Concrete joint
Containment systems for the prevention of pollution, Secondary, tertiary and other measures for industrial and commercial premises (CIRIA C736), published by CIRIA in 2014, suggests that construction joints (in concrete, sometimes referred to as daywork joints) refer to: ‘A joint in concrete construction formed when placement of the concrete is interrupted for some reason. It may be the end of the day’s work, or it may be that some other work needs to be completed before resuming the placement. Results in a ‘surface’ between freshly placed and (partly) cured concrete.’
Crack control joints are: ‘A partially-formed contraction joint, which aims to ensure that when the concrete does crack, it cracks in a predictable manner at a precise location.
Contraction or shrinkage joints (in concrete): ‘Allows only for contraction or shrinkage of a slab or wall, as can be anticipated during the curing process.’
Expansion joints (in concrete): ‘Allow expansion and contraction of a concrete slab or wall without generating potentially damaging forces within the slab itself or the surrounding structures. Expansion joints are usually a complete ‘gap’ between adjacent bays, ie there is a definite break in the concrete and reinforcing steel that may be present. Where adjacent bays are ‘tied’ together by means of dowel bars, these dowels are sleeved in one of the bays to allow expansion to take place without generating stresses within the slab.’
A kicker joint is a: ‘Small upstand cast as part of a concrete base to allow the securing of wall shutters.'
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
Featured articles and news
Building Safety recap January, 2026
What we missed at the end of last year, and at the start of this...
National Apprenticeship Week 2026, 9-15 Feb
Shining a light on the positive impacts for businesses, their apprentices and the wider economy alike.
Applications and benefits of acoustic flooring
From commercial to retail.
From solid to sprung and ribbed to raised.
Strengthening industry collaboration in Hong Kong
Hong Kong Institute of Construction and The Chartered Institute of Building sign Memorandum of Understanding.
A detailed description fron the experts at Cornish Lime.
IHBC planning for growth with corporate plan development
Grow with the Institute by volunteering and CP25 consultation.
Connecting ambition and action for designers and specifiers.
Electrical skills gap deepens as apprenticeship starts fall despite surging demand says ECA.
Built environment bodies deepen joint action on EDI
B.E.Inclusive initiative agree next phase of joint equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) action plan.
Recognising culture as key to sustainable economic growth
Creative UK Provocation paper: Culture as Growth Infrastructure.
Futurebuild and UK Construction Week London Unite
Creating the UK’s Built Environment Super Event and over 25 other key partnerships.
Welsh and Scottish 2026 elections
Manifestos for the built environment for upcoming same May day elections.
Advancing BIM education with a competency framework
“We don’t need people who can just draw in 3D. We need people who can think in data.”
Guidance notes to prepare for April ERA changes
From the Electrical Contractors' Association Employee Relations team.
Significant changes to be seen from the new ERA in 2026 and 2027, starting on 6 April 2026.
First aid in the modern workplace with St John Ambulance.
Solar panels, pitched roofs and risk of fire spread
60% increase in solar panel fires prompts tests and installation warnings.
Modernising heat networks with Heat interface unit
Why HIUs hold the key to efficiency upgrades.