The demand for shorter construction times, ever tighter cost constraints and increasing requirements due to future climate change already require innovative and sustainable building materials and construction methods. In bridge construction, waterproofing is still one of the biggest weak points in terms of durability. For this reason, an innovative waterproofing system with a bituminous waterproofing mastic with a highly branched polymer matrix specially designed for waterproofing bridges has been developed in lengthy laboratory tests and developed to practical maturity.
The hot-applied waterproofing mastic is characterized in particular by its extreme heat and cold flexibility as well as its elastic properties. In this context, the sealing system not only meets the high technical requirements that arise when sealing bridges, but also enables a significant reduction in construction time.
Long construction times are not only an economic factor, but have also been proven to harm the environment. It is estimated that the economic damage caused by traffic jams on German roads alone amounts to more than 80 billion euros per year. One of the main causes of traffic jams is often roadworks. The additional burden on the environment caused by exhaust gases (CO2) as a result of traffic jams and longer detour due to roadworks is significantly increased.
By using the innovative sealing system, work steps such as leveling the substrate with polymer concrete (PCC), priming, scraping the sealant and spreading the epoxy resin layer are no longer necessary. In addition, the long waiting times for the individual layers to cure are completely eliminated. The cost-effectiveness and sustainability of construction projects are therefore significantly improved through their use.
The system can also be applied during renovation work if the concrete has holes and unevenness. These occur, for example, when removing old coverings or due to chloride damage and have to be laboriously filled with PCC using conventional methods. This is not necessary with this waterproofing system, as the waterproofing mastic is not welded on like a bitumen membrane, but is applied in a liquid (low-viscosity) state. Due to the special composition of the bituminous waterproofing mastic, any unevenness in the substrate is evened out precisely (“the waterproofing follows the surface”).