Waterstops...who is in charge?

Log Out | Topics | Search Moderators | Register | Edit Profile

Author Message Robin E. Snyder Senior Member Username: robin Post Number: 632 Registered: 08-2004 Posted on Monday, May 02, 2016 - 02:17 pm:    Straw Poll - who do you typically see (1) deciding if waterstops are required at foundations; and (2) showing them on the drawings. Architect or Structural Engineer? Nathan Woods, CSI, CCCA, LEED AP Senior Member Username: nwoods Post Number: 693 Registered: 08-2005 Posted on Monday, May 02, 2016 - 02:31 pm:    Architect. Its not a structural issue user (Unregistered Guest) Unregistered guest Posted on Monday, May 02, 2016 - 02:42 pm:    Architect Mark Gilligan SE, Senior Member Username: mark_gilligan Post Number: 785 Registered: 10-2007 Posted on Tuesday, May 03, 2016 - 02:05 am:    Making the decision that a waterstop is needed is for the Architect. Deciding on the type of waterstop, cast in the concrete, should be the result of joint discussion between architect and engineer. Specification of waterstop is with the architect but cast in place waterstops need to be shown on the structural drawings. Are we talking about dumbbell or bentonite waterstops? They each have their issues. Cast-in-place waterstops impact the location of the reinforcing. It has been suggested that dumbbell waterstops result in voids and hence leaks in the wall. The only place dumbbell water stops have made sense to me has been for tunnels in a subway. My preference would be to install enough reinforcement to keep the cracks small and then deal with the small cracks but then either applying a membrane over the surface or use a product such as Xypex that can heal small cracks. Bentonite waterstops could conceivably have a negative impact on shear capacity of the section at the joint. The point is you need the input from the structural engineer.