Xypex Admix C-500, with its unique crystalline technology, was chosen instead of traditional membranes as the preferred concrete waterproofing and protection solution for the entire 3-story, below-grade parking garage and elevator pits in the new Embassy Suites Hotel in Denver, Colorado. Xypex Admix is blended into the concrete mix in advance of the pour, thereby providing cost savings through more efficient construction scheduling.
Author: admxypex
Restricting Chloride Penetration of a Concrete Breakwater
Xypex Receives ICRI Award of Merit
Xypex is recognized for Excellence in the Repair of The Macomb Sewer System.
The International Concrete Repair Institute (ICRI) is a 22 year old organization whose statement of purpose is “to improve the quality of concrete restoration, repair and protection through education of, and communication with its members.” Xypex is proud to have received such high recognition from this institute for its quality work on the Macomb Sewer System.
The Macomb Sewer System was constructed by the Detroit Water and Sewerage Department (DWSD) in the early 1970s. Since that time, the system has experienced deterioration of the sewer pipe due to hydrogen sulfide and ground movements. The sewer was inspected and areas were identified that required repair. Sewer inspections were done using man entry, CCTV inspections, geophysical multiple analysis of surface waves (MASW) methods, and test borings in isolated areas, and identified several reaches that required immediate repair.
The ability of Xypex to penetrate deep into the pipe’s concrete to repair, waterproof and protect it, even in the presence of moisture and a constant flow of raw sewage, made it the ideal product choice for this challenging environment. In addition, Xypex, through its crystalline technology, becomes an integral part of the concrete to also protect it against Hydrogen Sulphide attack.
A major design challenge was managing flow in the sewer to allow physical access to perform the repairs. Flow quantities, operation methods, and acceptable working conditions were identified to develop a flow control sequence. This included shutting down pumping stations on a temporary basis, operating existing flow control gates, and construction of flow control weirs within the sewer. A platform was constructed within the sewer to allow work to continue over the flow level. To control flow from one branch of the system, a large flow control structure was designed that included a drilled secant pier temporary earth retention system, groundwater dewatering, a cast-in-place concrete structure, and installation of a flow control gate. Given the urban location of the structure, support of an existing adjacent five-lane roadway, utility relocations, and traffic control were significant design aspects.
Obama Speaks About New Concrete
Remarks by President Obama concerning:
“NEW CONCRETE MATERIALS THAT LAST LONGER AND ARE WATERPROOFED FROM THE INSIDE OUT…”
At a press conference on July 2nd, 2009 in the Rose Garden of The White House, President Obama, after meeting with CEOs from a number of “innovative energy companies”, spoke about a new clean energy economy and the importance of encouraging these companies’ efforts.
Based on his discussions with these CEOs, President Obama cited energy saving examples such as LED lighting and solar energy innovation. Most importantly, from our point of view, he also included comments about new concrete materials:
“New concrete materials that last longer and are waterproofed from the inside out, and that can mean that bridges and roads and buildings can last 20 or 30 years longer than using conventional concrete.”
His comment indeed represents support for integral concrete waterproofing as an alternative to traditional membrane or barrier systems, a challenge and opportunity that has been the very basis of the concept, design and development of Xypex crystalline technology. Xypex has, without doubt, led the way with integral concrete waterproofing in North America and, although The President did not endorse any particular product, we are very pleased that he is so clearly drawing attention to our type of technology and innovation.
D’Arcy Mainwaring
President
Xypex Protects 409 and 49 Illinois St. Against High Water Table
Xypex Waterproofs Lyman Run Dam
Xypex – a Proud Sponsor
In the cold, clear dawn of September 10, ten climbers in support of the Alzheimer Society of British Columbia climbed the last ridgeline to stand on the 19,340-foot summit of Mount Kilimanjaro, the roof of Africa. Xypex was proud to team up with the international accounting firm, Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu, to be a summit sponsor for the climb.
For each one of the climbers it was a personal journey, and the culmination of a commitment made months earlier. Whether it was in memory of a family member afflicted with Alzheimers, or a need to give back to the community, the team came together to climb the mountain, and in the process raised more than $ 100,000 for the Alzheimer Society.
In the final assault, the group left its last camp at Kibo Hut – elevation 15,220 feet – just past midnight to begin the six-hour ascent in the dark. At high altitude, the lack of oxygen affects climbers both physically and mentally, and mirrors the struggle and confusion that those afflicted with Alzheimers endure every day.
On the climb was Sue Ross, wife of Xypex technical advisor Dave Ross. Sue is a registered nurse, who had worked for the last six years with people with Alzheimer’s. Other climbers were Darcy Bender, Angela Chang, Peter Debay, Harry Diemer, Shannon Epp, Lisah Fraser, Kit Morissette, Becki Paterson, and Cliff Saito. “We extend our heartiest congratulations to all who made the ascent,” said Xypex President D’Arcy Mainwaring. “Our company slogan, Being There, not only represents our commitment to the engineers, architects, and contractors who use our products, but also our commitment to the greater community in which we all live.”
WSDOT Specifies Xypex Admix to Waterproof Bremerton Tunnel
Once again, Xypex crystalline technology has been specified and used to waterproof and protect the concrete of a major tunneling installation.
This time it’s the $ 30.7 million tunnel that will divert offloading vehicles from surface roads through the new tunnel. The ferry off-load traffic includes autos, heavy trucks and buses. Recent waterfront improvements and the tunnel provide a scenic, pedestrian-friendly atmosphere. The surge in off-loading vehicles, most of whose destination is outside the downtown core, is now diverted from surface streets. The results are a safer, more accessible waterfront for pedestrians, cyclists, and Bremerton residents. Traffic backups and street congestion has been dramatically reduced.
Traditional waterproofing membrane systems were deemed unsuitable by Brenden Clarke, on-site project engineer for the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT). There were numerous concerns: the tunnel was to be built on a high water table and its entire length needed waterproofing; shoring of the walls would interfere with any barrier-type system; considerable rebar work was needed on the floor, thus raising the risk of damaging a membrane; and the ceiling would be covered with a 10-ft.-deep backfill making a membrane impractical to repair.
Xypex Admix was the answer to all these concerns. Because it is added to the concrete at the time of batching, the waterproofing benefits, even under extreme hydrostatic pressure, are immediate – from the moment the concrete is poured. And, because Xypex crystalline technology is formulated to work inside the concrete, it is not reliant on performance at the concrete surface. This eliminates the waterproofing concerns that result from surface damage – a constant problem of traditional barrier systems.
All this is familiar territory for Xypex which has been the concrete waterproofing choice for hundreds of tunnel projects in the past, including the Washington DC Metro, the Sydney Harbour Tunnel, J-Parc Synchrotron, Panama Canal, and Wine Caves in the Napa Valley, to mention a few.
Xypex Products Protect Concrete & the Environment
We don’t always wave our green, environment-friendly flag, but Xypex, and its family of crystalline concrete waterproofing products have always had a warm relationship with their surroundings. Being There in more than seventy countries for more than forty years has given us a global understanding of environmental standards and expectations. We continue to support programs like ISO and building-rating systems like LEED that reinforce product quality, corporate responsibility and today’s environmental concerns. To Xypex, Being There and Being Green are ongoing commitments.
Energy efficiency, material selection, minimizing site impact, and VOC reduction – these are the ‘green’ benefits that Xypex products provide the construction world and the pursuit of environmental sustainability.
In these ways and more, Xypex products pass the world’s environmental tests:
• Non-toxic
• No VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds)
• Concrete with Xypex can be recycled 4 Enhances durability for longer building life
• Produced globally. Distributed locally
• Innovative ‘green’ technologies
• Energy efficient
Xypex Protects Boston Storm Tunnels
As part of its two-year program to upgrade the city’s sewers, drains and pipes, the Boston Water and Sewer Commission approved the use of Xypex Admix C-500 as the concrete waterproofing and protection ingredient in the pre-cast culvert boxes of the new combined sewer overflow system (CSO) at Dorchester Morrissey Boulevard in downtown Boston.
With the ultimate objective of improving water quality in North Dorchester Bay, the project involves the construction of a new storm drainage tunnel comprised of 2810 lineal feet of 12’x12’, 100 lineal feet of 9’x8’, and 660 lineal feet of 8’x8’ concrete box culverts buried some 20 feet into the ground.
Early on, the many benefits of Xypex crystalline technology were recognized and recommended by Concrete Systems Incorporated (CSI), the manufacturers of the pre-cast culvert boxes. Added to the concrete at the time of batching, Xypex Admix C-500 forms a non-soluble crystalline structure throughout the concrete, waterproofing and protecting it from the moment it’s poured. Prior to project start-up, CSI installed mechanical mix equipment that allows the concrete mix crews to monitor and quality check the quantity of Xypex Admix added to each pre-cast box. As the concrete cures, Xypex permanently seals the box to prevent the flow of liquids from the outside in, and the inside out – important considerations in this ecologically-sensitive New England area.
Further advantages to using Xypex were enthusiastically outlined by John Bauld, senior project manager with D’Allessandro Construction who said that, “this innovative process saved us considerable manufacturing time and virtually eliminated any environmental impact common in the preparation process – and it’s more cost effective. We cut the time of manufacturing to shipping from 30 days to less than 10”.
Other environmental advantages of Xypex were also important. In previous CSO projects, Boston Water and Sewer relied on a coal-tar-epoxy application which created environmental and liability issues associated with the application process. This process is applied after the pre-cast culverts are cured and the coating requires significant ventilation and drying time.
However, with Xypex Admix, there are no environmental concerns as the product is non-toxic to begin with and produces no waste in the manufacturing process. Once added to the mix, the concrete is protected against deterioration from the harsh chemical contents of the sewer environment.
When complete in 2009, the new CSO system will provide additional storm drainage for Boston during extreme weather, and surface flow water storage.
