Construction Expansion Contraction Isolation

Aspect Joint Joint Joint Joint

Purpose To separate To absorb To control To prevent

concrete expansion cracking the
pours, caused by due to transmission
allowing for temperature shrinkage of stresses
work to be variations or as concrete between two
done in structural cures. adjoining
stages. movement. structures or
parts.

Location Typically Usually found Generally Found at the

located between two placed in interface
where a adjacent the middle between
construction structural of a long different
sequence components slab or structural
pause occurs. or sections. pavement. elements or
adjacent
structures.

Material or May or may Often filled May include Filled with a

Filler not include a with flexible a key or compressible
key or dowel materials like load material like
system to neoprene or transfer foam or
enhance load rubber to device to rubber.
transfer. allow control
movement. cracking.

Movement Little to no Designed to Intended to Allows for

Allowed movement is accommodate allow for movement
intended or thermal shrinkage- and load
allowed. expansion and related transfer
contraction. movement.
 Construction Expansion Contraction Isolation
Aspect Joint Joint Joint Joint

between
structures.

Typical Used in Commonly Frequently Employed in

Applications various used in seen in situations
concrete bridges, concrete where two
structures highways, and pavements structures
such as slabs, large building and floors. meet or
walls, and structures. where
columns. differential
movement
occurs.