Building 101

What is an Expansion Joint Used For?

An expansion joint is an assembly created to safely absorb heat caused by expansion and contraction in construction projects. An expansion joint is a useful tool for many types of building and development tasks. Ten examples of projects where an expansion joint may come in handy:

 

1.)                Building fences

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2.)                Railway expansions

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3.)                Ducted air systems

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4.)                Water pipes

 

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5.)                Concrete construction

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6.)                Building steel fixtures

 

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7.)                Building bridges

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8.)                Road expansion

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9.)                Roofs

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10.)            Building walls/other home projects

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Expansion joints are vital devices that help bridge the gaps caused by overheating, and often prevent damage caused by natural disasters such as earthquakes. Browse state of the art expansion joints for your next project from the trusted carrier Zepco, a full service construction supplies carrier.

 

 


Safety measures for the construction area

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Technicians install expansion joints in construction sites and plants that contain large equipment, great heights, and other potential hazards. They work in the field to save time and money for their clients but subject themselves to these dangers. If you are a technician or visiting these sites then here are five safety measures you must take.

  • Double-check your work area
  • Follow safety precautions listed on equipment
  • Maintain fencing and prevent fires
  • Wear protective apparel
  • Keep first aid close by

Offering fabrication services can be dangerous work but keep these tips in mind and you can minimize your risk of getting hurt.


Different Types of Expansion Joints

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5 Main Expansion Joints include:

  1. Simple Expansion Joint – used to absorb a small amount of movements.
  2. Universal Expansion Joint – used to absorb a combination of movements in a piping system that are too much for a single axial expansion joint.
  3. Pressure Balanced Expansion Joint – versatile expansion joint is made for a combination of forces. The flow and balancing bellow produce equal but opposite forces under the same pressure, this cancels out the forces from multiple directions.
  4. Hinged Expansion Joint – set in sets of two or three, absorb movement in one or more directions. It’s made to experience a strong axial pressure thrust and deflect the motion.
  5. Gimbal Expansion Joint – similar to hinge expansion joints it uses its hinges to absorb rotation from any plane.

For more information on expansion joints, contact Zepco today.

 

 

 


Be Earthquake Safe

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Most people have no idea what an expansion joint is or why it is needed. Even still, they are used in everyday applications all around us…if you know where to look!

An expansion joint is a mid-structure separation used to relieve stress on building materials.  The cause of that stress can be thermal expansion, wind damage, or earthquakes.

In order for buildings to withstand the elements that they face, there has to be something to keep them from toppling over.  This is where expansion joints come in.  These mini-structures ensure that the building is safe from any shock that may hit.

To be confident your building is earthquake safe, check out Zepco.net for more information!

 


Expansion Joints for Extreme Temperatures

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When materials are exposed to extreme weather changes they expand and contract. This can lead to building damages and potentially catastrophic accidents.

One way to avoid this is by investing in expansion joints. Expansion joints safely absorb heat and cold without causing damage. It can also protect buildings or construction from earthquakes. Zepco even has expansion joins that are designed to withstand a temperature up to 1600 degrees Fahrenheit.

Zepco’s technicians will install, repair, create, and rebuild expansion joints for many different industries. Zepco will mold to your specific needs according to your industry as well as save you money in the process.

To receive a consultation contact Zepco at 864.968.1268.


Zepco Consulting Services

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Companies often find themselves in hot water when they put things like building maintenance off to the side. Building maintenance is not about convenience and should be every company’s top priority. If you don’t have the “time” call Zepco.

Zepco offers consulting services to help reduce your chances of unscheduled outages or disasters. Zepco engineers provide full, detailed inspection reports for your facility. We document every necessary modifications for your expansion joints whether they are needed immediately or in the future. After 30 years of experience designing and installing expansion joints, Zepco knows what to look for to expand the life of your expansion joints.

Zepco’s reports provide a timeline of maintenance and budget to insure the proper function of your facility.

To inquire about Zepco’s consulting services, call (864) 968-1268.


Why Does an Expansion Joint Need to Absorb Heat?

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Expansion joints are an innovation that changed the face of construction. Before they were built into large structures like concrete slabs, building faces and pipelines, these systems would crack under stress.

Expansion joints are assemblies designed to safely absorb the contraction and heat-induced expansion of construction materials. You will find them between areas of bridges, skyscrapers, railroad tracks, sidewalks, ships, piping systems and other structures. These systems contract and expand over time from cooling and warming during seasonal changes as well as from other heat sources. The ability of the expansion joint to absorb this heat allows structures to remain intact and avoid cracking under changes in temperature. These joints are also called “compensators” because they compensate for thermal activity and are very important to the safety of a construction framework.

 


ZEPCO: What We Do

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Most people have no idea what an expansion joint is or why it is needed. Even still, they are used in everyday applications all around us…if you know where to look!

An expansion joint is a mid-structure separation used to relieve stress on building materials. The cause of that stress can be thermal expansion, wind damage, or earthquakes.

In order for buildings to withstand the elements that they face, there has to be something to keep them from toppling over. This is where expansion joints come in. These mini-structures ensure that the building is safe from whatever comes.

Check out our site for more!