Joint Sealant 1

[farhanjnawab]

Dear Friends,

We have a situation here. One year after constructing a floating pier (40mx15mx2.5m) which floats on to the water with 0.5 m free board, we have bituminous joint seal applied to the expansion joints along the perimeter of the structure that has completely worn out because of the sea water splashes. The top surface of the concrete being only 0.5m above the sea water level, there have been continous sea water splashes leaking into the structure through these deteriorated joint seals (15x20mm). The floating pier is now getting filled with water because of the weak joints and now sinking in water. Can somebody suggest a better quality joint sealant resistant to sea water in long term. Pls help.....

 

[ishvaaag]

Try searches like this ... some will have proof of being what purported to be.

http://www.pdfgeni.com/book/marine-concrete-sealants-pdf.html

http://pdf-search-engine.com/marine-concrete-sealants-pdf.html

If the aggression is mainly mechanical some will be better but maybe some mechanical protection could be of use. That it may be applied reasonably is other thing.

 

[cntw1953]

You might need some mechanical means to protect the sealed joint from wave action that causing rapid deterioration of the joint.

Do you have a sketch/photo of the floating pier?

 

[farhanjnawab]

Friends,

We have tried using bituminous joint sealer which is failed due to sea water splashes. The sea water has high chlorides upto 45,000 ppm. Polysulphide sealant may also not be suitable. Please find attached the pics and pls advice. How to mechanically protect it? 100% water tight joints is possible?

What is the best material that can be applied on these joints?

Thanks

 

[cntw1953]

I am tempted to use stainless steel dowels to tie the joint (make it rigid), and select concrete mix and sealant using pavement/bridge deck in cold region as a guide. Important thing is to minimize the path for the water to seep through the joint. It also helps that the shallow surface type sealant could be repaired/replaced easily as needed. A mild slop may help too.

Others mighg have better suggestions on this.

 

[dik]

You might consider routing out the slab portion, about an inch or two wide and provide a bond breaker. Caulking can be polysulphide, polyurethane or silicone. Check with the suppliers for suitability. If polysulphide is OK, then consider using it. I like it for 'old' concrete; it seems to bond better. The supplier should be able to recommend a suitable caul. Is subject to abuse, use a cover plate.

Dik

 

[diggerman]

There is an old fashion suggestion if I may. Try Oakem soak em method? Use Oakum rope and cram into the crevests/joint. As soon as water(H20) is introduced, the soaked chemical reacts with the H20 and forms a water tight seal. We've used it on pipe joints and cracks underground to stop leaks. Look up "OAKEM SOAKEM" and you'll see the process. Oakem roap is very durable.