sawcut

Sawcut, or saw cut, refers to a groove produced by sawing into a material such as concrete, asphalt, stone, or masonry. The cut is made with a power saw equipped with a diamond blade and is intended to create a controlled weakness, subdivide a surface, or guide subsequent work. In construction, saw cuts are most often used to form contraction joints in fresh or mature concrete slabs and pavements, allowing for controlled cracking and accommodation of temperature-related movement. They can also delineate patch areas, outline repair zones, or define decorative patterns.

Techniques and equipment commonly used for sawcuts include walk-behind or handheld concrete saws fitted with diamond blades. Cuts may be performed wet or dry; wet cutting reduces dust and cools the blade, while dry cutting minimizes water handling but increases dust. The depth of a practical saw cut generally corresponds to a fraction of the material thickness, with one-quarter to one-third of the slab thickness being typical for concrete contraction joints. Spacing of joints depends on factors such as slab thickness, structural loads, climate, and expected movement.

Post-cut considerations involve cleaning the joints and sealing or filling them to control water intrusion, debris ingress, and movement. Proper timing of the cut relative to curing is important to avoid spalling or raveling, and joint seals or backer rods may be installed to maintain joint integrity over time. Safety measures include dust control and personal protective equipment due to crystalline silica exposure, particularly during dry cutting.