In the construction of concrete or stone structures, expansion joints are a necessary part of the process. Expansion joints are planned gaps in a structure that allow control of deformations caused 
by thermal or mechanical stresses, and also reduce the likelihood of cracks and damage in concrete or stone.
The main reasons for installing expansion joints include:
Shrinkage and thermal deformation management
When the concrete hardens or when the ambient temperature changes, shrinkage and expansion occur, which can lead to unwanted cracks. Expansion joints allow you to control this shrinkage and deformation, preventing accidental cracks from occurring.
Compensation for mechanical deformations
Loads caused by vibrations, ground movement or other mechanical factors can cause deformations in concrete or masonry structures. Expansion joints allow you to control and compensate for these deformations, preventing destruction or damage to the structure.
Separation of large surfaces
In the case of large concrete areas, such as in floors, expansion joints can be used to divide the area into separate sections to prevent large cracks from occurring due to uneven deformations.
Breakdown Prevention
If deformations are not controlled with seams, then large cracks and failures can occur, which can degrade the reliability and strength of the structure.
Proper planning and placement of expansion joints is of great importance for the durability and reliability of building structures. This must be done in accordance with building standards and engineering recommendations to ensure optimum performance and safety of the building or structure.
What materials are used to seal expansion joints?
To seal expansion joints, sealants, polyurethane mastics, thermoplastic tapes and other types of materials are used.
We recommend paying attention to Teknomer thermoplastic tape, which provides high-quality sealing of expansion joints and retains all its characteristics in a wide temperature range - from -40°C to +90°C. The tape is laid on a special Teknobond 400D epoxy adhesive, the bending strength of which is more than 25 N/mm2, and the compressive strength is more than 75 N/mm2.
