The purpose of a Vertical Damp Proof Barrier is to prevent the ingress of damp and water into subterranean structures such as basements, cellars, tunnels and earth shielded buildings.
[1] This, though cheap, has the disadvantage that any movement in the structure or joints is likely to rupture the paint so allowing water to enter.
Modern solutions take the form of a plastic membrane, often pre-coated with adhesive and a "peel off" paper that is applied to the outside of the structure before it is buried.
The membrane has a high modulous of elasticity (that is, it stretches a lot, often by a factor of ten before it ruptures).
As a further precaution against water ingress, it is recommended that land drains be installed behind the protected wall at its base to prevent the buildup of hydrostatic pressure in wet weather.