EPDM UNDERGROUND WATERPROOFING SYSTEM

INTRODUCTION

1.     DESCRIPTION

Carlisle’s underground waterproofing system incorporates a 1.15 mm non-reinforced EPDM membrane. The membrane is laid over a separation sheet of scrim on horizontal surfaces. On vertical surfaces and over the edge of the separation scrim sheet, the membrane may be fastened mechanically to the peripheral wall or adhered directly.

For projects of extreme responsibility – metro stations, tunnels, bridges and other similar technical facilities, it is recommended to use 1.52 mm EPDM membrane. In all other cases the 1.14 mm membrane is to be used, because with it the details are easier to process.

The thicker membrane is harder to bend, that is why it is recommended for use only for extreme operation conditions – highly aggressive soil environment (acid soils), very high level of soil waters – (over 16 m water column) etc.

All splices shall be with minimum thickness of 150 mm, and made using splice tape and sealant. In the section, where two adjoining sheets are spliced, 150 mm thick pressure-sensitive flashing is to be used.

2.     QUALITY ASSURANCE

The 1.15 mm non-reinforced EPDM membrane meets the standard ASTM D6134-97 on “Vulcanized Rubber Sheets Used in Waterproofing Systems”.

The underground waterproofing system must be installed by an authorized contractor in conformity with Carlisle’s installation details and Carlisle approved product specification. Before installation, the working drawings must be submitted to the manufacturer for review and approval.

3.     WORKING CONDITIONS

The EPDM membrane is resistant to a wide range of chemical components. In accordance with their concentration level and temperature, the membrane installation is different. The table of EPDM’s chemical resistance shows the membrane’s compatibility with various chemicals, which are usually present in the soil. If there are harder soil conditions, not specified in the table, Carlisle must inspect the soil tests, in order to ensure compatibility.

No waste products (e.g. oil products, grease, oils, solvents, vegetal and mineral oils, animal fats) or steam of steam valves are to contact directly the waterproofing membrane.

Low temperatures do not limit the installation of the underground waterproofing system. It is necessary just to adhere strictly to the specific material storage instructions. The substrate must be cleaned of any accumulated water, ice or snow, and subsequently dried or left to dry.

4.     WARRANTY

A 20-year warranty is given for the materials and manufacturing of the waterproofing system. The expected lifetime of the system is minimum 40 years.

PRODUCTS

The components of this underground waterproofing system must be products manufactured by Carlisle or approved by Carlisle as compatible. Carlisle may not be held responsible for the installation, preparation and use of products, incompatible with Carlisle’s.

MEMBRANE

Non-reinforced 1.15 mm Sure-Seal (black) EPDM (ethylene-propylene-dien-therpolymer) membrane; maximum width 15.2 m, maximum length 30.5 m, meeting the ASTM D6134-97 standard.

1.5 MM NON-REINFORCED EPDM MEMBRANE

Reinforced 1.15 mm Sure-Seal (black) EPDM (ethylene-propylene-dien-therpolymer) membrane; maximum width 15.2 m, maximum length 30.5 m, meeting the ASTM D6134-97 standard. Used for reinforcement at the foundation edges at the transition from the horizontal to vertical section.

1.5 MM REINFORCED EPDM MEMBRANE

INSTALLATION

It is necessary to adhere to the manufacturer’s instructions for the installation of the underground waterproofing system, including for the appropriate preparation of the substrate, the considerations about the site conditions and the limiting atmospheric conditions.

SUBSTRATE PREPARATION

In the event of horizontal installation, the new concrete layer must be smooth and level and to be left to mature for at least 72 hours. Before installing the waterproofing membrane, the surface must be cleaned of any waste. Any and all holes, pockets, cracks and hollows must be filled with appropriate material. Where the separate concrete layers are poured at different levels, the gaps must be filled and smoothed, in order to obtain a comparatively smooth surface. When cleaning the substrate, any pollutants, such as chemicals, curing agents etc., which may affect the membrane adhesion, must be removed.

The peripheral walls, if this is provided for in the design, undergo appropriate processing for capillary waterproofing of all vertical surfaces, to facilitate the correct adhesion of the membrane.

Scrim is used for protection of the waterproofing membrane (500 gr./m2), loose laid on the concrete substrate.

Installation of the EPDM membrane

Concrete substrate is installed with thickness of 8-10 cm, compression strength rating В7.5 or В10. Then, if the concrete substrate is not relatively smooth, a leveling cement-sand putty is laid with 2.5 cm thickness.

In the horizontal sections the EPDM membrane is loose laid between two layers of scrim. The adjoining membrane sheets are seemed using a splice tape, as the overlapping must be at least 15 cm wide. A 5 cm protective reinforced cement-sand putty is laid on the so installed horizontal sections of waterproofing system.

Its purpose is to protect the waterproofing system from damages, during the installation of the supporting structure (reinforcing, concrete casting, vibrations etc.)

In the vertical sections the membrane may be fully adhered or loose laid using mechanical fastening at the upper end. The walls must be dry and smooth, without any lumps, sharp edges and protruding reinforcement.

Aluminum finishing plates are used for the mechanical fastening, sealed with sealant and silicone seal at the upper end. When adhering the membrane to vertical surfaces, these must be clean and dry. The bonding adhesive is applied both to the membrane and to the substrate in uniform and smooth films, so that a continuous coverage of both surfaces can be obtained with application rate approximately 5.6 m2 per gallon – finished surface (membrane and substrate). The adhesive is left to cure, then the membrane with the applied adhesive is rolled onto the adhesive covered substrate, avoiding the formation of folds and creases. The adjoining membrane sheets must overlap by approximately 15 cm.

The underground waterproofing system is finished at 50 cm above the level of the high soil waters.

A protective layer of scrim is laid over the horizontally installed EPDM membrane (500 gr./m2).

The protective slab is spot-adhered to the vertical EPDM membrane, using bonding adhesive.

The most specific details for the underground waterproofing systems are specified in a special appendix.

Note: The price does not include the protection of the membrane from the reverse land embankment, because it is not clear what material will be selected by the Investor.

Possible protection options are:

• Steroprene with density 18 kg/m³;
• Extruded foam-polystyrene – thickness 6 cm;
• High density HPDE polyethylene