Waterproofing of Above Grade Structure (Open to Sky Structure)

Above grade structures are also known as Building structure. These structures are fully above the ground level and exposed to atmospheric conditions.

Above grade structures generally undergoes following:

1. Air Pressure differences
2. Hot & Cold Cycles due to climatic conditions
3. Wind forces
4. Surface tensions
5. Exposure to UV rays
6. Carbonations

The structural movements occurring within core of the earth leads to currents & movements at ground, which also makes the movement within structures. These movement leads to development of cracks due to surface tensions

The prevention of water intrusion in to exposed structure through combination of materials or systems. This type of Waterproofing is can be subjected to hydro-static pressure created because of wind conditions and are exposed to weathering and carbonation.

Above Grade Waterproofing

Water is present in various forms like Ice (Solid), Water (Liquid) & Vapor (Gas) forms. Above grade structures usually faces vapor and liquid state and creates damages in many unique ways.

Water causes damages by vapor transmission through porous surfaces, by direct leakage in liquid state. Above grade waterproofing systems allows negative vapor transmission. This process is exactly identical to Human skin. Human skin allows you to Bathe and swim but at same time it allows you to perspire (Sweat) which is called negative vapor transmission.

Challenges Above grade waterproofing undergoes Or What are Causes of Water intrusion in Above grade structures?

The main causes of Intrusion in above grade structures are

• Natural Gravitational forces: The water entering due to gravitational forces is high in volume on horizontal and slightly inclined portion of the structure
• Surface tensions: The surface tension created due to molecules of water allows it to stick and travel along the undersides of the structural envelope such as joints. Also, same water can be drawn in to the structure by gravity or air pressure differences
• Environmental Air Pressure differences: Environmental Air pressure has its own principle; it migrates from high pressure zone to low pressure zone. If the air pressure inside the structure is less than air pressure in the surrounding, water would literally be sucked in to the structure
• Wind forces: Wind loads during heavy rains & rainstorms can force water in to interior areas if the structural envelope is not wind resistant structurally. Curtain Walls (Sidewalls) and glass can actually bend and flex away from gaskets and sealant joints resulting in direct access to the water.
• Capillary actions: Capillary action means natural upward motion that draw water from lower ground sources to higher ground periphery. Same way walls resting on exposed horizontal portions of structure (Example Balcony Decks (can be affected by capillary action of any ponding or standing water on these areas.
• Hot & Cold Cycles due to climatic conditions: The temperature transition with two parts of day and night makes the external structure undergoes expansion & contraction. Due to this repeated cycle, surface envelope tends to crack/fracture at some interval of time and these cracks are doorway to water ingress.
• Degradation due to Exposure in UV rays: UVA rays are called ‘Ultra-violet A’ rays. These rays are electromagnetic radiation with 10nm to 400nm wavelength. These rays impact the exterior concrete or polymer paint and degrades the same resulting in breach of the external envelope.
• Carbonations: Carbonation is referred as reaction of surface with carbon dioxide available in environment to form free carbonates, bi-carbonates. These reactions damages the structural envelope eventually creating void for water intrusion.

What are type of Above-Grade Waterproofing?

Waterproofing for above ground at exterior of structures is also called as Surface Waterproofing; which in by default should be barrier system if done along with structure erection otherwise prevention-based system by default as waterproofing for post erection of structure; and is carried out at the exposed component of the structure or structural envelope.

These system/materials are not subjected to any ground hydro-static pressures but they have complete exposed condition to hydro-static pressure created because of wind & other climatic conditions and are exposed to weathering, UV rays and carbonation.

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