Rubber water stops are manufactured from natural and synthetic rubber with many additives and fillers through the processes of plasticization, mixing, and compression molding.
It can be used in different types of concrete joints to prevent water leakage and infiltration.
Rubber water stops must have high elasticity and be highly resistant to abrasion, corrosion, aging, and tearing.
It must be adaptable to deformation very well and is resistant to water.
It is suitable for the temperature range of -45°C to +60°C. Rubber water stops cannot be used when the temperature exceeds +70°C and in conditions where rubber water stop is oxidized or corroded seriously by organic solvents.
Rubber water stops can be divided into many kinds according to materials, such as natural rubber water stops, neoprene water stops, nitrile rubber water stops, and EPDM water stops. EDPM stands for ethylene propylene diene monomer rubber.
Examples –
Rubber water stops of different materials are suitable for different conditions.
They are widely used for various concrete structures, such as bridges, dams, tunnels, culverts, storage tanks, and wastewater treatment plants.
Application of rubber water stops
Used for moving joints and non-moving joints – such as construction joints, settlement joints, deformation joints, and movement joints,
- to prevent water seepage and leakage,
- to absorb shock,
- for portable water tanks,
- used for dams, bridges, tunnels, culverts, and canals,
- used for water and sewage treatment plants,
- used for retaining walls,
- used for foundation, basement, subway, dam, canal, water reservoir, aqueduct, tunnel, culvert, parking deck, bridge deck, abutment, elevator pit, roof, floor slab, swimming pool, road embankment, underground facility, stadium, storm drain, etc.
An example of placing rubber water stops
Dumbbell and ribbed center-bulb water stops should be positioned so that the water stop’s longitudinal centerline aligns with the joint’s center.
Several manufacturers recommend positioning the water stop such that it covers at least half of the concrete’s width.
To avoid poor concrete consolidation caused by aggregate bridging, a minimum of two times the greatest aggregate size should be allowed between the water stop and reinforcing steel.
Concrete must be put with care so that the water stop remains in the intended place.
During the first half of the concrete placement, the water stop must be properly held in place, with one-half of the width immersed in the concrete.
