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Infrastructure Waterproofing: Bridge Decks, Tunnels, Podiums, Dams and Treatment Plants

Infrastructure waterproofing starts with sound concrete and ends with the membrane. On bridge decks, podiums and parking decks, Armstrong RAINPROOF PWR 690, PHB 660 and PHW 600 polyurea form a thick, seamless membrane over a primed deck. In tunnels, dams, canals and STP or ETP tanks, ROOFCOAT FLEXI 100, ROOFBOND RFX PLUS 210, ROOFCOAT PU 2K and the ROOFEX crystalline range line the face the water touches. Cracks are injected and joints sealed with ROOFEX-SEAL PS first.

By Armstrong Chemicals Pvt. Ltd. · ISO 9001:2015 certified · Protecting buildings, roofs and structures since 1982

Section 1 of 10: Start here
1
Survey
Structure, exposure, shutdown
2
Repair
Concrete, cracks, joints, leaks
3
Prime
Sound, dry, primed surface
4
Membrane
Polyurea, PU or crystalline
Step 1

Infrastructure waterproofing: survey the structure before specifying

Infrastructure waterproofing covers bridge deck waterproofing, tunnel waterproofing, podium and parking deck waterproofing, dams and canals, and STP and ETP tanks. The structures differ, but the questions an engineer asks are the same: which face the water touches, what traffic or cover goes over the membrane, how long the structure can be closed, and what state the concrete is in. Armstrong manufactures polyurea coating, polyurethane, cementitious and crystalline systems, injection grouts and joint sealants for this work. Six checks decide the specification.

1234561 Deck slab: cleaned, repaired and dry2 Primer on the prepared surface3 Polyurea membrane, turned upthe kerbs and crash barriers4 Wearing course or protectivelayer over the membrane5 Drainage spout, sealed around6 Cracks opened, filled and sealedbefore the primer goes on
A bridge deck membrane is only as good as what is under it and around it: repaired concrete, a primed surface, sealed joints and spouts, and an upturn at the kerbs.
1

Which face does the water touch?

That is the positive side, and it is waterproofed first. Where it cannot be reached, as in a tunnel in service, the inside face is treated instead.

2

What goes over the membrane?

A wearing course, a screed, ballast, soil or nothing. That decides the thickness and toughness needed.

3

How long can it be closed?

A deck with a traffic block of a few hours needs a spray polyurea that gels in seconds. New construction can take a slower system.

4

What state is the concrete in?

Cracks, spalls, exposed steel, honeycombs and running leaks are all repaired before any primer goes on.

5

What is in the water?

Sewage, effluent, sea water and sulphates need a lining that is listed for them.

6

Where are the joints, and how much do they move?

Expansion joints get a sealant sized for the movement. A membrane is not carried rigidly across a moving joint.

Step 2

Find the Armstrong waterproofing system for your structure

Match the structure to one route. Each route takes you to its section.

Route A

Bridge deck, flyover, metro or rail deck

A polyurea membrane on the repaired and primed deck, under the wearing course.
Route B

Podium, parking deck, walkway or stadium

A membrane under the wearing layer, or a layered polyurethane system that takes traffic.
Route C

Tunnel, underpass, culvert or underground station

A positive-side membrane where the outside is open, a crystalline coating inside where it is not, and accelerators for sprayed concrete.
Route D

Dam, canal, reservoir or power project

Dense concrete, positive-side lining, and repair mortars that work in and under water.
Route E

STP, ETP or sewage structure

A lining listed for sewage and effluent, on the face the liquid touches.
Route F

Leaking cracks, failed joints or damaged concrete

Stop the water, inject the cracks, rebuild the concrete, reseal the joints. Then waterproof.
Not sure

Let the finder suggest a system

Answer three questions about the structure, its condition and the shutdown.

The membrane is the last step, not the first. Sound concrete, sealed joints and a primed surface come before it, and the structure is repaired wherever a repair will hold.

Get the right waterproofing system for your project

Send us the structure, the drawings or photographs, the exposure and the shutdown available. An Armstrong expert will recommend a system with its data sheets and test reports. Toll free 1800 103 2034. Armstrong manufactures infrastructure waterproofing chemicals and polyurea coatings in Bengaluru and supplies them all across India, with South India as its major hub.

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About this guide

Written by the technical team at Armstrong Chemicals Pvt. Ltd., an ISO 9001:2015 certified manufacturer of construction and waterproofing chemicals in Bengaluru, with more than 200 products. Armstrong has been protecting buildings, roofs and structures since 1982 and supplies all across India, with South India as its major hub.

The methods on this page are Armstrong's standard procedures. Doses, thicknesses and the number of coats are adjusted to the conditions on each site. Load-bearing repairs and strengthening are designed by a structural engineer.

Last updated · Questions on this method: toll free 1800 103 2034

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