Connolly Key Joint's unique fixing system makes installation simple and at least twice as fast as conventional formwork methods. You'll also achieve a neater, more uniform line, and at a fraction of the cost

The secret to all this lies in the unique Wedge and Dowel (Pat Pend) Fixing System, designed and perfected on the job by Paul Connolly, a builder from NSW.

Connolly Key Joint is supplied with one wedge and dowel per 750 mm for normal use.

Contraction joints replace the need for expansion material in continuous pours

How does it work?

As concrete dries it shrinks. Under most circumstances this initial shrinkage is greater than the concrete will expand, even on the hottest days. In continuous pours, shrinkage cracking can be controlled by using Connolly Key Joint.

The small voids adjacent to the Connolly Key Joint can replace traditional expansion material joints. If the distance between the joints is increased, the size of the shrinkage void in the contraction joint increases. If this becomes too great, sand and grit can enter the joint, preventing subsequent thermal expansion and causing the joint to fail.

It is therefore necessary to keep joints relatively close together (less than 6 metres between joints) or incorporate some seal to prevent dirt and grit entering the joint. Connolly Key Joint produces a range of capping strips for this purpose.

Note: Expansion material may still be necessary in:
1. Odd shaped slabs because of the difficulty predicting expansion.
2. Where slab has multiple small pours with curing time between batches.