Concrete International Magazine – October, 2003
WATERPROOFING ADMIXTURE AID’S VANCOUVER’S TALLEST BUILDING
The Shaw Tower,Vancouver, BC, Canada’s future tallest building, will feature Kryton International Inc.’s, waterproofing technology, Krystol Internal Membrane (KIM). The 149 m building,scheduled for occupancy in 2004, will use KIM to replace traditional exterior membranes in the underground portion of its five-level parkade.
KIM can permanently waterproof concrete, sealing it from the inside out, by forming crystals when added to the concrete mixture that fill the spaces between the concrete particles, blocking water penetration. If cracks form because of settling or seismic activity, the product reacts with incoming water to self-seal them. Also, the product does not break down or need replacing as traditional membranes do over time.
Waterproofing is quite an important consideration for this project because the building is in close proximity to Coal Harbor. At high tide, groundwater rises 3ft (0.9 m) above the lowest level of the parkade.
Kim was used for it’s ability to reduce construction time and cost because it eliminates the need to purchase and install physical exterior membranes, saving weeks or more for this particular project. Because existing structures abutted the tower basement, the product had an added benefit of not needing to be installed in such a difficult and costly area as a traditional membrane would.
Donovan Hammersley, Director of Sales for Kryton said, “We’re excited that the builder and contractor have chosen to use and endorse KIM in this way. We’re confident they will be pleased with their decision and will appreciate the cost savings both in the short term and over the long run.”
Other past applications of KIM have included Intrawest Resort properties, the Annacis Island Wastewater Treatment Plant, and the Tiger Mountain exhibit at the Bronx Zoo, as well as several other Vancouver-based high-rise buildings currently under construction.
