Armour Joints System — Heavy Duty Concrete Floor Slab Expansion Joint
Prefabricated Leave-in-Place Joint System with Steel Arris Protection, Plate Dowel Load Transfer & Free Movement Design. Therefore, it is widely used in warehouse, logistics and manufacturing floors under heavy forklift & AGV traffic.
Overview: What Is a Concrete Floor Armour Joints System?
Our heavy duty armour joints system is a prefabricated, leave-in-place concrete floor slab expansion joint specifically engineered for demanding industrial flooring environments. In addition, contractors often specify it as an armoured joint, steel armoured joint, or engineered concrete construction joint. Consequently, this system accommodates thermal expansion, contraction, and drying shrinkage of concrete slabs while providing superior arris protection, reliable load transfer, and long-term durability.
Acting as permanent formwork during concrete placement, this armour joints system protects vulnerable slab edges from impact damage, chipping, and spalling. Therefore, it extends the service life of your warehouse floor joint system while minimising costly repairs and operational downtime. Furthermore, steel edge armouring and precision plate dowels eliminate the primary cause of joint spalling.
Key Features & Benefits of Our Armour Joints System
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Prefabricated Leave-in-Place Design (Permanent Formwork)
Our system acts as stay-in-place formwork during the concrete pour. Consequently, contractors eliminate separate formwork removal, saw-cutting, and post-installation joint armouring. For example, this approach reduces labour costs and shortens construction schedules significantly.
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Heavy-Duty Steel Arris Protection
We manufacture two solid steel sections (each nominally 40 mm deep × 10 mm thick) to provide durable edge protection. As a result, the concrete slab arris resists spalling, chipping, and impact damage from hard-wheeled forklift and AGV traffic — even in 24/7 logistics operations.
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High-Efficiency Load Transfer via Plate Dowels
Discrete plate dowels with rigid plastic release sleeves bridge the joint and transfer vertical loads between adjacent slab panels. Therefore, this load transfer joint design minimises differential deflection and maintains a level floor surface for smooth wheel transition.
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Free Horizontal Movement with Controlled Joint Opening
The system accommodates thermal expansion and drying shrinkage of concrete slabs. Moreover, it allows free horizontal movement while minimising vertical deflection. Consequently, controlled joint openings reduce impact damage and extend joint service life.
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Corrosion-Resistant Surface Finishes
We offer hot-dip galvanised (Z275), stainless steel 1.4301, or epoxy paint finishes to suit different environmental conditions. For instance, stainless steel is ideal for wash-down food processing and cold storage facilities, whereas galvanised is perfect for standard warehouses.
Technical Specifications of Our Armour Joints System
| Parameter | Specification |
|---|---|
| Joint Type | Prefabricated leave-in-place free movement joint |
| Materials | S235JR steel (top rails) / S355J2 steel (load plates & dowels) |
| Slab Thickness Range | 100 mm – 300 mm |
| Max Joint Opening | Up to 30 mm |
| Load Transfer | Discrete plate dowels with rigid plastic release sleeves |
International Standards & Compliance
We manufacture our armour joints system in accordance with globally recognised standards:
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TR34.4 — Concrete Society (UK)
Our engineers design and manufacture the system in accordance with TR34 4th Edition. Consequently, this TR34.4 armour joint meets the highest industry benchmarks for load transfer and arris protection.
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ASTM D1751 / ASTM D1752
For example, our materials meet the ASTM standards for preformed expansion joint fillers used in concrete paving.
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ISO 9001 / ISO 14001 / CE Marking
Furthermore, we hold ISO 9001 quality management and ISO 14001 environmental management certifications. In addition, our products comply with European CE marking regulations.
Typical Applications of Heavy Duty Armour Joints
Our heavy duty floor joint system is widely specified for:
- Warehouse & Distribution Centre Floors — high-traffic aisles with VNA forklift operations. (See our Warehouse Floor Joint solution)
- Logistics & Fulfilment Centres — 24/7 operations requiring maintenance-free performance.
- Cold Storage & Freezer Rooms — we recommend our Stainless Steel Armour Joint for low-temperature environments.
- Automated Guided Vehicle (AGV) Routes — precise load transfer with minimal vertical displacement.
Frequently Asked Questions About Armour Joints System
What is the difference between an armour joint and a traditional saw-cut joint?
Contractors create a traditional saw-cut joint by cutting the cured concrete slab after pouring. However, this leaves the concrete arris unprotected against wheel impact. In contrast, an armour joints system is a prefabricated steel profile installed before the concrete pour. Therefore, it acts as permanent formwork and provides continuous steel edge protection.
What slab thickness does the Heavy Duty Armour Joints System support?
Our standard armour joints system supports slab thicknesses from 100 mm to 300 mm. Furthermore, we offer joint heights ranging from 60 mm to 270 mm. Therefore, we can accommodate custom configurations for non-standard slab depths.
Request a Quote for Your Concrete Floor Slab Armour Joints System
Whether you are a flooring contractor or a structural engineer, our team can help you select the right armour joints system for your project. Contact us today for technical data sheets and competitive pricing.
