Xypex used in Beijing Olympics "Bird's Nest" Stadium

In major sports venues around the world, Xypex is scoring big. Olympian big! In 2000, Xypex products played an important part in the waterproofing and protection of the concrete used in the construction of the Olympic Stadium in Sydney.

Now, in Beijing, Xypex crystalline technology is again a winning architectural choice where it is being used on the already famous "Bird's Nest" Olympic Stadium.

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Case Study

Vulnerable Nature of Concrete

As you are aware, concrete is vulnerable to water and chemical absorption. Because of its permeable nature, concrete requires protection. This protection normally comes in the form of a barrier, or membrane waterproofing systems.

Vulnerable Nature of Membranes

You may also be aware that waterproofing membranes have their share of vulnerabilities. For example:

• Poor adhesion
• Difficulty of application
• Delamination from concrete
• Membranes often puncture during backfill
• One pinhole can compromise the complete system
• Slows construction schedule
• Can accelerate concrete corrosion

Background:
Recently in Salt Lake City, Utah, a major tunnel was designed with an envelope waterproofing system. The membrane was placed below the floor slab and wrapped up the wall. Then a peel and stick membrane was applied over the top of the tunnel. In theory this sounds like an effective system. The tunnel was completely covered from floor to ceiling with membrane.

What is the alternative?

For over 40 years, Xypex has been effectively waterproofing concrete, replacing the need for vulnerable membrane waterproofing systems.

Xypex has many advantages over typical waterproofing systems.

• Integral part of concrete matrix
• Self healing
• Won’t break, tear, or puncture
• Solves corrosion problems
• Increases concrete durability
• Accelerates construction schedule
• Less shrinkage cracks
• Less expensive
• Admix for new concrete

Designing watertight joint details

Xypex's crystalline technology effectively seals cracks, voids and capillaries inherently found in concrete. But how do you waterproof a joint detail?

The diagram on the right illustrates our proven method for designing watertight joint details. When details are designed through this specification IMX Technologies will provide a warranty against leaks.

Xypex now offers AIA accreditation

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Xypex performance on moving structures

Xypex was used to repair leaking cracks on a bridge deck that averages a load of about 100,000 vehicles per day. Xypex Concentrate was sprayed on the underneath side of the structural deck and allowed to chemically diffuse for ten months. (For an Adobe Reader formatted report on this project, click here.)

Core samples taken from selected cracked areas were subject to pressurized water. A graphic in the report illustrates that half of the Xypex cores leaked slightly at the beginning of the test, but within sixteen hours they were completely healed and exhibited NO measurable leakage. This demonstrates the healing ability of Xypex’s crystalline chemistry.

We are now announcing a special provision for moving structures. IMX Technologies will now repair moving cracks outside of the normal scope of Xypex’s ability to heal. Please click here to see the additional warranty details.

Lithium nitrate soaking fails to retard ASR damage

In the field, flooding of ASR-damaged concrete with lithium nitrate solution to halt the ravages of alkali-silica reactivity is largely ineffective, according to a 3 year study of ASR afflicted pavement in North Dakota. The limitations of lithium nitrate soaking to impede the spread of existing ASR were substantiated by Christopher Taun, Ph.D., P.E. Associate professor of civil engineering and his team at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln; and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

Recognized as the greatest cause of deterioration of U.S. highway concrete structures and Pavements, ASR occurs in the interaction between certain reactive siliceous aggregates and hydroxyl ions associated with alkalis from the Portland cement paste and external sources (water).

XYPEX MITIGATES ASR IN CONCRETE BY ELIMINATION OF MOSITURE! Xypex, surface applied or introduced as an admixture reacts to the byproducts of cement hydration to cause “Waterproofing by Crystallization” The pores and capillary tracts of concrete become permanently sealed against water from every direction even against strong hydrostatic pressure.

Solving “unsolvable” waterproofing problems with Xypex

Many Engineers and Architects are now specifying a “new school” approach in solving “old school” waterproofing problems. XYPEX ADMIXTURE makes concrete 100% waterproof. The XYPEX WATERTIGHT SYSTEM also includes a “fool proof” joint detail that we warranty as part of this system. A description of this detail is attached to this e-mail. It involves dry packing a reglet knock out with XYPEX CONCENTRATE and adding a “Deneef Swell Seal” bead.

Xypex Concentrate offers a high concentration of chemicals that react with water to form a crystalline front. The “Swell Sealant” is a flexible hydrophilic expansive gasket. This joint coupled with Xypex admixture makes a Watertight System used in below grade, Water Tank and Parking Structure design.

You no longer need to rely on membrane systems that are built to fail. With Xypex, concrete has long term durability because XYPEX is:

• Breathable
• Self-healing
• Chemical
• Freeze-thaw
• Corrosion
• Resistant
• Waterproof
• Warranted
• Permanent

XYPEX is the world leader in providing waterproof, chemical resistant concrete. Our XYPEX C series ADMIXTURE is often referenced by competitors with an additional statement like, “We are like Xypex, but less expensive.”

XYPEX STANDS ALONE in Waterproofing by Crystallization. Xypex is not an Ammonia Stearate, Sodium Silicate, or Talc. Xypex is tested to above 175 PSI on 2000 PSI cores with no measurable leakage (US Army CRD-C-48-73). We have more testing, data and projects in place than all competitors combined.

When considering a waterproof admixture, ask yourself:

• Is it truly “crytalline”?
• Is it organic or inorganic?
• Is it non-soluable?
• Is test data available?
• Is there a 5 plus year successful usage in this state?
• Is it permanent?
• Does it use silicate, stearates or talc?
• Does it cause set retardation?
• Does it require doctoring the mix design?
• Does it change the slump or air?
• Does it require other admixtures?
• Does it carry a real material and labor warranty?
• Is there history of warranty performance?