What are expansion joints?
Expansion joints are placed in brick to allow the cumulative expansion to combine at the expansion joint causing a compression of the joint. Expansion joints are filled with a 50% compressible neoprene material. Expansion joints are generally spaced to accommodate twice the design expansion to allow for the expansion joint material. The expansion joint is typically between 3/8″ to 1/2″ thickness.
Expansion joints (or ‘switch expansion joints’) are joints provided at intervals in the track to allow space for rails to expand in hot weather. Earlier expansion joints were simply gaps between the ends of adjoining rails. These gaps result in a lot of violent shocks to the vehicles riding on the rails and besides, limit the lengths of rails that can be used. Newer expansion joints have the neighbouring ends of rails tapering with diagonal cuts so that as they expand they can slide past one another to some extent. This allows for longer welded rail segments to be used and also reduces the shock to passing vehicles. Thermal expansion of rails is often arrested by the provision of heavy RCC sleepers (280kg weight) and firmly clipping the rails to the sleepers. This prevents thermal expansion from propagating to the ends of the rails, except for a section near the ends (‘breathing length’) that is allowed to expand. Such expansion joints are provided once every 3km to 4km on most section
Expansion joints are placed in brick to allow the cumulative expansion to combine at the expansion joint causing a compression of the joint. Expansion joints are filled with a 50% compressible neoprene material. Expansion joints are generally spaced to accommodate twice the design expansion to allow for the expansion joint material. The expansion joint is typically bet ween 3/8″ to 1/2″ thickness.
Expansion joints are devices that are used to allow for the heat-induced expansion and reduction that takes place in various states of weather. The expansion joint is often used in the construction of bridges and sidewalks. The joints proper may be something as simple as a caulk filled area that will give without coming open during climate changes, or some type of interlocking metal device that allows the teeth in the joint to move in response to changes in temperature and humidity levels. Expansion joints are usually placed at strategic points in the construction, making it possible for the sections to expand and contract slightly without weakening the overall structure. Along with use in sections of sidewalks and bridges, expansion joints also are used with railway tracks. As with bridges, the joints are placed at key locations along the tracks and allow the metal tracks to undergo contraction and expansion as the weather changes. The end result is that the tracks remain intact and a
