Waterproofing

In the building sector there are many technical systems commonly used to guarantee the waterproofing of roofs, terraces, balconies, garages and basements. Grupo ORION offers to its clients a wide range of possibilities, ranging from traditional waterproofing systems using asphalt sheets to the most modern systems based on continuous polyurethane membranes.

Tunnel waterproofing

The waterproofing of any structure is a fundamental element in the durability of an infrastructure, but in the case of an underground work it takes on special importance due to the conditions to which this type of infrastructure is subjected.

Depending on the type of work, there are different waterproofing systems; from those used in tunnels that are later lined with concrete, or tunnels that are left with exposed support, or tunnels that are later lined with other materials.

Impermeabilización de túneles

Due to geotechnical needs or to minimise the environmental impact of an infrastructure, vaulted structures are built in the open air, which are then buried, known as artificial tunnels or cut-and-cover tunnels.

Drainage: One of the solutions implemented in artificial tunnels is water drainage. For this purpose, what are known as draining geomembranes are used; these are nodular membranes attached to a geotextile which, even in conditions of high earth loads, allow the generation of a space which allows the rapid evacuation of water to the longitudinal drains.

Waterproofing: Sometimes, artificial tunnels are waterproofed. For this purpose, plastic membranes are used, protected against puncturing by high grammage geotextile membranes with very good mechanical properties.

Depending on the ground in which the tunnel is excavated and the type of support that has been designed, many tunnels can be left in exposed rock or shotcrete.

Some of the most important characteristics that should be required of this type of membrane to make it a viable long-term waterproofing option are:

     – M1 fire resistance.
     – High tensile strength.
     – Does not generate toxic fumes.
     – Waterproofing.

These types of systems are used in different types of works and with different pathologies and represent a viable solution in different types of tunnels:

     – Tunnel rehabilitation.
     – Conventional railway tunnels.
     – Road tunnels.
     – Evacuation galleries.
     – Ventilation shafts.

This type of system is used in the waterproofing of tunnels which are then lined with a concrete ring.

Railway tunnels and some road or hydraulic tunnels are lined with a concrete ring. It is therefore necessary to implement a waterproofing system that performs adequately during the lining process as well as in the service phase of the infrastructure.

This system has to withstand the high stresses produced during the concreting phase. In this type of tunnel, highly elastic plastic membranes are used, protected by geotextiles with high puncture resistance.

In certain works, for reasons of cost and resource optimisation, it is necessary to use other waterproofing systems.

Projectable membranes: At certain times, the use of waterproof membranes or mortars that allow an optimum result to be obtained. For this type of application, waterproof cementitious mortars, capillary waterproofing mortars or acrylic membranes are used.

Waterproofing of reinforced linings: Sometimes, tunnel linings must be reinforced, but due to the small length of the galleries, it is not profitable to invest in a lining trolley. In this case, waterproofing systems are installed that allow the installation of steel reinforcement mesh, so that they can then be lined.

Bridge waterproofing

Impermeabilización de puentes

Within civil engineering structures, the case of bridges and viaducts is perhaps the best example of the importance of an adequate design and execution of the deck waterproofing and drainage system for their conservation.

The vast majority of structural repair works carried out on bridges and viaducts in Spain are directly related to deficient waterproofing and drainage. There is a wide variety of systems and materials based on epoxy bitumen, bituminous sheeting or polyurethane membranes, with high grammage bituminous sheeting and epoxy bitumen being the most widely used on the domestic market due to their low cost in comparison with other systems.

Civil work

The waterproofing of bridges, caissons, walls, basins, etc., and almost any structural typology within civil works, reduces the number and severity of pathologies associated with water, thus increasing the useful life of the structure, but above all, reducing conservation and operating costs.

This type of waterproofing is achieved using pre-formed synthetic membranes or by applying products in situ.

Impermeabilización de obra civil

Buildings

Sistemas de impermeabilización para edificaciones

In the building sector there are many technical systems commonly used to guarantee the waterproofing of roofs, terraces, balconies, garages and basements.

Grupo ORION offers its clients a wide range of possibilities, ranging from traditional waterproofing systems using asphalt sheets to the most modern systems based on continuous polyurethane membranes.

Injections and consolidations

The use of high-performance mortars with compensated shrinkage is a common practice in the reinforcement of building structures. In these cases, they are usually installed using the wet spraying technique.

The execution of structural reinforcements by shotcrete spraying requires a construction site to ensure the mechanical characteristics of the concrete once it has been installed. 

It has some disadvantages, such as the increase in the structure’s own weight and reductions in gauge; on the other hand, it has some advantages, such as attaching a material with similar characteristics to the existing one, thus achieving a more homogeneous structure.

In recent years, one of the systems that has evolved and developed the most has been the waterproofing of all types of roofs using sprayable membranes based on polyureas or hybrid polyurethanes.

This system is based on the hot application of two-component membranes, after applying the corresponding primer, which are pumped by means of fixed and/or variable ratio mixing pumps, managed by numerical control, and where the mixing of the two components takes place at the tip of the spray gun.

One of the most widely used technologies for deck roofing is based on the use of preformed TPO (thermoplastic polyolefin) or PVC (polyvinyl chloride) membranes.

Systems based on these materials can be installed by mechanical anchoring to the substrate, ballasted or adhered, although the latter is the least commonly used. The different membranes are joined together by hot air thermofusion.

This type of system is used for the waterproofing of tunnels that after are lined with a concrete ring.

Railway tunnels and some road or hydraulic tunnels are lined with a concrete ring. It is therefore necessary to implement a waterproofing system that performs adequately during the lining process as well as in the service phase of the infrastructure.

This system has to withstand the high stresses produced during the concreting phase. In this type of tunnel, highly elastic plastic membranes are used, protected by geotextiles with high puncture resistance.

Systems based on the projection of polyurethane membranes or polyureas, allow the rehabilitation of roofs with great technical complexity, both because of the number of existing installations on them, and because of the need for application on different types of substrates, such as: asphalt materials, steel, glass, concrete, etc. They also have excellent properties of durability and stability against ultraviolet radiation, which allows them to be used on roofs and other outdoor building structures.
 

The waterproofing system based on EPDM membranes is based on standard coils and is used for floating roofs, which can be ballasted or anchored, as well as fully adhered.

This system is complemented by a series of accessories that make up a complete system that solves all the complex details of a roof.

Orion is an approved installer of Firestone – Giscosa, being able to give joint warranties with the manufacturer of up to 20 years.