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SO Series PVC Waterstop — Internal Expansion Joint
SO Series PVC Waterstop — Internal Expansion Joint
SO Series PVC Waterstop — Internal Expansion Joint
SO Series PVC Waterstop — Internal Expansion Joint
SO Series PVC Waterstop — Internal Expansion Joint
SO Series PVC Waterstop — Internal Expansion Joint
SO Series PVC Waterstop — Internal Expansion Joint
SO Series PVC Waterstop — Internal Expansion Joint
SO Series PVC Waterstop — Internal Expansion Joint
SO Series PVC Waterstop — Internal Expansion Joint
SO Series PVC Waterstop — Internal Expansion Joint
SO Series PVC Waterstop — Internal Expansion Joint
SO Series PVC Waterstop — Internal Expansion Joint
SO Series PVC Waterstop — Internal Expansion Joint

SO Series PVC Waterstop — Internal Expansion Joint

  • MaterialPVC (Polyvinyl Chloride)
  • Joint typeExpansion / movement joint
  • PlacementInternal (center-set)
  • ColorBlue
  • Size range200 mm – 320 mm width
  • ModelsSO200, SO250, SO320
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Overview

The SO Series PVC waterstop is designed for internal expansion joints in concrete structures where a continuous watertight barrier must be maintained across a joint designed to accommodate movement. The strip is installed centrally — half its width embedded in each concrete pour — so the center bulb sits directly over the joint gap and the ribbed wings anchor into the surrounding concrete on both sides.

When the joint opens, closes, or shifts laterally under thermal cycling, settlement, or structural load, the center bulb flexes and stretches to absorb the movement without tearing or losing seal continuity. The ribbed wings remain fully locked in the cured concrete, resisting hydrostatic pressure from either face.

Compared with a flat-profile construction joint waterstop, the SO Series incorporates a center bulb specifically designed to flex with joint movement. This makes it suitable for expansion joints and movement joints where ongoing displacement is expected after the concrete has hardened, rather than for static construction joints where the two pours are intended to cure into a single monolithic element.

Typical applications include reservoirs and water storage tanks, sewage and water treatment plant structures, below-grade basements and underground car parks, dams and spillways, retaining walls, tunnels, and any reinforced concrete structure incorporating designed expansion or movement joints.

How the SO Series Center-Bulb Profile Works

Concrete Pour A Concrete Pour B Expansion Joint Gap Bulb

The center bulb spans the joint gap; ribbed wings anchor into each pour and resist water migration along the strip surface.

Key functional elements

  • Center bulb — the rounded bulb at the midpoint sits directly over the joint gap, allowing the profile to flex as the joint opens, closes, or shifts without losing seal integrity.
  • Ribbed wings — corrugated sections on either side increase the bonded surface area with the surrounding concrete, resisting water migration along the strip's surface under hydrostatic pressure.
  • Symmetrical profile — the SO cross-section is symmetrical about the center bulb, so the strip performs identically regardless of pour sequence on either side of the joint.
  • Brass eyelet reinforced flanges — pre-punched eyelets along both outer edges allow the strip to be wire-tied directly to reinforcing steel, securing it in position before and during each concrete pour.
  • Continuous run — strips are field-joined by hot-wedge or solvent welding at corners, tees, and crosses to maintain an unbroken barrier around the full joint layout.

SO Series Size Chart & Dimensions

Three standard width configurations cover the most common expansion joint requirements. All models incorporate a center bulb and ribbed wings and are suitable for movement joints where ongoing displacement is expected.

SO Series internal expansion joint waterstop — dimensions by model
Model Nominal Width (mm) Profile Height (mm) Typical Application
SO200 200 20 Standard expansion joints in moderate-duty concrete structures
SO250 250 24 General-purpose expansion joints — most commonly specified width
SO320 320 24 Larger joint layouts, high-head applications, dams and tunnels
Dimensions are nominal values. Detailed cross-section drawings and roll lengths are available on request — see the inquiry form below. Custom widths available subject to minimum order quantity.

Physical & Mechanical Properties

All SO 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

Typical Applications

SO Series internal expansion joint waterstops are specified wherever a reinforced concrete structure incorporates designed movement joints that must remain watertight throughout the structure's service life. Common project types include:

  • Water and wastewater treatment plant tanks and channels
  • Reservoirs, water storage tanks, and elevated towers
  • Swimming pools and aquatic structures
  • Basements, underground car parks, and below-grade structures
  • Dams, spillways, culverts, and hydraulic structures
  • Tunnels, subways, and immersed structures
  • Retaining walls and bridge abutments subject to movement

SO Series vs. BC Series — Which Do You Need?

Both the SO Series and the BC Series are internal expansion joint waterstops with a center-bulb profile designed to accommodate movement. The BC Series offers a wider range of width configurations — eight sizes from BC150 to BC500x10 — and includes heavier-duty variants with reinforced flanges and increased rib counts for high-displacement or large-section applications. The SO Series covers the three most common mid-range widths (SO200, SO250, SO320) suited to standard reinforced concrete structures. Refer to your structural drawings and consult our team to confirm the appropriate series and width for your project.

View the BC Series →

Installation Guidance

  1. Position the strip centrally. Unroll the waterstop flat to relax any coil memory, then place it at the joint location so the center bulb sits directly over the intended joint gap. Approximately half the strip width should fall within each of the two concrete pours.
  2. Secure to reinforcing steel. Wire-tie the strip through the pre-punched brass eyelets to the reinforcing bars on both sides at regular intervals. This prevents displacement during concrete placement and vibration.
  3. Pour and compact the first concrete element. Place and vibrate concrete carefully around the embedded half of the strip, ensuring no voids or honeycombing form against the ribbed wings. Avoid contaminating the exposed half with release agents or oil.
  4. Set formwork and pour the second element. After the first pour has cured, set formwork for the adjoining pour and complete the second concrete placement, again fully encasing the remaining half of the strip.
  5. Handle corners and intersections with factory fittings. At direction changes, tees, and crosses, use factory-fabricated fittings or hot-wedge field welds to maintain an unbroken barrier. Inspect all joints before placing the adjoining pour.

Installation notes

  • Avoid gaps, punctures, or kinks in the strip — any breach provides a continuous water migration path along the joint.
  • Keep the center bulb unobstructed and free to flex; do not allow concrete to fill the bulb cavity or restrict its movement.
  • Confirm the joint width and expected movement range against your structural drawings before specifying a model — wider profiles and reinforced variants are available for higher-displacement applications.
  • For potable water contact applications, confirm any applicable local regulatory or certification requirements with our team prior to specification.

Related PVC Waterstop Series

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the SO Series used for?

The SO Series is used for internal expansion joints in reinforced concrete structures where water-tightness across the joint line is required and the joint is designed to accommodate movement — such as thermal expansion, settlement, or seismic displacement — after the concrete has hardened.

What is the difference between the SO Series and a flat construction joint waterstop?

The SO Series incorporates a center bulb that flexes to accommodate ongoing joint movement, making it suitable for expansion and movement joints. A flat construction joint waterstop has no center bulb and is designed for static, non-moving joints where the two concrete pours are intended to act as a single monolithic element after curing. Using a flat waterstop in an expansion joint — or vice versa — can compromise the seal and lead to water infiltration.

Which SO size should I specify?

Size selection depends on the joint width specified in your structural drawings, the expected range of movement, and the hydrostatic head the joint must resist. SO250 is the most commonly specified width for standard above-grade and below-grade concrete structures. SO320 is typical for larger joints, dams, and high-head applications. Share your project drawings via the inquiry form and our team can help confirm the appropriate model and width.

Can the SO Series be used in both horizontal and vertical joints?

Yes. Internal expansion joint waterstops are suitable for both horizontal joints (such as successive wall lifts) and vertical joints. In vertical joint applications, formwork must be designed carefully to support the strip from both sides during concrete placement and to prevent concrete from flowing past the joint plane before the pour is complete.

Are factory-made corner and tee fittings available?

Yes. Factory-fabricated corner (90° flat and vertical), tee, and cross fittings are available to match all SO series widths, and are strongly recommended over site-fabricated welded intersections for more reliable joint continuity. Include a joint layout plan in your inquiry for fitting options and pricing.

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