Planning and execution of joints and joint sealing and waterproofing solutions for watertight concrete structures

Planning and execution of joints and joint sealing and waterproofing solutions for watertight concrete structures Watertight concrete structures, so called White Tanks or White Boxes, generally have to prevent water penetration into the structure, or to its contents; alternatively they are designed and built to prevent water leakage from the structure, or to do both. In many cases joints in structures of waterproof concrete turn out to be a weak point. For this reason in watertight concrete construction works, the design engineers and the contractor must pay special attention to the waterproofing solutions for all of the joints. Construction joints, movement or expansion joints, controlled crack induced joints and penetrations are sealed and made watertight. Therefore the responsible engineer needs to have a good knowledge of the different joint sealing and waterproofing solutions that can be used. This article goes into the details of the different joint sealing and waterproofing systems and the basic rules for sealing.