Concrete Water Wall
Concrete Water Wall
(OP)
I've got a landscape architect who wants this office to design the structure for a concrete site retaining wall that will double as a decorative "water wall". In other words, water will cascade down the face of this wall, all the time.
I've designed the wall, footing, reinforcing, etc etc. I'm drawing it up....but I've raised questions in my mind regarding coatings, special admixtures, or something....to help keep the wall waterproofed.
I'm asking myself.....does this wall need a waterproof coating on the cascade face? Does this concrete need some sort of admixture to make it more waterproof or to better protect the wall reinforcing? Or, maybe it doesn't need anything and can just let water run over the face of it from now own....as heck.....bridge supports submerged in lakes or rivers aren't coated to my knowledge.
What do you guys think?
I've designed the wall, footing, reinforcing, etc etc. I'm drawing it up....but I've raised questions in my mind regarding coatings, special admixtures, or something....to help keep the wall waterproofed.
I'm asking myself.....does this wall need a waterproof coating on the cascade face? Does this concrete need some sort of admixture to make it more waterproof or to better protect the wall reinforcing? Or, maybe it doesn't need anything and can just let water run over the face of it from now own....as heck.....bridge supports submerged in lakes or rivers aren't coated to my knowledge.
What do you guys think?






RE: Concrete Water Wall
Another good option would be fiberglass rebar. It will cost more up front but the fact that it can't corrode and given the application (wall so probably no need for bent bars) it should be ideal. Probably cheaper than traditional when you consider the increased service life, the cost of maintenance, cost of epoxy coated bars and/or admixtures, and the slightly higher tensile strength of the bars.
Professional and Structural Engineer (ME, NH)
American Concrete Industries
www.americanconcrete.com
RE: Concrete Water Wall