The two main principal functions of joint sealant are to minimize the entry of surface water and prevent the ingress of incompressible material from entering the joint. Other minor function of joint sealant is to reduce the possibility of corrosion of dowel bar by the entrance of de-icing chemicals.

Water entry into joints is undesirable because it leads to the softening of subgrade and pumping of subgrade fines under heavy traffic. However, it is impractical to maintain a completely watertight pavement structure. In fact, vacuum tests show that no sealants could provide 100% watertight seal. The current philosophy to combat water ingress into joints is only to minimize but not to completely prevent water from entering the pavement structure. Instead, a permeable subbase is designed to remove water from the pavement.

This question is taken from book named – A Self Learning Manual – Mastering Different Fields of Civil Engineering Works (VC-Q-A-Method) by Vincent T. H. CHU.

By
Er. Kaushal Kishore ,
Materials Engineer, Roorkee

INTRODUCTION
Waterproofing is a treatment of a surface or structure to prevent the passage of water under hydrostatic pressure. Waterproofing barrier system may be placed on the positive or negative side. Damp proofing is a treatment of a surface or structure to resit the passage of water in the absence of hydrostatic pressure. A damp proofing barrier system is used to perform the same functions as a waterproofing system but cannot be used to protect against water pressure. Water may be forced through building members by hydrostatic pressure, water vapour gradient, capillary action, wind-driven rain, or any combination of these. This movement is aggravated by porous concrete, cracks or structural defects, or joints that are improperly designed or installed. Leakage of water into structure may cause structural damage, and invariably cause damage to the contents of the structure.

New roofs RB or RCC slabs must be constructed specified by the designer. Roof waterproofing is a widely misunderstood subject. Often inadequate attention given during the construction of RB or RCC roof slab, wrong products used for waterproofing and generally insufficient treatment given, lead to leakage. Movement because of structural deflection, settlement, etc. and steep temperature variation being exposed, cause development of cracks in the roof slab and water start leaking from these cracks.

While constructing RCC roof slab, it should be borne in mind that the practice of using concrete which is not watertight and placing too much reliance on the waterproofing measures is not desirable. Concrete should be made watertight in itself and the waterproofing method should be looked upon as additional safety devices.

The grade of roof slab concrete shall be strictly as specified by the designer. The concrete materials should be properly proportioned, maintaining the specified maximum water, cement ratio, minimum cement content and required workability. The concrete should be admixed with a Superplasticiser.
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