Expansion joint system

Abstract

A compression seal for concrete expansion joints is extruded as a one-piece unit from rubber-like material. The compression seal includes a compressible sealing portion and a pair of load-bearing wings that extend laterally from the compressible sealing portion. The one-piece design facilitates easy installation of the compression seal in an expansion joint. In use, the compressible sealing portion is inserted the expansion joint. Simple zipper-like motion may be used to press fit the compressible portion into the expansion joint. The lateral load-bearing wings are bonded to concrete surfaces adjoining the expansion joint to hold the compressible sealing portion in place.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0001] The present invention relates generally to structural expansion joints and more particularly to expansion joints between structural members such as concrete slabs and the like. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] Expansion joints are required in most concrete construction. Concrete undergoes physical changes in length, width, height, shape, and volume of its mass in response to changes in the temperature or the mechanical conditions surrounding it. Grooves or expansion joints are placed in a concrete structure to physically subdivide the structure into smaller structural elements. The expansion joints accommodate the compressional forces that are transmitted from abutting structural elements during movement caused by the physical changes in the concrete. Suitably designed expansion joints can preserve the structural integrity and serviceability of the concrete structure. The expansion joints may be covered or filled with flexible sealing material accordi...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0007] The compression seal has a unitary design in which a compressible sealing portion and a pair of loading-bearing wings are structurally integrated. The compression seal is inherently watertight. The compressible sealing portion, which is designed for placement or insertion in an expansion joint, has a generally rectangular cross-section. The load-bearing wings extend laterally from the compressible sealing portion. The load-bearing wings are designed to have sufficient elasticity and strength so that they can be used with exposed upper surfaces without the need for protective covers or the like. The design of the compression seal advantageously simplifies its installation in an expansion joint. For installation of the compression seal, the compressible portion may be lightly press fit into the expansion joint. The lateral loading-bearing wings are glued or bonded to the surfaces of the structural elements adjoining the expansion joint, to hold the inserted compressible sealing portion in place. By design, the concrete-contacting lower surfaces of the load bearing wings may be provided with longitudinal grooves that encourage gripping or adhesion. The exposed upper surfaces of the load-bearing wings may be corrugated, for example, to provide traction for pedestrian or vehicular traffic.

[0009] The compression seal can be made by extruding suitable elastic material, for example, ethylene propylene terpolymers including those that are commonly known as EPDM rubber. The tubular design of the compression seal facilitates extrusion of continuous lengths of the compression seal through an extrusion die. Lengths of the compression seal can be cut, notched, and folded as needed for different application geometries.

Problems solved by technology

Unfortunately, this often results in seal failure (e.g., by dislodgment) due to the loss of compression.

Exposed thin lateral wings or flaps are not designed withstand heavy loads or other wear and tear in use.

These conventional methods for holding the expansion joint seals in place are not always satisfactory.

For example, use of resins such as elastomeric concrete can be labor intensive in addition to being environmentally hazardous.

Drilling holes in precast concrete to place masonry anchor bolts for securing the preformed blocks may undesirably weaken or otherwise damage the concrete structures.

For example, the drilling of holes may undesirably interfere with steel cables that are commonly placed in the concrete, for example, for tensioning parking decks.

Further in these methods, the nose portions at which the thin lateral seal wings connect to the main seal body (e.g., at the corner of the expansion joint) are still exposed and vulnerable.

However, the installation of multiple piece structures is undesirably complicated.

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