Innovation Centre - South West Institute of Technology

Built on the Streatham Campus of the University of Exeter by Morgan Sindall, the South West Institute of Technology was constructed using precast panels.

Chosen for speed of construction, the precast panels meant significant time could be saved from the construction program however, for the below ground structure, the precast system meant waterproofing needed consideration.

The below ground structure was constructed using twin wall precast panels, awaiting an in-situ concrete infill. To further enhance construction program time savings, Xypex Admix was selected for the waterproofing of the basement areas.

The in-situ concrete slab was placed in one pour, and the twin wall placed on top. This however posed an issue for completing the waterproofing as the joint area to be sealed would not be exposed when the 3-meter-high retaining walls were installed. Furthermore, this increased the risk of damaging a traditional bentonite waterbar, both during the installation phase itself and during the subsequent time it would be left exposed. For this reason, the contractor opted to utilise the added benefits of the Manorteq WaterBar Rigid KJ.

Cast into the slab and made of stainless steel, the Manorteq WaterBar Rigid KJ was strong enough not to be damaged by workers during the installation of the pre-cast concrete twin wall segments. Equally, as there is no bentonite on the Manorteq WaterBar Rigid KJ, there was no risk of activation prematurely during the time the waterbar would be exposed.

Once the twin wall segments were installed, concrete containing Xypex Admix was poured between the panels and encasing the upper part of the Manorteq WaterBar Rigid KJ, sealing the joint.

In areas where precast twin walls weren’t used and in-situ concrete was, such as the upper floor, a traditional bentonite waterbar was used and seamlessly connected to the Manorteq WaterBar Rigid KJ to complete the seal around the structure.