Waterstop Profiles of Various Types Used in Concrete Construction

waterstop profiles

Last Updated on April 6, 2022 by Jose Villegas Jr.

This waterstop profiles selection guide will assist you in swiftly selecting the proper items to satisfy your project’s waterproof needs and save you time.

Waterstop is essential for waterproofing a concrete structure, particularly joints, which are the weakest point and are prone to leakage of water or chemical substances. To tackle these issues, waterstops are constructed as a fluid-tight diaphragm implanted in or running along the joints.

The waterstops are made from a variety of materials and come in several forms, profiles, and sizes, making them ideal for various applications. There are also different types of waterstops according to their uses and performances.

Waterstops come in a variety of materials, forms, sizes, and colors, and are suited for a variety of applications, including moving and non-moving joints.

Here are the waterstop profiles to choose from:

Flat ribbed

ribbed flat waterstop
Flat ribbed Waterstop profile

Used for:

Construction joints with little or no movement are ideal candidates.

Feature:

The ribs efficiently boost the binding strength between the waterstop and the surrounding concrete, while also improving the waterstop’s water sealing performance.

Ribbed with a bulb in the center

ribbed with center bulb waterstop
Ribbed with a bulb in the center

Used for:

Ideal for expansion, construction, control joints, and other joints that move in a shear direction.

Features:

Whether shear movements are lateral or transverse, the center bulb will absorb them. In general, the larger the center bulbs are, the more movement the waterstops can handle.

Meanwhile, the ribs create a long fluid-flow path for water-proofing as well as gluing the concrete and waterstopping together.

Ribbed with tear web

ribbed with tear web waterstop
Ribbed with tear web

Used for:

Ideal for large-movement expansion joints, such as tank ring foundations.

Features:

The tear web waterstops are distinguished by their U-shaped center bulb, which tears when subjected to large movements such as joint expansion and differential settling.

Furthermore, the ribs increase the contact surface between the waterstop and the concrete, allowing it to grip the surrounding concrete more securely than waterstops without ribs.

Seal at the Base

Base seal waterstop
Base seal waterstop profile

Applications:

Ideal for flat pavement construction, contraction, control, and expansion joints. They’re ideal for runways, big containment slabs, concrete walls, and backfilled retaining walls, among other things.

Feature:

Base seal waterstops are the easiest to install and may be heated-welded with a regular splicing iron.

Dumbbell

Dumbbell waterstop
Dumbbell waterstop

Used for:

Construction and contraction joints where little or no movement is envisaged are ideal candidates.

Features:

The dumbbell waterstops have the largest and thickest profile and can be used in industrial applications. It can be heat-welded in the meantime.

Dumbbell with a bulb in the middle

Dumbbell with center bulb waterstop
Dumbbell with a bulb in the middle

Used for:

Ideal for construction, control, and expansion joints, as well as on-grade joints at wall/slab intersections.

Features:

Features: Able to tolerate big movements on a broad scale. This waterstop is suited for industrial applications because of its largest and thickest profiles.

Meanwhile, a regular splicing iron can be used to heat-weld it.

Split waterstop

Split waterstop
Split waterstop profile

Used for:

Split dumbbells are perfect for construction joints that have little or no mobility.
Ideal for expansion moving joints on or below the slope, split ribbed.

Feature:

Waterstops with split ribbed waterstops and dumbbell-like characteristics.

Capped waterstop

Capped waterstop
Capped waterstop profile

Used for:

Expansion joints with expansion boards are ideal for this product.

Features:

The capped waterstop, which acts as a fluid-tight internal seal, is long-lasting and elegant when fitted on the top of expansion joints.

It effectively accelerates project timetables.