An expansion joint or movement joint is an assembly designed to safely absorb the heat-induced expansion and contraction of various construction materials, to absorb vibration, to hold certain parts together, or to allow movement due to ground settlement or earthquakes. They are commonly found between sections of sidewalks, bridges, railway tracks, piping systems, ships, and other structures.
Throughout the year, building faces, concrete slabs, and pipelines will expand and contract due to the warming and cooling through seasonal variation, or due to other heat sources. Before expansion joint gaps were built into these structures, they would crack under the stress induced.
Read more about Expansion Joint: Road / Bridge Control Joints, Bridge Expansion Joints, Pipe Expansion Joints, Rubber Expansion Joint Manufacturing, Expansion Joint Accessories, Ducted Air Systems, Expansion Joint Failure, Other Types of Expansion Joints
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