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Source:

Archidoodles

Updated:

Aug 6, 2024

Term of the Day: Keyway In Concrete Construction of Walls and Floors

A keyway in concrete floors or walls is a preformed groove or recess that is created in the fresh concrete to form an interlocking joint between adjacent concrete pours.

Term of the Day: Keyway In Concrete Construction of Walls and Floors

A keyway in concrete floors or walls is a preformed groove or recess that is created in the fresh concrete to form an interlocking joint between adjacent concrete pours. This feature helps to transfer loads and provide stability by preventing lateral movement. Keyways are typically used at construction joints, where two separate concrete pours meet.


In floors, a keyway is usually formed using a piece of wood or a plastic strip that is placed in the fresh concrete. In walls, keyways can be formed using various types of formwork.


Keyways help to:


  1. Increase Shear Strength: They provide additional surface area for bonding between concrete sections, increasing the joint’s ability to resist shear forces.

  2. Prevent Displacement: They help in maintaining the alignment of adjoining sections by preventing lateral movement.

  3. Enhance Load Transfer: They facilitate effective load transfer between different sections of the concrete structure.


Keyways are crucial in enhancing the structural integrity of concrete constructions, ensuring that different sections of a concrete floor or wall work together effectively.

Tags:

Building Design + Construction, Construction Materials

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