expansion joints
Expansion joints are flexible connections that are installed in metal structures or piping to allow movements from thermal expansion, contraction, or other stresses. These prevent the cracking, warping, or damage to structures that could result from changes in length or misalignment.
Key Features:
- Absorbing Thermal Expansion: The length of materials is compensated for the temperature changes so that there will be no structural stress.
- Flexibility and Strength: Built to handle axial, lateral, and angular motion while maintaining strength during stress.
- Damage Protection: Security in the integrity of structures and pipelines against the stresses concentrating at fixed points.
Expansion joints, for instance, would be very integral in industries like construction, the automotive industry, and generally the energy sector because these industries deal with such temperature fluctuations or mechanical loads that put stress on structural components. Movement would hence be allowed while the structure is contained, creating an environment for long-term durability and safety of bridges, pipelines, HVAC systems, and many more.