7.2 Purposes on waterproofing structures

Structures are waterproofed primarily to protect them against penetrating water, which may appear as soil humidity, non-accumulating seepage water, accumulating seepage water, unpressurised surface water and water pressing in from outside. Waterproofing is also used to contain radioactively contaminated liquids arising inside them, particularly in safety-related structures in nuclear power plants.

Structural waterproofing as a ‘black tank’ is applied to the outside of structures — on the side facing the water — and encloses them as a basin or trough with a tightly waterproofed skin. Where a structure is designed as a ‘white tank’, on the other hand, the reinforced concrete structure serves not only to bear the load but also to waterproof the structure.