Best Management Practices for Waterstop Selection, Installation, and Inspection: On-Demand

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Speakers: Joseph Kudritz, P.E., Water Resource Engineer, Michael Maker International, Inc.; and Brian Afek P.E.,Senior Civil Engineer, Michael Maker International, Inc.

PDHs: This webinar is eligible for 2 PDH credits.

This course is intended to provide guidance on the proper selection and installation of waterstops for hydraulic structures. This course will discuss the various types and applications of waterstops and discuss the necessary design constraints such as site constraints, joint types, head pressures, and concrete clearances and cover. The course will emphasize the need for thorough structure detailing to ensure proper clearances and placement location are specified. The use of 3-dimensional modeling techniques will be discussed as a visualization technique to better detail complex joints. Most deficiencies regarding waterstops occur with the installation of the waterstops. Therefore, this course will highlight proper and improper installation placements and welding techniques. The course will discuss the benefits of using manufacturer welded unions, having properly-trained waterstop installers, input from the waterstop manufacturer, and having trained inspectors.

Five Takeaways:

Importance of proper joint design and waterstop selection, installation, and inspection for concrete water-retaining structures.
Waterstop types for concrete structures (e.g. PVC, hydrophilic, retrofits,etc.).
Waterstop selection based on joint type, head pressures, and clearances/cover.
Waterstop detailing on construction documents and visualization techniques.
Tips for waterstop installation including proper and improper waterstop placement.

Joseph Kudritz, P.E.

Michael Baker International, Inc., Water Resource Engineer

Mr. Kudritz is a water resources engineer with Michael Baker International, Inc. with 11 years of experience in dam rehabilitation design and construction. Over the course of his career, Mr. Kudritz has been involved in more than 20 dam rehabilitation projects and has been responsible for designing spillways, stilling basins, and control tower and outlet works. Mr. Kudritz has been involved on the design and detailing of concrete structures with an emphasis on waterstop placement and selection. Mr. Kudritz graduated from Geneva College with a B.S. in Civil Engineering.

Brian Afek, P.E.

Michael Baker International, Inc., Senior Civil Engineer

Mr. Afek is a senior civil engineer with Michael Baker International, Inc. He has over 12 years of professional experience specializing in dam inspection, dam analysis, design of dam rehabilitation components, and construction management for high hazard dams. He has served as the project manager for multiple dam rehabilitation projects throughout the state of Ohio. Mr. Afek graduated with a B.S. in Civil Engineering from the Ohio State University and is a licensed Professional Engineer in the states of Ohio and Pennsylvania.

1. Brief introduction of waterstops
2. Types of waterstops in hydraulic structure
3. Waterstop applications
4. Waterstop selection criteria
- a. Design head
- b. Joint type
- c. Structure element sizes
- d. Expected movement
- e. One waterstop profile
5. Design approach for complex structures
- a. Detailing/layout of waterstops
- b. Dual waterstop approach
- c. 3D modeling benefits
6. Waterstop handling, storage, and protection
7. Waterstop installation and welding best practices
- a. Waterstop welding training by manufacturer
- b. Weld inspection
- c. Manufacturer&dash;welded unions required (butt&dash;welds only)
8. Waterstop Inspection
9. Waterstop repair
10. Dam safety perspective