CONTENTS
Waterbars or Waterstops are flexible physical plastic which help in preventing Leakages in Concrete Joints because most concrete joints are liable to Seepage.
Concrete Joints exist mostly in basements, Water retaining structures like Water tanks, Swimming pools, structural foundations & other below ground level constructions like Sewage Treatment Plant STP.
Waterstops are also termed as Water Bars, seals construction joints. A typical waterstops have two identical half on both side of a central bulb. These additional extensions are provided with the aim of increasing path length for water entering behind the edge of water stop.
Waterstops are manufactured from Anti-Ageing customized plastic compound with PVC as a base polymer and exhibiting required properties like High Elasticity & Tensile Strength, Immune to Corrosion, Excellent weather resistant, Unaffected by acids, alkalis, metals salts and other chemicals, Lower water absorption, Withstand high Hydrostatic pressure, Can bear shocks of heavy turbines, Earth quakes, Floods.
PLACEMENT OF WATERBAR
Waterstops are placed centrally to provide efficient barrier for penetration of water from either face of slab or a wall. It should be carefully fixed in the formwork before concreting. On the other hand externally placed waterbars are easy to fix by nailing through “outboard” flange. These prevent passage of water from outside of the structure. External waterstops are usually used in piled wall basement construction.
Waterstops are tied to steel frame work through eyelets by means of small wires (same being depicted in the adjacent figure), certain metal clamps meant to grip the water stop seal and keep it in proper position.
Firstly one half of the waterstop is embedded in the concrete leaving the second half extended. Second half is also embedded leaving the centre bulb free for expansion and contraction movements.
Watch the video below to understand how waterbars prevent water leakage
PRECAUTIONS THAT MUST BE PUT IN PLACE WHILE INSTALLING WATERBAR
- They are vulnerable to get damaged during construction.
- Compaction of concrete around waterstop should be taken care otherwise it can dislocate & could lead to a risk of honeycomb formation which may lead to leakage through concrete itself rather then through joint.
DIFFERENT AREA OF APPLICATION OF WATERBAR
[1] PUBLIC UTILITIES
Bridges, Road Embankments, Tunnels, Water Tanks, Swimming Pools, Water Filtration plants, Sewage Treatment Plants, Clarifiers, Dams, Canals, Aqueducts, Reservoirs, Irrigation Projects Cooling Towers.
[2] BUILDINGS
Basements, Foundations Slabs, Masonry Joints, Terraces, Retaining Walls, Overhead & Underground Water Tanks, Skyscraper.
[3] INDUSTRIES
Chemical Plants, Fertiliser Steel, Waste Treatment Plants, Thermal & Hydro Power Stations, Atomic Reactors, Shipyards & Docks.
DIFFERENT TYPES AND SHAPES OF WATERBAR
Selection of the right waterbar depends on the type of structure, level of exposure and construction method. Waterbars are available in different shapes and materials. The Diagram Below Show the Different Shapes of Waterbar.
The Different Types of Waterbar are Listed Below:
- TVP Waterbar.
- PVC Waterbar.
- HDPE Waterbar.
- Rubber Waterbar.
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