Design a Building with Expansion Joints
Design a Building with Expansion Joints
(OP)
Hello Everyone,
I am designing a basic two-storey building (moment resisting frame) that spans about 120 meters along one direction and 50 meters along the other direction. I know that in such large spans, we should provide expansion joints in the building.
Regarding the expansion joint, does it split the slab only? Or do I need to split the entire frames as well?
In other words, do I need to design each part of the building separated by the expansion joint individually? (Designing different frames separately that look like one building because they are very close to each others).
I appreciate if you could share your experience with me :)
I am designing a basic two-storey building (moment resisting frame) that spans about 120 meters along one direction and 50 meters along the other direction. I know that in such large spans, we should provide expansion joints in the building.
Regarding the expansion joint, does it split the slab only? Or do I need to split the entire frames as well?
In other words, do I need to design each part of the building separated by the expansion joint individually? (Designing different frames separately that look like one building because they are very close to each others).
I appreciate if you could share your experience with me :)






RE: Design a Building with Expansion Joints
If there is an expansion joint - you either have to create essentially two separate buildings with twin columns at the joint, or design beam connections at the joint that allow horizontal slip movement.
This would include everything such as slabs, beams, walls, exterior cladding, plumbing, conduit, etc.
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RE: Design a Building with Expansion Joints
As a follow up to your answer: If I create two separate buildings with twin columns at the joint, then does this mean that I will model each frame individually in ETABS? Will this affect the way I input the wind load and seismic load?
RE: Design a Building with Expansion Joints
For wind loads you would treat the exterior wind pressures the same as if you had one building except that the internal wind pressures will now act separately on two structures.
This can definitely affect your main wind force resisting system winds and how they are applied to the structure.
If one structure, the internal wind pressures sort of cancel each other out horizontally. With an expansion joint they don't.
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RE: Design a Building with Expansion Joints
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RE: Design a Building with Expansion Joints
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RE: Design a Building with Expansion Joints