The Role of Expansion Joints in Long Concrete Buildings

Authors

Salah Salem, Administrator, Structural Engineering Department, Mansoura University, Mansoura, Egypt
Mohamed E. El Madawy, Associate Professor, Structural Engineering Department, Mansoura University, Mansoura, Egypt
Basem S. Abdelwahed, Associate Professor, Structural Engineering Department, Mansoura University, Mansoura, EgyptFollow
Mohamed E. El-Zoughiby, Professor of Concrete Structures, Structural Engineering Department, Mansoura University, Mansoura, Egypt

Subject Area

Civil and Environmental Engineering

Article Type

Original Study

Abstract

The use of expansion joints in lengthy concrete buildings aims to mitigate forces induced by temperature changes and is often derived through empirical methods. These methods lack the depth needed for universal application in any building. On the other hand, adopting a no-joint strategy necessitates a thorough thermal analysis of temperature changes, a subject that has not been extensively explored in existing literature. There are no methodologies available, and the current guidelines rely on approximate calculations; thus, there is a need for clear directives on these two matters. This paper produces a procedure for performing thermal analyses of long concrete buildings affected by temperature changes, utilizing the finite element method, which includes (1) detailing the process for determining rational design temperature change, (2) assessing the building adequacy and serviceability, and (3) accounting for the various factors that influence the design. The study investigates the flat plate flooring systems, evaluating both serviceability and strength under uniform temperature changes. The examples provided demonstrated that although expansion joints might not eliminate all thermal effects, they can reduce them, as evidenced by the reductions in forces, movements, and strength ratios for corner ground columns, which saw decreases of 34%, 50%, and 45%, respectively. Additionally, the influential factors complicates the task of formulating criteria compared to those available for determining the spacing and size of expansion joints. Consequently, the design of expansion joints can be done through empirical methods then validated through numerical analyses for the complete building or its segments.

Keywords

Expansion joints; Long concrete buildings; Uniform temperature changes; Thermal analysis; Finite element

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.

Recommended Citation

Salem, Salah; El Madawy, Mohamed E.; Abdelwahed, Basem S.; and El-Zoughiby, Mohamed E. (2025) "The Role of Expansion Joints in Long Concrete Buildings," Mansoura Engineering Journal: Vol. 50 : Iss. 6 , Article 1.
Available at: https://doi.org/10.58491/2735-4202.3303