BR1105 Construction Technology 2

Pictures showing the strutting work of the new HUB

Page - 19 -
 BR1105 Construction Technology 2

CHAPTER 4: CASE STUDY: HDB HUB (TOA PAYOH)

PART TWO – BASEMENT WATERPROOFING
4.1 Introduction

In the new HDB HUB basement, there are a total of 3 level

basements. The 1st level is used as the function of carpark and a
foodcourt. The last two levels are used as carpark. In this section,
the report will cover the waterproofing of wall as well as the slab of
the basement carpark.

Basically, HDB basement carpark used the cavity and crystalline

system of waterproofing. Xypex is the main material used for
crystalline waterproofing. In the earlier section 2, Xypex was briefly
introduced and in this section, the report will deeply covers how
Xypex performed its roles for waterproofing the basement.

From construction to
finished basement

Page - 20 -
 BR1105 Construction Technology 2

4.2 Waterproofing of basement walls

Earlier in section 3, the report covers the construction of the

diaphragm walls. These diaphragm walls excavated below ground
level together with the slabs will form an enclosure structure of the
basement as shown in below, Fig 4a

Basement Slab

1st level

Ground Level

Diaphragm walls

Fig 4a

This enclosure structure will make the task of waterproofing the

basement earlier as there is no need of waterproofing the top 2
basement slabs. Waterproofing is done on the last slab of
basement 3, which has a direct contact with the ground. In
waterproofing the basement walls, cavity system was used in
construction.

The cavity system that discussed in section 2 allows water to enter

the structure, contain and direct it to sumps from where it is
removed by draining. A cavity wall with a mass concrete dry wall on
the outer leaf and a inner diaphragm wall is constructed. The cavity
channel works as a drainage channel. Water flows out of the cavity
through weepholes and internal drainage will steer the water
towards a sump and mechanical pump. Aluminum angle supports
were fixed at a downward inclined angle from the aluminum and dry
wall to the diaphragm wall. The rational behind this was to allow
water to flow downward toward the diaphragm wall. There are no
way that the water could flow to the dry wall which affect the

Page - 21 -
 BR1105 Construction Technology 2

outlook of the wall of the basement and causing maintenance

problem to the external wall of the basement.

See Fig 4b for a detail section

Diaphragm
wall
Alum Angle Support

Alum

Dry wall

Channel

Fig 4b

Page - 22 -
 BR1105 Construction Technology 2

The figure below shows the area that covers the construction area
of the diaphragm walls and cavity walls, shown in However,
at the entrance of the basement, there is no enclosed structure to
waterproof the carpark entrance and the1st level basement retaining
walls, shown in Hence retaining walls were waterproofed by
Xypex concentrate slurry.

Page - 23 -
 BR1105 Construction Technology 2

Xypex Concentrate is applied as a cementitious slurry coating on

retaining walls surfaces at the entrances to the basement carpark.
Although applied as a coating, Xypex Concentrate is a unique
chemical treatment for the waterproofing and protection of
concrete. It is manufactured in the form of a dry powder compound.
Xypex consists of Portland cement, very fine treated silica sand and
various active proprietary chemicals. Xypex concentrate slurry
prevents the penetration of water and other liquids from any
direction by causing a catalytic reaction that produces a non-
soluble crystalline formation within the pores and capillary tracts of
concrete and cement-based materials.

When applying the Xypex treatment to the retaining wall, it must not
be applied under rainy conditions or when ambient temperature is
below 40°F (4°C). It is due to the fact that Xypex requires moisture
to initiate the crystalline waterproofing process, all concrete,
whether fresh or old, must be saturated with water. The concrete
surface must be a minimum of 20 hours old before application of
the Xypex coating treatment. For normal surface conditions, the
coverage rate for each Xypex coat is 1.25 - 1.5 lb./sq. yd. (0.65 -
0.8 kg/m2).

The concrete surface to be treated must be clean and free of

laitance, dirt, film, paint, coatings or other foreign matter. The
surface must also have an open capillary system to provide "tooth
and suction" for the Xypex treatment. If surface is too smooth (e.g.
where steel forms are used) or if surface is covered with excess
form oil or other foreign matter, the concrete should be lightly

Page - 24 -
 BR1105 Construction Technology 2

sandblasted, waterblasted, or etched with muriatic (HCL) acid.

Surfaces to be etched with muriatic acid should be dampened with
water before application of the acid. After acid etching, flush
concrete thoroughly with clean water.

Xypex requires a saturated substrate and a damp surface.

Therefore, the retaining walls surfaces must be thoroughly
saturated with clean water prior to the application so as to aid the
proper curing of the treatment and to ensure the growth of the
crystalline formation deep within the pores of the concrete. Excess
surface water must be removed before the application. If concrete
surface dries out before application, it must be re-wetted.

HDB HUB had used the Xypex Concentrate slurry in waterproofing

the retaining walls due to the following advantages:

Xypex Concentrate Slurry has the abilities to:

v Resists extreme hydrostatic pressure

v Becomes an integral part of the substrate
v Can seal hairline cracks up to 0.4 mm
v Allows concrete to breathe
v Highly resistant to aggressive chemicals
v Is non-toxic
v Does not require dry weather or a dry
surface
v Cannot puncture, tear or come apart at
the seams
v No costly surface priming or leveling
prior to application
v Does not require sealing, lapping and finishing of seams at
corners, edges or between membranes
v Can be applied to the positive or the negative side of the
concrete surface
v Does not require protection during backfilling or during
placement of steel, wire mesh or other materials
v Less costly to apply than most other methods
v Not subject to deterioration
v Permanent

Page - 25 -
 BR1105 Construction Technology 2

4.3 Waterproofing of basement floor

Refer to Fig 4a, the earlier section had mentioned that

waterproofing of basement floor slab is only be carried out to the 3rd
level basement which is directly in contact with the ground level.
The rest of the two basement floor slabs are enclosed in the
structure without any moisture contact.

These pictures above shows the view of basement 3

Page - 26 -
 BR1105 Construction Technology 2

In constructing the basement 3 slab, Silica Fume concrete is used.

The slab thickness is about 700 to 1200 and the grade G40
concrete is used. Xypex Concentrate DS2 is added on surface
prior to power floating providing waterproofing and abrasion
resistance.

DS-2 is a special dry shake formulations of Xypex Concentrate

designed specifically for horizontal concrete surfaces such as
parking decks and floor slabs. It is either applied by hand or by
mechanical spreader. DS-2 is trowelled into fresh concrete prior to
finishing and it is used for concrete structures where increased
abrasion resistance is required.

Xypex Concentrate is a unique chemical treatment for the

waterproofing and protection of concrete as mentioned earlier.
XYPEX CONCENTRATE DS-2 is a special formulation designed
specifically for a dry-shake application on horizontal concrete
surfaces where greater resistance to impact and abrasion is
required. It is packaged in the form of a dry powder compound,
Concentrate DS-2 consists of Portland cement, various active
proprietary chemicals, and a synthetic aggregate hardener, which
has been crushed and graded to particle sizes suitable for concrete
floors. DS-2 later becomes an integral part of the concrete surface
thereby eliminating problems normally associated with coatings
(e.g. scaling, dusting, flaking and delamination). The active
chemicals react with the moisture of the fresh concrete causing a
catalytic reaction, which generates a non-soluble crystalline
formation within the pores and capillary tracts of the concrete.

The application of the DS2 dry shake started when the fresh
concrete is placed, consolidated and levelled. There is a waiting
period until the concrete can be walked on leaving an indentation of
1/4 in. - 3/8 in. (6.5 mm - 9.5 mm). The concrete should be free of
bleed water and be able to support the weight of a power trowel.
The surface is then float opened. Immediately after floating open
the surface, one half of the dry shake material is applied and spread
evenly by hand or mechanical spreader. As soon as the dry shake
material has absorbed moisture from the base slab, it should be
power floated into the surface. Immediately after power floating, the
remaining dry shake material at right angles is applied to the first
application, allowing the remaining dry shake material to absorb
moisture from the base slab and then power float the material into
the surface. When the concrete had harden sufficiently, the power
trowel surface to the required finish.

Page - 27 -