The BW Series PVC waterstop is designed for internal construction joints in reinforced concrete — planned interruptions in a single continuous pour, made at convenient intervals to allow phased construction. Because reinforcement runs continuously through the joint and no gap is designed into the structure, no movement is expected after curing. The BW flat-ribbed profile is optimised for this scenario: both faces carry bilateral ribs that maximise bond length with the surrounding concrete, providing robust resistance to water migration under sustained hydrostatic pressure.
Installation follows the standard center-set method: approximately half the strip width is embedded in the first concrete pour and the remaining half in the second. Unlike expansion joint waterstops, there is no center bulb to bridge a gap — the strip relies entirely on the concrete bond of its ribbed surface and the integrity of the joint detail. This makes the BW series the most economical and straightforward solution for static construction joints.
The BW series is particularly well-suited to structures subject to high water pressure, including reservoirs, water and wastewater treatment plant tanks, dam structures, below-grade basements and underground car parks, and submerged or immersed tunnels. Its flat, symmetrical profile is equally effective in horizontal and vertical joint orientations, and brass eyelet holes pre-punched along both outer flanges allow the strip to be wire-tied directly to reinforcing bars for secure, accurate positioning before each pour.
Five standard width configurations — BW150 through BW320 — cover the full range of typical construction joint requirements, from secondary joints in lighter structures up to primary joints in large-section hydraulic structures. Factory-fabricated corner, tee, and cross fittings are available for all widths to maintain watertight continuity at direction changes.
The flat-ribbed strip spans the construction joint plane. No center bulb — the seal relies on the bilateral rib bond with both concrete pours.
Five standard width configurations cover the range from secondary joints in lighter structures to primary joints in large hydraulic or underground structures. All models are flat-ribbed profile with no center bulb, center-set within the concrete pour.
| Model | Nominal Width (mm) | Profile Height (mm) | Typical Application |
|---|---|---|---|
| BW150 | 150 | 20 | Secondary joints, lightweight structures, low-head applications |
| BW200 | 200 | 20 | Standard construction joints in moderate-duty concrete structures |
| BW250 | 250 | 24 | General-purpose primary construction joints — most commonly specified width |
| BW300 | 300 | 24 | High water pressure applications, reservoirs, dams, thick-section walls |
| BW320 | 320 | 24 | Large-section hydraulic structures, underground tunnels, high-head dams |
| Dimensions are nominal values cross-referenced against catalog cross-section diagrams. Profile height refers to the overall thickness of the strip. Detailed cross-section drawings confirming exact rib depth and configuration are available on request — see the inquiry form below. | |||
All BW series waterstops are extruded from PVC compound and tested against ASTM-referenced methods for the properties below.
| Property | Type I | Type II |
|---|---|---|
| Shape | Thermoplastic extrusion ribbon | Thermoplastic extrusion ribbon |
| Color | Blue | Blue |
| Hardness | 70–90 Shore A | 70–90 Shore A |
| Tensile Strength | ≥ 12 MPa | ≥ 14 MPa |
| Elongation at Break | ≥ 250% | ≥ 320% |
| Density | ≥ 1,300 kg/m³ | ≥ 1,300 kg/m³ |
| Water Absorption | ≤ 0.5% | ≤ 0.5% |
| Toxicity | Non-toxic | Non-toxic |
BW Series internal construction joint waterstops are specified wherever a reinforced concrete structure includes a non-moving construction joint that must remain watertight in service. The product catalog specifically notes suitability for high water pressure locations. Common project types include:
A construction joint is a planned stop in a continuous pour, with reinforcement running through the joint and no designed gap. The two pours are intended to cure into a monolithic structure with no relative movement. The BW flat-ribbed profile is designed for exactly this condition.
If your structural drawings specify an expansion joint, movement joint, or isolation joint — where a gap is designed in and reinforcement is discontinuous — a center-bulb waterstop is required instead. For internal expansion joints see the SO Series or the broader-range BC Series.
The BW Series is used for internal construction joints in reinforced concrete structures where water-tightness across the joint is required and the joint is non-moving — meaning the two pours are designed to act together as a single monolithic element after curing, with reinforcement running continuously across the joint and no designed gap between the pours.
A center bulb is designed to flex and accommodate movement in an expansion joint. In a construction joint, no such movement is designed into the structure — the aim is for the two pours to bond together. A flat ribbed profile maximises the bonded contact area with the surrounding concrete on both faces, which is the primary sealing mechanism for a static joint. Adding a center bulb would add cost and complexity with no functional benefit, and could reduce the effective bonded area.
Selection depends on the hydrostatic head the joint must resist, the wall or slab thickness, and the minimum concrete cover required on each side of the strip. BW250 is the most commonly specified width for standard above-grade and below-grade reinforced concrete structures. BW300 and BW320 are typical for primary joints in reservoirs, dams, and tunnels subject to high sustained water pressure. Share your project drawings and water pressure data via the inquiry form and our team can help confirm the appropriate model.
Yes. The flat-ribbed center-set profile is equally effective in horizontal joints (such as successive wall lift pours or wall-to-slab joints) and vertical joints. In vertical joint applications, formwork must support the strip from both sides to prevent concrete from crossing the joint plane before the pour is complete.
A flat-ribbed waterstop installed in an expansion joint will fail in service. As the joint opens or shifts under thermal or structural movement, the strip will be placed in tension or shear across its flat profile, leading to tearing or debonding from the concrete — and loss of the watertight barrier. Expansion joints must use a center-bulb waterstop (SO or BC series) designed to flex with the movement.
Yes. Factory-fabricated flat-profile fittings including 90° corners (flat and vertical), tee pieces, and cross pieces are available to match all BW widths. Factory fittings provide more consistent and reliable joints than site-welded mitered intersections and are strongly recommended. Include a joint layout plan in your inquiry for fitting options and pricing.
DV Series PVC Waterstop is a dumbbell-profile internal construction joint waterstop used in reinforced concrete structures where a continuous watertight seal is needed across movement joints.
SV Series PVC Waterstop is an internal construction joint waterstop used in reinforced concrete structures where a continuous barrier is required across a non-moving construction joint.
SO Series PVC waterstop is an internal expansion joint waterstop for reinforced concrete structures where a continuous watertight barrier is required across movement joints. The center-bulb profile is embedded centrally within the concrete pour and flexes to accommodate expansion, contraction, and shear displacement along the joint line.
