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Concrete expands as it gets warmer and contracts as it gets colder. Left to itself these size changes can lead to cracks occurring, if different parts of the structure heats up/cools off at a different rate than other parts. By dividing the concrete into sections separated by joints that allow for some movement the thermal stresses can be managed and the risk of the concrete cracking goes away.

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Q: What is expansion contraction joint how concrete expands contracts?
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Why are the concrete slabs laid with gaps?

Concrete expands when heated and contracts when cooled. Roads are built with gaps filled in with rubber, tar or other flexible mass which will not wash away when it rains. This prevents them from cracking into pieces as they contract in winter and prevents and buckling when it is hot in summer and the slabs expand. Bridges have gaps, usually a set of metal 'teeth' to prevent them from crushing themselves. If the gap is at vertical columns it is because the slab must be isolated from the columns so that when the building moves it will not crack the slab. The boxes (or diamonds) are lined around the perimeter of the opening with 1/2" expansion material and around the column to all movement (including the expansion and contraction of the slab itself). There are reasons to leave other holes such as for future plumbing work etc.


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Related questions

How does law of expansion and contraction work in thermometers?

The material in the thermometer expands and contracts as temperature increases or reduces.


What are examples of thermal expansion and contraction?

the Mercury in a thermometer expands when heated and contracts when the temperature cools down.


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Why are there gaps at regular spots in the side walk?

They're called "expansion joints". Concrete expands and contracts with temperature changes. The expansion joints allow this to happen without cracking the concrete slab.


Why does the expansion joints in a sidewalk get narrow in the summer and get wider in the winter?

Expansion joints in sidewalks are designed to accommodate the natural expansion and contraction of the concrete due to temperature changes. In the summer, the concrete expands with the heat, causing the joints to narrow. In winter, when the concrete contracts in the cold, the joints widen to prevent cracking and damage to the sidewalk.


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How do tools such as a thermometer rely on thermal expansion?

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