Watertight, Membrane Free Construction in Dubai
The Arabian Gulf remains one of the most challenging environments in the world for construction technologies and practices. The extreme temperatures, high levels of humidity due to the proximity of the sea, combined with high salt content in the sub-soils, makes the production of durable concrete an absolute necessity.
Chemical attacks due to the action of chloride and sulfate ions adversely affect concrete. Allowing the ingress of water, aggressive contaminants and oxygen can lead to early problems in concrete structures. High corrosion rates and leaking structures in the region are common.
In Dubai, commercial space is at a premium so belowground construction has become an imperative rather than the norm. Whilst in the majority of projects, basements are used for car park facilities, and increasingly for more critical applications, such as dry storage or plant and equipment rooms. Basements are being built deeper belowground despite rising groundwater levels. To create dry, productive space in such an environment provides considerable challenges for concrete suppliers.
Traditionally, tanked protection is the preferred choice of specifiers as it offers a physically visible barrier to the ingress of water and water vapour, however, the effectiveness of such systems, over the longer term, in reality is proving to be debatable. Given the practical difficulties in protecting membranes from damage during vigorous construction activity, leakages in the tanking or membrane systems within a short time of completion of works are commonplace.
For the past 6 years David Ball Group have successfully pioneered membrane-free construction in the region despite the high water table and harsh ground conditions, by utilising the unique characteristics of PUDLO.
PUDLO unlike competitors does not rely on, pore liners, pore blockers, and hydrophobic properties, uniquely PUDLO Concrete Waterproofing Powder additionally alters the fundamental micro-structure of the cement paste phase of the concrete matrix enabling a far greater reduction in water transport mechanisms. This multi facetted approach results in a greater reduction in these moisture transport mechanisms, thus chemical attacks due to the action of chloride and sulfate ions and allowing the ingress of water aggressive contaminants and oxygen can be kept at bay.
PUDLO has been used successfully for over 100 years all over the world and as shown in the following case studies despite the extremely difficult ground conditions Dubai is no exception to that success.
La Plage Development - Jumeriah Dubai
5,000m2 basement, 5 metre deep and well below the ground-water level. 6,500m3 of PUDLO modified concrete was used successfully to cast the raft, retaining walls, the parapet walls and all external peripheral beams.
Sheikha Latifa Building - Deira Dubai
Owned by the rulers of Dubai 3,000m3 of PUDLO modified concrete was used to construct two basement levels, the lower being 11 metres below-ground (pile caps, tie beams, raft, retaining walls and additionally a rooftop swimming pool.
Commercial Development - Jumeria Dubai
The new shopping mall for His Highness, Sheikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, is located very close to the seashore and was a feat in deep basement, watertight construction. The excavation work was up to 10 metres deep in order to accommodate a two-level underground car park. In total 12,500m3 of PUDLO modified was used constructing the raft, and retaining walls. The construction was carried out in 3 stages with the largest raft pour requiring 40 hours continuous pour.
The Gate
The Government of Dubai is keen to make the city a key financial centre and the construction of the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFQ) is a major part of this process. The Gate, as the name suggests, is the first phase of a project that involves the construction of a cluster of towers. The building resembles the Arc de Triomphe monument in Paris and is an impressive addition to the Sheikh Zayed road skyline. However, the belowground works are equally impressive. The size of the basement plate was approximately 24,000m2 at 11 metres below ground level. The total amount of PUDLO modified concrete used was 23,000m3, PUDLO was specified in order to provide ultra-low permeability and consequently, high durability concrete for the substructure.
Emirates Telecommunications (ETISALAT) Tower
Located at Al Kifaf, opposite Dubai Immigration Offices, this tower is yet another landmark building project. The structural consultants had demanding requirements in terms of the rate of water absorption for the substructure concrete. This 3-storey basement required 14,000m3 of PUDLO modified corrosion resistant, watertight concrete.
Conclusion
Building projects of this scale and profile require quality products, advanced engineering knowledge and skilled workmanship. The success of these projects is testament to incorporating each of these elements. The effectiveness and soundness of integral water-resistance in each of these case studies challenges the conventional / traditional methods of construction. PUDLO considerably enhances the quality of concrete and ensures long-term durability, even in the most aggressive ground conditions. For over 100 years PUDLO has enjoyed a reputation for creating watertight basements and durable concrete structures that can cope with aggressive conditions. Dubai can be added to that list.