Joints are inevitable elements in all concrete floors. They require care in construction as their design and construction can be a significant source of potential problems. The edges of the floor panels are vulnerable to damage from the passage of material handling equipment (forklifts, rigid wheel carriers, etc.). Depending on the increase in joint width, the slab edges become more susceptible to damage.
In order to prevent this type of damage, the joints should be shaped with specially designed plates before pouring the floor concrete. This special system not only protects joint edges and corners, but also creates an effective use by providing load transfer between floors.
The method selection and joint layout plan should be done very well in the construction of floor concretes. All these points, such as the geometry of the structure, joint widths, stability of the joints, surface smoothness, must be planned separately and then implemented.
In joint formation with the traditional method, the slab concrete is cut in widths 24 to 30 times the slab concrete thickness, up to 24 hours after the concrete is poured. During a time period between 4 and 18 hours after the concrete is poured, internal stresses begin to form cracks by breaking the bond between the aggregate and cement at the weakest points.
ARFEN Slabjoint provides joint formation during concrete pouring. In this method, weak lines are created at predetermined intervals in slab flooring. Thanks to these joints, the internal forces and cracks that occur in the concrete during shrinkage are prevented. In the formed joint, 8 mm steel plates made of S355JR (St52) are placed at 600 mm intervals in order to prevent vertical movements and to provide load transfer to both sides of the joint, in such a way that they do not hinder horizontal movement in the sliding slot.
Joints are formed between the first day and 2 or 3 weeks after concrete casting, without the need for additional cutting and molding.
