Image author: Siim Kingisepp
In the Lahekalda district, AS Merko Ehitus Eesti is constructing apartment buildings. A semi-open car parking deck was built under the apartment buildings. The project's specifications dictate the use of crystalline waterproofing admixture within the reinforced concrete structure for waterproofing. However, a question arose within the project team regarding what would happen with the resulting shrinkage cracks in the structure.
Due to their long-term construction experience, the project team knew that shrinkage cracks occur due to the water release during the concrete setting process.
The problem on the site soon led to the crack-inducing waterstops offered by Primostar, which the project manager of the apartment buildings was aware of but needed advice on the implementation side. To get answers to the questions, Jaanus Kruus turned to the creator of the solution, Indrek Uusalu, after which a decision was made to use the crack-inducing waterstops in the intermediate car deck intermediate ceiling.
The Merko team also had other waterproofing solutions in mind, such as:
- WPM® Crack Inducing waterstop and other waterstops + waterproof concrete.
- Classic membrane waterproofing with additional protective layers.
- Ignore the previous points and deal with possible problems later by injection.
Paekalda 19, Lahekalda apartment building (Parking deck area 3000 m2)
How does Primostar look at the problem and solve it?
Primostar addresses the challenges of shrinkage cracks in the intermediate ceiling of the Lahekalda district's apartment buildings with a proactive and innovative solution: the WPM® Crack Inducing Waterstop.
Accurate estimation of loads on the intermediate ceiling is recognized as a crucial aspect of the solution. Considering the structural vibrations caused by cars and the potential water exposure in rainy or slushy weather, Primostar acknowledges the importance of a robust waterproofing strategy.
The decision by Merko Ehitus to implement the WPM® Crack Inducing Waterstop in the intermediate ceiling demonstrates a forward-thinking approach. This choice not only significantly reduces the occurrence of spontaneous shrinkage cracks but also addresses the potential complications associated with water exposure. The Crack Inducing Waterstop plays a pivotal role by creating shrinkage cracks in specific locations and simultaneously ensuring watertightness.
The collaborative effort between Primostar and Merko Ehitus reflects a shared commitment to effective and cost-efficient waterproofing solutions. We appreciate the trust placed in the innovative approach of WPM® Crack Inducing Waterstop for waterproofing projects beyond the car park's intermediate ceiling.
If you have further inquiries or require additional information, feel free to reach out.
How satisfied are you with the result?
I am happy with the result today. The concrete surface of the intermediate ceiling looks correct. The parking lot is not yet in use and has yet to receive the proper dynamic loads. I hope the situation will not change.
Would you also use it in future projects?
Today, we can see that the use of the products has justified itself. In the future, it is reasonable to design them into the structures immediately. Clearly, different structures behave differently, and product design should be done in cooperation with Primostar (the most experienced).
In addition, it would be ideal if the products were designed and installed in structures by Primostar. In this case, it is easier to share the responsibility between the concrete and waterproofing contractors, in which case Primostar would provide the waterproofing guarantee directly to the general contractor. This is how we did it here in Lahekalda.
How did the collaboration go?
You are a pleasure to work with, and everything went well. I hope we have a perfect solution and there will be no worries. A small additional cost during construction is better than higher warranty costs later.
