Palm Islands

The Palm Islands are the three largest man-made islands in the world. Construction on the “Eighth Wonder of the World” began in May, 2002 off the coast of Dubai. It is expected to be one of the world’s top tourist destinations.

Each of the islands (Palm Jumeirah, Palm Jebel Ali, and Palm Deira) are being built in the shape of a date palm tree consisting of a trunk, a crown with fronds, and surrounded by a crescent island that acts as a breakwater. The islands will support luxury hotels, freehold residential villas, unique water homes, shoreline apartments, marinas, water theme parks, restaurants, shopping malls, sports facilities, health spas, cinemas and various diving sites. The Palm Jumeirah (the smallest of the three) will primarily be a retreat and residential area.

The trunk section of the Jumeirah includes a concrete canal that is 2km (1.24 mile) long. The canal is the main transportation link to the island. Once constructed, the trunk will be forever submerged into the sea surrounding the island. Protecting steel reinforcements within the concrete from salt water attack is crucial to ensuring the long-term durability of the structure - especially considering the difficulty and cost of potential repairs and maintenance.

Solution

The contractor, NSCC-SBF, chose the Krystol Concrete Waterproofing System because of it’s ability to become a permanent part of the concrete matrix. Unlike traditional waterproofing membranes, Krystol waterproofing technology grows stronger from the day it is applied and does not deteriorate over time.

Unlike old-fashion membranes, Krystol actually transforms the concrete into a water-resistant barrier. Krystol uses advanced integral crystalline waterproofing technology to provide a powerful, guaranteed defense against water damage. Krystol chemicals are absorbed into the structure through the natural wicking action of concrete. When combined with water, Krystol reacts to form millions of needle-like crystals. The crystals work inside the concrete to self-seal cracks and fill the spaces between concrete particles, permanently blocking the movement of water in all directions.

Krystolized concrete will prevent the penetration of damaging waterborne contaminants, chloride-ions, salts & sulphates that would corrode reinforcing steel and compromise the life of the canal. Krystol will continue to protect against potential water damage, because the crystallization process is activated whenever moisture is present, integrally waterproofing for the life of the concrete.

The Palm Islands project is ongoing, but builders have submerged the trunk of the Palm Jumeirah and are pleased with the results thus far.