TYPES OF BASEMENT

SANHITA VARTAK,45

PRETRENCHThe pretrench is generally 1 to 1.5 m deep. The guide-walls are generally made of reinforced concrete and fulfill several functions: They set out the lay-out, provides reference points and levelling, They act as temporary support for the precast panels, They ensure the stability of the upper soil layer. EXCAVATIONAccording to the ground and the specifications, the same plant is used as for the standard diaphragm walls: cable grab, kelly grab, hydrofraise. The usual excavation widths vary from 0.5 to 1 m, about 0.20 m larger than the width of the precast panels. The excavation is generally continuous. SHAPE OF THE PANELS Simple and repetitive panel shapes may result in significant economic advantages. However, complex shapes can be made, such as dove-tail panels, box-sections, steel-concrete panels, special watertight joints, horizontal or vertical connection joints, liners, sealing plates. EXCAVATION SLURRY In most cases the excavation fluid is a cement-bentonite slurry whose setting is retarded and regulated by various additives. The slurry remains fluid during the excavation and panel installation process, then it hardens and seals the panels in the ground. The adjustment of the mix enables the most suitable characteristics (strength, moduli, watertightness) to be obtained for any particular project. An alternative process consists of performing the excavation under a bentonite mud which is later replaced by a cement-bentonite slurry before the precast panels are installed. SANHITA VARTAK,45

SANHITA VARTAK,45

SANHITA VARTAK,45

Sealed concrete The active chemicals in Triton waterproofing admixtures react with fresh concrete to produce a non-soluble crystalline formation which seals the concrete against the penetration of water or liquid. These admixtures are used in the concrete and construction joints. Watertight joints The key element in ensuring a basement is watertight is the construction joint between the slab and the wall. Triton TT Super to ensure that this important construction joint is watertight. Using the same crystalline formulation, the TT Super promotes the growth of fresh crystals once the new concrete is poured, that penetrate the slab to seal any small cracks or interstices (slab and wall concrete must both contain Triton TT admix). This is far more effective than hydrophilic strips that tend to expand too early in the construction process and cannot therefore be guaranteed. The joint between the (Expanded Polystyrene) and the slab on the outside of the wall construction is then further sealed using a Triton TT Fillet Seal. The whole basement external wall is then coated with 2-3 coats of Triton TT Vapour Membrane. This membrane is also applied to the slab toe, providing a third barrier to water ingress at the important wall/slab construction joint. Backfill damage protection Once the membrane has been applied a Platon Double Drain Membrane is secured to the wall which protects the underlying waterproofing from backfill damage. The membrane is designed to relieve water pressure against the basement wall by allowing the water to permeate the external geotex membrane of the Platon membrane and collect at the base of the wall where it is taken away using a suitable land drain.

SANHITA VARTAK,45