Abstract: First and second elongate members formed of wear-resistant metal are embedded within the upper portion of the concrete, while the same is in a plastic condition, at a location where a contraction joint is desired. The members are so connected to each other and to the concrete as to be maintained in substantially parallel abutting relationship pending curing of the concrete and contraction-separation of the sections thereof disposed upon opposite sides of the members, and so as to then undergo lateral movement away from each other and remain in edge-protecting confronting relationship to respective ones of the separated concrete sections. Various types of interconnecting means may be employed for maintaining the members in abutting relationship to each other pending curing of the concrete. These include ones which frictionally interconnect the members, which resiliently bias the same toward each other, and/or which bond the members together in a non-permanent manner.