ACI 515.1R-79 (Revised 1985) Ts document has bean approved for use by ‘of the Department of Defense and for king tn the’ BoD Inder of Spectications and Stand A Guide to the Use of Waterproofing, Dampproofing, Protective, and Decorative Barrier Systems for Concrete Reported by ACI Committee 515 Byron I. Zolin, Chairman Clark R. Gunness Kenneth A. Heffner A. L. Hendricks James E. Kubanick Andrew Rossi, Jr Donald L. Schlegel Lawrence E, Schwietz Warner K, Babcock Arthur E, Blackman, Sr. «Donald E. Brotherson Robert W. Gaul Dorothy M. Lawrence Stella L. Marusin Charles J. Parise Charles O. Pratt ‘The revising committee is listed at the end of the document. ‘This Guide updates and expands the scope of the committee report “Guide for the Protection of Con- crete Against Chemical Attack by Means of Coatings and Other Corrosion Resistant Materials,” which ap- peared in the December 1966 ACI Jounnat. The pre- vious Guide has been revised and is found in Chapter 6 of this Guide entitled “Protective Barrier Systems.” In addition, there are new chapters on “Waterproofing Barrier Systems,” "Dampproofing, Barrier Systems,” and “Decorative Barrier Systems.” A seporate chapter on conditioning and surface preparation of concrete is included because itis rele- vant to all the other chapters. This Guide is not to be referenced as a complete Unit. Keyword: abrasive baating acid teutment emi ck ciel dante ean ce res: finabes: ‘pony en is gant, inspection: Jon sealer: atx (ruber roca tera pt pho in lt, pagar nd ater ‘esi: polyurethano resi: protactive calls; reps sealer: alicae, al rpersure teat, voporbariers: waterproofing. Foreword ACI Committee 515 was organized in 1936 and pub- lished a report “Guide for the Protection of Concrete Against Chemical Attack by Means of Coatings and Other Corrosion Resistant Materials,” in the De- ‘ACI Commitee Raport, Guldes, Sundard Paces, and Comme thn toed ogo dining. plnreg eta, ‘or inspecting construction ann preparing spectcains tice t theve documents sall ol bo made Inthe Projet Docu- ‘rents isms found In thove documents ar dested to be pat of {he Pojct Documents, they should be incorporated dvely ito the Project Documents : cember 1966 ACI Journat. William H. Kuenning was chairman when this Guide was published. Albert M. Levy was chairman from 1974 to 1977 when some of the information, found in the chapters on “Water- proofing Barrier Systems” and “Dampproofing Bar- rier Systems,” was developed. CONTENTS Chapter 1—Introduction, page 515.1R-2 1:1—General discussion 1.2—The systems concept for barriers 1.3—Barrier performance difficult to define 144—Bconomic factors for barrier selection 1.5—Inspeetion during application 1.6—Safety roquirements Chapter 2—Barrier systems: types and performance requirements, page 515.1R-3 21-—Defaitions of barcer sys 2.2_—When waterproofing is. 2.3—When dampproofing is used 2.4—When protective barrier systems are used 2.5—Susceptibiity of concrete to attack by chemicals 2.5—When decorative pelnting barier systems are usod Chapter 3—Concrete conditioning and surface preparation, page 515.1R-12 3.4—General requirements 3.2--Repair of surface defects 33--Stopping or rerouting of water 34—Surlaco preparation apyright © 1008, American Concrete Insite. Al eighareored includ ‘ol mpreduction and use in ety frm or by any eneans nchvding ecto oF mechan ‘Unosspeembalon In B15.1R1s15.1R2 Chapter 4—Waterproofing barrier systems, Page $15.1R-18 istics of waterproofing to selection application inspection and sampling 45—Preconsiruction conference checklist Chapter 5—Dampproofing barrier systems, Page 515.1R-29 of dampprooting 5.2—Guide to selection of dampprooting barriers 5.3—Application Chapter 6—Protective barrier systems, page 515.1R-30 6.1—Charactorstics ofa protective barrier systom 62—Elements of a protective barter system 63~Guide for selection of protective barrier systems 6-4—Description of barter materials 85—Spocial composite barriers {86—Testing of completed barrier systems Chapter 7—Decorative paint ba Page 515.1R-38 7.1—Characteratics of decorative paint systems 7.2—Guide ta election of decorative paints 7.3—Types of paints 74—Painting procedures 7.5—Repainting procedures ier systems, CHAPTER 1—INTRODUCTION 1.1—General discussion Many concrete structures are designed and built to (2) contain water within the structure, or (2) main. tain dry conditions within the structure when it is subject to water conditions on the outside, Since concrete is not always completely impermeable to water and since concrete may sometimes develop cracks after placement, it is sometimes necessary to cover the surface with @ barrier material to meet these requirements. In this Guide, they will be ider tified as waterproofing barrier systems (Chapter 4) and dampproofing barrier systems (Chapter 5). See definitions in Sections 2.1.1 and 2.1.2 and discus- sion in Sections 2.2 and 2.3. Some concrete structures may be subjected to chemical attack on one or more surfaces by water, acids, alkalies, salt solutions, or a wide variety of ‘organic chemicals. Damage may be merely surface discoloration or surface roughening, or it may be as catastrophic as acid attack with the resulting loss of structural integrity. The affected surfaces are goner- ally covered with barrier materials. These materials with the supporting concrete are designated in Chap- tor 6 of this Guide as protective barrier systems. See discussion in Sections 1.2, 2.4, and 2.5. ‘Some concrete surfaces require a change in color for esthetic reasons. A wide variety of paints are commercially available for this purpose. In this Guide they will be called decorative paint barrier systems (Chapter 7). Seo Sections 2.1.4 and 2.6. MANUAL OF CONCRETE PRACTICE All the barrier systems discussed in this Guide will be limited to those that are made up of poly. ‘meric cementitious and ceramic materials. 1.2—The systems concept for barriers To understand the factors affecting the perform. ance of the various barrier systems, it is necessary to consider them not isolated but as part of a whole. As an example, consider a protective coating system for @ concrete structure below grade; the specific ele- ments are: the barrier material, the interface of the barrier and concrete surface, concrete to a depth of % in. (6 mm), the remainder of the concrete, the sta- ity of the ground supporting it, and the ground water pressures (see Section 6.2 for more details), Awareness of the systems concept will make one appreciate that selection of a barrier material is only one of many interrelated steps necessary to insure Satisfactory performance. Equally important are placement, consolidation curing of the concrete, sur- face cleanliness, surface preparation, application procedures, and inspection. A decision whether to use a barrier and its selec- tion should be made when the concrete structure is being designed. Configuration of the structure, con- struction methods, and job sequencing can affect barrier installation and quality. Barrier penetrations can be minimized and the barrier aspects of the job will be better planned. Placement and curing of the concrete should be in accordance with ACI 304 and ACI 308.*? This should be followed by the appropriate surface preparation to remove any weak concrete, laitance, and foreign ma- terial. This Guide will provide the best available inform tion to assist in the selection, placement, installation and inspection of these barrier systems. Suggestions for the design and fabrication of the concrete struc- tures that are to receive a barrier system will also be included. The goal of this Guide is to make the teader aware of the factors insuring satisfactory bar- Hier performance. 1.3—Barrler performance difficult to define There are no formulae, such as those available to designors of concrete structures, that can be used in tho selection, placement, application, and inspec- tion of barrier systems because many of the factors sffecting barrier performance are difficult to define and aro intangible factors. Structural engineers intro- duce strength reduction factors, load factors, and fac- tots of safety into their design formulae to allow for variations in manufacturing or construction, and to Compensate for those aspects of the design that can- not be precisely predicted. Surface cleanliness is a major factor affecting ad- hesion and subsequent performance of the barrier system, and yet we ate unable to quantify it, The reader should be aware that the application of a bar- rier system is really an art not a science. Once this isrecognized, action as outlined in this Guide can be taken to make sure the barrier system will meet the performance expectations of the owner or agency. 1.4—Economlc factors for barrier selection Itis important for the owner or agency to recognize that selection, placement, installation, and inspec- tion of a barrier system can be dominated by eco- nomic considerations to the detriment of perfor- ‘mance. There may be pressures to select and install @ barrier system that has the lowest initial cost per unit. However, these barriers may have a low per- formance potential. In addition to initial cost, some attention should be given to determine the cost of replacing a barrier system failing prematurely and to other costs associated with the failure. Other costs may include damage to concrete structures or water damage to equipment or excavating to expose the waterproofing. Selection of a barrier system should be based upon the life-time performance potential giving the lowest annual cost per unit per year. A system that costs less on an annual basis will most likely result in higher initial cost because the materials and applica- tion labor used may be more expensive, or a larger quantity of material may be needed In addition, selection of a qualified applicator or use of an inspection program may increase initial costs but not annual costs. The manufacturer and applicator of the barrier material should be selected on the basis of past performance, financial responsi- bility, technical reliability, capability and willing- ness to supply technical assistance, and reputation for standing behind their product and work. 1.5—Ingpection during application In conjunction with the decisions to select a bar- ier material and an applicator, plans should be for- / mulated for establishing a suitable inspection program to oversee the surface preparation and ap- plication work, and to make sure the barrier is ap- plied in accordance with the specification. Inspec- tion should commence before the barrier is installed and the final inspection should be made after the barrier has been placed. Use technical assistance ilable from the materials manufacturer or retain \dependent inspection agency familiar with the specified barrier system. 1.6—Satety requirements Appropriate safety requirements should be fol- lowed with respect to all materials, operations and procedures described in this Guide.'? Plastic and rubber barrier surfaces may be slip- pory, especially when wet, and could bea safety haz- ard to personnel. The skid resistance of a barrier surface can be increased as required. A portable tester; identified as the NBS-Brungraber Slip- Resistance Tester, for the evaluation of the slip re- sistance of surfaces has been developed by the Na- SURFACE BARRIER SYSTEMS. St5ARS tional Bureau of Standards? Also, the barrier manufacturer should be contacted for recommenda- tions. References 1."Salety and Environmental Control,” Manual of Coating Work {for Light-Woter Nuclear Power Primary Containment ond Other Safety Related Facilities, Publication No. 03-401076-14, ASTM, Philadelphia, 1979, Chapter 7. 2, “Coatings and Linings for Immersion Service,” TPC Publico tion No.2, National Association of Corrosion Engineers, Houston, 1972, Chapter 1, Sefaly. pp. 1-9, ‘3. Brungraber R. J. "A Nev Portable Tester forthe Evaluation of the Slip-Resistance of Walkway Surfaces.” Technical Note No. £953, National Bureau of Stendards, Washington, D.C, July 1977, 31 pp. 4. ACI Committee 204, "Recommended Prectice for Measuring. Mixing, Transporting, and Placing Concrete (ACI 204-73} (Re. alflrmed 1983)” American Concrete Institute, Detroit, 1979, 4¢ pp. Also, ACI Manual of Concrete Proctice, Part 2 '. ACI Committee 308, “Standard Practice for Curing Concrete (ACI 308.81)" American Concrete Institute, Detroit, 1981, 11 pp. ‘Also, ACI Manual of Concrete Prectice, CHAPTER 2—BARRIER SYSTEMS: ‘TYPES AND PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS 2.4—Definitions of barrier systems 2.1.1 Waterproofing barrier systems—Waterproot- ing is a treatment of a surface or structure to prevent the passage of water under hydrostatic pressure! (see Chapter 4). Waterproofing barrier systems may be placed on the positive or negative side (see Fig 24.4} 2.44 Positive side barrier systems—Positive side barrier systems are placed on the same side as the applied hydrostatic pressure (See Table 4.2) 2.1.1.2 Negative side barrier systems—Negative side barrier systems are placed on the side opposite to the appliod hydrostatic pressure (See Table 4.2). 2.1.2 Dampproofing barrier systems—Dampproof- ing is a treatment of a surface or structure to resist the passage of water in the absence of hydrostatic pres- sure’ (see Chapter 5). Another definition of damp- proofing given in ACI Special Publication 19? is: “Treatment of concrete or mortar to retard the pas- sage or absorption of water, or water vapor, either by application of a suitable coating to exposed surfaces, NEGATIVE SIDE WATERPROOFING Fig. 2.1.1—Comparison of positive side and negative side waterproofing,