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What is DPC in Construction?

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JENO maran
What is DPC in Construction?

The damp proof course (DPC) is often placed at basement levels to prevent moisture from permeating the walls and flooring. The damp proof course's material selection and different techniques of application in structures are addressed.


Course Materials for Damp Proofing (DPC)


Material Properties for DPC.


It should include the following characteristics in a good damp proofing material:


●It should be impenetrable.

●They should have the strength and durability to resist both dead and living weights without breaking.

●It should be stable in three dimensions.

●It should be devoid of salts that deliquesce when heated, such as sulfates, chlorides, and nitrates.


The Different Types of Materials Used in Damp Proof Courses.


The materials that are often used to control moisture fall into three categories:


Flexible materials include bituminous felts (made of hessian or fiber/glass fiber), polythene sheets, etc.


Semi-rigid Materials: These include mastic, asphalt, and mixtures of these materials or layers.


Rigid Materials: These include high-quality bricks, stones, slate, and cement concrete.


Materials Selection for Damp Proof Courses in Buildings.


The material selection for an efficient damp proof course is critical. It is determined by the temperature and atmospheric conditions, the structure's type, and the environment where DPC is to be supplied.



The following considerations should be considered while selecting DPC materials:


1. DPC elevated above the ground level


Any materials listed above may be utilized for DPC above ground level with a wall thickness of no more than 40 cm. However, cement concrete is a frequently used material for DPC at the plinth level; a layer of 38 to 50mm thick cement concrete M15 (1:2:4 mix) fulfils the function under typical circumstances.


When working in a wet and humid environment, it should utilize a more robust concrete mix. The concrete is further designed during the mixing process by including waterproofing additives such as Pudlo, Impermo, and Waterlock. It is used to apply two coats of hot bitumen to the concrete DPC's third surface.


2. DPC material for flooring, roofing, and other applications.


For thicker walls or if DPC is placed over vast surfaces such as floors or roofs, the options are restricted to flexible materials with fewer joints, such as mastic, asphalt, bitumen felts, or plastic sheets.


When using felts, they should be sufficiently glued to the surface with bitumen and placed with correctly lapped and sealed seams.


3. DPC Material for use in conditions involving differential thermal movement


The best materials for parapet walls and similar structures are mastic, asphalt, bitumen felts, and metal (copper or lead).


It is critical to ensure that the DPC material is flexible to prevent material damage or puncture caused by differential thermal movement between the roof and parapet materials.


4. Cavity Walls made with DPC material


In cavity wall construction, such as the hollow above a door or window, a flexible substance such as bituminous felt, strips, or lead, should be used to bridge the cavity.


Installation Techniques for Damp Proof Courses in Construction.


The following basic guidelines should be followed while installing a damp proof course:


1.The DPC should be applied to the whole thickness of the walls, except the rendered surface.

2.The mortar bed should be level, even, and free of protrusion before the DPC is placed. An unstable foundation is likely to cause DPC damage.

3.When extending a horizontal DPC up a vertical façade, it should supply a cement concrete fillet with a radius of 75mm before the treatment.

4.Each DPC should be installed properly in respect to the others to provide a full and continuous barrier to water flow from the floors, walls, or roof.


 What are the advantages of DPC Material?


The following are the desired characteristics of DPC material:


A. It should be impervious to moisture.

B.It should be robust and resilient, capable of withstanding both dead and live loads without sustaining harm.

C. It should be stable in three dimensions.

D. It should be deliquescent salt-free, such as sulphates, chlorides, and nitrates.

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