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A post by:Carolin Bringewatt
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Test Confirms High Performance
The crack-bridging surface protection system Triflex ProPark has proven its high performance. On behalf of Triflex, the Institute for Materials and Construction Research at Munich University of Applied Sciences conducted a comprehensive laboratory test on the system’s resistance to pressurized water. The tests evaluated Triflex ProPark system configurations 1 through 3, installed in accordance with the requirements of surface protection classes OS 10 as specified in RiLi-SIB and OS 11 a/b as specified in TR Maintenance of Concrete Structures.
The test was designed to evaluate the system’s performance under combined stress from variable crack widths and sustained water pressure on the rear side. The tests were conducted on reinforced concrete test specimens, reinforced with two rebar rods with a diameter of 6 mm and a concrete cover of 35 mm.
“When designing crack-bridging OS systems for structures in contact with the ground, the system’s suitability for withstanding negative water pressure often plays a decisive role. This is not a minor requirement; rather, if the knowledgeable designer makes an incorrect assumption, it can lead to significant defects or even total system failure. With this study, we aim to provide clear results based on defined test conditions,” explains Sebastian Lücke, Head of Parking Garage Segment Management at Triflex.
Experimental Setup
After applying the Triflex ProPark systems—consisting of Triflex Pox Primer 116+ as a barrier and bonding primer, the geotextile-reinforced Triflex ProPark waterproofing layer, and the various system configurations 1 through 3— a defined central flexural crack was created in the test specimens. The pressurized water load was applied via laterally arranged drill packers that specifically crossed the crack. The water pressure was gradually increased from an initial 100 kPa up to 200 kPa (corresponding to a 20-meter water column). At the same time, the crack width was gradually adjusted from 0.10 mm in 0.05-mm increments up to a maximum criterion of 0.60 mm. The total duration of the test was 210 days under constant laboratory conditions (20 °C, 50–65% relative humidity).
Durability Under Extreme Conditions
Over the entire test period of 210 days, no water penetration occurred in any of the system variants tested, even under maximum pressurized water stress of 200 kPa and a crack width of 0.60 mm. No system-critical damage, such as blistering, voids, or delamination, was observed either. Supplementary bond strength tests conducted after the completion of the pressurized water exposure showed average pull-off strengths of 2.15 N/mm² at the crack edges and 2.33 N/mm² at reference points in the undisturbed area. Failure occurred predominantly as adhesive failure at the interface between the concrete and the primer, with isolated instances of cohesive failure within the concrete, indicating that the bond between the OS system and the substrate remains intact.
High-performance system
“The results provide an important contribution to planning reliability,” emphasizes Sebastian Lücke. “With the results of these independent, long-term tests, we’re creating an additional layer of assurance for building owners and qualified planners. This will be particularly relevant in areas with high groundwater levels, such as Munich, Berlin, or Hamburg. In both new construction and renovation projects, this allows for more cost-effective design of underground parking garage floor slabs or ramps in contact with the ground. The tests show that Triflex ProPark functions reliably even under combined conditions of negative water pressure and variable crack movement.”
The complete test report is available from Triflex upon request.