Articulated concrete joint member

Abstract

An articulated concrete joint member (1) including a resilient core (2), the core (2) having connections means (3) attached thereto, the connection means (3) adapted to link two co-planar concrete slabs (5, 6) along an adjacent peripheral edge of each slab, wherein on application of an out-of-plane displacement to one of the co-planar concrete slabs (5, 6) the displacement is transmitted to the other slab through pivoting about the articulated joint member (1). In one embodiment, the articulated concrete joint member (1), which further includes crack propagation means (4), is fully immersed in the concrete slab so that the slab is subjected to extraneous loads, the slab cracks along predetermined lines of weakness (7).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to the construction of pavements and concrete slabs, and in particular, the jointing method used in cases of differential movement between said slabs.[0002] Pedestrian thoroughfares whether associated with a road, through a park or other means, and which fall under the control and maintenance responsibility of a Municipal Council will often be formed from concrete. As such pedestrian thoroughfares carry very light traffic loads, typically, such thoroughfares or footpaths will have little or no reinforcement within the concrete.[0003] Typically, the footpath will be formed from pavement slabs which are cast in place in significant lengths so as to economically place the pavement by limiting the number of concrete pours required when constructing the thoroughfare between locations.[0004] As the pavement is cast in a unitary mass it is recognized that the unitary slab will eventually crack as a result of external factors and the lack of reinforcement. Such ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0010] It is therefore an object of the invention to reduce differential displacement between concrete slabs, and so diminish the consequential detrimental effects associated with this displacement.

Problems solved by technology

As the pavement is cast in a unitary mass it is recognized that the unitary slab will eventually crack as a result of external factors and the lack of reinforcement.

Unfortunately, following the initial crack at the line of weakness the interfering factor, be it soil or a tree root, will continue to affect the slab.

Further, as such interfering factors inevitably cause differential movement, in that adjacent slabs will be affected to varying degrees, the movement of one slab compared to an adjacent slab will be at a different rate and displacement.

The differential movement of one slab to the next will inevitably cause the raising of one peripheral edge higher or lower than its neighbour.

Such a surface, instead of providing a convenient path for pedestrian vehicles, such as wheelchairs, prams, etc., will instead become effectively impassable for such pedestrian vehicles, not to mention becoming a hazard to foot traffic.

Thus it becomes a serious issue for Municipalities to devote funds from constrained budgets to expensive maintenance programmes to replace the pavements that have suffered differential displacements between the pavement slabs.

Further, such Municipalities must maintain a contingent liability against litigation brought by pedestrians who may injure themselves by tripping and falling as a result of the raised peripheral edges of the slab units.

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