foundation deforma- elastic materials placed in a separate a building into dis- ments expected within that
Cracking and spalling ature and/or moisture, the use, tions. continuous, unobstructed crete sections so that stresses particular structure.
Cracking is probably the dis- location, and design of expan- There are various types of opening through the brick- developed in one section will The author is emeritus
tress which occurs most often sion joints, especially in the movement joints in buildings: work. This allows the joints to not affect the integrity of the Professor, Department of
in masonry walls. Cracks result structural system, should be expansion joints, control close as a result of an increase entire structure. The isolation Mechanical Engineering,
from many different sources, taken into consideration by the joints, building expansion in size of the brickwork. A con- joint is a through-the-building IIT, Madras and former
but there are typical shapes designer at the time of original joints, and construction joints. trol joint is used in concrete or joint. Dean, Anna University.