Waterproofing / Gasproofing

[333OnlyHalfEvil]

Hello:

I’m curious to learn how I’d go about waterproofing and gasproofing design. Does anyone have any information on how to design something that is either waterproof and/or gas proof?

 

[jimstructures]

Your question is too general for it to be answered in less than a year long treatise.

Make it more specific and there might be an answer.

In structural work the waterproofing at least is usually under the architects domain.


Jim

 

[LittleInch]

And most of the materials you use won't be ...proof, but .... resistant.

The key then is how resistant you want them to be. Watch manufacturers stopped saying "waterproof" for watches years ago and now say things like 5m, 10m, 50m.

Same applies for most fabric type materials used on buildings and structures.

In general the best method is to stop it getting in so place the resistant layer on the outside pressing against the structure and not the other way around.

But I agree - far too broad a subject for an internet forum.

Remember - More details = better answers
Also: If you get a response it's polite to respond to it.

 

[333OnlyHalfEvil]

Fair enough. I’ll try to be a little more specific.

I’m just trying to improve my knowledge and don’t really have a specific question though... if I go to amazon and search for ‘gas proofing book’ it turns up nothing. If I search for ‘waterproofing book’ I only seem to get what Jim refers to. Can you recommend any books where I could get the year-long treatise?

I already know about waterproofing of structures. How would you go about, say, making the space station gas proof? Or what about the watch manufacturers you mention; how do you get a watch to be water resistant to a depth of 50m? Is it just a matter of sealing the pieces of the case together with enough force so that water pressure at 50m depths can’t push its way in? Is it more complicated than that?

I think all I’m looking for at this point is just a basic discussion and a textbook recommendation.

Thanks for the replies

 

[TugboatEng]

Most materials are permeable so you're going to need to specify a resistance tolerance or use internal pressure to oppose leakage.

 

[Ron]

@333....
You seem to be referring to buildings. Perhaps you're searching with wrong words. Try "air infiltration" rather than "gasproofing". There are numerous articles and treatises on designing for air infiltration and water resistance for buildings. Use search terms like "water resistive barrier" and "air infiltration barrier".

As others have noted, most materials are permeable to air and water....you just have to decide on the tolerable degree. Since air and moisture are somewhat inseparable in the context of buildings, you have to be cognizant of the physics of vapor transmission as well.

 

[epoxybot]

It sounds like you are wandering towards Brownfield membranes.