Patent ID: 6739805
Filing Date: 2004-05-25
Classification: E02D,E04B

Abstract:
A method of installing a waterstop for resisting the flow of water along the interface between adjacent foundation elements, the method comprising the steps of:i) constructing one or a series of primary foundation elements at predetermined positions in the ground; ii) excavating a bore in the ground adjacent to the or each of the primary foundation elements; iii) lowering a waterstop comprising one or a number of longitudinal strips of hydrophilic material into the bore, such that the or each strip extends vertically from a position at or near the top of the bore to a position at or near the base of the bore; iv) pumping or placing concrete or grout into the bore so as to form a secondary foundation element, wherein as the concrete or grout enters the bore, the or each longitudinal strip of hydrophilic material is pushed towards the adjacent primary foundation element such that when the secondary foundation element is formed, the or each strip of hydrophilic material extends vertically along the interface between the primary and secondary elements and does not span across the interface into both foundation elements; and v) installing at least one supplementary element at a position adjacent to one of the at least one longitudinal strips of hydrophilic material, wherein the or each supplementary element extends in an orthogonal direction with respect to the longitudinal axis of the, or each, longitudinal strip of hydrophilic material and which, in use, serves to resist and/or absorb water which rises in a vertical fashion along the interface between adjacent foundation elements.