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Lontains 9.9-'
Foreword
This publication is one of a series related to basements for housing. It has been produced under the direction of the
Basement Development Group, which was initiatedand is co-sponsored by the BritishCement Association.
Acknowledgments
The British Cement Association(BCA) is grateful to the British Structural WaterproofingAssociation(BSWA) for cosponsoring this publication. It is also grateful for the assistance and comments provided by members of the Basement
Development Group and for the considerable work of its WaterproofingTask Group in drafting and progressing this
publication. Particularthanks go to Maria Hudlass and Steven Edwards of Servicised for the production of the figures.
Thanks are alsoextended to all others who provided input to and comments on the preparatory drafts.
BasementDevelopmentGroup
SupportingTrade Groups
WaterproofmgTask Group
48.058
First published 1994
ISBN 0 7210 1475 5
Price group D
BritishCement Association1994
Published by
Contents
Introduction
Scope
Design principles
Basementusage
Site information
2
2
Forms
of construction
Ancillary materials
Waterstops
Thermal insulation
Condensation
Vapour control
Chemical barrier
System restraint
Substrate movement
Expansion joints
Defects and repair
Site investigations
Groundwater
Soil type and conditions
Constructionoptions
10
Waterproofingdetails
13
Selection procedure
17
Glossary
18
References
19
Introduction
Basements provide an opportunity for the builder to
achieve a goodreturnon his outlay. and his customer to
benefit by being offered houses with greater potential'.
Including a basement maximisesavailable land space,
provides more stable construction, is thermally efficient
and offers ideal quiet areas and further space for storage
or accommodation. Basementscan be economically
introduced onto most sites and, in particular. have clear
advantages on sites with poor ground that may otherwise
be regarded as difficult and possibly uneconomic to build
on. This publication is intended to help the builder or
designer arrive at the most appropriate form of construction and waterproofing solution.
Scope
The details and comments given in this publicatk)n are
limited to Grade 2 and 3 internal environments, as
defined in BS 8102. which are appropriate for residential
basements.
The Grade 2 environment is for use as workshops and
plant rooms, and other areas where the performance
level permits no water penetration. hut higher levels of
water vapourwould he tolerable and surface condensation may occur.
The Grade 3 environment is for ventilated residential and
working areas which require a drier environment.
Design principles
The specificationof waterproofing systems is a specialised task. It is recommended that, once the design team
has given the system some thought, the manufacturersof
the systems under consideration are contacted immediately for early advice and help on the waterproofing
design. The British Structural WaterproofingAssociation
can provide details of manufacturers of the different
generic waterproofing systems and of appropriate
specialist waterproofing contractors.
Choosing a suitable basement construction may he
divided into four main steps:
Decide on basement usage
Gather site information
Decide on form of construction
Decide on form of waterproofing
These and other factors needingconsideration are shown
in the flow chart in Figure 1.
Basement usage
Table 1 of BS 8102 relates environmental performance
levels to basement usage, and defines themin Grades
1 to 4. Most basements will he for domestic accommodation, which is Grade 3. Some basements may be for
permanent workshops or garages, and a Grade 2 environment would be acceptable. However, since usage
may change, it is better to construct a basement to a
Site information
The gathering of site information is dealt with in Site
investigationson page 8. However, a few points need to
he considered whenselecting the form of construction
and waterproofing system.
High water tables present the greatest risk of failure of
the watertightnessof a basement. If there is a permanently high water table, it is important to identify it.
A watercourse or water table that rises and falls with
climatic changes must also be identified.How often and
for how long the water table stays high are also important. If the water table rises briefly - say, after heavyrain
- andthen immediatelyfalls again, the risk of water
penetration through external waterproofing and then
through the structure is less than if the water table stays
high for a much longer period.
//
/
/
Deciding on form of
construction
Forms ofconstruction
A-
//
7
Extemal
r:.
waterproofing
//
Sandwiched
waterproofing
-z
C
5.
Intemal
waterproofing
_c_
-0
b,,p
.Q.
.5.
37
Water-resistant
reinforced
concrete
walland slab
Anon-integrat
kicker
witt require one waterstop
whereit adjoinsthe slab
and anotherat its
intersection withthewall
-I
Cr A.;0:: A7.'.
-r
..t.
Crystallisation, hydrophilic,
or injected wateratop
.. -0 s
a-
Water-resistant
reinforced
concrete
walland stab
0-
C-c:--
.2
-- . .
'-J
-
.b:2. ...
ventilatedcavity
Floorfinishes
former
concrete
as follows:
Type C
The Type C construction relies totally on water collected
in the cavity being taken away. The amount of free water
entering will dependon the volume of external water
and its hydrostatic pressure, and on the initial resistance
of the structure to water ingress.
Suitability ofconstructionforms
Design considerations
Flexibleand able to adapt to minormovement and
shrinkage within the substrate
They are of consistent thickness and quality
Design considerations
Because of the multiple coats, there is little risk of
defects in one coat being carried right through the
total membrane
May provide protection against aggressive soils and
Design considerations
Minordefects in placing should self-seal
They are simple to apply
The substrate does not need to he dry before
application
Minimumpreparation of substrate is required
Must not he used in acidic or excessivelyalkaline soils
Design considerations
Being jointless. theymaintain continuity of membrane
Easily applied to difficult suhstrate profiles
Elastic and flexible, thus accommodatingminor
active systems
Design considerations
Provide in-depth waterproofing of concrete and
construction joints
The chemicals remain active and will self-seal leaks
In construction joints, they assist repair of local defects
Applied externally, mayprotect against aggressive
soils and groundwater
Will not self-seal cracks greater than hairline (0.3 mm)
Cannot he used on building materials containing no
free lime
Will not waterproof defective concrete, such as
honeycombing
Design considerations
Can be applied internallywith no loading coat
requirement
Effective against severe groundwater infiltration
Easilyapplied to difficult substrate profiles
When applied internally,defects are easy to findand
repair
Provide a durable surface suitable for direct finish
substrate
Fittings fixed mechanicallythrough the system can
cause problems and should be avoided
Ancillary materials
Waterstops
the joint.
Bandagejoint systems
If construction operations may damage applied membranes, adequate protection must he provided. This can
consist of vertical hlockwork and a 50 mm screed to
horizontal surfaces. Alternatively, protection boards
supplied by most membrane manufacturersmay he used.
They are more convenient since they provide immediate
protection. They also eliminate a 'wet trade' operation
and allow the followingworks to continue immediately
after laying.
Protection boards should he rot-proof and robust enough
to withstand site operations. They should therefore he
chosenin consultationwith the supplier of the waterproofing system.
A protection board maybe used in vertical applications.
Alternatively, if vertical protection and drainage are
required, a geocomposite drainage sheet could he used:
its greater cost may be offset by the reduction or elimination of hydrostatic pressure on the membrane as a result
of the better drainage.
Thermal insulation
condensation
Because window areas are often reduced, there tends to
be less natural ventilationin basements than in other
areas of a house. They are therefore generally more
proneto condensation, so heating and air circulation
need to be carefully designed to ensure condensation is
controlled.
Condensation in basements is too complex to he covered
in detail here. Reference 3 explains how to estimate its
risk and effects.
Water vapour tendsto move from areas of high vapour
pressure to low vapour pressure. The vapour pressure in
a specific area relates directly to the humidity of the air at
that point, which in turn depends on the temperature
and the amount of free water available to he released
into the air.
Althoughit is commonly thought that water vapour will
always pass from the ground into a basement, this is not
so. In most domestic situations,water vapourwill move.
if the water table is low, from within the structure
towards the ground. If the water table is high. water
vapour will penetrate the basement but usually at such a
k)w rate as to he of little consequence.
A vapour-permeablewaterproofing system can thus be
advantageous if the vapour tends to move from the
inside to the ground. hut will alkw relative humidity
within the basement to rise if the reverse conditions
apply.
A system that acts as a vapourcheck can be advantageous if the vapourtends to move from the ground into
the basement hut similarly will allow the relative humidity to rise if the reverse is true. However, a vapourcheck
applied externally can cause interstitial condensation
This should not be a problem as long as it is allowed for
in the design.
In general. careful consideration must he given to the
effect that the waterproofing system has on the resistance
to water vapour. In practice. where internal conditions in
a basement are controlled by properly designed heating
and permanent ventilation, the condensation risk can he
reduced to be no worse than in the rest of the dwelling.
The advantages/disadvantagesof vapour permeable:
impermeable systems are then usually negligible.
If the environment is controlled solely by natural air
movement, the condensation risk increases and more
care is needed in the choice of waterproofing and
insulation systems.
Vapour control
to 5 can
also act as an effective vapour check. Although this is
often seen as an advantage, somestructures needto
allow for water vapourmovement, in which case a
category 6 or 7 system will he needed. The vapour
resistance of category 7 systems can vary significantly
with the product. It is important. therefore, to decide
whether water vapour needs to he controlled or not - see
Condensation above.
As well as controlling water ingress. categories
Chemical barrier
An external membrane can protect the main structure.
However, if the ground or groundwater is contaminated
with aggressive chemicals, methane and other gases,
their precise nature and concentration must he
System restraint
Substrate movement
Categories 1 to 5 have reasonable strain capacity and will
usually accommodate sonic flexing or design cracking of
the structure. Categories6 and 7 are more brittle with
low strain capacity and so are less tolerant of structural
flexing. They will crack if the substrate cracks hut may
still control moisture ingress if the cracks are fine.
Expansionjoints
Defectsand repair
Site investigations
',
Groundwater
Water table
Majordivisions
Sub-groups
Drainage
characteristics
Shrinkage
or swelling
properties
Boulder and
cobbles
Boulder gravels
Good
Almost none
Excellent
Almost none
Fair to practically
impervious
Almostnone to
Excellent
Almostnone
Practicallyimpervious
Very slight
Excellent
Almost none
Excellent
Almost none
Fair to practically
impervious
Almost none to
slight
Excellent
Almost none
Practically impervious
Very slight
Uniform sandswith
little or no fines
Excellent
Almost none
Poorly gradedsands,
little or no fines
Excellent
Almost none
Fair to practically
impervious
Almost none to
medium
Silts(inorganic) and
very fine sands, rock flour,
silty orclayey fine sands
with slight plasticity
Fair to poor
Slight to medium
Practicallyimpervious
Medium
Poor
Medium
Fairto poor
Medium to high
Clays(inorganic) of
medium plasticity
Fairto practically
impervious
High
Fairto practically
impervious
High
Poor
High
Othermatenals
rubble
Gravels and
gravelly soils
.
Coarse soils and
other materials
slight
soils
mixtures
Fme
II
Soils having
medium
compressibility
(inorganic) ofmedium
plasticity
of
Clays(inorganic)
.
high plasticity, fat
tohigh
Practically impervious
High
Practically impervious
High
Fairto poor
Very high
clays
Grounddrainage
and sulfates.
Construction options
Flat sites
Flat sites provide the opportunity for basements wholly
or partially below ground (Figure 4). Excavatedmaterial
may he re-used to landscape around basements partially
below ground, giving the dwelling an elevated aspect.
Type A or C construction mayhe used if the site is freedraining or is in an elevated position with drainage
provisions.
(a) Semi-basement
Perimeter drain to
discharge iodownaide
Perimeterdrainto
diacharge to downaide
Perimeter drainto
diacharge to downside
Infihl sizes
Inner city areas provide more opportunities for house
basement construction because high land values increase
property costs. Infill sites between adjacent dwellingscan
he developed (Figure 5). However, these may he more
susceptible to periodic flooding from existing defective
water mains. Design preference is for Type B construction, perhaps with internal waterproofing or drained
cavity provision.
Where adjacent properties haveto he underpinned, it
can he difficultto achieve continuity in external or preapplied waterproofing systems. Alternative systems
shouldtherefore he looked at.
Semi-basementson infill sites can probably use a hunded
catchment area. If so, the hund walls should he designed
as Type A tanked constntction or Type B water-resistant
concrete, with a drainage sump (Figure 5(h)) for rainwater. Clearly, this form of construction can he adopted
for both flat and sloping sites.
Figure3: Continued
groundlevel
Drainage aump
Retainingbund wall
11
Steppedand staggered
foundationsmakeitdifficult
to achievecontinuity of
waterproofing. Thereforethe
preferenceis forsandwich
construction with provision
forexternalrelief drainage
Figure 6: Continued
Foundationdesign
Structuresshouldhe designed to keep foundations as
Type Astructure
Confineto slopingor
Externalor internal
waterproofing
High-risk
design due to lack
of
continuitybetweenwall
and floor. Reinforcement
mayberequiredto control
Drainage mayberequire
to alleviatebuildupof
cracking
hydrostatic head
(a) Stripfoundation
(a) Non-preferred orientation
TypeA structure
Confinetoslopingor
Orientationof basement
design to avoid possible
'dammingof the ground
waterflow
Externalwaterproofing may
be requiredto modifythe
exposuresituationof the
retainingwall
Difficulttoachievecontinuity
of waterproofing
membrane
whenappliedexternally
Type C structure
Ideal forslopingor
elevatedsites
Externslwaterproofing may
berequiredto modifythe
esposuresitustionofthe
retainingwall
membrsne
whenapplied externally
Type A structure
Confinetoslopingor
Simpledesign
Externalwsterproofing
mayberequiredto
modifythe exposure
situation of the retaining
wall
Waterproofing details
/ //
//,
Twoteaveaof
afructualwall
(notlied)
Mentrane
Basement
(a)Sandwichedwaterproofing
Membrane/waterproof
render
Type Bstructure
Suitableforpermanent
Concrete ormasonry
structural wall
(notwaterproof)
orvariablewster tables
aboveslsb level
Reinforced concrete
to BS 8110or
BS 8007as sppropriate
Protection/loadingcoat
(ifrequired)
design
Maybecombined with
extemat/intemal
waterproofingor drained
cavityconstruction to
enhanceperformance
Type C structure
Suitsbleforpermanent
orvariablewatertables
Protection(ax apecified)
aboveslab level
Reinforced concrete
Membrane
design to BS 8110or
BS 8007as appropriate
Concrete ormasonry
atrtctural wall
(notwaterproof)
Intemaldrainedcavity
construction
I
(f) Drained cavityconstruction with piledfoundation
(c) Extemalwaterproofing
J
Figure 7: Continued
13
Permanent masonry
enabtingworks
Concrete ormasonry
stnjctuetwat
(not waterproof)
Membrane tesleneded
totemporary/enablingworks
.. /
I
(d) External(reverse)waterproofing
Structuralwall
Ventilatedcavity
ormasonry
structuralwall
(notwaterproof)
Concrete
Innerskin
I
(h) Drained cavity, no waterproofing towalls, structure not
providing TypeB standard
asappropriate
Preformed cavity
drainagesystem
Innerskin
Geocomposite
drainage sheet
(altemalive to
granularbackfill)
Membrane
Basement structure
Innerskin
Water-resistingstructural
wall to BS 8110 orBS 8007
as appropriate
Percolating
:4
.,
/
/
7
/- -
..
..
:-
.
.
..
-l
Preformedcavity
drainagesystem
bondedto temporary/
enablingworks
Water-resistingstructural
asappropriate
Innerskin
.'- ,:-.-
Enablingworks
Membranefastened/
(reverse) waterproofing
External orinternal
waterproofing asappropriate
groundwater
p, Externai orinternal
waterproofing asrequired
I
I
I
I
I
Basement Structure
5'
.1..
.
DPM
Continuity of
waterproofing
witttDPM
:.
DPC
Airbrick
0'
External
waterproofing
withdrainage
asrequired
Basement slab
Cavity
D::
tray
Consuft with
manufacturers
forspecificdetail
External
waterproofing
Honzontal
waterproofing
with protection
where required
(a) Externalwaterproofing
0
(a) Linking of external waterproofingwith DPC/cavitytray
Continuity of
waterproofing
Innerloadingwall
5Jrbdck
Waterproof
membrane
Cavity fill
(nowallties)
Loading slabto resist
hydrostatic pressure
asrequired
Consult with
manufacturers
forspecific detail
waterproofing
Fin drain
a -
' a
15
DPM
DPC
.c'
no outer waterproofing, it would he acting as a cavitydrained system. The vall ties would therefore need to he
omitted and the inner leaf designed as a loadhearing
Q.
-.
..
Continuity of
waterproofing
Innerwaterproofing or
cavitydrainage system
:
:
Innerloading walland
slabsasrequired
:-: :.
. r'
(C)
..c'
Internalwaterproofing
Continuity of waterproofing
withcavitytray
cs,.
Continuouswaterproofing
system. Roofareatobe laid
to fallswith drainage provision
,
-
'.
Prngb:ntr
(d) Externalwaterproofing ofprojecting basement roof
draining site
Discontinuityof waterproofing is possible here because
any water rising by capillaryaction is effectively
prevented from reaching the inside face of the inner leaf.
In addition, any water penetrating the outer leaf is
intercepted by the cavity and discharged belowthe slab
level. Such construction cannot he used where the water
table is high or variable. Nor is it feasible with soils of
low permeahility on a flat site, as water could build up
within the cavity and rise above slab level. Discontinuity
of the waterproofing system must, therefore, he
considered only where the groundand structure are able
to prevent water ingress. This is possible only with
certain constructionson sloping sites or in freely draining
soils with a low water table. Discontinuitymay alsoonly
he acceptable where natural gases such as methane and
radon are not present.
Preference should always he given to taking services up
and er the walls to avoid penetrating the basement
walls below ground. If holes are unavoidable, they must
he properly detailed. Details will vary according to the
category and size of the penetration and the waterproofing system being used. Figure 14 shows a typical
approach. The service itself must alsohe waterproofed
into the service penetration.
Because of the variationsbetweendifferent waterproofing systems and typeand form of service,they must
he discussed with the manufacturer and specific details
decided k)r the project in hand. Avoid using general
manufacturer'sdetails as theyare most unlikely to suit
every case.
Figure12: ContinLied
Discontinuitycan sometimes he acceptable, as Sllo\Vfl in
Figure where a masonry wall is detailed for use on a
sloping site. The detail could also he appropriate on a
free draining flat site. This is not a cavity drain system
(Type C) but in effect a Type A construction that can
intercept water finding its way through the outer leaf.
The Figure also shows the necessary ventilation of the
cavity, and aterproofing to the top of the retaining wall.
The detail is shown with the inner leaf tied to the outer
leaf. Where the cavity is to he the main intercept, with
rr
Aitemative o(
additional
hydrophilic strip
orcrystallisation
coafing
Waterproofing
membrane
Anyservicewithin
penetration will also
needto be sealed
Selection procedure
To ensure that the risk of moisture penetration is kept to
an acceptably low level for the life of the structure, the
appropriate systems must be combined and considered
together. Having completed the investigation already
outlined, the design team should nowbe able to decide
the waterproofing strategy. Figure 15 is provided to help
in the selection process. However, it was shown at the
beginning that choosing and specifying a waterproofing
system is a specialised task. It is therefore most desirable
that the manufacturers of the likelysystems are contacted
early. Their expertise will help ensure success.
on page 13).
17
Assessing risk
When selecting a Type B construction, consider incorporating some form of waterstop in construction joints (see
Figure 2). If the water table remains high for long
periods, then a second, hack-up waterproofing system
could he considered. However, do not lose sight of the
fact that the water-resistantstructure must remain the first
line of defence against water penetration.
When a Type C construction is selected, the structure
must still to play'amajor role in keeping out water. If
moisture ingress is too rapid, the cavity is more likely to
he unable to copewith the water. In addition, the
method of getting the ingress water away plays an
important part in assessing the risk. If pumps or drains
fail, water is likely to enterthe basement.
apply.
Glossary
Airdry
Combinedsystem
Constructionjoint
Damp
Damp-proof
Dampresistance
moistureto enter
moisture
Damp-resistant
Drainedcavity
Expansionjoint
drainsawayincomingwater
External
waterproofing
External(reverse)
waterproofmg
Free-draining
Highwater table
Hydrostatichead
Integralprotection
Kicker
construction
A mechanicalmeans ofretaining
formwork in position, eliminatinga
kicker
Loading coat
Low-permeability
Resistant to waterpenetration
Membrane
Moisture
Protection layer
References
(1) BRITISH CEMENT ASSOCIATION. Optionsforquality in
Otherpublicationsrelatingto basement
structures
BRITISH STANDARDS
BS 8007: Codeofpracticefor design ofconcrete
Sandwiched
waterproofing
Vapourcheck
Acontinuous vapour-resistantlayer
Vapourresistance
Vapour-resistant
Waterstop
Waterproof
Waterproofing
system
Water-resistant
Watervapour
NHBC Standards.
Vol. 1. Parts 1-5. Amersham. NHBC, 1991.
Chapter 3.1 'Siting of dwellings' reviews items to he
taken into account when developing sites. Relevant areas
19
i;r
wA
1*SIGN GUIDE
CI/SfB
I
BQ1
BritishCementAssociation
rilish
tructural
aterproofing
ssocialion
UDC
643.8 : 699.82