Comprehensive Study on

Waterstops
BY PRASAD ·

https://www.structuralguide.com/waterstops/

Waterstops are used to avoid the movement of the water through the
construction joints and movement joints. Construction joints of the liquid
retaining structures neet to be provided with a water bar.

The selection of the water bars shall be made based on the nature of the
construction and its applicability. All the types waterstops cannot be used in
every concrete structure.

Waterstops are not used along within structures. They need to be

connected with the other waterproofing systems. The following occasions
can be identified as locations where we use waterstops.

In addition, different types of waterstops are not used in the same structure
due to their compatibility. For example, it is very difficult to lay the steel
water bare with PVC water bars.

Mostly in the following structures water stops are used.

 Basement walls
 Basement slabs, raft foundation when used as the basement floor.
 Subway and Tunnels
 Canals
 Spillway walls and ogee
 Other liquid retaining structures
Commonly, water stops are placed at the construction joints, contraction
joints, movement joints, and expansion joints. If there are water tightness
requirements, the only option to avoid it is the water stop.
Let’s discuss different types of water stops.

 PVC waterstops
 Rubber waterstops
 Metalic waterstops
 Bentonite waterstops
 Hydrophilic waterstops
PVC Waterstops
PVC waterstops are widely used construction. They are very easy to use
and handle at the site and also the cost also comparatively reasonable.

PVC waterstop is used for the movement joints and expansion joints due to
its ability to bear the movement of the structures.

Due to the following advantages, PVC waterstops are more popular.

 High flexibility.
 High elasticity and tensile strength.
 Low water absorption.
 Resistant to corrosion.
 Unaffected by low temperature and water immersion.
 Bearing high hydrostatic pressure and shocks.
 Resistant to weather and excellent durability.
There are checks to be done to make sure the behavior of the water stop is
acceptable for the construction. In general following, the test could be
carried out when the supplier is selected. The testing standards could be
the very country to country.

Physical properties Test methods

Water absorption ASTM D-570
Tear resistance ASTM D-624
Specific gravity ASTM D-792
Hardness shore A15 ASTM D-2240
Tensile strength ASTM D-638 Type IV
Ultimate elongation ASTM D-638 Type IV
100% modulus ASTM D-638 Type IV
Low temperature brittleness (Tb) °F (°C) ASTM D-746
Stiffness in Flexure ASTM D-747
Ozone Resistance ASTM D-1149
Change in Hardness Shore A ASTM D-2240
Let’s discuss the arrangement of the water stops at each location.

Surface Waterstops at Face

Surface water bars are used to avoid the movement of the water through
the construction joints, contraction joints, movement joints, and expansion
joints.

The type of water stops used for construction joints is not same as the
types used for the expansion and movement joints. The following figure
indicates the type of water stops used for contraction and construction
joints.

The dimension of the water stop shall be selected based on the application
and other technical properties.

When there are expansion or movement of the structures are required, it

shall be allowed by the water bars. The segment in the middle of the water
bars is modified to allow the movements.

The following figure indicates the typical type of water bar to be used in
expansion and movement joints.
The dimensions indicated in the above figure could vary depending on the
supplier and the as per the specification of the product. Further, dimension
could be selected as per the technical requirements of the project.

Further, when there are external waterproofing under the foundation, it

could be continued as usual and it shall not be discontinued at these water
bars.

The following figure indicates the method of placing the water stops in the
concrete.
Internal Waterstops
Waterstops are provided in the middle of the construction, contraction and
movement joints. The center bulb water bars are provided for expansion
and movement joints.

A normal water bar could be provided at the construction and contraction

joints. The following figure indicates the typical type of water bar to be used
in the middle.
The following figure indicates the types of water bars available in the
market.

PVC Waterstop Welding

PVC water stops can be welded together when the length is not sufficient
or when they need to provides in different directions.
Welding is done by heating the watertops together and holding tightly them
together for some time until the connected.

As indicated in the above figure, water bars can be continued in any

direction based on the requirement of the construction. When there are
water tightness requirements and waterstops are provided, they shall be
provided at all the construction joints.

Rubber Waterstops
Rubber waterstops are also available in similar types as the PVC
waterstops. Rubber waterstops are made from the natural rubber or
synthetic rubber.

Rubber waterstops are applied in the following areas of construction.

 Ideal for high movement joints.

 Water containments.
 Water excluding.
 Tunnels and civil engineering structures.
 Water and waste treatments.
 Dams, reservoirs, diversion tunnels, and spillway.
 Chemical areas.
 Irrigation canals, sea walls and culverts.
 Sewage treatment plant
 Swimming pools
 Reservoirs
 Water tank
 Basement areas
 Underground car park
 Retaining walls
 Suspended slabs
 Pits
 Roof slabs
The following feature and advantages can be observed in rubber water
bars.

 Excellent elasticity and flexibility.

 High elongation.
 Excellent high movement accommodation.
 Capable to withstand high hydrostatic head.
 Adjust for subsidence and seismic movements.
 Resistant to abrasion and tearing.
 Resistant to corrosion and chemicals.
 Resistant to weather and aging.
 Excellent sealing effect.

A similar method of construction can use in to install the rubber waterstops

as discussed in the PVC installation. Further, model intersections are also
available for construction.
Metalic Waterstops
Mainly mild steel, galvanized steel, and copper are used as metal water
stops. Copper waterstops are not widely used. However, they are used on
special occasions such as hydraulis structures having very high heads and
anticorrosive performance.

 Mild steel waterstops : These types of water stops are widely used in
construction. The cost of the construction is also lesser when compared
with other types. The main disadvantage of using mild steel is
corrosion. Penetration of the water up to the water bar through the
construction joint increases the corrosion of the water bar. Mid steel
water bars cannot be used in expansion joints and construction joints
due to the poor elongation properties of the steel. PVC and rubber
water bars can bear the movement of the structures and withstand for
 very high elongation. In addition, the continuation of the water bare can
be done with welding.

 Galvanized Steel Waterstiop : Use of the galvanized steel for

construction joint as water bars is a durable solution. Since mild steel
could get corroded when exposed to the environment, galvanizing
provides additional protection. Galvanized steel water bars cannot be
used for expansion and movement joints.
 Stainless Steel Waterstop : stainless steel also can be used as a water
stop. However, it could be used on special occasions due to the cost of
the materials. Stainless waterstops are widely used in corrosive
environments.
 Copper Waterstop : Copper water bars are not widely used in the
construction. They are used in special structures such as dams,
spillways, etc. due to the issues caused by corrosion. If we provide a
steel water bar in these locations, it could corrode with the time.
Further, these structures are built for more than 100 years and the
water bar cannot be repaired if it damages due to any reason as we
cannot empty the reservoirs. PVC waterstops and Copper waterstops
can be seen widely in the hydraulic structures.
Bentonite Waterstops
Bentonite waterstops are bentonite-based hydrophilic type water stops.
These water bars are placed as strips at the construction joints. These
water bars cannot be placed in all types of joints. Especially, they cannot
be used in expansion and movement joints.

Bentonite waterstops are mostly installed at the construction joints. They

are placed at the grove created in the middle of the construction joint as
indicated in the following figure.

Further, there are different type of waterstops that have different properties
and that could be used in different locations.

Advantages and Special Features

 Activated with Moisture.
 Strong and durable comparatively
 cost-effectiveness.
 High water absorption with excellent compression seal.
 High expansion control ability for preserving its integrity.
 Controlled internal pressure in surrounding concrete to avoid spalling
and cracks.
 Withstand high water pressure.
 Capable of self-healing.
 Easy to joining/lapping
 Non toxic
These types of waterstops are applicable to the following structures.

 Pipe penetrations in the concrete

 Joints where the movement is limited
 Construction joints
 Water containment and reservoirs
 Water and sewage treatment
 Manholes and elevator pits, manure pits
 Tunnels, culverts, dams, water tanks and canals
 Swimming pools
 Retaining walls
 Precast concrete structure
 Foundations and basements
 Slabs
Hydrophilic Waterstops
Hydrophilic waterstops are swelling type water bars (swellable waterstop)
that react to the water. The material active when the moisture reaches it. It
increases the volume with the contact of the water. However, the
expansion does not harm the structure.

It ties the construction joints and avoids the movement of the water through
the joint.

They are installed in joint where there are no relative movements.

Expansion joints and movement joints are not watertight with these types of
water bars.
Further, they are used to maintain the water-tightness when the pipes are
embedded into the concrete walls. Waterstop is installing around the pipes.

The following figure indicate the arrangement of the waterstops and the
location where it has to be installed.

Construction Details at Waterstops

The following construction details are used in the construction. These
details are related to hydraulic structures.

Detail 01- Movement Joint

Detail 02 – Contraction Joint
Detail 03 – Contraction Joint
Detail 04 – Contraction Joint

Detail 05 – Movement Joint

Detail 6 – Construction Joint