Basement Waterproofing can be achieved with loosely laid membrane systems, which protect any concrete structure up to the highest requirements. Systems such as the thermoplastic Sikaplan compartment system (Sikaplan TDB) are designed for long-term durability and are easy to apply. They include accessories and special solutions up to last and complex detail.
Basement Waterproofing: Best Performance on the Ground
Sikaplan® compartment system (Sikaplan® TDB) vs. Bitumen System
Basements are immersed in differing levels of groundwater, and aggressive influences including damp soil contact, percolating water, water under hydrostatic pressure plus aggressive chemicals in solution, different soil, rock, etc.
Basement waterproofing can be achieved with loosely laid membrane systems, which protect any concrete structure up to the highest requirements. Systems such as thermoplastic Sikaplan® compartment system (Sikaplan® TDB) are designed for long-term durability and are easy to apply. They include accessories and special solutions up to last and complex detail.
Results and Conclusions
To illustrate the gains from using the Sikaplan® compartment system (Sikaplan® TDB) instead of bitumen, the Cumulative Energy Demand (CED) and the Global Warming Potential (GWP) are shown below. CED accounts for the consumption of energy resources, namely the total amount of primary energy from renewable and non-renewable resources.
GWP measures the potential contribution to Climate Change, focusing on emissions of greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide (CO₂), which enhance the heat radiation absorption of the atmosphere, causing the temperature at the earth’s surface to rise.
Besides the demonstrated gains, the Sikaplan® compartment system (Sikaplan® TDB) also brings additional benefits, such as easier application and lower basement excavation needs.
Cumulative Energy Demand (CED)
In terms of CED, the raw materials of Sikaplan® TDB System have considerably less impact than those of the bitumen system. The installation of the Sika system also has a much lower CED. The net gain from using the Sika solution amounts to 3,000 GJ for the whole project’s life cycle (12,000 m²). This means it reduces the energy demand for waterproofing by 45% compared to the bituminous solution normally used in China (the equivalent to 70,000 litres diesel).
Global Warming Potential (GWP)
In terms of GWP, even though the materials from the components from both systems have similar impacts, the installation of the bitumen system has a higher carbon footprint. The net gain from using the Sika solution amounts to 38 ton CO₂ for the whole project’s life cycle (12,000 m²). This means it reduces the carbon footprint for waterproofing by 17% compared to the bituminous solution normally used in China.
Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) of two waterproofing systems
Basements are gaining importance, for example for retail business and car parking. The typical waterproofing for basement construction in countries like China is bitumen. To demonstrate the environmental benefits from using thermoplastic Sikaplan® compartment system (Sikaplan® TDB) compared to bituminous solutions, a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) of two waterproofing systems with similar performance was made for a 12,000 m² project in China.
The LCA is from cradle to grave. That means it includes the raw material extraction, transport to the factory, manufacturing of the product, transport to construction site, use and disposal at the product’s end-of-life.