BASEMENTS DQS

BASEMENTS
INTRODUCTION

 Basements are constructed in soils of low bearing capacity, in cellular raft foundation to
accommodate services, stores and car parking areas. Walls and floors underground are exposed
to considerable water pressure due to ground water. Water penetration causes shrinkage and
cracking in masonry concrete and brick walls.
 Definition: In the general context of buildings, a basement can be defined as a storey which is
below the ground storey and is therefore constructed below ground level.

BASEMENT CONSTRUCTION

 Most basements can be classified into one of three groups below:

1. Retaining wall and raft basements;
2. Box and cellular raft basements; and
3. Piled basements.

Basements Classifications

Fig 1: Retained Wall and Raft Basement

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Fig. 2: Box and Cellular Raft Basement

Fig. 3: Piled basements

BASEMENT EXCAVATIONS

 In general, excavation means to loosen and take out materials leaving space above or below
ground.
 Sometimes in civil engineering, the term earthwork is used which include backfilling with new
or original materials to voids, spreading and levelling over an area.
 British Standard CP6031 gives standards and recommendation to earthworks covering
embankment and cuttings, levelling and compacting, and the use of earthmoving plants etc.
 Excavation in most situations nowadays is done by mechanical means. However, the exact
method to be adopted still depends upon a number of factors:
1. Nature of subsoil - affect type of machine used and the necessity of soil protection,
2. Size of excavation - affect type of machine used and method to excavate,
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3. Scale of work - large volume of excavation may involve complicated phasing arrangement
and work planning,
4. Ground water condition - affect degree of protection (watertight sheet piling or dewatering
may require.)
5. Surrounding condition - impose certain restrictions and precautions (e.g. diversion of a
government drain, or underpinning work to the nearby building foundation).
1. OPEN EXCAVATIONS
 One of the main problems which can be encountered with basement excavations is the need to
provide temporary support or timbering to the sides of the excavation.
 This can be intrusive (unpleasant) when the actual construction of the basement floor and walls
is being carried out.
 One method is to use battered excavation sides cut back to a safe angle of repose thus
eliminating the need for temporary support works to the sides of the excavation.
 In economic terms, the costs of plant and manpower to cover the extra excavation, backfilling
and consolidating must be offset by the savings made by omitting the temporary support works
to the sides of the excavation.
 The main disadvantage of this method is the large amount of free site space required.

Fig 4: Open Excavations

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2. PERIMETER TRENCH EXCAVATIONS

 In this method, a trench wide enough for the basement walls to be constructed is excavated and
supported with timbering as required.
 It may be necessary for runners or steel sheet piling to be driven ahead of the excavation work.
 This method can be used where weak sub soils are encountered so that the basement walls act
as permanent timbering whilst the mound or dumpling is excavated and the base slab cast.
 Perimeter trench excavations can also be employed in firm sub soils when the mechanical plant
required for excavating the dumpling is not available at the right time.

Fig.5: Steel Sheet Piling

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Fig 6: Perimeter Trench Excavations

3. COMPLETE EXCAVATION

Fig 7: Complete Excavation

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 This method can be used in firm subsoil where the center of the proposed basement can be
excavated first to enable the basement slab to be cast thus giving protection to the subsoil at
formation level.
 The sides of excavation to the perimeter of the basement can be supported from the formation
 level using raking struts or by using raking struts pitched from the edge of the basement slab.

EXCAVATING AND EARTHMOVING PLANTS

 The choice of actual pieces of plant to be used in any construction activity is a complex matter
taking into account many factors.
 Specific details of various types of excavators are given in construction plant unit. At this stage,
it is only necessary to consider basic types for particular operations.
 In the context of basement excavation two forms of excavator could be considered.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF PLANTS

Fig. 8 a

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Fig. 8 b: Excavating Plant

1. Back actors (Backhoe)
They are used for below ground level excavation. The bucket acts downwards and drag towards
the machine and tilted upwards to hold the loads. They are used mainly as trench or large scale
open excavation, but sometimes they are also used as loading machines.
2. Face shovel excavators
This can be of cable or hydraulic operated, mounted on wheel or track. They are fitted with
µ±bucket which faces away from the machine. They are used for loosening, excavating vertical or
near-vertical soil above the machine base level. They are not suitable for horizontal or below
ground excavation.

Fig. 9: back actor and face shovel

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3. Bulldozers
 They are traditionally track mounted tractor with significant weight so that they can work
easier with soil.
 Bulldozers are usually fitted with a straight or angled blade which can be slightly raised by
hydraulic action to adjust level.
 They are used for grading materials to levels over relatively smaller area, to cut small tree,
remove surface vegetation or hard surfaces etc. The max cut is about 40Omm below base of
the machine.

Fig. 10: Bulldozer

4. Tractor shovel (loading shovel)

Fig. 11: Loading shovel (Loader)

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 This machine is similar to a bulldozer but has a hydraulic operated bucket in place of the blade.
Materials above the base of vehicle can be lifted and unload onto a dump truck or onto a spoil
heap. The bucket size varies from 0.5m3 to 3 or 4m3 depending on capacity of machine.
5. Clamshell excavator –
 This is somewhat a crane, usually track mounted, and hanging a wire operated clamshell at
the jig.
 It is used to handle or load soft /saturated soil on site. It is more useful in very big site
where a large amount of soil materials is required to remove.
6. Powered shovel or drill

 This is for cutting of larger boulders or rock. Usually the drill is pneumatically operated and
mounted on a tracked base.
 Very often, it is convertible to a backactor with the bucket replaced by the drill to gain
flexibility and minimize capital input.

Fig.12: Power Drill (Breaking machine)

7. Grader
 It can be a self-contained power unit or a towed vehicle by a tractor. A grader does not excavate
but it levels and grades out to fine loose or deposit materials.
 A centrally mounted blade much narrower and f latter than a bulldozer's serves the purpose. It

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skims the surface of soil evening out the bumps and hollows.
 The blade can be lowered or lightly tilted to adjusted for the level of the graded surface.
8. Scraper
 The machine works similarly to a grader but it has a container to hold the surplus soil after
scraper.
 The container which is filled with soil can also serve the purpose of backfill of hollow ground.
9. Dumper

 This is a smaller vehicle with a tipping hopper or skip designed to carry material within a site.
 The hopper is usually front mounted to provide better control by the driver. It is easy to
manoeuvre on uneven and rutted ground. Capacity of the hopper varies from 1 to 3m3
depending on the size of dumper.

Fig.13: Site dumper

Fig. 14: Large sized dumper truck

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Advantages of using mechanical plant in excavation:

a) work done quicker,
b) avoid dangerous condition of work by human workers, say, existence of ground water or
collapse of soil,
c) achieve greater depth,
d) use fewer manpower and work done in lower cost (for larger scale work only)
Disadvantages:

a) involve larger running and maintenance costs,

b) require a larger operating area,
c) access provision to working area,
d) less flexible in work planning,
e) idling time increase cost of work,

GOVERNMENT REGULATION IN CONTROLLING EXCAVATION

 Excavation work to some certain extent is dangerous so government has regulation control
over works where large scale excavation is involved. Some of these regulations are in:
1. Building (Administration) Regulations
2. Building (Construction) Regulation
3. Relevant Practice Note for Authorized persons and Registered Engineers etc.
 These requirements apply to excavation:
1. Deeper than 4.5m and exceed 5m in length (4.5m up from base),
2. Liable to affect any road, building, slope steeper than 30o or water main bigger than
75mm in diameter,
3. Supporting proposal to be submitted and obtain consent before starting of excavation.
 Content of excavation proposal should include the following information:
1. Detail of method for ground protection treatment and dewatering.
2. Survey of existing site condition
2.1 accurate level survey
2.2 geotechnical survey
2.3 ground and surface water information
2.4 record/report of the surrounding facilities and structures

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 Detail design or construction proposal regarding:

3.1 site/soil investigation report and geotechnical assumptions
3.2 detail of excavation/protection works
3.3 sequence and method of works
3.4 monitoring proposal
3.5 other information or specification that deem necessary
 Excavation in most situations nowadays is done by mechanical means. However, the exact
method to be adopted still depends upon a number of factors:
1. Nature of subsoil - affect type of machine used and the necessity of soil protection.
2. Size of excavation - affect type of machine used and method to excavate.
3. Scale of work - large volume of excavation may involve complicated phasing
arrangement and work planning
4. Ground water condition - affect degree of protection (watertight sheet piling or
dewatering may be required.)
5. Surrounding condition - impose certain restrictions and precautions (e.g. diversion of a
government drain, or underpinning work to the nearby building foundation)

DEEP BASEMENT EXCAVATION

 Deep excavation, unlike a shallow one, often requires to protect the sides of cut using suitable
support.
 Besides, the problem of ground water cannot be avoided. There are methods to overcome this,
such as:
1. Dumpling Method
 This is used where there are buildings or street in the proximity. The method is to construct
a series of retaining wall in trench, section by section, around the site perimeter, leaving a
centre Called "dumpling".
 When the perimeter walls are in place, excavation may start at the centre of the dumpling,
until exposing a section of the wall. Then the wall may be side supported by struts, shoring
or soil anchor etc., again section by section in short length, until the excavation is all
completed.
 This method does not require much heavy mechanical equipment and thus cost of work is

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relatively lower. It can excavate up to a maximum depth of about 3m.

 Sometimes in very poor soil or in waterlogged ground, interlocking steel sheet pile may be
driven to confine the area to be excavated.
 After that excavation can be done in section and properly supported similar to that mentioned
above.
 By the using of sheet pile, excavation may reach maximum to about 15m. However, the cost
of work will be increased.

Fig.15: Excavation and Construction of Shallow Basement using Dumpling Method

2. Diaphragm Walling
 This method need to construct a R.C. retaining wall along the area of work. Because the
wall is designed to reach very great depth, mechanical excavating method is employed.
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 Typical sequence of work includes:

a) Construct a guide wall,
b) Excavation for the diaphragm wall,
c) Excavation support using bentonite slurry,
d) Inert reinforcement and concreting.
 Construct a guide wall - guide wall is two parallel concrete beams running as a guide to
the clamshell which is used for the excavation of the diaphragm wall.
 Excavation for the diaphragm wall - In normal soil conditions excavation is done using
a clamshell or grab suspended by cables to a crane. The grab can easily chisel boulder in
soil due to its weight.
 Excavation support - excavation for the diaphragm wall produces a vertical strip in soil
which can collapse easily. Bentonite slurry is used to protect the sides of soi1. Bontonite is
a naturally occurring clay which, when added to water, forms an impervious cake-like
slurry with very large viscosity. The slurry will produce a great lateral pressure sufficient
enough to retain the vertical soil.
 Reinforcement - reinforcement is inserted in form of a steel cage, but may require to lap
and extend to the required length.
 Concreting - concreting is done using tremie. As Concrete being poured down, bentonite
will be displaced due to its density is lower than concrete. Bontonite is then collected and
reuse. Usually compaction for concrete is not required for the weight of the bentonite will
drive most of the air voids in concrete.
 Joining design for the diaphragm wall - Diaphragm walling cannot be constructed
continually for a very long section due to tremendous soil pressure. The wall is usually
constructed in alternative section. Two stop end tubes will be placed at the ends of the
excavated trench before concreting. The tubes are withdrawn at the same time of concreting
so that a semi-circular end section is formed.
 Wall sections of this type are built alternatively leaving an intermediate section in between.
The interior sections are built similarly but without the end tube. At the end a continual
diaphragm wall is constructed with the sections tightly joined by the semi-circular groove.

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Fig. 16: Construction Sequence of Diaphragm Wall

3. Using Cofferdams
A cofferdam may be defined as a temporary box structure constructed in earth or water to
exclude soil or water from a construction area, such as for foundation or basement works.
Use of cofferdam suitable for excavation of larger scale can be of:
a) Sheet pile cofferdam - Also known as single skin cofferdam. Interlocking type steel sheet pile
is used and can be used for excavation up to 15m. Sheet pile in this case acts as a cantilever
member to support the soil therefore adequate depth of pile or suitable toe treatment may be
required. In addition, cofferdams are need to be braced and strutted or anchored using tie rods
or ground anchors.
b) Double skin cofferdam - This works similarly like the sheet pile to form a diaphragm.
However, the diaphragm is double-skinned using two parallel rows of sheet pile with a filling
material placed in the void between. This creates somewhat a gravity retaining structure and
increase the ability to counteract the soil behind. However, more working space is required.

4. Sheet Steel Piling

 Steel, amongst other materials such as timber, is most effective to be used as sheet pile due
to its high tensile as well as their interlocking ability. It can be used as timbering to
excavation in soft and/or waterlogged soils especially in congested site where there is no
enough space for complicated shoring.

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 Steel sheet pi le can be of numerous shapes, thickness and sizes. Most of them can be
watertight and for some heavy sections they can be driven down to 15m depth.
 To erect and install a series of sheet piles and keep them vertical in all directions a guide
frame may be required. The piles are lifted by a crane, using the lifting holes near the top
of each pile, and positioning them between the guide walings of the guide.
 Powered hammer (fitted with a grip to the pile) which are hanged by the crane is usually
use to drive the pile. Sometimes hydraulic hammer can be used to reduce noise.
 There is a tendency of the piles to lean to a direction during driving. Special control is
therefore required to monitor the pile is vertical all the way through.

Fig. 17: Using sheet pile to protect excavation of cut

Ground Anchor
Ground anchor is basically a pre-stressing tendon embedded and anchored into soil or rock to
provide resistance to structural movements by a “tying back" principle.
Common applications are:
1. General slope stabilization

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2. Tying back/stabilizing a retaining structure

3. Tying back/stabilizing for diaphragm walls, but for a temporary nature during excavation
4. Tying back the entire building from up possible uplifting
Ground anchor can be classified into:
1. Rock anchor - for anchorage in rock,
2. Injection anchor - suitable for most cohesive and non-cohesive soils Method to form a
ground anchor.
Method to form a ground anchor:

 A hole is predrilled on soil or rock in position carefully calculated. For rock anchor, an anchor
bar with expanded sleeves at the end is inserted into the hole.

Fig. 18: Typical injection ground anchor

 A dense high strength grout is injected over a required length to develop sufficient resistance
to hold the bar when it is stressed. Stressing is by hydraulic mean and when the stress is
developed, the head of the bar is held by an end plate and nut.
 For injection anchor, a hole should be bored usually with an expanded end to increase
anchorage ability. The pre-stressing bar is placed into the bore hole and pressure grouted over
the anchorage length.
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 Gravel placement ground anchor can also be used in clay soils for lighter loading. In this method
irregular gravel is injected into the borehole over the anchorage length to form an end plug. The gravel
p1ug is then force into soil using percussion method through casing, forming an enlarged end. A
stressing bar is inserted into the casing and pressure grouted over the anchorage length as the casing is
removed.
 It should be noted that certain protection measure against corrosion or rusting is required for the
stressing bar. Usually, the bar may be coated with bitumen, wrapped by greased tape or filled with non-
pressurized grout after stressing is completed.

Fig.19: Drilling machine for the forming of the bore hole for inserting the ground anchor

Fig. 20: Drilling in progress using the drilling machine

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Fig. 21: The tendon (steel rod) for tying the anchor before inserting into the bore hole

Fig. 22: Applying tension to stress the tendon to form the final anchor

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Fig. 23: A section of diaphragm wall strengthened by the tying back using two rows of
ground anchor

GROUND WATER CONTROL

 Ground water is water which is held in soil, either in a non-saturated, saturated or oversaturated
form. Water table is a line showing the change of water content in soil. Below which soil is
saturated with water.
 Water in soil often acts as a lubricant, which increase the tendency of soil to slip or slide.
Besides, it causes certain difficulties and danger in case of excavations to be done.
 In some soil, such as non-cohesive soil with coarser grain composition, water can flow through
the grain particles. While for cohesive, water cannot due to the large capillary held by the very
fine soil particles.
Keeping out of ground water

 Ground water can be kept out either permanently such as for long term waterproofing for a
basement, or temporarily such as to ease work during excavation.
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 The following provisions can contribute certain degree of water-tightness to the basement
during the construction:
1. Sheet piling
2. Diaphragm walls
3. Suitable grouting to the sub-soil

In addition, ground water can be further controlled by the use of the following arrangement:
1. Sump pumping,
2. Well point systems,
3. Shallow or deep-bored wells,
4. Horizontal ground water control,
5. Electro-osmosis method.
1. Electro-Osmosis

 This is an uncommon and costly method, which can be used for dewatering cohesive soils such
as silts and clays where other pumping methods would not be adequate.
 It works on the principle that soil particles carry a negative charge, which attracts the positively
charged ends of the water molecules, creating a balanced state; if this balance is disturbed the
water will flow.
 The disturbance of this natural balance is created by inserting into the ground two electrodes
and passing an electric charge between them. The positive electrode can be of steel rods or
sheet piling, which will act as the anode, and a wellpoint is installed to act as the cathode or
negative electrode.
 When an electric current is passed between the anode and cathode it causes the positively
charged water molecules to flow to the wellpoint (cathode), where it is collected and pumped
away to a discharge point.
 The power consumption for this method can vary from 1 kW/m3for large excavations up to 12
kW/m3 of soil dewatered for small excavations, which will generally make this method
uneconomic on running costs alone.
2. Freezing

 This is a suitable method for all types of subsoil with a moisture content in excess of 8% of
the voids. The basic principle is to insert freezing tubes into the ground and circulate a

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freezing solution around the tubes to form ice in the voids, thus creating a wall of ice to act as
the impermeable barrier.

Fig. 24: Exclusion of groundwater by freezing

 This method will give the soil temporary extra mechanical strength, but there is a slight risk
of ground heave, particularly when operating in clays and silts.
 The circulating solution can be a brine of magnesium chloride or calcium chloride at a
temperature of between -15 and -25 °C, which would take between 10 to 17 days to produce
an ice wall 1.000 m thick according to the type of subsoil.
 For works of short duration where quick freezing is required the more expensive liquid
nitrogen can be used as the circulating medium. A typical freezing arrangement is shown in
Fig. 3. Freezing methods of soil stabilisation are especially suitable for excavating deep shafts
and driving tunnels.

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CONSTRUCITON OF BASEMENT USING TRADITIONAL METHODS

INTRODUCTION

 Construction of basement is difficult for it must be carried out below deep ground in adverse
condition such as existence of ground water, muddiness or limited working space.
 Besides, works are needed to be done amidst layers of props, struts, walings and shores, which
cannot be removed until the permanent works are completed and capable of carrying the final
loads.
 For each case of basement construction, the method of soil support, sub-soil condition,
structure of the basement as well as the layout requirement of the entire building must be taken
into consideration before designing the method of works.
 Basements can be constructed within a cofferdam or other temporary supported excavation
(see Basement Excavations) up to the point when these methods become uneconomic,
unacceptable or both due to the amount of necessary temporary support work.

Fig.25: Basements can be constructed within a cofferdam

DEEP BASEMENT CONSTRUCTION

Deep basements can be constructed by:
 Installing diaphragm walls within a trench and providing permanent support with ground
anchors; or

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 By using the permanent lateral support given by the internal floor during the excavation
period.
 By using Temporary lateral support during the excavation period can be provided by lattice
beams spanning between the diaphragm walls.
Attributes that affect the Construction of Deep Basement:
1. Size of a site
2. Volume of work
3. Shape and Typographical conditions of site
4. Neighbourhood conditions of a site
5. Geotechnical conditions
6. Internal layout of the basement or other related structures
7. Availability of resources for the project
8. Availability of expertise skill
9. Appropriateness of the methods selected for the construction
10. Special performance requirements imposed
Besides, there are situations like:

 Where a new basement is required to construct simultaneously to replace an old one.

 Working under very fast-track schedule.
 Some basement works need to be carried out at the same time with the new foundation or
even with part of the future superstructure.
 This situation will create very difficult coordination problems that involve various
contractors and complicate the contractual position of the entire job.
Method of constructing ordinary basement
 One of the most effective methods to construct ordinary basement is by the use of diaphragm
wall or sheet pile wall (cut-off) which serves as a retaining structure during excavation and as
the sides of the basement walls. When the central soil is removed during excavation, the cutoff
wall should be properly supported for works. Below are some methods suggested:
1. Use of Diaphragm walls and Ground Anchors:
 Diaphragm walls are exposed by carrying out the excavation in stages and ground anchors are
provided to stabilize the walls as the works proceeds. This method is most effective for

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basement of very large span or without intermediate floors as lateral support.

Fig.26: Deep Basement Construction by installing diaphragm walls

(Basement Excavation Support using Ground Anchor)

NB. Vertical ground anchors installed through the lowest floor can be used to overcome any
tendency to flotation during the construction period.

2. Construct floor slab as support (top-down method)

After the perimeter diaphragm walls have been constructed, the ground floor slab and beams are
cast providing tip edge lateral support to the walls. An opening is left in the slab for labours,
material or plant as access to continue excavation to the lower stages. This is repeated until the
required depth is reached.

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Fig. 27: Basement Excavation Support using Ground Floor Slab (Simple Top-down
Approach)

3. Use of lattice beams

A series of lattice beams or steel trusses are installed so that they span between the top of opposite
diaphragm walls enabling them to act as propped cantilevers. The trusses can be removed after the
internal floors have been constructed and receiving all the lateral forces from soil.

Fig.28: beams spanning between the diaphragm walls

(Basement Excavation Support using Lattice Truss)

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4. Cast the Centre basement slab to support struts

 Centre area between the diaphragm walls can be excavated leaving an earth berm around the
perimeter to support the walls whilst the lowest basement floor in centre can be constructed.
 Slots to accommodate raking struts acting between the wall face and the floor slab are cut into
the berm. Final excavation and construction of the remaining of the basement can take place
in stages around the raking struts.

Fig. 29: Support using Shore or Strut from a Central Basement Slab cast in advance phases

5. Construct the basement using in-situ reinforced concrete and

tradition formwork system
 The basement structure can be constructed upon the completion of the excavation with the
basement pit properly formed and supported. Usually this is done in a bottom-up
arrangement using in-situ reinforced concrete formed by traditional timber formwork.
 However, all the works are to be done in the congested underground environment inside
the basement pit with a lot of lateral supporting frame and work in confined space. Special
attention including accurate construction planning and spatial design to allow room for the
erection of the formwork as well as for the placing in of the required materials and
equipment’s, safe access etc. should be provided.
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Fig. 30: Constructing the basement structure using traditional timber formwork
under bottom-up arrangement

WATERPROOFING BASEMENTS
Basements can be waterproofed by one of three basic methods namely:-
1. Use of dense monolithic concrete walls and floor
2. Tanking techniques
3. Drained cavity system
1. DENSE MONOLITHIC CONCRETE
 The main objective is to form a watertight basement using dense high quality reinforced or
prestressed concrete by a combination of:
 good materials,
 good workmanship, and
 Attention to design detail and on-site construction methods.
 If strict control of all aspects is employed a sound watertight structure can be produced but it
should be noted that such structures are not always water vapourproof.
 If the latter is desirable some waterproof coating, lining or tanking should be used. The water
tightness of dense concrete mixes depends primarily upon two factors: -
1. Water/cement ratio.
2. Degree of compaction.

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 The hydration of cement during the hardening process produces heat therefore to prevent early
stage cracking the temperature changes within the hardening concrete should be kept to a
minimum.
 The greater the cement content the more is the evolution of heat therefore the mix should
contain no more cement than is necessary to fulfil design requirements.
 Concrete with a free water/cement ratio of 0.5 is watertight and although the permeability is
three time more at a ratio of 0.6 it is for practical purposes still watertight but above this ratio
the concrete becomes progressively less watertight. For lower water/cement ratios the
workability of the mix would have to be increased, usually by adding more cement, to enable
the concrete to be fully compacted.
ADMIXTURES
 If the ingredients of good design, materials and workmanship are present watertight concrete
can be produced without the use of admixtures.
 If admixtures are used they should be carefully chosen and used to obtain a specific objective:
1. Water-reducing admixtures - used to improve workability
2. Retarding admixtures - slow down rate of hardening
3. Accelerating admixtures - increase rate of hardening - useful for low temperatures -
calcium chloride not suitable for reinforced concrete.
4. Water-repelling admixtures - effective only with low water head, will not improve
poor quality or porous mixes.
5. Air-entraining admixtures - increases workability - lowers water content.
JOINTS
 In general, these are formed in basement constructions to provide for movement
accommodation (expansion joints) or to create a convenient stopping point in the construction
process (construction joints).
 Joints are lines of weakness which will leak unless carefully designed and constructed therefore
they should be simple in concept and easy to construct.
BASEMENT WALLS
 Joints can be horizontal and/or vertical according to design requirements. A suitable waterbars
should be incorporated in the joint to prevent the ingress of water.

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 The top surface of a kicker used in conjunction with single lift pouring if adequately by
exposing the aggregate should not require a waterbar but if one is specified it should be either
placed on the rear face or consist of a centrally placed mild steel strip inserted into the kicker
whilst the concrete is still in a plastic state.

Fig. 31: Joints

BASEMENT SLABS
 These are usually designed to span in two directions and as a consequence have relatively
heavy top and bottom reinforcement. To enable them to fulfil their basic functions they usually
have a depth in excess of 250 mm.
 The joints, preferably of the construction type, should be kept to a minimum and if waterbars
are specified they must be placed to ensure that complete compaction of the concrete is
achieved.

Fig. 32: Slab Joint

1. TANKING TECHNIQUES:
 The objective of tanking is to provide a continuous waterproof membrane which is applied to
the base slab and walls with complete continuity between the two applications.

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 Tanking is an impermeable continuous membrane applied as lining to make construction joints

water tight. Hot asphalt is applied in three layers, either outside or inside of walls and
sandwiched between slabs.
1. Mastic Asphalt Tanking
 The tanking can be applied externally or internally according to the circumstances prevailing
on site. Alternatives to mastic asphalt are polythene sheeting; bituminous compounds; epoxy
resin compounds and bitumen laminates.
(a) External Mastic Asphalt Tanking

 This is the preferred method since it not only prevents the ingress of water it also protects the
main structure of the basement from aggressive sulphates which may be present in the
surrounding soil or ground water.

Fig.33: External Tanking

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(b) Internal Mastic Asphalt Tanking

 This method should only be adopted if external tanking is not possible since it will not give
Protection to the main structure and unless adequately loaded may be forced away from the
walls and/or floor by hydrostatic pressure.
 To be effective the horizontal and vertical coats of mastic asphalt must be continuous.

Fig.34: Internal Tanking

2. DRAINED CAVITY SYSTEM

 This method of waterproofing basements can be used for both new and refurbishment work.

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 The basic concept is very simple in that it accepts that a small amount of water seepage is
possible through a monolithic concrete wall and the best method of dealing with such moisture
is to collect it and drain it away.
 This is achieved by building an inner non-load bearing wall to form a cavity which is joined to
a floor composed of special triangular tiles laid to falls which enables the moisture to drain
away to a sump from which it is either discharged direct or pumped into the surface water
drainage system.
 The inner wall should be relatively vapour tight or alternatively the cavity should be ventilated.

Fig. 35: Drained Cavity System

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 Basements benefit considerably from the insulating properties of the surrounding soil.
However, that alone is insufficient to satisfy the typical requirements for wall and floor U-
values of 0.35 and 0.30 W/m2K, respectively.
 Refurbishment of existing basements may include insulation within dry lined walls and under
the floor screed or particle board overlay. This should incorporate an integral vapour control
layer to minimize risk of condensation.
 External insulation of closed cell rigid polystyrene slabs is generally applied to new
construction. These slabs combine low thermal conductivity with low water absorption and
high compressive strength. The external face of insulation is grooved to encourage moisture
run off. It is also filter faced to prevent clogging of the grooves. Backfill is granular.

Fig.36: External insulation of closed cell rigid polystyrene slabs

 Tables and calculations to determine U-values for basements are provided in the Building
Regulations, Approved Document L and in BS EN ISO 13370: Thermal performance of
buildings. Heat transfer via the ground. Calculation methods.

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