An expansion joint always needs some material which will fills its void. This materials must be inline with the purpose of expansion joints. This material has to be very very easily available and no harms to the environment.
What is expansion joint and its purpose?
An expansion joint is an assembly designed to absorb the stresses produced by the heat and cold atmospheric conditions to the construction materials. The purpose is to hold the whole assembly intact and provide security. Normally large structures like flyovers, stadiums, auditoriums, swimming pools, large buildings have very high impact of summer heat and that leads to expand the construction materials contracting. In the long run, this makes it more vulnerable to cracks. A similar phenomenon happens in the winter and again it makes more vulnerable and affects the life of the structures. Therefore expansion is mandatory to such buildings and large structures.
Expansion joint filler board Features
The latest compressible filler board is based on polymers, and is a Cross Linked Closed Cell Polymer, also known as Compressible Expansion Joint Filler Board or Micro Cellular Filler Board. In India it is also known as HD100 joint filler boards. The 100 refers to the density of the filler sheets, which is 100Kg per CuMtr.
Expansion joint filler HD100 board is flexible and has high compression-recovery, therefore it’s suitable for application at places which require readily compressible low load transfer joint filler boards. This filler board is non-tainting and therefore suitable for use in potable water retaining and water excluding structures.
Salient features of these boards are:
–Resilient – 95% recovery after deflection (compression), as it is one of best feature for any expansion joint filler board desired
–Weathering Test – Joint filler board is resilient and does not distort under low load transfer from wet concrete
–Closed cell structure – HD100 joint filler board extremely low water absorption thus non deteriorating and durable
–Bitumen free – Opposite to bituminous filler board it is non-staining
–Chemically Resistant – As any EJF board needs to be inert to most dilute acids, resistant to oil and hydrocarbons and it is very suitable for EJF applications.
–Hygienic – Rot proof and bacteria resistant
–Simplicity – Unlike the bituminous filler board it is very easy to handle and install it.
–Temperature – Accepts temperature cycle with minimal load transfer
Applications of expansion joint filler boards
Recently it is widely available to replace the old traditional bituminous boards, cork based board, rubber sheets, etc. and considered as the new generation HD100 joint filler boards. It is environment friendly as it is produced without usage of CFC/HCFC gases, which are considered harmful to the planet. The applications of HD100 Joint filler boards are:
1. Filler board used in expansion joints at airport runways and taxi tracks
2. These Expansion Joint Filler Boards are used in concrete for parking lots and buildings
3. Compressible boards are also used in Isolation Joints to infill panels
4. Filler board in expansion joints in concrete flooring
5. Water retaining and water excluding structures
6. Interconnecting walkways between buildings
7. Basements, flyovers, and subways
8. HD100 Filler Board used in concrete roads
9. Bridges, decks, abutments and pier hinge joints
10. Filler board used in water-proofing
11. Expansion Joint Filler board HD100 used in Toll Plaza flooring