Media

Waterproofing Concrete in Malaysia

Arab Construction World – January 2009

The city of Petaling Jaya, the third largest urban centre in Selangor, Malaysia, has recently undergone dramatic growth in new business and residential development. Leading the way is the city’s newest development, Zenith Corporate Park, which is being designed to further transform the area from an up-and-coming neighborhood to the city’s central business district.

Spanning nine acres and located in the suburb of Kelana Jaya, Zenith Corporate Park will serve a catchment population of 50,000 people within a one kilometer radius. It will be comprised of office, retail, and residential space, and will provide a total floor area of more than one million square feet to its residents and merchants. The first phase will feature 80 three and four storey shops/offices, while the second phase will be comprised of a 13-storey office tower and 20-storey mixed-purpose tower.

When designing the new business hub, it was critical to consider waterproofing methods. Even though the Petaling Jaya area’s climate is typically warm and sunny, it is also known for its heavy rainfall, which averages 125 millimeters per month. In addition, monsoon season stretches from September to April and can lead to devastating floods.

The development team, led by SMI Cityhomes Sdn Bhd (SMIC), faced a number of challenges in selecting its waterproofing system. Due to the development’s scope and construction timeline, affordability and ease of application were imperative. Also, realizing some concrete waterproofing systems deteriorate over time, the developer needed something that would last long-term, thereby minimizing future repair costs and any potential inconvenience to residents, tenants and patrons.

After considering multiple options, the project team selected Kryton‘s Krystol® concrete waterproofing system. Using advanced integral crystalline waterproofing technology, the Krystol system transforms porous concrete into a permanent, water-resistant barrier. A chemical reaction is triggered by moisture in the fresh concrete mix or water seeping through cracks in existing concrete. Once activated, the special chemicals react with water and unhydrated cement particles to grow microscopic crystals that self-seal cracks and voids. This provides a guaranteed defence against water damage and steel reinforcement corrosion for the life of the concrete.

The Krystol concrete waterproofing system includes both the Krystol waterstop system and Krystol Internal Membrane (KIM admixture). The Krystol waterstop system is an advanced joint design system that provides both a physical and chemical waterproofing barrier. KIM, Kryton’s flagship product, is an admixture that can be added to the concrete mix at the time of batching. Using KIM makes waterproofing concrete a quick and easy process that doesn’t impede construction timelines.

Using the complete Krystol concrete waterproofing system eliminates the need for external waterproofing membranes. It saves time and money because on-site preparation and installation of the external membrane is not required and a subtrade is not needed to apply the membrane. It also provides added flexibility for construction teams as the product can be used any time before, during, or after the construction process. Unlike external waterproofing membranes, the Krystol system does not deteriorate over time, providing longevity for the concrete and peace-of-mind for the developer and the property tenants and residents.

The project team saw that the true value of the Krystol concrete waterproofing system was its ability to save time and money and to outlast competing waterproofing products. In addition, recently KIM achieved SIRIM certification in Malaysia. SIRIM, a Malaysian government-run, market-driven organization, is the national authority on research, technology, standards and quality. SIRIM certification is necessary for all government projects and demonstrates a certain level of quality and trust in a product.

Kryton began actively working on the development in April 2008. Once complete, more than 15,000 cubic meters of below-grade surfaces will have been waterproofed with Kryton’s products. In total, more than 80,000 kilograms of KIM admixture will be used in the basement slabs and elevator pits and 1,500 meters of joints in retaining walls and basement slab-to-slab areas will be treated with the Krystol waterstop system.

The dynamic development of Zenith Corporate Park in Petaling Jaya continues to turn heads around the world. The scope of the project and its innovative and contemporary building methods is changing the face of construction in the region. The use of Kryton’s product in the development is just one example of this innovation.

Commercial sales of the first phase launched in August 2007 and proved that investors believe in the development. More than 95 per cent of the three and four storey shop/offices sold in the first two weeks of its soft launch and the remainder sold shortly thereafter.

With Zenith Corporate Park opening its doors to residents, tenants, and patrons in 2010, there is no question the Kelana Jaya neighbourhood and city of Petaling Jaya are about to undergo further change and dynamic growth as they transform into a central business district.