What is the function of water-stops in joints of box culverts and drainage channels?
Answer: The principal function of water-stops is to prevent liquids (e.g. water), water-borne materials and solids to pass through concrete joints. In essence, it aims at providing water-tightness
to the drainage channel. Besides, water-stops in drainage channels or box culverts can also serve two other purposes:
To serve the first purpose, a water-stop has to be installed on top of dowel bars to prevent water from drainage channels from leaking through. On the other hand, a water-stop has to be provided below dowel bars to avoid underground water from surging upwards.
In fact, the other way out to serve the first purpose is by using corrosion resistant bars.
Answer: The principal function of water-stops is to prevent liquids (e.g. water), water-borne materials and solids to pass through concrete joints. In essence, it aims at providing water-tightness
to the drainage channel. Besides, water-stops in drainage channels or box culverts can also serve two other purposes:
- To avoid water contacting joints’ dowel bars and causing corrosion.
- To avoid water seeping in from the underside of drainage channels or box culverts, thereby washing in soil particles and causing voids underneath these structures and finally leading to their failure.
To serve the first purpose, a water-stop has to be installed on top of dowel bars to prevent water from drainage channels from leaking through. On the other hand, a water-stop has to be provided below dowel bars to avoid underground water from surging upwards.
In fact, the other way out to serve the first purpose is by using corrosion resistant bars.
