Need of Control Joint in Concrete

Control Joint
in Concrete
Control joints in concrete are provided at regular interval to from a weak plane, so that cracks are
formed at the joints but not in undesired places. Control joints are provided in concrete
pavements, slabs, walls, floors, dams, canal linings, bridge, retaining walls etc.
When concrete is placed, due to shrinkage, creep and thermal movement concrete tends to reduce
in size due to which small cracks are formed in the concrete at weak zone.
Fig 1: Cracks formed due

to shrinkage of concrete.
Need of Control joint in Concrete
Concrete tends to shrink or reduce in size when it starts hardening. This shrinkage of concrete
creates tensile stresses in the concrete which develops the minute cracks at the weak plane.
Fig 2: Forming of vertical contraction joint.

These cracks are restricted and prevent the formation of large cracks due to the presence of
reinforcement in the concrete. But if its unreinforced concrete, the small cracks tends to develop
into a large cracks at irregular interval. To prevent such cracks, control joints must be installed at
appropriate intervals. It is also recommended to install these joints in reinforced concrete too.
Location of Contraction Joint
Generally these joints are pre-defined in the drawings given by designer or architect. If not
defined, they will be in a regular pattern or be an integral part of the architectural
features. Control joints form a convenient point at which to stop concrete work at the end of the
day. Control joints should never be formed in the middle of a bay.
Control joint is placed at the location of highest concentration of tensile stresses resulting from
shrinkage are expected:
 At abrupt changes of cross-section; and

 In long walls, slabs.
Expansion Joint in Concrete

Expansion joints are placed in concrete to prevent expansive cracks formed due to temperature
change. Concrete undergoes expansion due to high temperature when in a confined boundary
which leads to cracks. Expansion joints are provided in slabs, pavements,
buildings, bridges, sidewalks, railway tracks, piping systems, ships, and other structures.
Fig 3: Cross section of expansion joint
Need of Expansion Joint in Concrete
Concrete is not an elastic substance, and therefore it does not bend or stretch without failure.
However, concrete moves during expansion and shrinkage, due to which the structural elements
shift slightly.
To prevent harmful effects due to concrete movement, several expansion joints are incorporated
in concrete construction, including foundations, walls, roof expansion joints, and paving slabs.
These joints need to be carefully designed, located, and installed. If a slab is positioned
continuously on surfaces exceeding one face, an expansion joint will be necessary to reduce
stresses. Concrete sealer may be used for the filling of gaps produced by cracks.
Characteristics of Expansion Joints
1. Expansion joints permits thermal contraction and expansion without inducing stresses
into the elements.
2. An expansion joint is designed to absorb safely the expansion and contraction of several
construction materials, absorb vibrations, and permit soil movements due to earthquakes
or ground settlement.
3. The expansion joints are normally located between sections of bridges, paving slabs,
railway tracks, and piping systems.
4. The expansion joints are incorporated to endure the stresses.
5. An expansion joint is simply a disconnection between segments of the same materials.
6. In the concrete block construction, the expansion joints are expressed as control joints.
Fig 4: Expansion Joint in pavement
Types of Expansion Joint
Based on the location of joint, expansion joints are divided into following types,
1. Bridge expansion joints

2. Masonry Expansion Joint
3. Railway Expansion Joints
4. Pipe Expansion Joints
Based on the type of material used in making of joint, expansion joints are further classified into
following types,
1. Rubber expansion joint

2. Fabric expansion joint
3. Metal expansion joint
4. Toroidal expansion joint
5. Gimbal expansion joint
6. Universal expansion joint
7. In-line expansion joint
8. Refractory lined expansion joint
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Need of Control Joint in Concrete

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Control Joint

Fig 1: Cracks formed due

Need of Control joint in Concrete

Fig 2: Forming of vertical contraction joint.

Location of Contraction Joint

 At abrupt changes of cross-section; and

Expansion Joint in Concrete

Fig 3: Cross section of expansion joint

Need of Expansion Joint in Concrete

Characteristics of Expansion Joints

Types of Expansion Joint

1. Bridge expansion joints

1. Rubber expansion joint

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