Primary publication: TIEFBAU March 2009
Summary: Despite a German Committee for Reinforced Concrete (DAfStb) guideline and numerous specialist publications on waterproof concrete structures (waterproof concrete tanks) even construction engineers obstinately maintain preconceptions regarding this issue. This paper is designed to show that building a waterproof concrete tank involves more than limiting the width of cracks, joint tape and waterproof concrete. The wrong assumption of a constant water diffusion through concrete components when they are subjected to pressurized water leads to incorrect planning and pointless additional sealing measures. Through consistent application of the waterproofing guideline, an early coordinated planning of carcass work and interior work, taking into consideration the requirements and expectations of the user, all advantages of waterproof concrete can be used and mistakes and unnecessary costs can be avoided. Here it is often worthwhile to apply the possible draft principles for constructing a waterproof concrete tank in a differentiated way – avoid cracks, limit their widths, or allow them to occur and seal them according to plan.