Author: admxypex

Illuminating proof of Xypex permanence and its ability to enhance the durability of concrete structures was clearly evident in a recent test performed by BCRC Pty Ltd (durability consultants) of the precast Cronulla Marina jetty in Sydney, where jetty slabs are exposed to a severe marine environment. Xypex Admix C-2000 NF had been originally blended into the concrete of this jetty in 1994 with superior results. However, the recent test (19 years later) revealed an even more extraordinary Xypex performance: chloride diffusion rates were 92% lower; steel wire reinforcing showed no corrosion; and a projected service life of 129 years – all positive indicators of Xypex’s long-term performance and durability enhancing ability in concrete.

Xypex is no stranger to Nepal. Our previous projects provided concrete waterproofing and protection for the King’s Palace, Hotels and airport. Still, a project such as the Druk Amitabha Monastery does serve to remind us of the extent of our international reach and the wide scope of clients that find value in our technology and products. The Monastery overlooks the Kathmandu valley and serves as a centre of traditional and modern learning for Buddhist monks and nuns. Xypex played an extensive role in the Monastery’s repair, rehabilitation and waterproofing program – providing a two-coat application to four separate concrete structures including the Buddha Statue foundation, Ground Water Storage Facility, Rain Water Harvesting Reservoir and the Prayer Hall.

The Bailonggang WWTP is recognized as the largest plant of its type in Asia. [See World’s 10 Largest WWTP]

This plant, located in Shanghai’s southern suburbs close to the estuary of the Yangtze River, began operating in 1999. In 2008 it was upgraded and expanded, and a further expansion in 2012 increased the plant’s capacity to 740 million gallons or 3.36 billion litres per day. The facility now processes more than half of the wastewater from Shanghai, China’s most populous city.

The Recent Plant Upgrades and Additions Included:

Eight Anaerobic Sludge Digesters and a Sludge Drying and Disposal Facility and Disposal Facility 
Each of these eight new pre-stressed concrete sludge digesters has a maximum diameter of 25 metres, a height of 44 metres (32 metres above ground and 12 metres underground), and a volume of 12,400 m³.

Process Upgrade
The digestion process reduces the volume of raw sludge over a period of approximately 24 days, with the residual sludge then being dewatered and thermal dried. Approximately 44,500 m³ of biogas from the digestion process is generated each day and used to operate the sludge drying plant. The dried and deodorized residue is then disposed of, either to landfill or to non-crop applications.

Xypex to Enhance Durability (24,000 m² treated with Xypex Concentrate)
After a comprehensive survey of many options, Xypex was selected by the construction project group to waterproof, protect and enhance the durability of these critical structures. All internal concrete faces of the eight digesters were treated with Xypex Concentrate. In areas where anaerobic activity and a highly aggressive chemical environment were anticipated, an acid-resistant lining was applied. However, the designers specified that Xypex also be applied to these specific areas as well, not only to provide secondary protection for the concrete but also to enhance the performance and durability of the primary acid-resistant lining.

The recent upgrades and expansion, costing $350 million, were engineered and constructed by the following group: 

Beijing General Municipal Engineering Design & Research Institute
Shanghai General Municipal Engineering Design & Research Institute
Shanghai No. Seven Construction Co. Ltd.
Shanghai No. One Municipal Engineer Co Ltd.
China Nuclear Industry Huaxing Construction Co. Ltd.

Owner: Shanghai Municipal Sewerage Company

Xypex continues to advance its position as the preferred technology for concrete waterproofing and protection of major building landmarks in Vietnam. Most recently, and still in progress, is the significant role Xypex is playing in the waterproofing of the foundation concrete and diaphragm walls in the Vietcombank Tower (‘Tower’). This 35-story landmark, designed by architects Pelli Clarke Pelli (Petronas Twin Towers in Malaysia) will be the Ho Chi Minh headquarters for the Vietcombank, one of the countries largest banks.

The Vietcombank Tower is located on the west bank of the Saigon River. This close proximity to the river means that considerable hydrostatic pressure and a high water table are to be expected, with the problems becoming more extreme in the rainy season. In fact, these problems are typical below-grade problems for most buildings in the area and Bachy Soletanch Vietnam (“Bachy”) has consistently been the contractor retained to provide the necessary experience and product knowledge. In each case, Bachy chose Xypex crystalline waterproofing products over all others because of their proven capability in resisting hydrostatic pressure even under extreme conditions.

The ‘Tower’ is one of the highest profile structures in the city and, as such, the owners have insisted on the best quality in all areas of construction – including concrete waterproofing. Initially, Bachy used Xypex to repair defective concrete at all leakage points in the diaphragm wall construction joints and to seal all rebar penetration along the perimeter of the basement slab. This successful application, completed in November 2012, encouraged owners to insist on Xypex Concentrate, for the overall waterproofing and protection of all four levels of the diaphragm walls (3000 sq m + 1300 m construction joints).

The project is ongoing.

Singapore’s Orchard Road is one of the city’s most coveted retail locations. Lend Lease Corporation, with well-defined sustainability initiatives, successfully acquired one of the last available sites on this iconic street to construct 313@Somerset. Ultimately, the project won the Building and Construction Authority (BCA) award that recognizes behind-the-scenes engineers who overcome site challenges through creative engineering designs for site and public safety. Engineers, Meinhardt Infrastructure, faced many design challenges including a canal that ran through the centre of the building site, a very high water table and greatly elevated sulphate levels in the surrounding soils. Xypex Admix C-Series with its non-toxic chemistry and ability to resist extreme hydrostatic pressure was used to address these key issues and was widely incorporated into elements of the substructure, the B1 canal, and the superstructure. Particularly challenging was the handling of the existing Stamford Canal that had to be diverted to another location to allow construction of a new, fully enclosed 10m x 5m reinforced concrete canal that now runs through basement level 1 (B1). Xypex Admix C-1000NF was used to waterproof the canal’s concrete base and walls. Tie-bolt holes and other concrete defects were repaired with Xypex repair materials.

313@Somerset achieved Green Mark Platinum status – the highest level under Singapore’s Building and Construction Authority’s Green Mark Scheme, and is the first project to achieve this status within Singapore’s Orchard Road precinct. Xypex is very pleased to have played a significant role in the sustainability initiative objectives required by this project.

Developer: Lend Lease Corporation 
Engineers: Meinhardt Infrastructure 
Contractor: Bovis Lend Lease Pty Ltd
Waterproofing: Jingslink Marketing Pty Ltd