Expansion joints in the Egyptian code are joints left in buildings and facilities to allow the building to move, expand and contract due to heat, humidity and vibrations without cracks, and to control cracks resulting from the expansion and contraction of buildings. The width of these joints varies depending on the type and size of the facility. Most engineering codes and specifications stipulate the necessity of leaving expansion joints in facilities, including the Egyptian Code for Buildings and Facilities.
The Importance of Expansion Joints in the Egyptian Code
Leaving spaces for expansion joints in structures is a fundamental requirement in the Egyptian code, for several reasons, including:
1. Control of Cracks: Expansion joints from iChem allow parts of the structure to move without causing cracks, due to stress generated from load or thermal or humidity changes.
2. Building Safety and Continuity: Expansion joints in the Egyptian code increase the safety of the structure against earthquakes and disasters, maintaining its continuity and performance.
3. Preventing Finish Damage: Expansion joints prevent the building's movement from causing damage to layers of paint, plaster, and other finishes.
4. Isolating Parts of the Structure: iChem joints provide separation and isolation between different parts of the structure, making maintenance and future modifications easier.
Uses of Expansion Joints in the Egyptian Code
Expansion joints are used in Egyptian structures according to the Egyptian code for several purposes, including:
1. Vertical Expansion Joints: These are placed in high-rise multi-story buildings at the level of every 3 floors, separating vertical building units like towers and wings.
2. Horizontal Expansion Joints: These are placed between perpendicular slabs, and near supports and columns at the intersections of walls with foundations.
3. Concrete Shrinkage Joints: The code requires leaving these in reinforced concrete slabs at distances ranging between 30-50 meters.
4. Seismic Joints: Wide joints are left between buildings in complexes and residential towers to resist earthquakes.
5. Thermal Expansion Joints: These are placed to control thermal expansion in tanks, chimneys, and structures with thermal variations.
Types of Expansion Joints in the Egyptian Code
The Egyptian building code stipulates several types of expansion joints that must be left in structures, including:
Vertical Expansion Joints
· Joints between vertical building units in high-rise buildings.
· Joints between parts of buildings with varying heights.
Horizontal Expansion Joints
· Separation joints between concrete slabs in bridges and roofs.
· Joints under interior walls and stairs.
Concrete contraction Joints
· Left every 30-50 meters in reinforced concrete slabs.
Thermal Expansion and Contraction Joints
· Placed in chimneys, silos, tanks, and industrial structures.
Floor Expansion Joints
· Left between concrete floor slabs at points where walls and columns intersect.
How to Implement Expansion Joints
The method for implementing expansion joints in the Egyptian code through the iChem site goes through several essential stages, and it must be executed correctly to avoid damage or collapse of the building. The method is as follows:
First: Preparation
· Cleaning the surface and removing any protrusions or impurities.
· Placing cork or compressed polystyrene sheets on both sides of the joint to prevent concrete leakage.
· Spraying both sides with water before pouring the concrete to ensure it doesn't absorb the water.
Second: Reinforcement
· Regularly fixing the reinforcement steel bars at the required distances.
· Installing the joint metal spacers following the distances between the bars.
Third: Pouring
· Pouring the concrete on both sides of the joint and compacting it well using a vibrator.
· Not removing the joint spacers until the reinforcement steel is tightened.
Fourth: Curing
· Curing the concrete by continuously spraying with water for at least two weeks.
Fifth: Filling the Joints
· After tightening the reinforcement steel, filling the joint with a suitable flexible material like polysulfide.
This ensures the durability and stability of the structure by accommodating various stresses and movements.
What Are the Materials for Filling Expansion Joints?
Specific materials are used to fill expansion joints after their installation. Some of the most important materials include:
Silicone:
· An adhesive material with high resistance to weather factors and sunlight, preventing water from leaking into the joints.
Polyurethane:
· Known for its high flexibility, resistance to chemicals and corrosion, and maintaining its properties for a long time.
Flexible Sponge:
· Synthetic or closed-cell sponge is used to fill narrow joints.
Bitumen-Polymer Mix:
· A mix of bitumen with other polymers, known for its flexibility and good adhesion to the joint edges.
Urethane:
· Available in a foam form that expands and contracts, resistant to moisture and different weather conditions.
Floor Expansion Joints
These are gaps or structural joints created within the design of concrete floor slabs in a regular manner and at specified distances according to the applicable code requirements. The purpose is to divide the concrete floor into a set of separate slabs that can move independently of each other, allowing each slab to expand and contract freely according to changes in temperature or humidity without causing any cracks or fractures in the floor. Therefore, the floor expansion joints from iChem play an important structural role in controlling cracks and increasing the long-term strength and durability of the floors.
This method ensures that each section of the floor has the flexibility it needs to adapt to environmental changes while maintaining overall structural integrity.
Benefits of Using Expansion Joints in Tiles
Expansion joints from iChem are left in concrete floors for several reasons, including:
1. Shrinkage Joints: Concrete shrinks and contracts over time due to internal chemical reactions, generating stresses that must be controlled by leaving joints.
2. Movement Joints: Left at areas where the direction of the floors changes or at corners and columns to allow free movement of the slabs during expansion and contraction.
3. Contact Joints: Separate adjacent floor slabs in case of differences in thickness or level of those slabs.
4. Wall Intersection Joints: Prevent the transfer of any stresses from walls or columns to the floor slabs below them.
Expansion Joint Sales Companies in Egypt
One of the best companies for selling expansion joints in the Arab Republic of Egypt and the Middle East is iChem, specializing in the sale of various building materials. The company is known for its low prices and high quality, with special prices for large quantities. You can contact the company through its website or by calling iChem's phone number. There are also various sales outlets in Egypt and the Arab world representing iChem's international products.
Contact Information for iChem:
· Phone: 01080029701
· Phone: 0222909120
· Email: Info@iChemEG.com