Vancouver Car Park

This project pre-dates MARKHAM involvement. The concrete car park floor slabs were protected against de-icing salts and acid rain.

The Objective

The primary objective of this project was to extend and safeguard the service life of the concrete car park floor slabs. This was particularly crucial given the unique environmental challenges posed by the local climate and urban setting.

In this location, vehicles entering the car park frequently bring in water from the streets, which is not just ordinary rainwater. Due to the climate conditions, this water often contains a hazardous mixture of de-icing salts and residual acid from acid rain.

These are very destructive to concrete.

De-icing salts, commonly used to keep roads safe during winter conditions, can penetrate concrete surfaces and initiate corrosion of reinforcing steel. This corrosion can lead to expansion, cracking, and eventual spalling of the concrete. Simultaneously, the acidic components from acid rain can gradually erode the concrete surface, weakening its overall structure. Over time, the cumulative effect of these elements can severely compromise the durability and functionality of the concrete car park floor slabs, potentially leading to costly repairs or even complete replacement if left unchecked.

Our Solution

AQURON 2000 spray-applied hydrogel treatment was selected for its waterproofing properties. This treatment waterproofs concrete by blocking the porosities against moisture ingress.

By preventing the entrance of moisture, the entrance of the contaminants dissolved in that moisture is also prevented. The contaminants cannot move or react without water content.

Positive Results

The concrete quality and service life were preserved for the long term. The site compares remarkably well against the degradation of neighbouring car parks. Even after 18 years, the post-finish texture of the concrete slabs remained visible. At this 18-year mark, independent engineers from Gordon Spratt prepared a report confirming the well-preserved condition and functionality of the floor slabs.

At the time of construction AQURON 2000 provided a 27% increase in achieved strength. AQURON CURED achieved 47.6MPa vs Lab cured achieved 37.2MPa.

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