Blockwork and expansion joints

[OldieNewbie]

Hi all,

 

How often should an expansion joint appear in block work? Would it be after 8 blocks? Or would that be determined by an engineer?

 

I regularly see long lengths of old block work with no expansion joints and the walls are in good condition. Are they really that important?

 

What if you were putting another run or 2 of blocks on an existing wall that didn’t have expansion joints, would you include them in the new runs of blocks?

 

 

 

 

[nod]

Normally every 8 meter But some of The house builders put them all over 

Including Pilar’s 

[saveasteading]

3 hours ago, OldieNewbie said:

no expansion joints and the walls are in good condition. 

 

Concrete blocks shrink for about a month after they are made, as the chemical reactions conclude.

Bricks expand for about  a month as they cool then absorb dampness.

If you were to leave them both before building then perhaps you don't need any or many joints at all.

But nobody would ever specify that.