Can we avoid expansion joint 1

[186]

Where i come from the weather is hot n wet all year round (amazon like weather). For a structure which is about 100 metres (300 ft)long by 3m(9ft) wide , is it possible to avoid expansion joint as it had always been a source of water leakages. The temp variation is 27 c to 35c.
If exp joint is a must pls suggest ways of preventing leakages.

 

[Rjeffery]

hold the crush strip 1.2 to 2 cm below the surface of the slab, add a backer rod and caulk with flexable acrylic or latex caulking. turns into a maintenance issue (to renew the caulking) but it will save on cracked, damaged, dislpaced, leaky slabs.

Good luck.

 

[JedClampett]

If you are really interested in providing a leak free joint, follow Rjeffery's advice and also have a nine inch center bulb PVC waterstop embedded in the joint. Greenstreak (

http://www.greenstreak.com/)

makes some appropriate products. The backer rod and caulk will keep material out of the joint and allow free movement and the waterstop will provide the barrier.

 

[Ron]

While I agree with the joint configuration, use either a 2-part urethane sealant or structural silicone rather than latex or acrylic sealants, which are not durable enough for your application.