Krystol Magazine 14.2

Krystol® Magazine 1

Kryst l®

Leaders in Integral Crystalline Waterproofing

®

www.kryton.comMagazine

Volume 14 | Issue 2

PLUS:Selecting a Waterproofing System for ICFs

Spotlight on Australia & New Zealand

Waterproofing the

Alakanada Dam

®

At the Lab. In the Field. By Your Side.

KIM® was selected as the waterproofing solution that could meet the technical complexities of the Aquarium at YVR within a tight schedule.

Kryton’s unique self-sealing Krystol® technology waterproofs your concrete and protects your reputation. We assure you’ll meet and exceed spec because of our extensive testing, code approvals and conformance to ACI and PCA admixture guidelines for Permeability Reducing Admixtures under Hydrostatic water pressure (PRAH).

Kryton’s concrete waterproofing system is used to waterproof the world’s iconic buildings, tunnels, dams and infrastructure developments of all sizes where quality is paramount.

Contact us to see how we can help you.

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www.kryton.com +1-800-267-8280


Contents4 Top Five Things to Know About Permeability Reducing Admixtures

6 Waterproofing a Dam in Rugged India – The Alakanada Dam

9 CEO Column

10 Selecting a Waterproofing System for ICFs

12 Kryton News

13 Ask a Kryton Expert

14 Kryton in Australia and New Zealand

Krystol® Magazine is printed by Kryton International Inc.1645 East Kent AvenueVancouver, BC V5P 2S8Canadawww.kryton.com

For information about this publication or about Kryton International Inc., write to the above address, phone 604-324-8280 or 1-800-267-8280, or email [email protected].

Copyright © 2011 Kryton International Inc. All rights reserved.

Editors/ContributorsAlain LokAlex EmlynAli Biparva Jeff BowmanJillian WorkKari Yuers

Design/ProductionYvonne Lee

Printed in Canada by Horseshoe Press Inc.

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Volume 14 | Issue 2

Kevin DavisKevin YuersSheila DongKrystol Group PTY Ltd.Fraser Brown & Stratmore Ltd.

Read how Kryton products are helping to extend the life of the concrete at the massive Alakanada Dam in India.

Learn about how to waterproof concrete while using Insulating Concrete Formwork (ICF).

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Top Five Things to Know About Permeability Reducing Admixtures

The American Concrete Institute (ACI) is a long-standing, globally recognized institution that sets standards followed by the construction industry around the world. Its extensive library of reports and body of educational programs has made it an essential resource for all in the industry.

The recently re-published ACI 212.3R-10: Report on Chemical Admixtures for Concrete includes a new chapter, Chapter 15, specifically discussing permeability Reducing Admixtures (PRAs). These admixtures reduce the rate at which water enters into the concrete matrix.

Prior to the addition of Chapter 15, PRAs were mentioned only in passing as waterproofers or damp-proofers, and the information was buried in a section of the report entitled “Miscellaneous”. Today, this specific category of admixtures has found its rightful place. Below is a list of the top five things to know about PRAs.

1. There are two new categories of Permeability Reducing Admixtures

Permeability Reducing Admixtures now have a new system of classification. Today all PRAs can be either categorized as Permeability Reducing Admixtures for Non-hydrostatic conditions (PRAN) or Permeability Reducing Admixtures

for Hydrostatic conditions (PRAH). The new categories do away with the old terms of “damp-proofers” and “waterproofers”, which were vague, poorly defined and lead to confusion regarding the capabilities and limitations of each admixture.

With a PRAN, water absorption is reduced through the use of water repellent chemicals or small, filler particles (densifiers). PRANs are effective

at repelling rain water and reducing water ingress under damp conditions. However, with PRANs, the resistance to water pressure is limited or temporary at best. As a result, PRANs are unsuitable for use in structures exposed to hydrostatic pressure. PRAHs on the other hand, use a pore blocking mechanism that makes them capable of resisting water pressure. This allows PRAHs to be used in more demanding applications such as basements, tunnels and water containment structures. PRAHs are sufficiently stable to water under pressure that they can protect the structure for the lifetime of the concrete.

2. There are three different compositions of PRAs

PRA materials fall into three broad categories: 1) hydrophobic or water repellent chemicals, 2) finely divided solids or “densifiers” and 3) crystalline chemicals. Water repellent chemicals describe soaps, stearates and oils designed to increase water repellency and reduce adsorption. Finely divided solids are clay, silica and polymers that take up space and densify the concrete. Crystalline chemicals hydrate with cement and water to reduce porosity and grow pore blocking deposits. This creates a network of pore blocking crystals that becomes

The Santa Lucia Canal in Mexico was waterproofed with a PRAH solution that could resist hydrostatic pressure.


integrally bound within the concrete. The crystals will continue to form in the presence of water over the lifetime of the concrete, and can even self-seal leaking cracks.

Hydrophobic water repellent chemicals are PRANs because the concrete pores are not blocked in any way. While finely divided solids provide some pore blocking and water resistance in damp conditions, their resistance to water pressure is not stable enough to withstand long-term water pressure. Crystalline admixtures are PRAHs because they offer the highest and most stable water resistance, have self-sealing properties and continuously improve over time.

4. Some products claim to be PRAHs but are not

Some products include a superplasticizer so they can be tested with a much lower water-cement ratio compared to a control concrete. This increases water resistance in the short term, but does not address the shortcomings of hydrophobic water repellents or finely divided solids. These materials still fuction as PRANs. Furthermore, not all admixtures that claim to be crystalline are true hydrophilic crystalline. Some chemical admixtures, such as those based on sodium silicate, merely “crystallize” as they dry. This short term reaction is very limited compared to on-going hydrophilic crystalline reactions, and does not provide the long-term water resistance or self-sealing properties required for an admixture to be a PRAH. These admixtures are still classified as PRAN.

5. The long term success of a PRAH relies on three main factors

When choosing a PRAH, look for a product that offers high levels of water resistance compared to a control (60 to 90 per cent improvement compared to a control concrete) tested using a pressure driven test and without the use of a superplasticizer. It should also have the following traits in order to act as a reliable replacement for external waterproofing membranes: the ability to improve over time, the ability to self-seal hairline cracks and a long performance history. It is only by having all these features that you can rely on your product to perform as a PRAH over the lifetime of your concrete.

3. Different testing methods are necessary for each PRA category

There are different means of testing a PRA – some are appropriate for testing PRANs, while others are only suitable for testing a PRAH. Absorption tests, such as BS 1881-122 (or ASTM C1585), immerse or partially immerse a sample of concrete in water and measure the weight gain over time. However, absorption tests do not apply to water under pressure; therefore, they are inappropriate for testing products that must withstand

hydrostatic conditions. A pressure driven test, such as DIN 1048-5 or BS EN 12390-8, is required to test whether an admixture is a PRAH because these are the only tests that compare performance under hydrostatic conditions. These tests apply pressurized water to one side of a concrete sample over a period of time. Results are reported as a time to full saturation, depth of water penetration or as a coefficient of permeability (a numerical expression of the concrete’s permeability). In a pressure driven test, a PRAH should be able to demonstrate the ability to significantly reduce water penetration.

Permeability test showing the depth of water penetration of three samples.

Absorption test showing how much water was absorbed into the concrete block. Products that promote absorption testing are generally a PRAN.

Crystalline chemicals fill the concrete’s pores blocking the flow of water.

Competitor A KIM Control (Untreated)

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capital region of Delhi, the second largest metropolitan area in India, with a population of nearly 14 million people. The project includes a 40 metre (m) high dam, a three kilometre (km) long headrace tunnel and an underground penstock leading to an underground power station with two 70 MW run of river turbines. The total head of water on the project is 480m.

The dam and power plant is located just outside the town of Srinigar in Uttarakhand (formerly Uttaranchal) State in northern India. This site was chosen due to its location on the river

The Alakanada River runs through the foothills of the Himalaya Mountains and is a major water source for northern India. In 2005 GMR Energy started developing a 330 megawatt (MW) hydroelectric dam and power plant on the riverbanks to help satisfy the growing seasonal demand for power in northern India.

Consistent electricity is one of the major issues facing India. Many homes and businesses throughout India maintain gas generators to ensure a consistent supply of electricity. Most of the power generated by the dam and power plant will be channeled to serve the national

Waterproofing a Dam in Rugged India

The Alakanada Dam

and proximity to mountain run off. It provided the best chance to develop hydro electricity and manage the level of the river.

This site is nestled in a mountain valley. While the surrounding mountains are vast and breath-taking, it is a very remote region that presents challenges to travel and year-round work schedules. Getting to the site requires a 340 km drive from New Delhi on sometimes unreliable, winding mountain roads, which can take 12 to 14 hours in travel time. The location has snowfall for between four and six months a year, so construction cannot take place during the winter. As a result,


of Srinigar. Modern day Srinigar was re-established by the British between 1897 and 1899. They used urban planning methodology to create a new grid-iron patterned town on the upper third terrace southeast of the previous city site. The town was granted urban status in 1931 and today is a major economic, cultural and educational centre in the region.

Due to the extreme risk potential in building or waterproofing a dam, governments and engineers are turning increasingly to integral crystalline waterproofing manufacturers for help. Integral systems can add decades to the life of a concrete structure. Unlike membrane systems that can deteriorate

it is anticipated that it will take double the normal length of time to complete the project. The project is scheduled to achieve commercial operation in 2014.

In addition, it is also an active seismic zone at risk of earthquakes. On September 8, 1803, the area suffered a powerful earthquake that shook the whole region and devastated the town of Srinigar. As a result, the engineering and construction teams have taken noticeable steps to improve the soil stabilization on the slopes surrounding the project area.

Concrete is bound to crack if it is not properly placed or cured. Therefore,

waterproofing concrete with a straightforward, dependable and guaranteed system offers an indispensible level of protection, particularly for dam walls with steel reinforcement. If water enters cracks in the concrete, it can damage the reinforcing steel below the concrete surface. Steel expands when it corrodes, which leads to more cracks and water ingress. Over time, the concrete deteriorates and fails, which can result in devastating floods.

The town of Srinigar is all too familiar with the devastation of floods. On August 26, 1894, over 10,000 million cubic feet of water from the breached Gohna Lake completely swept away the original town

Kryton has been working closely with the onsite ready-mix plant to optimize the mix design.

The Alakanada River forms one of the headstreams of the mighty River Ganges, the holy river for followers of Hinduism. Hindu followers believe the Alakanada River split off from the Ganges River when it descended from heaven. It originates from Lake Satopath, a triangular lake 4,402 metres above sea level, high in the Nar and Narayan mountain ranges, and flows 190 kilometres through the Alakanada Valley in Uttarakhand State. In India, the river is also known as a destination for rafting and kayaking adventure trips. In fact, the Alakanada River is among the best in the world for river rafting due to its high grade rapids.

DID YOU KNOW?

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Membrane (KIM), to the dam face, canal and two tunnels.

Going forward, the 1.8 km long canal leading to the pen stocks and two spillway tunnels that are each one kilometre long will be waterproofed entirely using KIM. Krystol T1 and T2 will be applied to the upstream section of the dam face, which measures 128m by 340m.

In all, approximately 1,000 tonnes of Kryton’s waterproofing systems will be used to treat tens of thousands of square metres of concrete.

Using Kryton’s waterproofing system on the dam face, canal and the tunnels offers a cost effective solution that will surpass performance requirements and ensure the dam’s concrete structure remains durable, reliable and safe for decades to come.

over time, integral systems become part of the concrete matrix, waterproofing from the inside out. This gives these systems added reliability over other waterproofing systems as they cannot be punctured or torn. In addition, integral systems won’t be worn away by constant exposure to water, salts or other contaminants and are not affected by UV rays or concrete expansion and contraction. Finally, integral systems are a green solution. They can extend the serviceable life of structures by decades and also allow the concrete to be recycled after its useful life is over. For hydroelectric dams, which are a green form of energy, integral waterproofing systems make sense.

Kryton International Inc. became involved in the project in 2010 after taking part in a site review meeting. Although Kryton has been involved in constructing numerous hydroelectric dams, this is the first time Kryton has contributed to the construction of a hydroelectric dam in India.

Kryton is working with the onsite ready-mix plant to optimize the mix design. Achieving the optimum mix is proving to be challenging due to the vast annual temperature fluctuation at the site. In addition, Kryton is helping the onsite construction team to test and apply Kryton’s surface-applied waterproofing system, Krystol T1 and T2, and its internal system, Krystol Internal

Kryton provided onsite and lab support for the project in India.

Approximately 1,000 tonnes of Kryton’s waterproofing system will be used to treat tens of thousands of square metres of concrete at the massive dam.

Kryton’s team has provided valuable onsite support to the crews working on the mammoth waterproofing project at the Alaknanda Dam and continues to do so today.

In addition to the initial site visit by Kryton’s Director of Sales Kevin Davis, the Delhi based sales and engineering staff has travelled to the dam several times since 2009. While there, they provide onsite technical support for concrete pours and application training.

Kryton also held a training program for the engineering staff to ensure they understood all of the steps that needed to be taken in using the various products in Kryton’s waterproofing system. The company worked with the onsite ready-mix plant to optimize the mix design for the mass concrete and assisted in reducing shrinkage cracking on concrete sections.

As the completion date for the dam is a few years away, Kryton’s teams will continue to provide ongoing support and guidance to ensure the project is successfully completed.

BY YOUR SIDE

The two 1 km long spillways will be waterproofed with KIM.


I’ve been in the concrete industry for most of my life. My father created Kryton International Inc. from the ground up. My brother and I had our chores as children – often sweeping the factory floor and labeling pails of Kryton products. In those days, we made waterproofing treatments and at one point had more than 150 products for repairing, coating and building concrete structures.

In 1991, I finished my studies, gained work experience and returned to Kryton as Vice President of Technical Services. Ten years later, I became President and CEO. As I reflect on two decades with the company, I am awed by the rapid changes in technology and the overall marketplace.

When Kryton first opened, my father envisioned a business that would serve a global industry. Within two years, Kryton secured its first international customer. In those pioneering days, I remember my mother sitting at the Telex machine sending and receiving information from

overseas distributors and customers. By the late 1980s, the fax machine replaced the Telex.

With the arrival of the “World Wide Web” in 1989, you could communicate with anyone around the globe with an email address. Google has only existed for a little more than 10 years and current mainstays like Facebook and YouTube didn’t exist even a half dozen years ago. Each new technology, amazing in itself, seemed to defy replacement by a superior invention, but that was not the case.

Similarly, concrete has developed from its simple origins as a mixture of rock, sand, cement and water into an increasingly complex and sophisticated chemical product. The applications are more versatile than ever – from soaring skyscrapers to historical structures in need of delicate restoration.

Concrete has been used for thousands of years, yet the innovations happening now are likely to create the same exponential

changes we’ve seen in the information technology world.

Over the years, if there is one steadfast lesson I’ve learned about the concrete industry, it is that relationships are important. Although technology has given us a range of positives, I’ve most valued the new tools that have helped Kryton stay in touch with our distributors and customers. We’ve integrated those new communication tools to strengthen our relationships, and to better serve the global market that my father once envisioned.

Today, we no longer use the Telex. Instead, we’re building online communities through our blog, Concrete Thoughts (blog.kryton.com) and Krystol Connection e-newsletters you can sign up for on our website. As new technologies come and go I would like nothing more than the concrete industry to become early adopters of these advancements, putting us on the forefront of change. Please join the conversations we’ve started and let’s stay connected.

CEO Column

By: Kari Yuers, President & CEO, Kryton International Inc.

www.kryton.com10

With growing pressure to build green, high performance structures – without the usual expensive eco-price tag – the global industry is readily embracing Insulating Concrete Formwork (ICF). First developed in Germany in the 1950s, the technology is currently used in more than eight per cent of all low-rise housing in Canada and the U.S. According to a survey conducted by the Insulating Concrete Form Association, 36 per cent of builders say they have used ICFs in the last decade. Across the pond in the UK, there is a growing number of approved basement walling systems that use ICF and the technology has been noted as a Modern Method of Construction by the Building Research Establishment, English Partnerships and Communities England.

A large part of ICF popularity is its durability. The system is based on light-weight and hollow interlocking forms, which concrete is poured into. Composed of insulating foam such as expanded

polystyrene, extruded polystyrene or closed cell polyurethane, these foam forms interlock without the need for glue or mortar and retain structural strength via plastic or galvanized steel ties.

Concrete is then pumped into the forms in a circular pattern. This allows for better concrete consolidation, mitigating air pockets. Once set, the forms become high strength and air tight. Since the forms stay in place, even after the concrete has set, builders benefit from increased durability, energy efficiency and sound deadening. To further strengthen the structure, reinforcing steel can also be incorporated or steel fibres can be added to the ready mixed concrete to an engineer’s specification.

With the introduction of self-consolidating concretes, also known as self-compacting concretes, the efficacies of ICF’s have been further enhanced. These flowable, non-segregating concretes

move easily into formwork, filling even the most congested designs without the vibration typically required in most ICF applications.

Concrete is inherently porous, so placement becomes critical to avoid cold joining and honeycombing. Unintentional joints can provide a weak point where water ingress is more likely to happen. Once the water enters, it can corrode reinforcement within the concrete and lead to cracking and structural deterioration. This is why many ICF structures need waterproofing.

External Membrane Waterproofing

A waterproofing membrane acts as an external barrier to prevent water from seeping into the ICF structure. Most often they are polyurethane-based, spray or brush applied or peel-and-stick. Solvent-based membranes, common in many other types of concrete construction

Selecting a Waterproofing System for ICFs

Worker treats concrete joints with the Krystol Waterstop System.


aren’t compatible with ICF systems because they destroy the foam.

External waterproofing systems tend to have much stronger tensile strength than rival waterproofing coatings and are always a consistent thickness. These membranes can also effectively bridge cracks, joints and other defects. This can be important when dealing with ICFs, which are frequently at risk of unseen cold joints and honeycombing even though the surface of the concrete is rarely seen.

Despite these benefits, there are challenges when it comes to effectively waterproofing ICF structures with traditional membranes. Although boasting good tensile strength, external membranes can be compromised by a single tear, making them vulnerable to damage during backfilling and compaction. If the membrane is punctured or torn, the damage is impossible to detect from within the

Integral Crystalline Waterproofing

The ongoing challenges with waterproofing membranes have led to a rise in the use of integral crystalline waterproofing for ICF systems. Part of the attraction is it can easily be added to concrete during the mixing process. Once added, the chemical compounds remain active for the life of the concrete. The chemicals react with available water and cementitious components within the concrete to grow long, prism shaped crystals inside the capillary pores, cracks and joints, blocking water flow. If a new crack forms later in the concrete and water penetrates, the chemicals react to stop water ingress. This ever-present chemical process ensures ongoing waterproofing years into the future.

Because the waterproofing ability is integrated within the concrete, crystalline waterproofing systems can be used on any concrete shape and cannot be scraped, punctured or torn. This makes the time consuming and often difficult installation process of membranes obsolete. It allows other construction steps to proceed without delay, saving time and money.

Finally, integral crystalline waterproofing helps to create greener ICF structures. ICF systems are already well known for their multiple environmental benefits – it is estimated that every ICF home saves approximately eight and a half trees. ICFs also eliminate the soil erosion and habitat destruction that is associated with timber building. Integral crystalline waterproofing products extend the serviceable life of concrete structures, enable the future recycling of the concrete and also reduce jobsite waste – an ideal partner for the already eco-friendly ICF system.

Even though ICFs have been used in the construction industry for decades, their popularity and use is growing worldwide. Selecting the right waterproofing product for these systems is crucial. Regardless of which method you choose, select a high quality, dependable product – and adhere to good concrete practices – to ensure your ICF structure will remain permanently dry.

A luxury home in the United Kingdom being constructed out of ICFs.

When waterproofing ICFs with external waterproofing systems the excavation needs to be scaled up. Leading to higher costs as well as a possible restriction on the size of basement you can build on a given plot.

An ICF prior to application.

structure. Water that enters behind

the membrane will also affect its adhesion to the concrete surface, leading to failure at the membrane seams

and weakening the remaining dry

concrete sections.

Installation with ICF systems can also be a

challenge. To properly adhere membranes to ICF’s, the surface must be clean, dry, smooth and even. Because membranes must be carefully wrapped around corners and protrusions, pipes, conduit and other penetrations, the installation crew needs to be skilled at cutting and lapping. Also, most membranes require a certain amount of space for correct installation. To meet this need, and to comply with Health and Safety regulations, excavation size need to be scaled up. This means higher costs for digging, handling and back filling as well as a possible restriction on the size of basement you can build on a given plot.

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Understanding Kryton Customers

A Big Year for Kryton

A Coast to Coast Kryton

Kryton News

Kryton International Inc. is a proud Canadian company that has had success in western markets for years. When the recession hit, and construction slowed down, Kryton’s strategic response was to expand. The idea was to plan ahead by developing a foundation in Central and Eastern Canada so that when the industry began to recover our presence would be strong; catching more fish by casting a wider net.

For Kryton, finding the right distributor is extremely important as they drive the product forward, impact the quality of the technical support and must collaborate with all of the other groups in the project. All these factors and more are considered when Kryton selects their distribution partners. After a thorough search, Kryton has found four new distributors who meet their criteria.

In Ontario, Form and Build Supply represents Kryton with their five locations throughout Southern Ontario and their sub distribution partners in other areas such as with Alpine Construction Supplies in Ottawa. In Manitoba and Saskatchewan, Nu West Construction Products stepped forward as the company that would take on Krystol products and push them across

Kryton International Inc. is marking a major milestone in 2011. This year our CEO Kari Yuers celebrates 20 outstanding years with the company. Kari joined her family’s concrete waterproofing company in 1991 and has held various leadership roles with the company in the last two decades. Under her leadership as CEO, the company’s revenues have grown, market reach has expanded and it has been named the one of the best companies to work for in British Columbia for three consecutive years. Congratulations Kari!

Kryton is always looking for ways to improve themselves. Looking to improve the service to their key audience groups, Kryton knew the first step towards achieving this goal was to listen. In order to learn more about the individual needs of these groups, Kryton conducted an extensive market research program which was led by an independent consulting firm based in Chicago. Kryton wanted to know what their customer’s concerns were, what challenges they faced, and what factors were crucial to their success. The researchers were able to obtain current and unbiased information from these groups.

Although it was a time and resource consuming program, the findings were well worth the investment. Kryton has undertaken to provide the tools and resources along with relevant information to each audience segment. Delivering on customer needs is core to Kryton’s business model. So whether you are a contractor, owner, architect or engineer, Kryton has the right solution to help you.

the prairies. Arrow Construction Products is a great fit for Kryton in the Atlantic Provinces. With five branches across Eastern Canada, they are well known for their great customer service and are very active in the market.

Canada continues to build innovative buildings and infrastructure from coast to coast. Kryton has now expanded our distribution relationships to be able to offer solutions to every major city across the nation. Kryton is now protecting concrete structures from the Pacific to Atlantic Oceans as well as from many bodies of water and high water tables in between. If you are building concrete structures and are trying to keep water in, out or both, Kryton is your Canadian solution.


Understanding Kryton Customers

Ask a Kryton Expert!

Alireza Biparva, Cementious Materials Specialist at Kryton International Inc.

It is important to use a concrete mix with low permeability and to use an appropriate amount of concrete cover for the application. Additionally, the concrete should be placed, consolidated and cured following ACI guidelines to minimize shrinkage and cracking. With good materials and workmanship, concrete can resist the development of corrosive conditions, which increases the durability of structures and reduces lifetime maintenance costs.

Deteriorating concrete structures are a major problem around the world. Largely attributed to the corrosion of steel reinforcement, concrete structures built to last 50 to 100 years routinely need substantial repairs and rehabilitation during their service life. Why are traditional preventative measures for corrosion not sufficient? More importantly, what is the solution? Kryton expert, Alireza Biparva, explains.

How Corrosion Happens

Concrete normally provides reinforcing steel with excellent corrosion protection. Due to the high alkalinity of the concrete, the steel reinforcing bars are passivated by an iron oxide film that protects the steel. However, the passive layer can break down over time due to atmospheric carbon dioxide. Through a process called carbonation, the concrete’s pH is lowered until the passive layer becomes unstable. The passive layer can also be rapidly broken down by aggressive chemicals such as chloride, which are present in coastal environments and used in deicing chemicals. Once the passive layer is compromised, steel reinforcement will corrode if there is moisture and oxygen present at the surface of the steel.

Under the best conditions, the penetration of moisture, chlorides and carbon dioxide is slow, the passive layer is protected and corrosion is minimal. Concrete’s ability to resist corrosion depends largely on the permeability of the concrete and the thickness of concrete cover over the reinforcement. However, if cracks are present, aggressive agents can quickly reach the depth of the steel and initiate corrosion.

Traditional measures to mitigate corrosion have proven to be less effective than desired. Excessively thick concrete cover over the reinforcing steel is vulnerable to cracking and corrosion inhibitors such as calcium nitrite provide only temporary protection. Epoxy coated reinforcement was once thought to be a solution but has proven unreliable in field applications. The problem is these systems do nothing to prevent the conditions that cause corrosion from developing in the first place. So what is the solution?

Preventing Corrosion

In all cases, the penetration of water into concrete is a critical factor in the corrosion of steel reinforcement. Water acts as a carrier for chloride ions and is also required for corrosion to occur. Therefore, the first line of defense against corrosion is to prevent the penetration of water.Extreme corrosion can result in major leaks.

Proper curing helps to minimize shrinkage and cracking.

Preventing Concrete Corrosion

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Te Wharewaka O Poneke (Canoe House), Taupo, New Zealand

Sitting on reclaimed land along the waterfront in central Wellington, the Te Wharewaka O Poneke (Canoe House) is a new development that will serve as an entertainment centre for the Rugby World Cup in September and October 2011. Showcasing the rich history of Maori art and culture, the venue will include exhibition and function areas, a café and offices. It will also host powhiri (a Maori ritual ceremony), carvings, cultural performances and interactive historic displays.

More than 1,100 kg of Kryton’s Krystol Internal Membrane (KIM) was used to waterproof 1,600 cubic metres of concrete in the slab and surrounding concrete landscape. With its location adjacent to the ocean, KIM was the optimal choice for this project where water exposure or ingress is a concern.

Westfield Shopping Centre, Sydney, Australia

Once completed, this high-end boutique shopping centre will house 130 fashion and food specialty stores including some the biggest style icons such as Gucci, Hugo Boss, Mulberry and DKNY, as well as Australian retailers CUE, Wanted Shoes, Zimmerman and Carla Zampatti.

On the recommendation of contractors, Kryton’s Krystol Waterproofing System was selected to waterproof the basement walls, lift pits, water tanks and cool-rooms. To date 350 cubic metres of KIM have been used

for the project, which began on November 19, 2009 and continues today.

the next year, particularly in the earthquake-affected region surrounding Canterbury. In addition, 75 per cent of architects in New Zealand surveyed by international property and construction consultants Davis Langdon are expecting new business to increase – a sign of more construction activity on the horizon.

Kryton has been operating in Australia for more than 30 years and New Zealand’s construction industry for almost a decade. With industry steadily growing, Kryton will continue to be a key player in the region for years to come.

Australian Red Cross Blood Services, Melbourne, Australia

The Australian Red Cross Blood Services purchased a 16,500 square metre former warehouse for their Melbourne operations but stringent modifications were needed before the building would be able to house the blood bank. The consulting engineers chose Kryton’s waterproofing system because it was seen as the best solution for the job.

To date, the project team has used more than 200 cubic metres of KIM to waterproof the substation, plant-room, switch room and trenches.

The project is running on schedule and due to complete later this year.

The global construction industry has had its fair share of economic challenges over the last three years. Australia and New Zealand’s industries are no exception. But an increasing demand for resources-based construction as well as progress on major infrastructure projects has started to turn the tide.

According to a survey by Australian Industry Group and Australian Constructors Association, the value of construction projects in the country will rise by almost eight per cent in 2011 and 2012. In New Zealand, the restoration and refurbishment sectors are predicted to contribute the most to growth over

Kryton in Australia and New Zealand


IKEA Store, Princes Highway Tempe, Sydney, Australia

The 37,000 square metre store (equivalent to 20 football fields) with parking for 1,775 cars, sits on a 2.3 hectare site located southwest of Sydney’s central business district. Like all IKEA stores, the building is a two-level rectangular shaped building that includes a showroom, restaurant, children’s play area, warehouse, Swedish food market, office space, public amenities and loading dock. Upon completion, the building will be the Southern Hemisphere’s biggest IKEA Store and is expected to attract between two and three million visitors annually.

Making the store unique, the building is being constructed on an old garbage dump site. As a result, methane gases exist underneath a portion of the new structure. A 700 metre methane gas wall is being constructed to allow ventilation of the gases. Based on a previous experience, the team of contractors chose Kryton products for waterproofing the below-grade areas, lift pits, travelators pits, basement sections and water tank. Just over 100 cubic metres of KIM-treated concrete were used to waterproof the below-grade areas of the new store.

New Zealand (Wellington and South Island)

Fraser Brown & Stratmore Ltd. Contact: Mr. Hamish Stratmore and Mr. Craig Meiklejohn Tel: (644) 567-8436Website: www.fbsltd.co.nz Email: [email protected]

New Zealand (Auckland)

Fraser Brown & Stratmore Ltd. Contact: Mr. Denis Marra Tel: (649) 535-3139Website: www.fbsltd.co.nz Email: [email protected]

Australia (NSW, VIC, ACT, QLD, WA)

Krystol Group Pty Ltd.Contact: Mr. Aaran Duncan Tel: (612) 9545-3111Website: www.krystol.com.auEmail: [email protected]

Australia & New Zealand Distributors

Sea World Penguin Exhibit, Gold Coast, Australia

Sea World’s new Penguin Encounter exhibit is home to a large waddle of King Penguins, the world’s second largest penguin species. The designers wanted to create an environment that looked as natural as possible, while retaining the required engineering attributes. The ambient summer temperature in sub-tropical Queensland is close to 40 degrees Celsius, but the penguins’ water is chilled to two degrees Celsius.The constant movement at the waterline creates both significant physical wear on the concrete structure as well as temperature variation.

Kryton’s KIM was chosen as a solution for waterproofing the artificial rock in the exhibit. KIM’s self-sealing ability means that despite temperate changes, the wearing effects of the waterline and penguins clawing at the rock, the waterproofing will remain durable and reliable for the lifetime of the structure.

Check out www.kryton.com to see other areas where Kryton distributors are changing concrete construction for the better, throughout the Americas, Europe, Middle East, India and Asia-Pacific.

Kryton has exclusive distributors throughout Australia & New Zealand. Contact any of them to find out more about how Kryton’s waterproofing products can save you time and money. Or contact Alain Lok, Kryton’s Asia-Pacific Regional Manager at [email protected] or by phone at +1-604-324-8280.

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At the Lab. In the Field. By Your Side.

Concrete Waterproofing that Works!Concrete Waterproofing that Works!

Using KIM® in your concrete can save you time and money and replace the need to use costly and time consuming surface applied membranes that can often prove to be unreliable. Since 1973 Kryton has helped architects, engineers and builders create dry, waterproof concrete using Krystol Technology.

Our waterproofing admixture, KIM®, is faster, more reliable and costs 25% less than using traditional waterproofing systems. KIM® is backed by the industry’s longest warranty.

For more information on the longest standing crystalline waterproofing admixture jobs in the world, visit us online at www.kryton.com or call us at 1-800-267-8280 or +1-604-324-8280.

Certified toNSF/ANSI 61

CERTIFICATE No 05/4217

KIM® resists hydrostatic pressure up to 140m.

Custom bags for added quality control

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