3. MATERIAL SELECTION 3.1 GENERAL Following the design of the wet area by the Designer, the Contractor will propose a suitable waterproofing system. Selection should be based on life-time cost- performance. This should include not only the initial performance and cost of the waterproofing system, but also the cost of replacing a waterproofing system filing prematurely and other costs associated with ‘An experienced and qualified person should review the qualities of recommended product in meeting existing standard test of specifications. The selected system should be reviewed and agreed with the Designer. Test certificates of the product should be submited to confirm their compliance with the stated specifications 3.2 WATERPROOFING SYSTEMS FOR INTERNAL WET AREAS ‘Waterproofing systems can be generally classified into 3 main categories, namely preformed membrane, liquid applied membrane and integral systems. An overview of the general waterproofing systems is given in Appendix A. 3.2.1 Suitable Systems Preformed membrane systems ate suitable for large areas with minimum protrusions. In Singapore, they ate not commonly used in the internal wet areas Incegeal systems, such as the concrete admixcure system and the crystalline system, are waterproofing systems that become part of the reinforced concrete structure that they are protecting. However, these systems cannot ‘withstand movement and the waterproofing capability will be severely undermined once conerete cracks develop after the waterproofing application. Liquid applied systems are normally preferred over preformed systems and integral systems for internal wet areas because ofthe following advantages: * Continuity of the membrane between horizontal and vertical planes, around projections and penetrations and it is self flashing. + Membrane adheres to every part of the substrate, which helps in isolating leaks and preventing lateral movement of water. © Membrane is able to withstand minor cracks. However, liquid applied systems require more supervision and quality control during substrate preparation, mixing (ome coatings require mixing on-site) and application Weather conditions such as ambient temperature, precipitation, and humidity can affect the quality of the application. Certain liquid applied products, such as the polyurethane and rubber systems, have ewo formulations (one for horizontal and one for vertical application) which must be ascertained before application. Curing requirements for acrylic based liquid applied waterproofing system must be followed strictly or it may not be suitable for usage under constant immersion or with an active hydrostatic head of water. Liquid applied systems can be classified into water based or solvent based, depending on whether water or solvent is used to create a liquid form. Consult the manufacturer for the classification of the product used. Table 3.1 shows the suitable materials for wet areas recommended in the Singapore Code of Practice (CP 82: 1999). Material Selectionuondajes jeve}eYy Table 3.1: Suitable systems and their characteristics Ban RUBBER BASED | ACRYLIC BASED | POLYURETHANE | CEMENTITIOUS Uneasy Sar tats Pa Main characteristic Highly flexible with Good UV resistance, Good flexibility, Easy application, excollent resilience to cyclic extension and strength flexible and good tearing excellent adhesion to fiberglass ‘excellent compatiblity ‘with concrete and good ‘vapour permeability. (due to concrete and good ‘tearing strength reinforcement Dry film thickness Genoraly botwoen 0.8 to 1.5mm recommended. Minima 1.2mm du fiborelass reinforcoment. t2 Between 1 to 1.5mm, Between 2 to 3mm Application method Brush, roller or airless ‘Application is normally spray by rollers, to work material ino fiberglass By brush, squeegee or Brush or spray followed broom. Vertical grade by by trowelling brush oF trowel. reinforcement Method of curing & drying Alr-drying time About 1 hourin exposed Within 1 condition, 3-8 hours in enclosed areas 72 hours before flood Ale-deying requires minimum 4 to 5 coats dua to reinforcement. Total system therefore requires curing time. Normally moisture-cured, Normally 1-2 hours. Requires curing similar hour, but Contains solvent to concrete, therefore requires ventilation, Flood test within 24 Recommended 24 hours hours to assist in curing test longer drying time. 48 hours before flood test Most systems recommend 72 hours before flood test. For coal tar based systems, 7-10 days is required ‘Adhesion to concrete substrate and bedding Generally good adhesion. May be priming ‘Good adhesion to improved by appropriate application to exclude fibreglass reinforcement affected if applied onto {or better bonding Solvent based is Excellent bonding to ‘concrete for both slabs and vertical walls. Not affected by surface dampness. Vertical sensitive to moisture ‘Adhosion may be damp substrate. 3.2.2 Solvent based systems ‘Most solvent based systems will have slightly better adhesion especially if they are epoxy or urethane based, However, solvent based membrane demands stringent surface preparation before application. Normally, the surface has to be totally dry and firce of dust to ensure good bonding. Certain solvent based systems may affect PVG, other plastics or some metal fictings. Check with manufacturers and obtain their confirmation ifin doubt 3.2.3 Water based systems ‘Water based systems generally adhere well to moist substrate but may blister if substrate contains excessive moisture, It is a good practice to ensue the substrate is relatively dry. Use a moisture meter to check the relative dampness before application, Some water based system may require special primer, especially for application on metallic finishes. For water based cementitious systems, the membrane could be adversely affected, under a process called hydrolysis, if water test is conducted before the membrane is fully cured and set (refer to Chapter 8: Table 8.2).3.2.4 Waterproofing screed Performance of screed is important especially for wet areas and depends on the mix proportions and method of mixing. If conteol of such factors is poor, the screed will have shrinkage cracks which may become potential paths of water seepage. This will result in faster deterioration of the waterproofing membrane beneath it and as a result, the life span of the total ‘waterproofing system in wet areas will be shortened, For wet areas, the waterproofing screed could be specified as a secondary layer of defense. The waterproofing screed may be prepared by gauging cement mortar with a waterproofing compound to reduce its permeability. For specifications on waterproofing screed, refer to CP 82:1999. Waterproofing screed can also be specified for internal areas where intermittent wetting is expected. A minimum 20mm screed thickness is normally adequate to provide the watertightness For better site control of the mix quality, pre-packed ‘waterproofing screeds, which are dry mixed and packed with the waterproofing additive in the factory, are recommended. Workers need only to add the correct amount of water to the pre-packed mix on site using a mechanical mixer to produce the desired mix 3.3 SELECTION CRITERIA ‘The waterproofing system for wet areas should: + be able to bridge over cold joints ‘be compatible and easy to apply, especially at pipe penetration arcas + be elastic to bridge over differing materials ‘+ have good adhesion and cohesion strengths ‘© beable to receive screeding and plastering © toacertain extent, be resistant to some mechanical damage prior to screed finish *# be fully bonded to the substrates to isolate any leaks in fucure Ic is important to note that ewo products of the same generic type may vary extensively from each other depending on their chemical composition, For this reason the fandamental properties/characteristics of the different products (given by the manufacturer) must be checked against those specified by the designer. Table 3.2 gives the performance standard specifications that could be referred to as a guide for specifying liquid applied waterproofing systems in wet arcas. A brief description of the various tests is given in Appendix B Material SelectionTable 3.2: Specifications for liqui applied membranes used in internal wet areas Einar asa Se een eats Boece peered ern ell earn arn) eee oan eee eet ‘Test method specifications ref eee Renee rd pean) ee oon ‘Test method specifications ref Crack bridging ‘Test method specifications ref Coy ‘Change in Elongation (%) Seer aca eee ery eC een) Pere On OCT Eee er) er ‘Test method specifications ref ‘Test method specifications ref Flexible cementitious or other approved water. waterproofing membrane ased eee Sr eae emer! ) 40% ‘ASTM D 412 ASTM D 2240 0.3 Nim? ‘ASTM D 4541 ree rs eer rare eee fee ‘ASTM C836 ASTM D 412 Cees erry ISEA Method Solvent-based elastomeric membrane ASTM D 412. ‘ASTM D 2240 Con ‘ASTM D 4541 See cos ce ee ey seen ene Pee mo eal ASTM C 835 oy Pera ‘ASTM D 412 © Table 3.2 continues on next pageTable 3.2 (continued) nce to water penetration ee Perey Test method specifications ref ‘Adopted DIN 1048: Pt S Ce eee er een) Test method specifications ref ‘ASTM E 96 (Dry method) eer Ree rr een Er) eee Test method specifications ref. ‘ASTM D 1640 a Test method specifications ref. Solvent Extraction & Thermal Gravimetry Analysis > aia ee Test method specifications ref ‘Oven: 105°C for 3 hrs Test method specifications ref SS 5 (Part B 15) Source : HDB Specification (as at 1999) {An additional specification on polymer characteristics and polymer content is shown in Table 3.3 below. Table 3.3: Specifications for Characterisation of Polymer BERD TESTING METHOD SPECIFICATIONS 13 Characterisation of Polymer ‘© Fourier Transform Infrared FTIR, DTA and TGA graphs of the spectroscopic technique (FTIR) sample are to tally withthe approved product in polymer * Differential Thermal characteristics end polymer content. ‘Analysis (OTA) © Thermogravimetrie Analysis (TGA) Source : HDB Specifications (2003 Edition) Material Selection