Mechanical Expansion Joint Cover Product Information & Optional Extras

The key to our system is a centering bar which consists of two wear resistant spheres fastened at opposite ends of a flat spring steel bar. These act as lubrication free bearings, minimising wear on the aluminium and brass tracks in which the mechanism constantly moves. The bars are positioned diagonally across the joint opening. The spring steel centering bar holds the cover plate central and the fixing screws tight.

When you select Latham Self Aligning Flexible Mechanical Expansion Joint Covers, and have a special configuration fabricated, you are taking advantage of a unique solution to the problem of keeping joint covers firmly anchored despite movement between sections of concrete flooring. This ensures a long-lasting, trouble free and stable floor base.

The mechanical expansion joint covers are designed to permit multi-directional six-way movement. The cover unit is free to move horizontally, vertically, and horizontally in shear without damaging the surrounding concrete and paving, deforming the cover plate or shearing the screws holding the cover plate in place. Whatever your project, Latham Flexible Mechanical Expansion Joint Covers are available and can be fabricated to almost any width or required joint movement. Optional water gutters or fire barriers are part of the totally trouble free full joint system.

All Latham Mechanical Expansion Joint Covers unless otherwise detailed are designed for normal pedestrian applications. If the application is heavier e.g. high traffic areas like railway stations or airports or where heavier loads may transverse the joint cover, see the heavy duty and vehicular ranges, consult Latham Australia to specify a suitable cover thickness.

All Latham Expansion Joint Covers offer various amounts of movement as indicated by the symbols associated with systems and the related tables detailed below. All systems will accommodate general thermal expansion and contraction and shrinkage as indicated. In some cases depending on the requirements of the structure, standard systems also will allow seismic movement, although in applications where a structure has been designed to accommodate extreme seismic movement the Latham Seismic Range of expansion joint covers should be considered.

Materials

Metals

Extrusions used in Latham Expansion Joint Covers are aluminium 6063-T5 & T6 mill finish alloy, brass 380 mill finish alloy or stainless steel decks, Type 304 Grade, 2B finish to 3mm thick, thicker stainless steel decks are supplied in No.1 finish. On request other stainless steel finishes are available if specified at time of order and subject to minimum order quantites. When expansion joint covers are being installed in areas of high temperature change or in continuous runs, special consideration should be given to thermal expansion of the metal components, which is approximately 0.025mm per metre, per degree Celsius of temperature change. Allowances should be made accordingly for side members and particularly cover plates during installation.

Vinyl

All vinyl plastic extrusions used are polyvinyl chloride (thermoplastic). This material has extreme versatility; it is light weight, strong, tough and inert to most chemicals. It is a metallic grey colour in most profiles, blending with our standard finishes. Other colours may be available for large volume orders or as detailed on the specific product page in this catalogue. Some expansion joint inserts are supplied with neoprene or santoprene inserts.

Finishes

Coatings

Titazel PE31, is a protective coating applied to all steel members to protect and control electrolytic action. Clear Anodised 20 micron finish is standard for all wall and ceiling visually exposed cover units, with the exception of the M, ML, MSM and MLSM Series which are supplied mill finish unless otherwise specified.

Protective Tape

All exposed anodised aluminium surfaces will be supplied covered with protective film/tape to be removed on application. Materials covered with protective tape should not be subjected to prolonged sunlight or extreme temperatures and the tape should be removed within 30 days of delivery.

Materials

Cover Plates

All aluminium, brass and stainless steel floor cover plates are discretely stamped on the surface close to one end as manufactured by Latham Australia, which ensures installed material can be identified in the future and is the clients confirmation that the specified product has been installed. Cover plate thicknesses may vary for aluminium and stainless steel. Confirm cover plate thickness with the technical sheet for the selected profile, available from Latham Australia. Thicker, wider cover plates may protrude slightly above the side member, but are supplied with a half height bevel at 45° on most covers.

Standard Product Lengths

All material is supplied standard in the following full lengths: Aluminium Standard and Heavy Duty Series – 3050mm, Aluminium Light Duty Series – 4000mm, Brass – 4000mm, Stainless Steel Decks – 3050mm.

Components

Spring Steel Centering Bars

The spheres attached to the spring steel centering bars act as nylon bearings, minimising wear and tear of the embedded cylindrical channel members. The centering bars are specially treated and produced from specially hardened spring steel. Light tension from the cover plate to the centering bar, through the screw, reduces the likelihood of the screw becoming loose. All Latham spring steel centering bars are treated with Titazel PE-22 coating or Titazel PE-20 zinc coating to assist in protecting the centering bars from moisture etc. Most centering bar screws are supplied to suit a small Phillips head screwdriver to help ensure the system is not over tightened causing the centering bars to lock and possibly snap.

Anchors

CA-16 aluminium/BM-16 brass block-out or CA-6 aluminium/BS-6 brass cast-in type anchors in standard applications are installed at500mm centres on both sides of the embedded members. CA-16 aluminium/BM-16 brass block-out anchors will be supplied unless otherwise specified. To specify CA-6 aluminium/BS-6 brass cast-in anchors for ranges suited to these angles specify “Latham Mechanical Expansion Joint Cover Type…… with CA-6/BS-6 cast-in anchors”. Latham Australia recommend that all embedded aluminium members be coated with Tnemec PZ9 protective coating (optional extra) - see below.

Fixing Holes and Locations

Most expansion joint covers are supplied with side members pre-drilled to suit fixing sizes as indicated on the relevant joint seriespage in this publication.

Splices

Where applicable to the joint type specified, CA-16 block-out or CA-6 cast-in splices are supplied to assist with positive alignment of aluminium embedded members. Latham Australia recommend that all embedded aluminium members be coated with Tnemec PZ9 protective coating (optional extra) - see below.

FC2 Form Clips

For cast-in place installations FC2 form clips allow the embedded member with anchor to be set accurately on the form work. These can be supplied when CA-6 cast-in anchors have been specified (optional extra).

Optional Extras

Tnemec PZ9 Protective Coating

Slip Resistant Surfaces

Powder Coating/Anodising

Protective Tape Coating

Water Gutter

Fabricated Metal Sections

Cutting to Length and Factory Assembly

Packing and Bedding Compound

Mechanical Fixings

Latham Australia Fire & Smoke Barriers

Latham Fire & Smoke Barriers should be used with Latham Expansion joint covers to provide systems with 2 and 4 hour fire ratings. Latham Fire & Smoke Barriers can be used with most Latham wall, ceiling and block out type floor expansion joint covers. Latham Australia Fire & Smoke Barriers allow expansion and contraction, vertical shear and limited horizontal shear movement. Contact Latham Australia Pty Ltd for installation criteria. Fire rated wall joint covers are available for gypsum wall board and masonry construction. See Fire Rated Systems on this website.

Note 1: Movement referred to in this publication should be viewed in the following way. The + (positive) factor refers to the effective amount the joint cover can extend (the joint in the slab increases in width), whilst the – (minus) factor refers to the effective amount the joint cover can contract (the joint in the slab decreases in width). These are effective movements, the systems may be effected by load and traffic volume and other circumstances, which may require a larger or heavier system to be considered. All movements shown in the tables refer to the expansion joint cover being in its standard installation configuration A (as detailed in tables). Altering the installation position will alter the available ± movement, but will not alter the total available movement. 

Systems also offer vertical movement and horizontal shear as indicated by the relevant symbol associated to the particular joint cover. The amount of this is dependent on the system and the joint width. Consult Latham Australia for further information in relation to a specific joint cover.

Note 2: All specifications, should be written in conjunction with Product Information - Optional Extras and the Architectural Specifications from this website. 

Note 3: For confirmation of cover plate thickness for profiles on this website that refer to more than 1 cover plate type, refer to the actual technical drawing relating to the required expansion joint cover. Contact your Latham Australia Pty Ltd technical representative for further details.