Project Details

Project Name: Baradene College Gymnasium

Applicator: Elephant NZ Ltd

Architect: Jasmax

Products Used: Cetco Volclay Range and Allsheet 500 DPM

Completed: June 2024

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The Project 

Project Overview:  

Designed by Jasmax Architects, the Baradene College Gymnasium, offers top-notch sports and educational facilities to accommodate the expanding student body. The new complex features a double gym making it suitable for major indoor sports events and inter-school games. In addition to the gym, the facility includes three new classrooms, a fitness centre, and a cafeteria for both students and staff.

 Challenges:  

The new gym was constructed on a building platform that covered the area of the old gym and its surroundings, with work progressing while the school remained in operation. One of the key challenges faced was dewatering the site during construction especially controlling the water problem between the under-slab application and concrete placement.

Allco Solutions:  

The Volclay waterproofing system was the ideal choice for waterproofing this project with Allsheet 500 Damp Proof Membrane (DPM) used for the low-risk cafeteria slab.

Under slabs and Foundations: The Voltex range and accessories were employed for critical areas including pile caps, lift pits, and ground beams. The Volclay Voltex DS was chosen for its additional chemical resistance, extremely low water vapor and gas permeability. Elephant utilised the Waterstop RX Delayed Hydration (DH) in areas that could be subject to moisture as an extra precaution to avoid over hydration of the water bar before backfilling.

Walls: Volclay Swelltite was applied to the pre-cast panels, with special attention to control joints using a double layer, Bentoseal and Waterstoppage.

Cafeteria slab: The low risk, non-hydrostatic conditions of the cafeteria slab meant Allsheet 500 DPM was suitable. The excellent tear and puncture resistance of this virgin resin flexible polyethylene sheet ensured the integrity of the DPM during construction and keeping vapour out of the cafeteria. The extra benefit of Allsheet is its ability to be transitioned to Swelltite ensuring an effective seal at the vulnerable laps and joins.

Execution and Outcomes:  

On site water control was key to the success of this project with many active pumps running in holes to dewater. The main issue was how to control the water problem after under-slab application and before concrete placement. The only option was to locate the worse effected location and bore a hole deep enough to accept a protected, submersible pump. This stayed in place after the concrete floor had been poured and was then easily detailed with the Volclay range.

Our applicator Elephant NZ Ltd, played a pivotal role in this process, skilfully completing the waterproofing installation, and ensuring high-quality execution throughout. Elephant was supported by regular site visits and technical support from our Technical Advisory team, ensuring high waterproofing and structural integrity standards.

The project’s success was driven by diligent preparation work and excellent communication between main contractor Watts and Hughes, Elephant NZ Ltd and Allco Waterproofing.