CONCRETE JOINTS: 2 COMMON TYPES AND THEIR PURPOSES

As you are surely already aware, concrete is one of the best materials for constructing residential features such as driveways, sidewalks, and patios. Yet not all concrete stands the same chances of success. Unless properly protected against, natural cycles of expansion and contraction can lead to the formation of problems like potholes, cracking, and spalling.

Fortunately, a professional concrete installation company knows that the likelihood of such problems can be greatly reduced through the use of concrete joints. If you would like to learn more about what such joints consist of, as well as how they can protect a concrete surface, read on. This article will outline two of the most frequently implemented types of concrete joints.

Contraction Joints

Contraction joints aim to reduce the occurrence of a common problem known as plastic shrinkage cracks. Such cracks develop as the concrete cures. During this process, water evaporates from the surface of the concrete. This leads to uneven hydration levels within the slab-a scenario that, in turn, leads to the formation of myriad small cracks as the upper portion of the concrete contracts.

Plastic shrinkage cracks are primarily a cosmetic concern, and shouldn't affect the overall stability of the concrete slab. Yet they can be quite unsightly, and will certainly devalue both the appearance and the long term value of the concrete. For that reason, it is vital to combat shrinkage cracks through the installation of contraction joints.

Everybody who has ever walked down a city sidewalk is already familiar with contraction joints, whether they realize it or not. That's exactly what those regularly spaced "cracks" are. A contraction joint acts to relieve shrinkage stresses by allowing the surface of the concrete to deform slightly without cracking.

A contraction joint must be cut in the concrete while it is still wet, using the tool known as a concrete saw. In order to be effective, such joints must also be deep enough. The rubric commonly used here is that the joint's depth must be at least ¼ the depth of the slab itself. If the joint is too shallow, it won't be able to adequately compensate for the shrinkage forces.

Expansion Joints

Cracks don't just form during the concrete curing process. Even once fully dry, it is possible for cracks to virtually destroy a concrete slab. Such cracks are most commonly caused by water. To understand why this is the case, it is helpful to realize that concrete is by nature quite a porous substance.

What this means is that concrete is great at absorbing moisture. This includes not just liquid water, but also moisture latent in the very air. As concrete soaks up such moisture, it's volume swells. The actual size change involved is quite small-a mere fraction of an inch. Yet this is more than enough to put a huge amount of internal stress on the concrete.

This is especially true when it comes to concrete that is installed directly next to a building, foundation, or other permanent structure. Because the concrete cannot expand outward, the internal pressure will cause cracks to form.

Expansion joints are the best way to allow concrete the little bit of "give" necessary to withstand hydration-related volume changes. Essentially, such joints involve the installation of a thin channel between the concrete slab and the neighboring structure. To prevent this groove from becoming filled with debris, it is usually filled with an easily compressed material like roofing felt.

Bottom Line

To ensure that a new concrete structure is able to live up to its promise, it is important that it be installed correctly. Concrete joints are one of the best ways to keep a concrete slab in good shape. For more information about how concrete joints work, and when they should be utilized, please don't hesitate to contact the experts at Southport Concrete Corp.​