ELASTON-W80 | CASE STUDY CS-008.2

Project Overview

The commercial asset industry is an essential pillar of Australia's national economy. In constructing these buildings, many challenges are faced, including infrastructure protection, corrosion control, water ingress, and many more.

Basement car parks are particularly vulnerable to water ingress due to their below ground location. The porosity of concrete allows water to permeate through, potentially causing degradation of the concrete over time. Factors such as heavy rain or flooding events can lead to water or other corrosive pollutants. Surface drainage is integral to lower the potential for hydrostatic pressure and lowers the risk of water ingress. Prolonged water exposure compromises the integrity and longevity of below-ground structures such as basements is critical.

This is a challenging environment, and the solution for the substrate would have to allow for the pouring of new concrete foundations while also enhancing the structural integrity, durability, and resilience of the new concrete structure.

This project in particular was subject to groundwater, and this case study will explore the application of polyurea membranes in a below-ground basement tanking project.

The Solution

The project involved waterproofing a pre-constructed underground car park. The car parks' location was challenging due to its close proximity to the groundwater. 

One outstanding solution in protecting Australian assets', is polyurea coatings. Liquimix has designed and developed over 16 polyurea membranes, all with different features and properties designed for specific applications.

In order to develop a strong system for protecting the structure against groundwater, Liquimix inspected the site and proposed the system of Geotuff-220 Geofabric and Elaston-W80 pure polyurea. Geotextile fabrics are typically used as a protective layer on soil to stabilise, strengthen and protect, and improve soil moisture characteristics, before building foundations.

Polyurea coatings cure quickly, allowing for a faster return to service. In this case, the construction of the building was required to be operational within a tight timeframe, and the rapid cure of the Elaston-W80 membrane was a significant advantage.

The flexibility of Elaston allows it to accommodate any minor movements in the soil, reducing the risk of cracks and leaks. The application of Elaston will effectively prevent water ingress and reduce the risk of hydrostatic pressure damage. Elaston-W80 has waterproofing certifications for the interior and exterior protection of Australian Assets.

The Result

The Geotuff-220 was carefully placed and pinned to the ground. The Elaston-W80 polyurea membrane was applied using a spray-on technique. This method ensured even coverage and a continuous, unbroken layer across the surface.

The Elaston-W80 cured rapidly, allowing the project to stay on schedule and minimising downtime, which enabled the client to continue with other aspects of the project. After application, the membrane was inspected for its coverage and adhesion; the tests confirmed the effectiveness of the polyurea membrane, with no leaks detected.

This case study demonstrates the significant advantages of using polyurea membranes for waterproofing below-ground tanking projects. Their rapid cure time, durability, flexibility, and superior waterproofing properties make them an ideal solution for challenging environments. Polyurea membranes are ideal for tanking applications; they are easy to apply, offer a fast return-to-service, and they are cost-effective.

The successful application highlights the importance of selecting the right materials to ensure long-term performance and reliability in underground structures. This system is proven to be the superior waterproofing tanking solution by creating an impermeable barrier against water and hydrostatic pressure.