Concrete Pavement Joints and Pavement Types

Vocabulary flashcards covering key types of joints in concrete pavements and the main categories of pavement structures.

Expansion Joint

A transverse joint in concrete pavements placed at regular intervals to provide space for the slab to expand when temperature increases.

Contraction Joint

A transverse joint in concrete pavements placed at regular intervals across the pavement width to relieve tensile stresses caused by temperature decreases.

Construction Joint

A transverse joint in concrete pavements that provides a smooth transition between concrete placed at different times or on different days.

Flexible Pavement

A pavement structure built with asphaltic cement and aggregates, usually consisting of several layers that act together to distribute loads.

Rigid Pavement

A pavement structure constructed with Portland cement concrete and aggregates, relying on the slab’s flexural strength to distribute loads.