For example, if two tall buildings are to be joined with a pedestrian skyway at some high level, there are two options in structural engineering.
Additional "fail-safe" flexible connections may be added to ensure that the structure does not fall, although it may be damaged to a point of being unserviceable or unrepairable.
Bridges and overpasses frequently have sliding joints that allow a deck to move relative to piers or abutments.
The joints can be constructed with elastomeric pads that permit motion or can use rollers on flat surfaces to allow the ends to move smoothly.
Slip joints are sometimes found in tubular structures such as piping but are generally avoided for this application due to requirements for sealing against leakage, instead of using either a large loop that is allowed to flex or a semi-rigid bellow.