Monolithic concrete wall expansion joint system

Abstract

An expansion joint system for a wall is provided herein wherein a first concrete wall component is substantially separated from a second concrete wall component via a rigid plate such that contraction of the first concrete wall component does not create significant stresses in the first or second concrete wall component so as to create cracks in the first or second concrete wall component. Moreover, a compressible material may be disposed between the rigid plate and/or the first and/or second concrete wall component such that expansion of the first concrete wall component compresses the compressible material instead of imposing significant stresses on the first or second concrete wall component so as to be likely to form cracks in the first or second concrete wall component.

1 . A concrete wall structure joint system for mitigating against crack formation in a wall, the system comprising:
 a first concrete wall component defining an upper surface;   a second concrete wall component defining an upper surface; and   a joint for mitigating against crack formation in the first and second concrete wall components, the joint comprising:
 a rigid plate disposed between the first and second concrete wall components, an upper edge of the rigid plate being lower than the upper surfaces of the first and second concrete wall components; 
 a depression formed in the upper surfaces of the first and second concrete wall components, the depression formed above the rigid plate. 
   
   
   
       2 . The system of  claim 1  wherein rigid plate has an aperture, and the joint further comprises:
 a sheath disposed within the first concrete wall component, the sheath having an opening and a cavity, the opening aligned to the aperture of the rigid plate;   an elongate member fixedly engaged to the first concrete wall component, slideable through the aperture of the rigid plate and the opening of the sheath, and slideable within the cavity of the sheath for permitting longitudinal movement between the first and second concrete wall components but limiting horizontal and vertical movements of the first concrete wall component with respect to the second concrete wall component.   
   
   
       3 . The system of  claim 1  further comprising a molding disposed above the upper edge of the rigid plate to form the depression. 
   
   
       4 . The system of  claim 3  wherein an upper surface of the molding is level with the upper surfaces of the first and second concrete wall components. 
   
   
       5 . The system of  claim 3  wherein the molding is attached to the upper edge of the rigid plate. 
   
   
       6 . The system of  claim 3  wherein the molding is removeably disposable from the system. 
   
   
       7 . The system of  claim 1  further comprising a compressible material disposed between the rigid plate and the first concrete wall component. 
   
   
       8 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the first and second concrete wall components collectively form a wall. 
   
   
       9 . The system of  claim 2  wherein the elongate member is a dowel. 
   
   
       10 . The system of  claim 1  further comprising a filler material disposed within the depression. 
   
   
       11 . The system of  claim 10  wherein the filler material is caulking. 
   
   
       12 . A concrete wall structure expansion joint system in a wall, the system comprising:
 a first concrete wall component defining an upper surface;   a second concrete wall component defining an upper surface; and   a joint for mitigating against crack formation in the first and second concrete wall components, the joint comprising a rigid plate disposed between the first and second concrete wall components.   
   
   
       13 . The system of  claim 12  wherein the joint further comprises a depression formed in the upper surfaces of the first and second concrete wall components and above the rigid plate. 
   
   
       14 . A method for forming a concrete wall structure expansion joint in a wall, the method comprising:
 building first and second concrete wall forms for first and second concrete wall components, respectively;   building a joint between the first and second wall forms, the building the joint step comprising the step of:
 disposing a rigid plate between the first and second concrete wall forms, the rigid plate defining an upper edge; 
   pouring concrete into the first and second concrete forms to form the first and second concrete wall components;   forming an upper groove between the upper surfaces of the first and second concrete wall components and above the upper edge of the rigid plate;   curing the concrete to form the wall;   removing the first and second concrete wall forms.   
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 14  wherein the forming the upper groove step comprises the steps of:
 disposing an upper molding above the upper edge of the rigid plate during the building the joint step; and   removing the upper molding after the pouring the concrete step.   
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 14  further comprising the step of caulking the upper groove. 
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 14  wherein the building the joint step further comprises the step of disposing a compressible material adjacent the rigid plate for permitting the first concrete wall component to expand due to temperature and/or humidity changes without imposing significant stresses in the second concrete wall component so as to form cracks in the first or second concrete wall component. 
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 15  wherein the building the joint step further comprises the steps of:
 disposing a sheath within the first concrete wall form; and   disposing a unitary member within the second concrete wall form and within the sheath.