SPETEC®, the Resiplast brand that produces synthetic resins for various construction applications, focuses on three pillars: preventative waterproofing, remedial waterproofing and geotechnical solutions.
“Our contribution to the project at London Heathrow Airport spotlights these three pillars and the qualities of SPETEC® perfectly” – Tom Derveaux, VP & International Business Development Manager.
SPETEC® is more than just a producer: with 40 years of experience, expertise and innovative techniques, and supported by a professional team of engineers and specialists, the company presents solutions for the most complex waterproofing challenges. The three product pillars are always at the forefront. Tom Derveaux: “While preventative waterproofing products are applied in the early stages of a project, remedial injection resins are applied if problems occur later on. For this reason, we offer a targeted and qualitative product range. Our geotechnical solutions can be used for soil stabilization, soil reinforcement and lifting concrete slabs and structures.”
Preventive Action
Geographically, SPETEC® has evolved from a local producer to an international player with worldwide availability and use of its products. London Heathrow, where the airport is being thoroughly expanded and modernized, is no exception. The terminals are connected to each other with underground subway lines. The airport consulted SPETEC® about preventative waterproofing already in the early design stages of the project. Tom Derveaux: “The groundwater reaches to just below the ground level and creates a lot of water pressure on the underground structures. Our preventative product SPETEC® WT400, a hydrophilic paste, was successfully applied together with SPETEC® SST500, which are synthetic waterproofing strips.
Remedial Measures
The previous two products were also combined with a built-in SPETEC® ITS, an injection tubing system. “This way, we can inject our synthetic resins later on in case of leaks,” Tom Derveaux explains. “More so, we will be able to do so without drilling. Potential leaks can be managed with our SPETEC® Seal F400, a low viscous, flexible injection resin. In short, we have not only taken preventative measures, but provided the resources to take controlled curative action as well if necessary.”
Geotechnical solutions
Ground research with a radar system also showed that Heathrow Airport is dealing with ground subsidence. “We reinforced these locations by injecting our soil stabilization product SPETEC® AP Soil 620. Next, we were able to gradually lift the upper concrete slabs by injecting SPETEC® AP Lift 430. It is also possible to reinforce soil at great depth with SPETEC® AP Deeplift 420. The new geotech products are very popular in Europe, by the way, including for the construction or repair of cycling roads or company sites,” Tom Derveaux concludes.
By: Niels Rouvrois for GWW
