In the realm of concrete engineering, waterstops stand as indispensable elements, designed to thwart the passage of fluids through concrete joints. As revealed in the information from Wikipedia on waterstops, two distinct categories define their purpose: those for joints without concrete movement (construction cold joints) and those for joints accommodating concrete movement (dilation joints).

These waterstops vary in material based on functionality, with options ranging from extruded plastics like flexible polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyethylene (PE), and thermoplastic vulcanized rubber (TPV) to formed metals such as stainless steel, copper, and carbon steel.

Hydrophobic polymer waterstops, including PVC, PE, TPV, and rubber, are coiled for convenient supply to construction sites. They boast profiles engineered to interlock with the surrounding concrete while accommodating limited joint movement. Heat welding ensures continuous length along concrete joints for PVC, PE, and TPV waterstops, effectively sealing joints against water passage.

In the metal realm, waterstops arrive in coils or sections, often coated with polymeric and/or hydrophilic materials for heightened bonding and secondary water-seepage resistance. Additionally, hydrophilic waterstops, designed to swell in the presence of moisture, seal construction joints effectively. However, their usage in contraction or expansion joints is cautioned against.

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