Procedures for the Evaluation of Sheet Membrane Waterproofing
Abstract
Sheet membrane waterproofing has been used to protect bridge decks against water and deicing salts by transportation agencies in New England for more than two decades. Though such membranes have proven useful at extending the useful life of bridge decks, there are no convenient methods to evaluate one membrane against another. This report details the genesis of blisters, a major problem for membranes, and defines test procedures to evaluate sheet membranes based on their ability to adhere to concrete, accommodate strain, resist puncturing, and pass water vapor. The results of these tests allow an engineer to compare sheet membranes based on material properties but they, alone, cannot be used to predict how well a membrane will perform in practice. Because a laboratory environment does not reflect the complex combination of forces and deterioration mechanisms a membrane is exposed to in the field, a follow-on study of the installation/design process and long-term performance of membranes in actual bridges needs to be conducted. This report provides a needed step toward the ability to predict sheet membrane service life.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Aug 01, 1999
- Accession Number
- ADA368678
Entities
People
- Alan R. Greatorex
- Charles J. Korhonen
- Edel R. Cortez
- James S. Buska
Organizations
- Cold Regions Research and Engineering Laboratory