How big can a concrete slab be without expansion joints? Expansion joints need to be installed 2 to 3 times in feet the thickness of a concrete slab in inches. So if your slab is 4 inches thick, the slab can be 8 to 12 feet long or wide without requiring an expansion joint.
How Big Can a Concrete Slab Be Without Expansion Joints?
Concrete slabs are common in many construction projects and can be used for a variety of purposes. But when the size of the slab exceeds certain dimensions, the potential for cracking and spalling becomes more of a concern.
To ensure a concrete slab remains structurally sound when it reaches large sizes, expansion joints are usually used. In this article, we’ll be exploring the question of “How big can a concrete slab be without expansion joints?”
In order to answer this question, it’s important to understand what expansion joints are and why they’re used. Expansion joints are gaps in the concrete that allow for thermal expansion and contraction of the slab without cracking or spalling.
Thermal expansion occurs when the temperature of the concrete increases, while thermal contraction occurs when the temperature of the concrete decreases.
Without expansion joints, the slab can crack or spall due to the stress that thermal expansion and contraction can cause.
There are a few factors that will influence the size of a concrete slab before expansion joints are needed.
These include the material used, the thickness of the slab, the ambient temperature, and the type of curing used. Generally speaking, however, a concrete slab can be as large as 25 feet long and 12 feet
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