Population growth and urbanisation are definitely two global megatrends. As a result, buildings must be constructed, especially in the cities. But what happens when space is scarce? Many things could be relocated underground, for example, storage rooms or parking spaces.
With the continual increase in the population, the need to build new, more efficient buildings or increase the capacity of current buildings is rising. Sometimes, we can’t build up or expand outwards in our overcrowded urban areas. Therefore, we need to build below ground to increase functional square meter space in our existing buildings. Land is becoming increasingly premium as urban areas are in high demand and less space is available.
With the appropriate planning required for basement developments, creating an underground space for a whole host of applications is possible. These could be for car parks, plant rooms, habitable areas such as swimming pools, games, cinema rooms etc., all the way to complete apartments. There are many more examples for uses with different Grades of waterproofing.
Once we have established the requirement, we move into achieving our requirement and start the design and planning phase. Architects and engineers need to be involved. At this stage, agreeing on the right design for a below-ground structure is critical. The architects and engineers must work with a waterproofing specialist with a C.S.S.W (Certificate Surveyor in Structural Waterproofing) qualification. They will look at the watertight details of what is being built below ground. Designing a robust watertight system is key to the whole solution. This is because only some of the systems used will be maintainable once the project has been completed. Therefore, deciding the right materials at this early stage is essential to the design. This is where Master Builders Solutions can help and support at the design stage and through to completion.
Flexible external watertight system for concrete
With the continual increase in the population, the need to build new, more efficient buildings or increase the capacity of current buildings is rising. Sometimes, we can’t build up or expand outwards in our overcrowded urban areas. Therefore, we need to build below ground to increase functional square metre space in our existing buildings. Land is becoming increasingly premium as urban areas are in high demand and less space is available.
With the appropriate planning required for basement developments, creating an underground space for a whole host of applications is possible. These could be for car parks, plant rooms, habitable areas such as swimming pools, games, cinema rooms etc., all the way to complete apartments. There are many more examples for uses with different Grades of waterproofing.
Once we have established the requirement, we move into achieving our requirement and start the design and planning phase. Architects and engineers need to be involved. At this stage, agreeing on the right design for a below-ground structure is critical. The architects and engineers must work with a waterproofing specialist with a C.S.S.W (Certificate Surveyor in Structural Waterproofing) qualification. They will look at the watertight details of what is being built below ground. Designing a robust watertight system is key to the whole solution. This is because only some of the systems used will be maintainable once the project has been completed. Therefore, deciding the right materials at this early stage is essential to the design.
Watertight admixture for concrete
For the structure of our basement, a reinforced concrete construction allows for watertight admixture MasterLife WP 799 to be used. Using the correct watertight admixture is important, as a normal concrete mix will have capillary pores. Over time after the structure has been formed, if they are not treated, the capillary pores will allow water to ingress through the structure. Using MasterLife WP 799, our specially formulated watertight admixture combines our superplasticiser with our synthetic Silane-Siloxane. The superplasticiser will reduce the number of capillary pores formed, and then the remaining capillary pores will be sealed with our synthetic material Silane-Siloxane. This leaves the concrete part of the structure watertight.
Sealing cold joints with hydrophilic water bars
A re-injectable hose system can be used instead of a hydrophilic water bar and mastic when there is a requirement to extend the material’s warranties or where maintainability is required in the basement structure. Master Builders Solutions offer MasterLife WP 900 combined with MasterRoc MP 307. MasterLife WP 900 is our reusable injection hose and is straightforward to install. If, after the structure has been formed, if there is any water ingress at the cold joint(s), then to seal the joint area(s), MasterRoc MP 307 resin is installed by being injected into the reusable injection hose. Once the MasterRoc MP 307 resin has been installed correctly, the joint(s) are sealed. Resins have the advantage of being able to withstand higher water pressures of up to 12 bar.
Injection hose system for sealing joints when maintainability is required
Re-injectable hose system can be used in favour of a hydrophilic water bar and mastic when there is a requirement to extend the material’s warranties or where maintainability is required in the basement structure. We at Master Builders Solutions offer MasterLife WP 900 combined with MasterRock MP 307. MasterLife WP 900 is our reusable injection hose and is straightforward to install. If, after the structure has been formed, if there is any water ingress at the cold joint(s), then to seal the joint area(s), MasterRock MP 307 resin is installed by being injected into the reusable injection hose. Once the MasterRock MP 307 resin has been installed correctly, the joint(s) are sealed. Resins have the advantage of being able to withstand higher water pressures of up to 12 bar.
Sustainable and efficient watertight solutions offered by Master Builders Solutions
Master Builders Solutions offers a dedicated watertight team who can assist from starting a basement project to completing the below-ground structure. Offering professional guidance from start to finish of the project: from design, toolbox talks, and on-site training (when required) to site visits and inspections at each stage until completion. Once the project has been completed, the Master Builders Solutions watertight team can provide a Manufacturer’s warranty.
If you have any concerns or inquiries, please don't hesitate to contact Stuart. Additionally, you can find more information about below-ground construction solutions by reading further here.
Stuart Davidson
Editor's Note: This post was originally published in August 2018 and has been updated for accuracy and comprehensiveness.
