CONCRETE

SIKA SOLUTIONS FOR

WATERTIGHT CONCRETE
 100 YEARS OF WATERPROOFING
EXPERTISE AND EXPERIENCE

SIKA IS A GLOBAL MARKET ­leader in concrete a­ dmixture technology.

Combining this with our expertise in waterproofing has led to the
development and evolution of the Sika® Watertight Concrete System.

Sika is a global company with an enviable reputation for in- OUR COMPLETE RANGE OF BELOW GROUND
novation, quality and experience. This has led to a market ­WATERPROOFING SOLUTIONS INCLUDES:
leading position in many construction fields, in particular, ́́ Sika® Watertight Concrete System
waterproofing of buildings and structures. ́́ Sika® Membrane Systems (SikaProof® and Sikaplan®)
́́ Sika® Liquid Applied Membranes Systems (Sikalastic®)
́́ Sika® Waterproof Mortars and Bituminous Coating Systems
(SikaTop®, SikaSeal® and Sika®Igolflex®)

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2 SIKA SOLUTIONS FOR WATERTIGHT CONCRETE
THE ADAVANTAGES OF THE SIKA® WATERTIGHT ­CONCRETE: tures to produce watertight concrete; and carefully selected
́́ Time saved at design and construction stages as the need waterstops for construction and movement joints. Watertight
for complex detailing and installation is eliminated concrete structures can be designed to keep water in or out or
́́ Cost effective in comparison with other systems both. The need to maximize design flexibility has led owner
́́ Delivers maximum usable area to the occupier and designer to look below ground as an alternative, whether
́́ Quality backed by a 50-year track record for basement parking or a habitable environment.
́́ Peace of mind for the owner, designer, contractor, and end
of user of the building

The Sika® Watertight Concrete System offers a comprehen-

sive solution for watertight structures. The system consists
of concrete that has been specially modified with Sika admix-

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SIKA SOLUTIONS FOR WATERTIGHT CONCRETE 3
 STRUCTURES, APPLICATIONS
AND COMPETENCE

The Sika® Watertight Concrete System can be used for Keeping water OUT Keeping water IN
all types of below-ground structures, including habitable
Basements Swimming pools
basements, car parks and areas for business use. As with all
below-ground structures, adequate ventilation and air condi- Habitable basements Water retaining structures
tioning should be appropriate to the intended use.
Parking garages Dams

Utility/plant rooms Water structures

Tunnels Waste water treatment structures

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4 SIKA SOLUTIONS FOR WATERTIGHT CONCRETE
The Sika® Watertight Concrete System complies with numer- tors have easy access to standard application CAD drawings,
ous standards throughout the world, with local approvals in specification service and technical help through our local rep-
place with eminent establishments such as the British Board resentatives. Detailing such as structure thickness, construc-
of Agrément. It is suitable and has been used extensively in all tion joints, pour sequencing, aspect ratios and service entries
levels of protection of below-ground structures. should be discussed with your Sika representative. If the
assesed risks are deemed excessively high, thought should be
Sika welcomes involvement in a project at the earliest op- given to the use of a dual system by combining the benefits
portunity. Using our experience and expertise we can bring of the Sika® Watertight Concrete System and an additional
significant benefits to the project. Designers and contrac- Sika® Waterproofing System.

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SIKA SOLUTIONS FOR WATERTIGHT CONCRETE 5
 PROJECT REFERENCE
Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, Washington D.C.

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6 SIKA SOLUTIONS FOR WATERTIGHT CONCRETE
 Owner: National Park ­Service
U.S. Department of the
Interior
Engineer: KCE Engineers, CO

The Sika® Watertight Con-

crete System was used to
construct the new Lincoln
Memorial Reflecting Pool in
Washington D.C.

Chosen for its proven track

record as well as offer-
ing demonstrable time and
cost savings versus other
systems. The unique integral
concrete solution provided by
Sika simplified the construc-
tion process and improved
overall concrete durability
and performance.

In conjunction with Sika®

Watertight Concrete,
­SikaSwell® hydrophilic joint
sealing profiles were used to
seal all construction joints
to provide a whole system
solution for the reconstruc-
tion of the Lincoln Memorial
reflecting pool.

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SIKA SOLUTIONS FOR WATERTIGHT CONCRETE 7
 PRINCIPLES IN PRACTICE

CAREFUL ­SELECTION
OF KEY TECHNOLO-
GIES AND PRO­DUCTS
IS VITAL TO MEET THE
­DEMANDS ­EXPECTED
OF A WATERTIGHT
STRUCTURE.
Sika has the unique position of being
able to provide intelligent solutions with
the most advanced technologies from a
comprehensive range of products. This
ability ensures that all system compo-
nents are compatible.

1 2

Sika® WT Sika® ViscoCrete®

Watertight Concrete Water reduction and im-
proved durability

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8 SIKA SOLUTIONS FOR WATERTIGHT CONCRETE
 2

1 4

3 4 5 6

Sika® Waterbar SikaSwell® SikaSwell® SikaSwell® Rings and Plugs

Movement and construc- Construction joints Sealing service entries and Sikadur® 31
tion joints penetrations Sealing tie bar holes

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SIKA SOLUTIONS FOR WATERTIGHT CONCRETE 9
 THE PRINCIPLES OF ACHIEVING
WATERTIGHT CONCRETE

CONCRETE TECHNOLOGY
Despite the apparent density of concrete it can be described cement ratio reduces the volume, size and continuity of the
as a porous material that allows the passage of water through capillary structure.
a structure of capillary pores. These capillaries are the voids
created by the water in the concrete that is necessary to start The remaining capillary pores are then blocked using a product
the chemical reaction for hardening known as hydration. from the Sika® WT range to ensure the concrete is watertight.
Due to the design of Sika® Watertight Concrete, early age
Sika® Watertight Concrete incorporates Sika® ViscoCrete® and ultimate strength as well as durability are enhanced. The
superplasticiser technology which reduces the water/cement Sika® Watertight Concrete System should be obtained from
ratio (capillarity) whilst producing a highly workable concrete a ready-mixed concrete supplier with a recognized third party
to aid placing and compaction. The lowering of the water/ accreditation.

CONCRETE PRACTICE
Good site practice is the key to en-
suring the concrete technology from
Sika and the correct structural design
come together to achieve a watertight
­structure.

́́ Planning of concrete pours

́́ Formwork
́́ Placement and compaction
́́ Curing

Efficient curing of concrete is essential

in any situation. It helps reduce the risk
of cracking and enhances durability. A
high quality spray on curing membrane
is recommended.

ON SITE SUPPORT
Sika supports the specifier and designer
from design through to completion. As
well as technical support, the provision
of standard CAD drawings and other
documentation, Sika personnel are on
hand to advise and assist the ready-mix
concrete producer and the contractor at
every stage of the project. Sika techni-
cal staff will provide training to site per-
sonnel in order to familiarize them with
the Sika products they will be using.
They will visit the site regularly to en-
sure compliance with the specification.

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10 SIKA SOLUTIONS FOR WATERTIGHT CONCRETE
PROJECT REFERENCE
Coventry University Engineering and Computing Facility, Coventry

Owner: Coventry University The Sika® Watertight System was solar thermal energy, biomass boilers
Engineer: Arup used to construct the basement of the and rainwater harvesting. In addition
visually stunning new Engineering and to the of facilities basement contains
Computing facility at Coventry Univer- a high precision wind tunnel and flight
sity, This innovative building, which was simulator.
designed by Arup incorporates highly
sustainable technologies that include

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SIKA SOLUTIONS FOR WATERTIGHT CONCRETE 11
 PROJECT REFERENCE
Underground Mansion, London

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12 SIKA SOLUTIONS FOR WATERTIGHT CONCRETE
 Architect:
Jones Lamball Architects

The Sika® Watertight Con-

crete System enabled the
construction of an exciting
partly subterranean mansion,
on a strip of previously va-
cant land between two exist-
ing buildings in London. The
main living, entertainment
and swimming pool areas are
underground.

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SIKA SOLUTIONS FOR WATERTIGHT CONCRETE 13
 SIKA WATERTIGHT CONCRETE
SYSTEM COMPONENTS

Sika® WT Sika® ViscoCrete® Sika® Waterbar SikaSwell®

́́ Sika® WT-100 series is Sika® ViscoCrete® reduces Sika® Waterbar are used SikaSwell® profiles and
a range of pore blocking the size, volume and continu- to waterproof expansion sealants swell in contact
admixtures. ity of the capillary structure. (movement) and Construc- with water to seal construc-
́́ Sika® WT-200 series is a tion (no-movement) joint. tion joints (non-movement
range of crystalline pore joints).
blocking/self-healing
admixtures.

SikaSwell® SikaSwell® Rings and Plugs Sika® Antisol® Sikadur-Combiflex® -SG

Sikadur® 31
SikaSwell® profiles and seal- SikaSwell® rings and plugs Sika® Antisol® is a spray Sikadur-Combiflex®-SG is a
ants swell in contact with and Sikadur® 31 are used to applied membrane for the high performance joint and
water to seal service entries seal formwork tie bar holes curing, hardening and sealing crack sealing system.
and penetrations. against water ingress. of concrete.

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14 SIKA SOLUTIONS FOR WATERTIGHT CONCRETE
PROJECT REFERENCE
Google Headquarters, Montevetro, Dublin

Owner: Google The Sika® Watertight Concrete Sys- three basement car park levels, with the
Architect: Mahony Pike tem was used in the construction of space for cars, motorcycles and bicycles.
Engineer: Arup ­Montevetro one of the tallest commer-
cial buildings in Dublin. It comprises of To ensure a dry environment in the
office space spread over 15 floors, and basement car park, consulting engineers
is located on the water’s edge on the Arup specified the Sika® Watertight
Grand Canal Basin in Dublin. The devel- Concrete System.
opment is owned by Google and is part
of its European headquarters. It has

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SIKA SOLUTIONS FOR WATERTIGHT CONCRETE 15
GLOBAL BUT LOCAL PARTNERSHIP

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

WE ARE SIKA
Sika is a specialty chemicals company with a leading position in the
­development and production of systems and products for bonding,
sealing, damping, reinforcing and protecting in the building sector and
the motor vehicle industry. Sika’s product lines feature concrete admix-
tures, mortars, sealants and adhesives, structural strengthening sys-
tems, industrial flooring as well as roofing and waterproofing systems. © SIKA SERVICES AG / CONCRETE

Our most current General Sales Conditions shall apply. Please consult
the most current local Product Data Sheet prior to any use.

SIKA SERVICES AG Contact

Tueffenwies 16 Phone +41 58 436 40 40
CH-8048 Zurich www.sika.ch
Switzerland