Expansion joints

[Anthonyeavila]

Hello guys , hoping to get some opinions. I noticed that there is no expansion joints around my raised spa or around my raised bond beam. My pool builder said typically they are only done on the flat side against coping. However, I think he’s not being honest with me. Some Slabs against the spa and raises bond beam are surrounded by dirt which might offset some of the pressure when the slabs expand/contract. Im concerned that there will be damage to the tiles/structure in the future. A lot of the walkway that was poured up against the raised beam actually cracked quickly and now they’re gonna replace several of those slabs . Im not sure if they cracked because there was no expansion joints. What do you guys think ?

 

[ajw22]

You don’t need an expansion joint where the deck may put pressure on 6” or more of rebar reinforced gunite.

That is much stronger then coping held down by mortar to the bond beam.

 

[Anthonyeavila]

You don’t need an expansion joint where the deck may put pressure on 6” or more of rebar reinforced gunite.

That is much stronger then coping held down by mortar to the bond beam.

Thanks, that gives me some relief.

 

[AQUA~HOLICS]

From the picture provided, the crack that is visible was not from expansion of the flat work but more likely from hydration contraction of the concrete.