Along which type of wall is a control joint typically placed?

A control joint is typically placed along a perimeter wall. The purpose of a control joint is to control cracking in masonry or concrete structures caused by thermal expansion and contraction, moisture changes, or other stresses. Perimeter walls, being the outermost walls of a building, experience temperature fluctuations and direct exposure to environmental conditions, making them particularly susceptible to these kinds of stresses. Incorporating control joints in perimeter walls allows for movement and helps prevent unsightly cracks and potential structural issues that could arise without such joints.

In contrast, divider walls, partition walls, and load-bearing walls also serve specific structural purposes but may not need control joints as critically as perimeter walls do. Divider and partition walls, for example, typically do not experience the same level of exposure to shifting temperatures and moisture from outside. Load-bearing walls certainly must maintain structural integrity but may rely on other engineering solutions to manage stress without the need for control joints. Thus, the strategic placement of control joints is essential in ensuring that perimeter walls can adequately accommodate changes without compromising the overall integrity of the structure.