O'Brill Company

Construction Specialty Suppliers

       6626 N. Milwaukee Ave.

Niles, IL 60714

773-775-1122 or 847-647-0005

FAX 847-647-7819

Since 1967

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NO. 320

CONTROL JOINTS

EXPANSION <—> CONTRACTION
Accommodate expansion-contraction cycles to minimize stress damage in concrete.

SEALTIGHT Control Joints are offered in a variety of materials (i.e. fiber, asphalt, cork, self-expanding cork, sponge rubber and flexible foam). Control Joints accommodate movement at predetermined locations to prevent the development of stresses from contraction or expansion that could damage the concrete.

For additional SEALTIGHT Control Joint products, refer to SEALTIGHT Fibre Expansion Joint Filler Catalog No. 320-F, SEALTIGHT Premoulded Tongue and Groove Joint Catalog No. 321, SEALTIGHT CERAMAR Flexible Foam Expansion Joint Filler Catalog No. 323 and SEALTIGHT Vinyl Contraction Joints Catalog No. 324.

Minimize stress damage and enhance the performance capabilities of concrete with proper jointing techniques to accommodate expansion-contraction cycles.

Concrete expands and contracts with temperature and moisture changes. As the temperature rises or the moisture content of the concrete increases, expansion takes place. As the temperature drops, the concrete will contract.

The provision to accommodate movement at predetermined locations with proper joint applications, prevents the development of stresses that could rupture the concrete.

Joint type and spacing will vary with each project according to the type of structure, climatic conditions and anticipated stresses in the concrete. The coefficient of thermal expansion in concrete is 0.0000055 per linear inch of concrete per degree Fahrenheit of temperature change yielding approximately .66 inch of movement per 100 feet with a 100ºF (38ºC) temperature range.

To estimate expansion, multiply length in inches x number of degrees of anticipated temperature differential x 0.0000055. Use the resulting anticipated movement to determine correct thickness of the control joint and proper spacing for placement of the joint.

Thinner joints (1/4", 3/8" or 1/2") (6.35mm, 9.53mm or 12.7mm) spaced at frequent intervals offer greater control than thicker joints spaced at greater intervals. The basic concept is to provide ample room for the concrete to expand and contract without creating damaging stresses and resultant cracking.

Expansion and Contraction Joints

Technical Description
SEALTIGHT ASPHALT EXPANSION Joint Filler is composed of a blend of asphalts, vegetable fibers and mineral fillers formed under heat and pressure between 2 asphalt-saturated liners. It is waterproof, permanent, flexible and self-sealing.

SEALTIGHT FIBRE Expansion Joint is composed of cellular fibers securely bonded together and uniformly saturated with asphalt to assure longevity. Fibre Expansion Joint is versatile, resilient, flexible and non-extruding. When compressed to half of its original thickness, it will recover to a minimum of 70% of its original thickness.

SEALTIGHT CERAMAR Flexible Foam Expansion Joint Filler is composed of a unique blend of isomeric polymers in a very small, closed-cell structure. Gray in color, CERAMAR is a lightweight, highly flexible and resilient material offering recovery qualities of over 99%. This mini closed-cell structure is virtually non-absorbent. It can be wrapped or formed around curved or circular surfaces.

SEALTIGHT SPONGE RUBBER Expansion Joint is produced to a uniform thickness and density from gray-colored, top-quality, blown sponge rubber. It is easily compressed and has a recovery of 95% or more of the original thickness and a density of not less than 30 pounds per cubic foot (480.56 kg per cubic meter).

SEALTIGHT STANDARD CORK Expansion Joint Filler is produced from clean, selected, granulated cork bonded with a phenolic resin. It is highly resilient, will compress without extrusion and recover to 95% of its original thickness after 50% compression.

SEALTIGHT SELF-EXPANDING CORK Expansion Joint is formed and compressed under heat and pressure to permit expansion up to 140% of original thickness after installation which permits the filler to compensate for concrete shrinkage. Normal humidity conditions after installation activate the self-expanding properties of the cork.

Typical Control Joint Installations

Uses
SEALTIGHT Asphalt Expansion Joint can be used in 80% of all control joint applications. It is ideally suited for joints in sidewalks, driveways, streets, single and multi-level floor slabs. Due to its unique self-sealing characteristic, no subsequent joint sealing is required.

SEALTIGHT FIBRE Expansion Joint is ideal for use on highways, streets, airport runways, sidewalks, driveways, flatwork and scores of commercial and industrial applications. Use SEALTIGHT SNAP CAP to install 1/2" (12.7mm) below the concrete surface and seal with SEALTIGHT #164, HI-SPEC or Cold-Applied SOF-SEAL for maximum protection from water infiltration, weathering and to assure proper performance. Refer to Catalog Nos. 220, 221, and 224.

SEALTIGHT CERAMAR Flexible Foam Expansion Joint is gray in color and provides an excellent joint filler and back-up material for use in either horizontal or vertical applications where expansion and contraction movements must be accommodated.

CERAMAR is compatible with all currently popular cold-applied sealants, caulks and hot-pour joint sealing compounds. It is lightweight, highly flexible and easy to cut or form in the field without waste. CERAMAR compresses easily for use with shrinkage-compensating concrete and it may be used to relieve stress and pressure in concrete pavements.

HIGHLY FUNCTIONAL JOINTING AND SEALING SYSTEM: Two excellent SEALTIGHT Products, CERAMAR and GARDOX Horizontal Sealant, may be used together to provide an excellent horizontal sealing system for plaza decks, sidewalks, driveways, commercial and industrial floors. Refer to SEALTIGHT GARDOX Catalog No. 226.

SEALTIGHT Sponge Rubber Expansion Joint is frequently used on bridge structures and sewage treatment plants that undergo rapid changes in temperature. Because of its excellent recovery capability, during wide temperature variations, Sponge rubber is used around supporting pillars, drains, hydrants, lamp and sign posts as well as in isolation applications or between materials having dissimilar coefficients of expansion.

SEALTIGHT Standard and Self-Expanding Cork Expansion Joints are used where high resiliency is needed, such as in sewage plants, flood walls, spillways, filtration plants and in numerous commercial and industrial applications. Self-expanding cork is especially desirable where a constant friction-fit is required.

Advantages and Benefits

ASPHALT

FIBER

CERAMAR

SPONGE RUBBER, STANDARD CORK, and SELF-EXPANDING CORK

Application Tools

Control Joints

Application
SEALTIGHT Control Joint type and spacing will vary with each project according to the type of structure, climatic conditions and anticipated stresses in the concrete. Thinner joints of 1/4" (6.35mm), 3/8" (9.53mm) or 1/2" (12.7mm) spaced at frequent intervals offer greater control than thicker joints spaced at greater intervals. The basic objective is to provide ample room for the concrete to expand or contract without creating damaging stresses.

The expansion joint should be positioned against forms at interrupting objects or columns, and against abutting structures prior to the placement of the concrete. SEALTIGHT Asphalt Expansion Joint should be recessed 1/4" (6.35mm) below the concrete surface. A sealant is not required.

SEALTIGHT SPONGE RUBBER, CORK and SELF-EXPANDING CORK Expansion Joints should be recessed 1/2" (12.7mm) below the concrete surface to accept the joint sealant. To isolate filler from sealant, use SEALTIGHT SNAP CAP (Refer to Catalog No. 324).

SEALTIGHT Expansion Joints are positioned against the forms, at interrupting objects or columns, and against abutting structures prior to the placement of concrete and must be sealed with a suitable SEALTIGHT sealant. SEALTIGHT SNAP CAP should be installed flush with the surface. After removal of the top section of the SNAP CAP, the joint opening is ready for sealing.

A joint sealer is not required for Asphalt. For Cork and Self-Expanding Cork Expansion Joints, suitable SEALTIGHT sealants recommended for horizontal applications are #164, HI-SPEC, POLY-JET, SOF-SEAL, GARDOX, POURTHANE and DECK-O-SEAL. SEALTIGHT POURTHANE GARDOX and DECK-O-SEAL are recommended for use with SEALTIGHT Sponge Rubber Expansion Joint.

Control Joint Specification Data and Size Information

W. R. MEADOWS, INC. warrants that, at the time and place we make shipment, our materials will be of good quality and will conform with our published specifications in force on the date of acceptance of the order. THE FOREGOING WARRANTY SHALL BE EXCLUSIVE AND IN LIEU OF ANY OTHER WARRANTY, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE AND ALL OTHER WARRANTIES OTHERWISE ARISING BY OPERATION OF LAW, COURSE OF DEALING, CUSTOM OF TRADE OR OTHERWISE. As the exclusive remedy for breach of this Warranty, we will replace defective materials, provided, however, that the buyer examine the materials when received and promptly notify us in writing of any defect before the materials are used or incorporated into a structure. Three (3) months after W. R. MEADOWS, INC. has shipped the materials, all our Warranty and other duties with respect to the quality of the materials delivered shall conclusively be presumed to have been satisfied, all liability therefore terminates, and no action for breach of any such duties may thereafter be commenced. W. R. MEADOWS, INC. shall in no event be liable for consequential damages. Unless otherwise agreed to in writing, no warranty is made with respect to materials not manufactured by W. R. MEADOWS, INC. We cannot warranty or in any way guarantee any particular method of use or application of the performance of materials under any particular condition. Neither this Warranty nor our liability may be extended or amended by our salesmen, distributors or representatives, or by our distributor's representatives, or by any sales information or drawings.

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Copyright © 2002 O'Brill Company
Last modified: August 09, 2004