Horizontal Joints in Walls
Horizontal Joints in Walls
(OP)
At the firm I work for, we have a water treatment facility that has fairly tall walls that hold back water. The walls are 24' tall and 24" thick with heavy reinforcing. The project is in a low seismic zone. The contractor of course wants to pour the walls in two pours, with a horizontal joint/seam in the wall. They are willing to key the joint and use waterstops, but myself and the civil engineer are worried about the increased likelihood for leaks. And I also understand fully the contractor's request. We have never provided walls for this situation this tall and this issue has never came up before. What is standard and does anyone have any advice?






RE: Horizontal Joints in Walls
Does the contractor have a good reason for the request?
Does he have experience with environmental structures?
I don't think there is a code basis for denying the request, but your wall already has a bunch of vertical joints, so extra horizontal joints is not a benefit.
A horiz waterstop (assuming 6" ribbed) in the middle of the wall is a bit of a nuisance for the first pour.
RE: Horizontal Joints in Walls
I like to debate structural engineering theory -- a lot. If I challenge you on something, know that I'm doing so because I respect your opinion enough to either change it or adopt it.
RE: Horizontal Joints in Walls
RE: Horizontal Joints in Walls