Damp Proof Course applied over the cement concrete when the
concrete has been fully cured and dried. A coat
One of the following specifications may be
adopted for a damp proof course, according to
the type of the construction and the nature of
the ground:
(j) Two courses of dense bricks in 1. : 3 cement
mortar. Bricks should have a water absorption
of not more than 4.5 per cent. It is
advantageous to leave the vertical joints
unfilled as moisture rises through the mortar
joints.
(ii) A layer of well burnt bricks soaked in hot
tar and pitch will suit for cheap class buildings.
(iii) Non-porous stone slabs about 50 mm thick
laid for the full width of the walls over a bed of
cement mortar.
(iii) Two layers of non-porous slates laid to
break joint, each layer being bedded and set
solidly in cement mortar 1: 3.
(iv) 12 mm cement plaster 1 : 2 with
some water proofing compound laid above
the plinth masonry with one or two thick coats
of hot coal tar applied over the mortar after the
mortar has fully dried. Dry sharp sand should
be sprinkled over the hot tar. Five per cent of
Pudlo by weight of cement can be used for
water proofing the mortar. .
(v) For 40 to 50 mm cement concrete 1 : 2 : 4.
Two coats of asphalt or hot coal tar should be
of 7 asphalt mixed with 3 parts of clean sharp
sand may be laid 6 min thick over the concrete.
A layer of tough asphalt about 10 mm thick is
often used instead of hot asphalt, Mastic
asphalt in one or two layers is generally
considered best where hydraulic pressure is
encountered. The asphalt used should not melt
or soften in the hottest days and should not get
squeezed out due to pressure of the masonry
over it.
The damp proof course should be laid flush
with the floor surface and should not be carried
across doorways or other openings. The upper
layer of cement concrete floors should be
continued over such openings and should be
laid at the same time as the floors. The asphalt
or tar layer should be laid under the concrete at
the Openings. Where concrete is laid on
bitumen or tar, the surface of the bitumen or
tar must be sprinkled with dry sand.
The position of the damp proof course is also
an important factor and it should be laid at
such a height that it is above the normal level
to which water splashes from the ground when
it is raining. A damp proof course should not be
less than 15 cm above the highest level of the
ground. In Northern India plinths are usually
kept 45 to 60 cm above ground level for good
class buildings under normal conditions.