When designing parking and open-air structures, engineers, architects, and designers must carefully select the proper expansion joint assemblies to ensure the structure’s long-term strength and reliability. Choosing the appropriate expansion joint is essential for the structure’s ability to withstand various conditions, including extreme weather, fire, heavy loads, and environmental factors.
Weather and Environmental Conditions
Weather and environmental conditions are key factors when choosing expansion joint assemblies for parking and open-air structures. These areas face a range of weather elements, from moisture and extreme temperatures to snow, which can impact their performance and lifespan.
In regions with high moisture levels, selecting expansion joint assemblies that effectively resist water infiltration is important. For coastal areas or places with frequent rainfall, choosing expansion joint assemblies with excellent moisture protection is essential. Advanced materials, like high-performance elastomers and specialized coatings, offer superior water resistance, effectively keeping out moisture and ensuring long-term durability.
Geographical Considerations
A project’s geographical location plays a big role in choosing proper expansion joint assemblies, as different regions pose unique challenges.
In earthquake-prone areas such as Nevada and California, expansion joint assemblies must be capable of handling temperature fluctuations and substantial movements due to ground shaking. These joint assemblies should be constructed from flexible materials that can absorb seismic forces while maintaining the stability of the structure.
In coastal areas or places where de-icing salts are used, expansion joint assemblies need to resist corrosion from salt and moisture. They should be made from durable materials like stainless steel and treated with special coatings to prevent rust and wear.
For regions with extreme temperatures, whether very hot or cold, expansion joint assemblies need to accommodate a wide range of thermal expansion while maintaining their effectiveness. They should be made from materials that remain flexible and resilient in extreme temperatures.
In areas prone to high winds or severe storms, such as hurricanes, expansion joint assemblies should be strong enough to withstand wind pressure and debris.
Fire Protection
Fire protection is a key consideration in expansion joint design. In parking structures and open-air environments adjacent to residential and commercial buildings, it’s essential for expansion joint assemblies to offer strong fire resistance and endure high temperatures. Expansion joint assemblies should create a continuous, equal, and seamless barrier across all fire-rated construction. They should be designed to meet stringent fire safety standards to prevent the spread of flames and smoke effectively.
Loading and Vehicle Types
For heavy vehicle traffic, expansion joint covers should be durable and flexible. Made from high-strength materials, these covers need to withstand substantial loads and impacts from large vehicles. Durability prevents quick deterioration, while flexibility allows the joint assemblies to accommodate many forces and movements without cracking or breaking.
Gap Size and Movement
The expected movement dictates the size of an expansion joint gap within a structure, which can be affected by temperature changes, settling, and seismic activity. In areas with extreme temperature variations, expansion joint assemblies need to expand and contract significantly to keep the structure functional and safe. In regions prone to seismic activity or where settling or shifting is expected, the expansion joint assemblies must effectively accommodate large movements.
Duraspan’s Product Line of Expansion Joint Assemblies Designed Specifically for Parking and Open-Air Structures
When selecting expansion joint assemblies for parking and open-air structures, choosing solutions that align with your project’s specific needs is crucial. Balco’s DuraSpan™ expansion joint systems product line for parking and open-air structures addresses these demands with 16 different expansion joint systems, including metal cover, elastomeric, and foam seal options.
Balco’s MetaGuard™ and elastomeric seals provide reliable watertight solutions, channeling water and moisture away to maintain the structural integrity of parking garages and open-air spaces even in harsh weather.
For fire protection, all 16 products in the DuraSpan product line can be fitted with Balco’s MetaBlock® or MetaFlex® to meet fire-rating specifications, ensuring the necessary protection during a fire.
The product line also includes heavy-duty cover plates made from high-strength materials like advanced alloys and impact-resistant composites, designed to endure significant pressures from heavy trucks and other large vehicles. These cover plates are rigorously tested to ensure they perform well under demanding conditions.
Additionally, the DuraSpan product line offers solutions ranging from small thermal movement joint assemblies to large seismic movement joint assemblies, addressing the specific needs of various structures and their movement requirements.
Balco provides valuable resources to assist engineers, architects, and designers, including the DuraSpan Quick Reference Guide, with information about all 16 products in the DuraSpan portfolio and a Load Data Sheet with frequently encountered concentrated wheel loads.
For more information, visit www.balcousa.com or call (800) 767-0082.