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TUNNEL WATERPROOFING

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structures are Solutions
faced with Solutions
very stringent
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requirements regarding durability, exposure and stress conditions, demanding
construction methods and sequences, ease of application and total cost management.
In addition, sustainable system solutions are becoming more important to save natural
resources such as energy and water, while reducing CO2 emissions.
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Content Index
 Main Challenges in Tunnel  1. Drained Tunnel (Umbrella)  Application Videos
Waterproofing 
 2. Pressurized Tunnel  Reference Projects
 Tunnel Excavation Methods &
 3. Cross-Passage Tunnels  Download Library
Waterproofing Concepts
 4. Cut-and-Cover / Station Box
 Sika Solutions for Tunnel
(Box-in-Box)
Waterproofing
 5. Cut-and-Cover / Station Box
 Five Main Types of Tunnels &
(Permanent D-Walls)
Selection Guide

Nowadays, operators generally A waterproofing system usually Sika’s expertise is combined with
request a service life for costs less than over
underground structures
(/) leastus
of at
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1%
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Sustainability
Construction
Solutions
Industry
Solutions 100 years
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100 years. of the total cost of building a

structure.
However, choosing a good
of experience from all around the
world in providing successful
waterproofing solutions.
quality waterproofing solution
can save this amount or more in
future maintenance and repair
costs over the structure's
lifespan.


(/) Main Challenges in Tunnel Waterproofing
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Today, operators request a service life for underground structures
of over 100 years. However, a lack of watertightness severely
reduces the long-term durability of a tunnel structure and poorly
affects its planned use, as water ingress and other exposures
result in physical attack and deterioration of the concrete. This
may result in expensive repair work, damage and even
operational downtime.
The selection of the appropriate waterproofing solution, the
project specific design of the chosen waterproofing system and
its safe application on site are the key elements to minimize
operational costs. A waterproofing system typically amounts to a
fraction of the total constructions costs. The selection of a high-

quality waterproofing solution may easily save an amount of its
initial investment or more on future maintenance and repair
costs during the entire service life of the structure.
Tunnel Excavation Methods & Waterproofing Concepts
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Tunnels face a variety of exposures and stress including water

ingress, dynamic forces, temperature variations, chemical and
even gas penetration. There are also a variety of methods for
excavating tunnels.
All these factors in addition to location, geology and
groundwater conditions define the appropriate approach to the
tunnel design. The tunnel engineer or designer must understand
all factors, prior to defining the construction layout and selecting
waterproofing materials and systems.

(/) Sika Solutions for Tunnel Waterproofing
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As the global leader in providing structural waterproofing
solutions, Sika has a complete and comprehensive range of
solutions and designed systems to meet the specific needs and
requirements of owners, architects, engineers and contractors on
site.
Sika tunnel waterproofing solutions include:

Highly flexible membrane systems

Liquid-applied polymeric membranes
Waterproofing concrete admixtures
Joint waterproofing systems
Waterproofing mortars and coatings 
Injection grouts

For our full range of all tunneling solutions beyond

waterproofing, please visit our tunneling solutions webpage
(/en/solutions-for-projects/[Link]).

Five Main Types of Tunnels & Selection Guide

Before selecting the specific waterproofing solutions, we must understand which type of tunnel is designed
and planned for the project.
 Mined tunnels include all structures excavated
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or tunnel boring
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(/)machines (TBMs).
us These include drained tunnels (umbrella), pressurized
Sustainability Solutions tunnels and the connecting
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passage tunnels.
Cut-and-cover structures, often used for station boxes for transit stations, describe buildings constructed in an
open pit and then covered by soil again. The type of temporary pit support and excavation method defines the
possible waterproofing systems to be used, whether box-in-box or permanent diaphragm walls are used.

1. Drained Tunnel (Umbrella) 2. Pressurized Tunnel 3. Cross-Passage Tunnels

4. Cut-and-Cover / Station Box 5. Cut-and-Cover / Station Box

(Box-in-Box) (Permanent D-Walls)
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1. Drained Tunnel (Umbrella)

A drained tunnel uses an umbrella concept, where the waterproofing layer protects the

inner structural concrete by directing the water into drainage pipes located on each side
of the tunnel.
Selection Table for Drained Tunnel Solutions
Fully-bonded SikaProof®-200 (+)
membranes
SikaProof®-110 (++)
PP-500
SikaProof® A+ (-) Legend
Loose-laid Sikaplan® WP 1100 (+) (++) Recommended
membranes application
(+) Possible application
 EVA cementitious About Sikalastic®-245 (+) For tunnels
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membranes us Media Investors Sustainability Solutions
requirements, e.g. escape Solutions Projects Center
tunnels (-) Not recommended

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GUIDE ⯅

2. Pressurized Tunnel
Pressurized tunnels are under full water pressure, which must be considered in the
structural design. The waterproofing layer protects the entire structural concrete
against water ingress and chemical attacks.
Selection Table for Pressurized Tunnel Solutions 

Fully-bonded membranes SikaProof®-200 (++)

SikaProof®-110 PP-500 (+)
SikaProof® A+ (-)
Loose-laid membranes Sikaplan® WP 1100 (+) Legend

EVA cementitious membranes Sikalastic®-245 (-) (++) Recommended

application
(+) Possible application
(-) Not recommended
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⯅

3. Cross-Passage Tunnels
Cross-passages are an important feature of large tunnel users’ safety. Special care shall
be taken to ensure continuous waterproofing in these areas, which may contain
operating and maintenance equipment in addition to providing escape pathways.
Selection Table for Cross-Passage Solutions
Fully-bonded SikaProof®-200 (++) Termination with
membranes Sikaplan® WT Tape-200

SikaProof®-110 PP- (+) Termination with Legend
500 Sikaplan® WT Tape-200
(++) Recommended
SikaProof® A+ (+) Termination with application
Sikaplan® WT Tape-200
(+) Possible application
Loose-laid membranes Sikaplan® WP 1100 (+) Termination with (-) Not recommended
Sikaplan® WP Tape-200
EVA cementitious Sikalastic®-245 (-)
membranes
Protection of tunnel Sikagard®-65 WN (++) Only for the
segments segments

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GUIDE ⯅
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4. Station Box/Cut-and-Cover Tunnel (Box-in-Box)

This method involves the creation of a concrete structure within an existing concrete
“box”. The waterproofing layer must be applied before the concreting of the base slab
and after the concreting of the top slab. For vertical areas, the waterproofing layer is
applied either before or after the concreting of the walls, depending on the site
conditions.
Selection Table for Stations Solutions (Box-in-Box)
Open-cut
Blind-side
structure 
waterproofing
Type (e.g.
(e.g. base slab, Legend
wall, top
wall)
slab)
(++) Recommended
Fully-bonded SikaProof®-200 (++) High water (+) Post- application
membranes pressure applied
(+) Possible application
SikaProof®-110 (+) (-)
(-) Not recommended
PP-500
SikaProof® A+ (++) (++) Post-
applied
Loose-laid Sikaplan® WP (+) Compartment (+)
membranes 1100 system
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structure Solutions Projects Center
waterproofing
Type (e.g.
(e.g. base slab,
wall, top
wall)
slab)
EVA Sikalastic®-245 (-) (-)
cementitious
membranes
Hot-spray PUA Sikalastic®-851 (-) (++)
membranes
Sikalastic® M (-) (++)
800
Sikalastic® M 811

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GUIDE ⯅
5. Station Box/Cut-and-Cover Tunnel (Permanent D-
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Walls)
Diaphragm walls (D-walls) are built as permanent structures, being a strong method of
soil and water retention especially in poor conditions. With the introduction of the
following solutions, the D-wall, the base slab and the top slab will be protected from
water ingress.
Selection Table for Stations Solutions (D-Walls)


Legend
(++) Recommended
application
(+) Possible application
(-) Not recommended
Type (/) About Media Base slabInnovation
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Solutions slabSolutions Projects Center

Fully-bonded SikaProof®-200 (++) High (-) Use (+)

membranes water SikaInject®, Post
pressure Sika app
Waterbar®,
SikaFuko®,
SikaSwell®
...
SikaProof®-110 (+) (-) Use (-)
PP-500 SikaInject®,
Sika
Waterbar®,
SikaFuko®,
SikaSwell® 
...
SikaProof® A+ (++) (-) Use (++)
SikaInject®, Post
Sika app
Waterbar®,
SikaFuko®,
SikaSwell®
...
Type (/) About Media Base slabInnovation
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Solutions slabSolutions Projects Center

Loose-laid Sikaplan® WP (+) (-) Use (+)

membranes 1100 Compartment SikaInject®,
system Sika
Waterbar®,
SikaFuko®,
SikaSwell®
...
EVA Sikalastic®-245 (-) (+) (-)
cementitious
membranes
Hot-spray Sikalastic®-851 (-) (-) (++)
PUA 
membranes Sikalastic® M (-) (-) (++)
800
Sikalastic® M
811

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Application Videos
Watch a Video to See How SikaProof®-110 is Watch a Video to See How SikaProof®-200 is
Installed Installed
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Reference Projects 

Riedberg Tunnel, Gotthard Base Visp Tunnel in

Switzerland  Tunnel, Switzerland  Switzerland 
Case Study Case Study Case Study
Project of the Century
PDF - 1022 KB (EN) PDF - 875 KB (EN)
PDF - 2 MB (EN)

(/dam/dms/corporate/q/glo-riedberg-tunnel- (/dam/dms/corporate/8/glo-gotthard-base- (/dam/dms/corporate/o/glo-visp-tunnel-

[Link]) [Link]) [Link])
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Waterproofing Next Generation Sika Solutions for

Selection Guide for  Tunnel  Watertight Tunnel 
Tunnels Waterproofing with Structures
Brochure SikaProof® Brochure
Brochure
PDF - 1 MB (EN) PDF - 2 MB (EN)
PDF - 1 MB (EN)

(/dam/dms/corporate/l/glo-waterproofing- (/dam/dms/corporate/2/glo-next-generation- (/dam/dms/corporate/k/glo-sika-solutions-

[Link]) [Link]) [Link])

Waterproofing
Sikaplan® 
Membrane Systems
for Tunnels
Brochure 
PDF - 1 MB (EN)

(/dam/dms/corporate/g/glo-waterproofing-
[Link])

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