Technical Details: Protecting the Structure's Concrete and Steel
In addition to keeping moisture out of the building, waterproofing serves another equally important role. It helps protect the structural elements - concrete and steel - from damage due to moisture and chemicals in the environment.
In addition to keeping moisture out of the building, waterproofing serves another equally important role. It helps protect the structural elements - concrete and steel - from damage due to moisture and chemicals in the environment.
Deterioration from the elements can occur in the form of cracks and spalling of the concrete or corrosion and rusting of the steel components. In each case, these deficiencies have an adverse effect on the long-term performance capacity of these components.
Concrete in its self is not completely waterproof. If the integrity of the concrete is maintained it can remain waterproof, however, concrete can crack before hardening through construction movement, plastic or drying shrinkage or early frost damage. Concrete can crack after hardening through settlement, seismic forces, vibration or creep, deflection from soil movement or excessive loading.
In addition to keeping moisture out of the building, waterproofing serves another equally important role. It helps protect the structural elements - concrete and steel - from damage due to moisture and chemicals in the environment.
Deterioration from the elements can occur in the form of cracks and spalling of the concrete or corrosion and rusting of the steel components. In each case, these deficiencies have an adverse effect on the long-term performance capacity of these components.
Concrete in its self is not completely waterproof. If the integrity of the concrete is maintained it can remain waterproof, however, concrete can crack before hardening through construction movement, plastic or drying shrinkage or early frost damage. Concrete can crack after hardening through settlement, seismic forces, vibration or creep, deflection from soil movement or excessive loading.
