New waterproofing system for safer bridge decks

Takahiro Ikeda, Managing Executive Officer, General Manager of Marketing and Communications, BASF Pozzolith said, "We aim to help make bridge deck systems even safer. Therefore we conducted comprehensive tests with a combination of repeatedly modified adhesives and high quality polyurethanes, and we finally succeeded in developing the most suitable waterproofing system for bridge decks. Because this system uses pavement adhesives and the same quality materials as in asphalt pavements, we are able to achieve extremely reliable adhesion performance."

The new Conibridge System also reduces volatile organic compounds (VOC) and does not contain heavy metals. The new Conibridge System is a three-layer hybrid structure consisting of spray type PU waterproofing materials, a PU binder for improved adhesion and a special modified asphalt base of pavement adhesive. This ensures waterproof performance and prevents corrosion in reinforcements, concrete peeling and cracks caused by rain and chloride penetration or car vibrations.

Through these enhancements, the new system enables a longer life span for the structure. Moreover, when renovating aged asphalt pavement, the pavement adhesive of Conibridge System is remelted through heating and the waterproofing layer is maintained in good condition also contributing to a longer life cycle.

"The new Conibridge System makes bridges safer and helps contribute to reducing the total maintenance cost ," continued Ikeda.

BASF Pozzolith is a leading supplier of construction chemicals in Japan. It was formed by merging BASF Japan’s three affiliated companies for construction chemicals. The affiliated companies were NMB, established in 1960 and a leading company in development and manufacturing of admixture materials and building material products for concrete, Pozzolith Bussan, a leading supplier in Japan of chemical admixtures for concrete, and BASF Construction Systems, which sells various building material system products. In total, BASF Pozzolith supplies a full range of construction chemicals from concrete admixture products such as superplasticiser and air-entraining water reducing agent to a variety of building construction materials such as high-performance non-shrinkage grouts, repair and protection products for concrete, waterproofing products as well as performance flooring. BASF Pozzolith has 17 production sites and 16 sales offices nationwide.