Expansion Joint and Joint Sealant Glossary Index:

- Adhesion in Tension

- Blockout

- Compression Set

- Continuity of Seal

-  Expansion Joint

- Nosing Material

- Non-Invasive Anchoring

- Split Slab

- Sound Transmission Class (STC)

- Thermal Shock

Expansion Joints--Terms and Terminology: NON-INVASIVE ANCHORING

Non-Invasive Anchoring--Refers to the attachment of an expansion joint system to the joint faces or substrates to be sealed without the use of any fasteners that are required to be screwed into or embedded in the substrate. 

Non-invasive anchoring on EMSEAL's joint systems is eliminated in favor of the use of the mechanical backpressure of precompressed, foam combined with a pressure-sensitive adhesive impregnation and in some case a field application of a high-bond epoxy adhesive.  The result is that the substrates are not violated be they window mullions, bricks, masonry, historic materials, or even jumbotrons or other sensitive equipment.

Screws and expansion anchors are commonly used to fasten rails, plates, and other systems offered for expansion joint sealing and bridging.  By nature, screws are either self-tapping or require holes to be drilled and then the screws tapped into the holes.  On brittle substrates like concrete, masonry or brick, drilling often results in spalling of the substrates and improper grip.  Usually installed at an angle to the face of the joint substrate the act of screwing is often imprecise resulting in further substrate damage, shearing of the fasteners and loose attachment of the joint system.  At inside corner applications common in additions or building plane changes, it is impossible to position a drill or driver to install anchors in the substrate opposite the inside corner.  This often-overlooked condition results in the joint system being installed into an unreliable adhesive or not anchored at all.

In window or curtain wall mullions, screws violate the mullions and can compromise the waterproofing principles inherent in the mullion design.  In any substrate metal fasteners introduce thermal bridges and thermal breaks that lower or compromise the insulation value of the wall.  EMSEAL systems for wall expansion joints that feature non-invasive anchoring include: SEISMIC COLORSEAL, COLORSEAL, and SEISMIC COLORSEAL-DS

In horizontal plane deck applications, anchors into concrete to secure cover plates are rapidly deteriorated by impact shocks of traffic.  They are also stressed by differential vertical deflection across expansion joints as the result of transient traffic loads.  Finally, anchors into the edges of concrete decks can induce a fault-line of pressure that weakens the concrete's strength and can result in spalling of the joint edge.  EMSEAL systems for deck expansion joints that feature non-invasive anchoring include:  SJS SYSTEM, SJS-HD, DSM SYSTEM, and HORIZONTAL COLORSEAL.