A temperature joint in concrete is a necessary component of this type of structure. They should be done for the reason that when the concrete hardens, and then with a temperature drop and a change in the humidity level, the concrete slab is compressed or expanded. If there is no temperature seam, then due to the appearance of internal stresses, various structural deformations and cracks can occur, due to which strength and durability are reduced. Thanks to such solutions, it is possible to evenly distribute the emerging additional loads, preventing deformation processes.
A temperature seam is made when creating structures of any type, bridges and sidewalks. Over time, it can become clogged with dust or stones, because of which it will not fulfill the protective functions assigned to it. For this reason, periodically clean the seams. It is possible to close the temperature joints in concrete using special elastic materials that protect them from contamination, but this will not affect their properties. Before
pouring concrete , the surface expansion coefficient is usually calculated, the width and length of the joints, as well as the distance between them, are determined.
When cutting a
temperature seam, it is necessary to be guided by certain recommendations:
- Perform the procedure in a timely manner. In technological terms, the right decision can be called cutting them in freshly laid concrete immediately after the surface has been sanded. If the work is carried out much later, that is, when the material hardens, then cracks may appear along the edges that worsen the spatial characteristics of the material. That is why it is recommended to cut the seams 12 hours after pouring, or a day later, if the work was carried out at low temperature.
- The temperature seam in the building should have a design depth that ranges from one third to one quarter of the total thickness of the resulting screed.
- Cutting should be done with the obligatory observance of the interval.
- The mesh to be cut should not contain internal seams, since the formation of cracks primarily occurs in the internal corners.
- The temperature-shrink seams should not intersect in a T-shape, since such a connection often causes the formation of cracks intersecting the resulting seam.
- The grid should not have sections having triangular corners, since deformations most often begin at the ends of sharp corners. If it was not possible to avoid the triangular shape, then the figure should be made equilateral.
The temperature seam is designed to protect the walls from cracks during thermal deformations. You can judge by the following data how large such deformations are: a stone building, which at a temperature level of +20 degrees has a length of 20 meters, at a temperature level of -20 degrees it becomes 10 millimeters shorter. A groove is made in the form of a tongue and groove, the depth of which should be approximately 5-10 millimeters.