University of South Wales

Watertight concrete system

Hanson Concrete supplied watertight concrete to ensure a dry basement at the new extension to the Health, Sports and Science (HESAS) facility at the University of South Wales, Glyntaff Campus, Pontypridd.

The extension, which was designed by Boyesrees Architects, houses state of the art laboratories and IT facilities and consists of two storeys plus basement. It is linked to an existing Grade ll listed building which is being refurbished – all part of a £6.9 million scheme being undertaken by Interserve, which will see the relocation of the HESAS departments to this new facility.The site is at the base of a large hill, creating a wet environment for the new structure. As it was imperative that no water penetrated the new basement, consulting engineers Nicholson Jones Partnership specified BBA certified Sika® Watertight.

Concrete for the basement slab and retaining walls. With a 50 year successful track record, use of the Sika® Watertight system will ensure a dry basement, meeting the requirements of BS8102 Grade 3 (Habitable Space) where people are living or working and no water penetration is acceptable. Hanson Concrete supplied 350 cubic metres of the watertight concrete to the project.

Construction joints are sealed with the SikaSwell®jointing system, which consists of joint sealing profiles that expand on contact with water to seal any voids between adjoining concrete slabs.

The use of Sika® Watertight Concrete, supplied by Hanson Concrete, not only simplified the design and construction process, saving time and money, but also allowed full utilisation of the space available as the overdig requirement was reduced compared to traditional membrane methods of waterproofing.