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Understanding Movement in Building Materials: A Practical Guide for Architects

As architects, we know buildings are more than static structures—they're dynamic, constantly responding to environmental changes. A crucial aspect of this dynamism is the movement of building materials due to thermal and moisture changes. Let's dive into the three primary types of movement—linear, differential, and transverse—and explore how understanding these can improve your architectural designs.


Linear Movement: Continuous Change in Building Components


Linear movement refers to the continuous dimensional changes within building components due to temperature variations. Regardless of the material, the internal temperature of the components and the external temperature both play significant roles. For instance, steel beams and wooden panels in a structure will expand in the summer and contract in the winter, leading to slight but important shifts in the building’s dimensions. Understanding this can help you design joints and connections that accommodate these changes, preventing damage and maintaining structural integrity.

Linear movement in building materials- Prospec Expansion jt



Differential Movement: The Interplay of Different Materials


Differential movement occurs due to varying rates of expansion and contraction among different materials. Imagine a 10-foot square panel of aluminum adjacent to a masonry panel of the same size. If the temperature drops by 100°F (35°C), the aluminum will contract by 0.155 inches (3.9 mm), while the masonry will contract only 0.037 inches (0.94 mm). This significant difference can cause stress and potential failure at the interface of these materials.


Similarly, moisture content changes lead to differential movement, especially in wood. A piece of green Douglas fir, for example, shrinks about 1.5% tangentially and about 2.5% radially when dried to 20% moisture content. These dimensional changes necessitate careful material selection and joint design to manage the stress caused by differential movements.


Supporting frames can also contribute to differential movement, particularly when they expand or contract simultaneously with the building components they support. This can lead to complex interactions requiring thoughtful design solutions to avoid structural issues.



Differential movement in building materials- Prospec Expansion jt


Transverse Movement: Perpendicular Stresses and Deflections


Transverse movement, or movement perpendicular to the plane of components, can result from differences in lateral loads or bending stresses. Consider the varying pressures on vertical components like wall panels. These differences can cause one part of the wall to deflect more than another, potentially leading to cracks and structural weaknesses.


Horizontal components are similarly affected. For example, moving loads over a floor can cause one edge to deflect if it's free while the other is restrained. This type of movement is also seen when thermal or moisture-induced expansion causes deflection in a component with restrained edges.


Understanding these b uilding Material movement stresses and designing to accommodate them—such as using flexible connections or expansion joints—can significantly enhance the durability and performance of your structures.

Transverse movement in building materials- Prospec Expansion jt


Practical Implications and Design Strategies


Thermal expansion coefficients provide critical data for predicting how materials will behave under temperature changes. However, these values can vary significantly depending on the source and the specific material composition. For instance, coefficients for concrete can differ by up to 100% based on the aggregate used. Therefore, always consider a margin for error in your calculations and designs.


Special Considerations: Roofing Materials


Coal-tar bitumen, commonly used in built-up roofing, has a higher coefficient of expansion than other materials like organic felt and asphalt. This discrepancy explains why some roofs split in very cold weather. Fiberglass felts, which are stronger than organic felts, are more resistant to such splitting and are equally strong in all directions, making them a better choice for preventing damage.


Membrane roofing materials present another case study. These materials become flexible when warm, allowing for thermal expansion without issue. However, in cold temperatures, they become more rigid, and shrinkage can cause damage if not adequately anchored.


Designing for Movement: Key Takeaways


1. Plan for Expansion and Contraction: Always design joints and connections that can accommodate the expected range of movement in your materials.

2. Select Materials Wisely: Understand the thermal and moisture movement characteristics of your materials, especially when combining different types.


3. Consider Margins of Error: Thermal expansion coefficients can vary, so build in a safety margin to ensure your designs can handle unexpected stresses.


4. Use Flexible Connections: For areas prone to differential and transverse movements, flexible connections can help absorb and distribute stresses, preventing damage.


By integrating these building Material movement considerations into your design process, you can create buildings that not only stand the test of time but also adapt gracefully to the ever-changing environment. You can also reach out to expansion joint specialists for your next project and we would love to walk you through the process of specifying and selecting the correct expansion joints for different materials.





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