How is waterproofing done during tunnel construction and drainage work?

Release date:

2020-09-28

Leakage in tunnels and underground projects has long been a major headache for construction workers—so much so that there’s even a saying: "Nine out of ten tunnels leak." Proper tunnel waterproofing and drainage are crucial to ensuring high-quality tunnel construction. Be sure to take a good look at the following knowledge-packed tips!


Leakage in tunnels and underground projects has long been a major headache for construction workers—so much so that there’s even a saying: "Nine out of ten tunnels leak." Proper tunnel waterproofing and drainage are crucial to ensuring high-quality tunnel construction. Be sure to take a good look at the following knowledge points!

1. The principle of "combining prevention, drainage, interception, and sealing, tailored to local conditions, and implementing comprehensive management" should be followed.

Protection: Waterproof concrete, waterproofing layers (internal application, external application)

Drainage: Subsurface pipes, French drains;

Cut: Surface water interception channels, crack blockages;

Blocking: Grouting

II. Waterproof design should be approached from three key aspects:

1. Surrounding rock reinforcement: In water-rich sections, curtain grouting will be employed.

2. Install the waterproof layer using a nail-free method with polymer membranes;

3. Durable waterproof concrete, especially for treating construction joints and expansion joints.

3. Lining Concrete Waterproofing

Tunnel self-waterproofing: waterproof concrete, and proper treatment of all construction joints.

Concrete lining serves as the final line of defense for tunnel waterproofing, and the general requirements are as follows:

1. In general areas, the impermeability grade must be at least P6; however, when the average temperature drops below -15°C, the impermeability grade must be increased to at least P8.

2. The impermeability grade of the test specimen should be higher than the design requirement.

3. Waterproof concrete structures must meet the following requirements: lining thickness shall be at least 300 mm; crack widths must not exceed 0.2 mm and must remain non-through; the protective layer thickness for main reinforcement on the water-facing side should be no less than 50 mm.

IV. Ordinary Waterproof Concrete: This refers to a type of concrete whose density and impermeability are enhanced by controlling the water-to-cement ratio, while appropriately adjusting the sand content and cement dosage. Its mix design must be determined after conducting tests to evaluate both compressive strength and waterproofing performance.

5. Installation of Externally Applied Waterstop Strips

Location: On the outer side of lining structure construction joints and deformation joints; during construction, first mark the installation lines at the positions where waterstops are to be installed, as per design specifications.

Base surface treatment: The width of the waterproof mortar coating should exceed the outer waterstop width by at least 20 cm.

Waterstop fixing: Use double-seam heat welding for materials of the same type; for different materials, apply bonding methods instead.

Only with high-quality materials combined with standardized construction can you achieve twice the result with half the effort—and ensure excellent waterproofing!

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