These joints will absorb the pressure created by the expansion by giving the masonry wall flexible space to expand.
Brick wall expansion joint.
The coefficient of expansion or e value of clay bricks when tested in accordance with as nzs 4456 11 can vary from a very low 0 3mm m millimetres per metre to over 1 6mm m.
A masonry expansion joint is a complete break in the masonry wall to allow for the entire structure to move under loading temperature related expansion contraction etc.
1 3mm per linear run of brickwork should be allowed so a wall that has movement joints at 9m centres should have a joint of 12mm.
This allowed movement helps prevent distortion and cracking.
The expansion and contraction of masonry needs to be accommodated and controlled by the inclusion of both vertical and horizontal joints within the building.
An expansion joint in brickwork and blockwork is a means of solving potential problems caused by movement.
When building a boundary wall an expansion joint is a separation designed to relieve stress on building materials caused by movement induced by thermal expansion and contraction.
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The joints are formed by leaving a continuous unobstructed opening through the brick wythe that may be filled with a highly compressible material.
Expansion joints must be located so that the structural integrity of the brickwork is not compromised.
Prime candidates for expansion joints include long expanses of walls corners offsets setbacks and parapets.
Most general purpose bricks have a coefficient of expansion in the range 0 5 to 1 0mm m over 15 years.
This movement could be a result of thermal expansion moisture movement creep and structural loading or the effect of chemical changes.
Exterior wall exterior wall expansion joints feature watertight.
Expansion joints should be located where stresses or cracks are likely to develop in brickwork.
They are therefore specifically provided in boundary walls to avoid cracks occurring in the wall.
Brickwork showing wall ties spaced no more than 225mm from the expansion joint movements joints and their size vary depending on the size of the wall.
Expansion joints should also be located below shelf angles to account for vertical expansion of brick.