How Buildings Handle Structural Movement

Buildings are designed to handle movement from temperature changes, moisture changes, and structural deflection. If these changes are ignored, they can cause visible damage or even unsafe conditions. Movement joints give building materials room to move without creating distress.

Working joints ar...

Slight movements in buildings can occur during the expansion of building units exposed to moisture or the upward heaving of foundations when water in the soil expands while freezing.

Movements may form cracks in the building; movement joints such as working joints, structure enclosure joints, surface divider joints, and building separatio...