Waterstop is a crucial component of any water-resistant construction, used to prevent the infiltration of water in concrete structures, particularly in underground and water-retaining structures. It is usually made of rubber or plastic and is placed between adjacent concrete sections to present a continuous barrier against water infiltration. Waterstop is designed to be resistant to the pressure of water and soil, as well as to any ground movement due to seismic activity, freeze/thaw cycles, and other changes in the environment. It is typically installed in deep channels cut into the concrete before the concrete is poured. One important aspect of waterstop is its ability to withstand high water pressure. This is achieved through the use of high-quality materials and careful design. Waterstop is often reinforced with a layer of metal or fabric to improve its strength and durability. It must also be sealed correctly to the surface of the adjacent concrete sections to ensure its watertightness. Another key aspect of waterstop is its versatility. It can be used in a wide range of applications, including foundations of buildings, retaining walls, water reservoirs, tanks, and below-ground installations. It is also available in a variety of shapes and sizes to suit different construction needs. Waterstop is an essential component of any water-resistant construction, providing a high degree of waterproofing protection against many forms of moisture. Its ability to withstand high water pressure and its versatility make it an ideal choice for a wide range of construction applications.
waterproofing, construction, rubber, plastic, pressure
Waterstop is a type of construction material that is used to prevent water seeping through the seams of walls, floors, or other structures. It is usually inserted into the joints of the construction material, such as concrete, masonry, and brick, to stop any water leakage. Its equivalents in other languages include étanchéité in French, abdichtung in German, sellado in Spanish, sigillado in Italian, уплотнение in Russian, stæphæftning in Danish, panaszmentes in Hungarian, vodoizolacija in Slovenian, and anderskirkutta in Finnish.
étanchéité, abdichtung, sellado, sigillado, уплотнение, stæphæftning, panaszmentes, vodoizolacija, anderskirkutta, waterstop, sealing, water sealing, waterproofing, leak prevention, leak protection, watertight joints
The word waterstop can be classified as a noun. It is derived from the Old English words wæter and steppan. Synonyms for waterstop include stopper, waterseal, and flood barrier. Antonyms for waterstop include leak and hose. Cognates for waterstop include waterstopper, geyserstop, and watersupply. Variants of waterstop include waterblock, waterseal and floodgate.
Morphology linguistic waterstop, etymology of waterstop, lexical semantics, Old English lexicon, roots and affixes, lexical meanings, phonological representation, derivational processes, syntactic relations, semantic change.
The word Waterstop is a truncated, abbreviated term that derives from words such as Water and Stop derived from the Old English language and gradually transitioned via Middle English and early modern English. It is believed to be a compound word derived from multiple words forming a new word,concerning the concept of water being stopped. Waterstop as a term is often deployed in contexts of hydrology, architecture and civil engineering, and is used to refer to a barrier element – typically rubber, PVC or plastic strip – integrated into concrete constructions, to prevent water from being absorbed or flowing through, to thus achieve water protection. Waterstops in construction and architecture serve an important, functional purpose, providing a high degree of waterproofing protection against many forms of moisture. Etymologically, Waterstop has evolved from its original Old English language, to modern usage in the fields of engineering, architecture and hydrology.
Etymology, Morphology, Compound Word, Old English, Civil Engineering, Hydrology
CITATION : "Henry Fontaine. 'Waterstop.' Design+Encyclopedia. https://design-encyclopedia.com/?E=222955 (Accessed on July 19, 2025)"
Waterstop, also known as water barrier or waterproof joint, is an impermeable strip or membrane used in construction, placed at the joints or seams between sections of a structure, in order to protect it against water penetration. It is primarily used in buildings and structures where water needs to be kept out, such as in foundations of buildings, retaining walls, water reservoirs, tanks, and in below-ground installations. Waterstop is usually placed within or around joints, or sandwiched between two sections of concrete that are to be joined. It is designed to be resistant to the pressure of water and soil, as well as to any ground movement due to seismic activity, freeze/thaw cycles, and other changes in the environment. Waterstop is a vital construction element that helps to ensure the safety and integrity of a structure, and is a crucial part of any water-resistant construction.
Waterproofing, Watertightness, Sealing, Joints, Expansion Joints, Leakage Prevention.
Waterstop is a specialized building material used in construction to prevent the infiltration of water. It is typically used in concrete structures, particularly in underground and water retaining structures, such as dams and swimming pools. The waterstop is placed between adjacent concrete sections to present a continuous barrier against water infiltration. It is usually made of rubber or plastic, and may be specially reinforced with a layer of metal or fabric. The waterstop must be sealed correctly to the surface of the adjacent concrete sections to ensure its watertightness. It is typically installed in deep channels cut into the concrete before the concrete is poured.
Waterproofing, sealing, concrete, construction.
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