RIW University of Birmingham, Sports Centre

University of Birmingham, Sports Centre Case Study

08/07/2016

Opportunity • Architect: Lifschutz Davidson Sandilands • Main Contractor: Interserve Construction • Structural Engineer: Arup • Building Description: New Sports Centre comprising Olympic sized swimming pool; Sports halls; Changing accommodation; Swimming pool plant room • Products Used: 1500m2 Flexiseal, and 4300m2 Structureseal

The Structure

Site Conditions

• Reinforced concrete ground slab on ground beams/pile caps

• Clay soil with low percolation

• Secant pile wall around stair core • Reinforced concrete retaining walls • 1 storey full basement • 1 storey partial basement

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• No external drainage • No detailed site investigation • No ground gases

Design Requirements The design requirements for this building included a sports centre with mixed leisure facilities, a swimming pool, sports halls, changing rooms, viewing areas and swimming pool plant room. This therefore required a DPM below the reinforced concrete ground slab due to

the necessity for minimal floor finishes. The build was a grade 3, completely dry environment with combined types A & B protection to the substructure and swimming pool shell.

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Detailing of the System The requirements for this construction included piled

the ground settles. RIW Flexiseal Pro was then used to

foundations and capping beams which lead to RIW

link RIW Structureseal below the slab up to DPC level, as

suggesting Structureseal. This sheet membrane allows

the flexible polymer modified epoxide can be applied to

easy detailing around capping beams and reinforcement

various surfaces including junctions between masonry

penetrations, and has the ability to form a mechanical

and steel.

bond to the ground slab, fixing the membrane in place if

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Conclusion The main contractor for the project, Interserve

marked-up detailed sections to illustrate our proposals.

Construction, originally contacted RIW to review the

Throughout construction, Technical Advisors attended

waterproofing strategy and provide waterproofing

the site to provide advice on the installation of products

solutions. We were able to combine the accessibility

in order to provide a proactive experience for our

of field-based Technical Advisors with the constant

customers.

availability of our in-house technical team to provide

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