Water leaking thru a 4'-6" reinforced concrete slab.

[Berniedog]

Has anyone heard of water seeping thru a 4'-6" deep reinforced concrete slab with a water tank membrane on it. We designed a water pedestal and they get water on hte bottom of the slab 125' in the air and the State believes it is leaking thru the slab and membrane.

 

[MacGyverS2000]

Could it be condensed water on a cool slab rather than leakage?

Dan - Owner

http://www.Hi-TecDesigns.com

 

[jayrod12]

I'm sure it's possible but unlikely assuming the slab is reinforced accordingly for water retaining structure regarding reinforcing spacing and crack widths. And also assuming the membrane was installed correctly including details at the corners etc.

It's more likely that you're getting leakage through a joint somewhere that isn't performing properly. Whether that's due to a failure of a waterstop, or improperly detailed/constructed corner joints in either the concrete or the membrane. What creates the walls of the enclosure?

 

[Berniedog]

My client beleives it is condensation. That sounds reasonable to me. They want my client to remove 6 2'x2' pieces of the composite deck that was used to support the construction of the slab. Crazy

 

[JoelTXCive]

can you draw a hand sketch? Is the 4ft 6in deep slab 125ft up in the air?

 

[JoelTXCive]

I'm guessing this is drinking water and the tank is in service?

If it is not in service yet, maybe you could add colored dye to the water and see if it shows up on the outside. (or maybe there are other creative ways of testing)

 

[Berniedog]

The slab is constructed on a 54' inside diameter concrete pedestal with 14" thick walls. THe bottom of slab is 125' up. 1.5 million gallon tank on the slab.

 

[Berniedog]

Yes it is in service

 

[dik]

What membrane... these generally work very well unless they are unable to bridge cracking... in which case a better membrane should have been used.

Rather than think climate change and the corona virus as science, think of it as the wrath of God. Feel any better?

-Dik

 

[Berniedog]

The water tank manufacturer has a membrane that is put down. I imagine it is pretty heavy duty and able to span slight cracks. The slab is heavily reinforced both top and bottom. Plenty of S&T steel

 

[dik]

If the membrane is there and installed properly, I suspect the water is from elsewhere... not saying that condensation isn't a problem, either.

Rather than think climate change and the corona virus as science, think of it as the wrath of God. Feel any better?

-Dik

 

[EdStainless]

I have seen small amounts of a food safe fluorescent dye (flourescein) used for leak detection.

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P.E. Metallurgy, consulting work welcomed

 

[dik]

Thanks, Ed... I've not heard of it... something to put on the shelf for later.

Rather than think climate change and the corona virus as science, think of it as the wrath of God. Feel any better?

-Dik