The Supreme Election Council building, inaugurated July 2018 in Ankara, Turkey, features a deep, three-floor below-grade structure that needed a waterproofing solution. Penetron crystalline technology was judged to be the most durable solution.
All elections in Turkey are overseen by the Supreme Electoral Council (Yüksek Seçim Kurulu), which is based in Ankara and headed by a committee composed of high-ranking members of the judiciary. The YSK ensures the rules of the constitution are upheld in general, presidential, and local elections.
Better Than a Membrane Solution
The new $15-million home of the Supreme Electoral Council in Ankara is built on a 1,500m2 (16,500 square feet) footprint. The below-grade concrete structures include three basement floors and walls at a subterranean level where considerable groundwater was encountered.
“Initially, the project’s contractor was looking at both EPDM and HDPE membranes as a waterproofing solution for the below-grade structures,” explains Haluk Taylan, Director of PENEKIM, the local Penetron company in Turkey. “However, these membranes were much too difficult to install, and that’s even before they considered any potential maintenance costs.”
Easy-to-apply integral waterproofing Solution
The project contractor consulted with PENEKIM, who provided an integral crystalline solution that would be much easier to apply and virtually eliminate all maintenance costs. Penetron crystalline technology was specified as a permanent waterproofing solution.
PENETRON ADMIX was added to over 2000 m3 (2,600 cubic yards) of concrete for the foundation slab and all basement walls, and PENEBAR SW-55 waterstop (1,500 m / 5,000 feet) was installed in the resulting construction joints by Techart, the Penetron dealer in Ankara. PENETRON topical material and PENECRETE MORTAR were also applied by Techart to the tie rod holes and for small repairs.
Effective Against Concrete Deterioration
Easily mixed in during batching and unaffected by climatic conditions, PENETRON ADMIX becomes an integral part of the concrete matrix and performs consistently during the life of the concrete. This reduces permeability by permanently sealing microcracks, pores and capillaries, effectively protecting the concrete against water penetration and the effects of deterioration, even with the hydrostatic pressure levels encountered in Ankara.
“The Penetron crystalline technology eliminates the need for any membrane systems or other topical applications,” adds Haluk Taylan. “We saved both time and money with the Supreme Electoral Council project!”
Beats membranes: An integral crystalline solution, PENETRON ADMIX was easy to mix in during batching, is unaffected by climate and eliminated virtually all maintenance costs for the Turkish project.
Ready for the mix: Bags of PENETRON ADMIX await as construction of the Supreme Electoral Council in Ankara began. The admixture was used to waterproof the foundation slab and all basement walls.
