Movement Joints In Concrete Retaining Walls

In reinforced walls and 6m in unreinforced walls.
Movement joints in concrete retaining walls. Movement joints such as control joints are one method used to relieve horizontal tensile stresses due to shrinkage of the concrete masonry units mortar and when used grout. 1 3 movement and restraint in concrete structures restrained movement is a major cause of cracking in con crete structures. 4 recommends a contraction joint spacing of 30 times the wall thickness or 20 feet for an 8 inch thick wall 30 8 240 inches 20 feet. 8 to 12m external.
For cantilevered and gravity walls vertical expansion joint spacing shall be a maximum of 60 feet on centers. Precast concrete cantilever wall expansion joints shall be in accordance with the standard specifications section 6 11 3 3. The weaker the mix the increased ability to accommodate movement. They are essentially vertical planes of weakness built into the wall to reduce restraint and permit longitudinal movement due to anticipated shrinkage and are located where stress concentrations may occur.
In concrete walls the movement joints should normally be placed at a maximum spacing of 7 5m. Some designers recommend re ducing joint spacings by about 20 in walls with frequent openings such as doors and windows. 6 to 9m factors influencing spacing of joints are. The friction of the concrete is the key factor that limits the movement.
Typical movement joint spacing for unreinforced concrete masonry panels. Use of bedjoint reinforcement and moisture content of blocks when laid. Internal or external restraint can develop tensile stresses in a concrete member and the tensile strength or strain capacity can be exceeded. The hight shear force is applied at the horizontal construction joints located at the lower level.
Contraction joints are usually about 0 25 inches wide and about 1 2 to 3 4 inch deep and are provided at intervals of not exceeding 30 feet. Greater distances between movement joints 9 m and sometimes longer are possible in aggregate concrete blockwork walls depending on the location and block type. These are vertical joints or grooves formed or cut into the wall that allows the concrete to shrink without noticeable harm. As a rule of thumb it is normal to consider movement joints at approximately 6 m centres in straight lengths of autoclaved aerated concrete block walls.