Prologis DIRFT III Multi-Storey Car Park

Context – the DIRFT project

The Daventry International Rail Freight Terminal (DIRFT) is a leading UK logistics park. It is strategically positioned at the UK’s centre of logistics for road (M1, M6 and A14 routes) and has the added benefit of three on-site rail freight terminals with access to the West Coast mainline – the UK’s main rail freight route.

The Objective at Car Park 3 (DIRFT III)

The more traditional multi-coat deck membrane that this type of deck structure would normally be sealed with presents a number of challenges, as it is significantly impacted by poor weather conditions and delays waiting for the concrete to reach an appropriate level of cure.

MARKHAM were asked to provide an alternative waterproofing system to seal the top two decks of this structure.

Challenges included:

• Weather conditions caused concrete cure delays
• Membrane application vs cure program periods, including coordinating multiple trades
• Requirement for ongoing maintenance due to surface wear

The Solution

MARKHAM assisted with a holistic three-part system. The concrete itself was made waterproof by including AQURON 300 admixture in the mix design and AQURON 2000 spray-applied treatment. All electrical and drainage penetrations in the decks, and the edge kerb upstands on the decks, were sealed with CONQOR 47B delayed swell waterstop gasket.

MARKHAM took responsibility for the joint cutting and sealing to give a single point of responsibility and warranty.

The Outcome and Results

The inclusion of AQURON 300 in the concrete at the mixing stage and the treatment of the concrete with AQURON 2000 the day after placement meant that the waterproofing process proceeded concurrently with the pour schedule. This removed the delays typically encountered when applying a multi-coat membrane system.

Sealing all penetrations and kerb upstands using CONQOR 47B meant that MARKHAM’S waterproofing solution was contiguous across the whole of the top two deck areas of this structure.

As the waterproofing solution is included throughout the full depth of the concrete, it is in place for the concrete’s lifespan and will not require any reapplication or ongoing maintenance.

Both AQURON 300 and AQURON 2000 are fully compatible with any form of line marking/road signage, meaning that there was no adverse effect/change required to the marking out process for these two deck levels.

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