Durrës Yachts Marina

Below-grade waterproofing usually fails at the interface rather than in the membrane itself. Where a membrane is only laid against the concrete, water reaching any breach can travel sideways in the gap and surface far from where it entered, which makes leaks very hard to trace and harder still to repair once the structure is backfilled.

On this site the groundwater level was the main constraint. With the structure 3.5 m below ground, the foundation membrane had to go in and stay sound against water in the excavation before the slab was poured over it.

Foundations: Mapeproof AL AP+. A pre-applied, fully bonded HDPE membrane, laid in the excavation ahead of the pour. The fresh concrete bonds directly to its adhesive face as it cures, so no gap is left for water to track along.

Underground walls: Mapeproof AL 1200 AP. A self-adhesive HDPE membrane applied after the concrete was poured, on surfaces treated with Mapeproof SA Primer. Mapegrout 430 was used to repair and reprofile the concrete, and Polydren PL geotextile as a separation and protection layer.

Both membranes are cold-applied (no heat and no open flames on site) and fully bonded, so the waterproofing and the structure behave as one.

SARP covered the full scope on this project:

• Specification: choosing the system for the actual below-grade conditions.
• Supply: as authorised Mapei distributor in Albania.
• Installation: carrying out the application on site.
• Technical support: advising the contractors as questions came up during construction.

The same specification was applied on all five buildings, for Progeen shpk, Ales Construction, Salillari shpk, Arbri Construction and Griba shpk.