Hydraulic infrastructures need waterproofing barriers that are deformable, able to withstand displacements, and durable.

Deformations of significant magnitude caused the opening of the horizontal joint face slabs and parapet wall of the El Quimbo dam. They resulted in the rupture of the external joint waterstop at the contact upstream face slabs/concrete parapet wall and compromised the water tightness of the vertical joints of the parapet wall at various locations.