Expansion joint structure for concrete slabs

• US 20040062605A1
• Filed: 08/05/2003
• Published: 04/01/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 02/05/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Valisuomen Imubetoni OY
• Original Assignee: Valisuomen Imubetoni OY
• Inventors: Lehto, Tapio, Kuusela, Pekka
• Granted Patent: US 6,893,187 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 404/47
• CPC Class Codes: E01C 11/123 Joints with only metal and in situ prepared packing or filling
• CPC Class Codes: E04F 15/14 Construction of joints, e.g. dividing strips E04F15/02005 takes precedence; sealing joints not restricted to flooring E04B1/68 , construction of joints in roads or airfields E01C11/02

Abstract

The invention relates to an expansion joint structure (1) to be placed between adjacent concrete slabs (66a,66b) in a concrete slab system. The structure comprises a first profile element (10) to be attached to an edge of a first concrete slab, and a second profile element (12) to be attached to an edge of a second concrete slab, said profile elements being joined together by removable connecting trips (28) such that there is a gap (26) between the profile elements. In an expansion joint structure according to the invention the profile elements and connecting strips constitute a single continuous entity of extruded aluminium profile. The connecting strips are attached by their edges to the profile elements through very thin necks that keep the elements together during the pouring of the slab. An expansion joint structure according to the invention is positioned on the concreting base at the correct height prior to the pouring of the concrete slabs. During the pouring, the connecting strips block the gap between the profile elements and keep it clean. When the concrete has hardened enough, the connecting strips are thorn off and the resulting gap is filled with elastic sealant. The first profile element of the expansion joint structure is designed such that it serves as a construction joint form so that concrete slabs on the different sides of the expansion joint can be poured at different times, if necessary.

Claims

1. An expansion joint structure (1) for concrete slabs, comprising a first profile element (10) to be attached to an edge of a first concrete slab (66a), and a second profile element (12) to be attached to an edge of a second, adjacent, concrete slab (66b), said profile elements being joined together by at least one removable connecting strip (28) such that there is a gap (26) between the profile elements, characterized in that the first profile element and second profile element and the connecting strips form a single continuous aluminum profile.

2. An expansion joint structure according to claim 1, characterized in that the connecting strips (28) are attached by a first edge to the first profile element (10) and by a second edge to the second profile element (12) through thin necks such that they can be torn off.

3. An expansion joint structure according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that there are two connecting strips (28) and the first connecting strip is placed at the upper edge of the gap (26) and the second connecting strip is placed at the middle or lower portion of the gap.

4. An expansion joint structure according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the width of the gap (26) between the first and second profile elements (10, 12) is about 10 millimeters.

5. An expansion joint structure according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the first profile element (10) and/or second profile element (12) comprise means (25) for coupling expansion joint structures together.

6. An expansion joint structure according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the first profile element (10) is designed such that it serves as a concreting form or construction joint form.

7. An expansion joint structure according to claim 6, characterized in that the cross section of the first profile element (10) is shaped such that it provides an expansion joint form which can transfer shear stresses.

8. An expansion joint structure according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the first profile element (10) and/or second profile element (12) comprise bondage elements (54) in order to enhance the bonding of the profile elements to the concrete slabs (66a, 66b).

9. An expansion joint structure according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that a sealant (72) is to be inserted in the gap (26) after removing the connecting strips (28).