2020
Oxford, United Kingdom
In Q4 2019 Renderseal Ltd worked alongside main contractor, Crystal Clear Building Solutions, to waterproof a basement and swimming pool at a property on Beltane Drive, Wimbledon. This was an extension project of approx. 250m2.
Project Requirements
Situated at the very centre of the campus, the 13,411 m² scheme came with many logistical challenges; transporting plant machinery and materials, pedestrian access, noise restrictions and ongoing clean-up requirements.
The new biochemistry building needed to be linked to an existing building and therefore tie into the previously-installed system. The new basement, with a 2,000 sqm footprint, required two types of protection to reduce the risk of water ingress; watertight concrete (Type A) and a cavity drainage system (Type C).
With a requirement to waterproof the base slab and adjoining walls too, the whole project totalled 3,800 sqm.
Sika Solutions
A complex project which required a raft of technical support, Sika worked closely with Laing O’Rourke to provide a holistic concrete and waterproofing solution.
Following the basement excavation and installation of approximately 123 separate 750mm diameter piles, Sika added watertight concrete on the capping beam.
Concrete fibres were specified for the screed, covering the Sika® HD20 membrane on the slab, to provide reinforcement and prevent cracking. The watertight concrete system was completed using SikaSwell® Hydrophillic Strips to seal the construction joints.
Transportation and delivery of project materials was coordinated to minimise disruption on campus, where hundreds of people were present at all times of the day.
"The scheme at the heart of Oxford University saw us provide on-site support, technical drawings and bespoke fibre calculations in order to support Laing O’Rourke throughout the project. Whilst from the outset it could be perceived as a simple basement waterproofing project, when it’s situated at the epicentre of a bustling campus, the complexities were amplified." Robert Dennis - UK Business Development Manager at Sika
Sources
https://www.constructionenquirer.com/2018/03/09/laing-orourke-wins-70m-oxford-uni-biochem-project/
https://www.constructionnews.co.uk/contractors/laing-orourke/laing-orourke-wins-70m-university-of-oxford-scheme-01-03-2019/
Project Participants
Main Contractor – Laing O’Rouke
Download Case Study
Typical Details
Products Used
- Sika® Watertight Concrete System
- SikaSwell®
- Sika® CD – Cavity Drainage System
- Sika® HD20 Membrane