Waterproofing of underground works with DRYBOXSYSTEM®.

Subway structures, such as subways, tunnels, basements and underground parking lots, often have moisture problems. These problems are caused by the buoyancy of water in the ground and the presence of water table.

Water exerts increasing pressure with depth.

Each meter of groundwater weighs more than 1,000 kg/m². Groundwater liquids can carry sulfates, chlorides and other chemical agents. These agents can cause carbonation of concrete and corrosion of reinforcement. In addition, underground surfaces can have condensation and water stagnation. They also experience mechanical stresses. Traditional waterproofing systems, such as bituminous or synthetic membranes, are expensive.

They must be applied on the outside of the structure and can be easily damaged. In summary, the main challenges of underground works are:

  • High hydrostatic thrust : water pressure in the soil increases with depth.
    This can cause water flows if there are cracks or imperfections.
  • Infiltration and moisture: groundwater and rainfall can enter even through small cracks. This makes basements and cellars damp. As a result, finishes and concrete can degrade.
  • Aggressive chemical agents: sulfates, chlorides, wastewater or industrial products in soil or groundwater can attack concrete, reducing its durability.
  • Challenging site conditions: permanent moisture and the need to protect surfaces make work difficult, increasing risks and construction costs.

To solve these problems, it is crucial to adopt an integrated and permanent waterproofing system.

water
Admixed
concrete
CRYSTALS

The Integrated DRYBOXSYSTEM®.

Drykos' DRYBOXSYSTEM® is designed for just such situations. It is "an integrated active waterproofing system, with guaranteed tightness, specifically designed to extend the life of newly constructed concrete structures." In practice, DRYBOXSYSTEM® combines the use of crystallizing concrete admixed with Drymix Ultra and the proper sealing of construction joints. In detail, the system provides:

  • Customized analysis and design: Drykos experts study the waterproofing project based on hydraulic loading conditions and site characteristics.
  • Concrete with additives (self-healing): concrete to which Drymix Ultra, a crystallizing powder additive, has been added is used in casting. Thanks to this, the entire concrete mass becomes waterproof in depth and "protected over time." This means that even if micro-cracks were to form, the concrete reacts with water and recrystallizes, independently sealing the cracks and maintaining the internal hydraulic seal.
  • Joint waterproofing: all structural joints, such as recovery joints and deformation axes, are treated. Special sealants or hydro-expansive profiles are used. This ensures the continuity of waterproofing along the structure.
  • Technical support and 10-year warranty: Drykos provides specialized support during on-site implementation and, upon completion of the work, issues a 10-year posthumous warranty. This comprehensive professional service helps designers and contractors easily integrate the system into the work.

In summary, DRYBOXSYSTEM® is based on crystallizing technology, making the concrete itself the waterproofing device rather than an external membrane. This approach eliminates the vulnerabilities of traditional waterproofing (it is not subject to abrasion, accidental damage, or wear and tear over time, as it is part of the mass of the work itself).

Technical and business benefits

The adoption of DRYBOXSYSTEM® brings numerous advantages from both a design and technical as well as economic/commercial point of view:

  • Lowdurability and maintenance: crystallized concrete is waterproof in the long term. It is also resistant to chemical attack. This means that underground environments remain dry. In addition, reinforcement is protected from corrosion. As a result, there is very little maintenance required. Drykos estimates that the use of crystallizing technology can greatly extend the service life of the structure and reduce future intervention costs.
  • Design and site simplicity: instead of managing multiple exterior waterproofing layers, the designer simply specifies the admixture in the foundation or structure concrete. No need for elaborate membranes or the use of potentially toxic bituminous materials or resins on the construction site. This reduces construction time and complexity, while also improving safety on the construction site (elimination of open flames and harmful substances). Drykos also offers ongoing technical advice and training courses for operators, simplifying adoption of the system.
  • Guaranteed tightness: DRYBOXSYSTEM® is certified by the parent company and can be accompanied by guarantees placed in place. The builder or end customer is thus assured that he or she has adopted a certified and guaranteed solution from the outset.
  • Permanent chemical protection: additive concrete resists aggressive agents in groundwater (sulfates, chlorides, nitrates, etc.), which would otherwise cause carbonation and corrosion. Even in the presence of water laden with dissolved salts, the work remains protected from the inside, giving additional security to the project.
  • Environmental sustainability: DRYBOXSYSTEM® is an environmentally friendly solution. Because the waterproofing is embedded in the concrete, polluting bituminous layers are avoided and the use of traditional materials is reduced. According to Drykos, the use of the crystallizing admixture can reduce the overall ecological footprint of the structure by up to 65 percent, in addition to ensuring 100 percent recyclability of cementitious materials. In addition, concrete treated with Drymix technology is suitable for contact with potable water, making aqueducts and underground tanks safe.

Because of these aspects DRYBOXSYSTEM® "fits all projects" of concrete works, providing a complete package for waterproofing and long-term structural protection.

Application examples

Large underground infrastructures-such as subways, road tunnels, and rail tunnels-are typical examples where the DRYBOXSYSTEM® gives the greatest advantage. Here excavation in rock or earth involves constant groundwater pressures on the walls.

By using Drymix Ultra concrete in casting, the entire envelope becomes waterproof without the need for additional sheathing. Even in the case of slight initial seepage, the internal crystallization process seals the cracks, keeping passages and stations dry.

This is essential for the durability of the work, for the safety of users, and to reduce future maintenance costs.

Parking lots and underground technical areas of public and residential buildings also benefit from the integrated Drybox solution. In these applications, moisture and groundwater can damage finishes, electrical systems and metal structures.

With DRYBOXSYSTEM®, floors and walls are made of additive concrete; this ensures that the indoor environment remains dry and healthy even in the presence of seasonal water. The result is a drastic reduction in the risk of reinforcement corrosion and a decrease in renovation work. The system is also ideal for basements, technical rooms, underground storage or garages, where watertightness increases the safety of the systems and the durability of the work. Thanks to the easy installation of crystallizing concrete, no extraordinary interventions or long lasting closures are needed for waterproofing.

Finally, applications such as sewer manifolds, water pipes, storage tanks and underground hydraulic structures find DRYBOXSYSTEM® a reliable solution. The concrete of precast pipes and elements is additivated in the factory, ensuring permanent seals. Thanks to its protection from the inside, the products resist water laden with aggressive substances, increasing the service life of sewer and water networks. Even in sewage treatment plants and storage tanks, the absence of leaks prevents contamination and reduces inspections and extraordinary maintenance. In this way, public agencies and operators have effectively waterproofed works for decades.

Conclusions

Waterproofing underground works requires comprehensive and reliable solutions. DRYBOXSYSTEM® meets these needs by combining Drymix Ultra crystallizing concrete with accurate joint treatment in a single technology, offering guaranteed sealing right from the pour.

Designers and construction companies can thus ensure durability, savings in maintenance costs and greater safety on the construction site. Choosing DRYBOXSYSTEM® means focusing on an innovative, sustainable and effective technology that can protect basement interiors from moisture, seepage and aggressive agents for the life of the structure

10
years of experience
80
products
15

MLN

square meters of surfaces
waterproofed
operating in
4
continents
100

%

recyclability
65

%

reduced ecological
footprint