How And Why Bridges Are Made To Move

Intentional cracks in the sidewalk are a perfect example of how engineers deal with thermal expansion. By filling these gaps with a flexible material, the engineers create what's known as a "expansion joint," something that's meant to help a structure keep its form even with shifting temperatures. Expansion joints come in all shapes and sizes, from clay bricks to molded rubber. Some forms of construction, like railways or air ducts, have specialized breather joints meant to deal with their unique thermal stresses. Copper is often seen as a good one-size-fits-all solution for an expansion joint, given its durability and ability to take a wide variety of forms.

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