Preventing cracks in obtrusive locations is possible by designing stress relief joints into the screed. Usually they are formed by cutting a groove into the surface of the screed in a location where a movement joint can be installed in the flooring. Stress relief joints by ASTM C 1063 requires them to be installed on framed structures with portland cement plaster cladding. When cement plaster is applied directly over masonry and/or concrete, no stress relief joints other than those at the locations of the structural masonry joints are required. However, they may be used to provide good start and stop locations for plastering.

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