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Expansion Joint Thermal Movement Calculator
Estimate how much a structural section will expand and contract with temperature — the starting point for sizing an expansion joint. Enter the material, length and temperature swing.
Distance between expansion joints / the free-moving span.
Max minus min temperature the structure experiences.
Thermal movement
0 mm
Design movement (+25% safety): 0 mm
How it’s calculated:
ΔL = α × L × ΔT — coefficient of thermal expansion × length × temperature swing. This is thermal movement only; add any seismic, wind-sway or settlement movement from your structural engineer for the total design movement.Coefficients of thermal expansion
| Material | α (per °C) |
|---|---|
| Concrete | ~11 × 10⁻⁶ |
| Steel | ~12 × 10⁻⁶ |
| Aluminium | ~23 × 10⁻⁶ |
| Brick / masonry | ~7 × 10⁻⁶ |
Indicative estimate for guidance only — confirm the design movement and joint selection with your structural engineer.