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🌐 Modern technologies and materials for the repair and reconstruction of concrete and reinforced concrete structures. Solutions for sealing and waterproofing underground structures.  

These topics were the focus of the second discussion panel within the framework of the professional forum: MODERN SYSTEMS OF PROTECTION FOR BUILDING STRUCTURES, organized by the Confederation of Builders of Ukraine together with the Center for Waterproofing and Roofing.  

💬 “We know that concrete and reinforced concrete are the primary materials for construction. Reinforced concrete structures are most often used in construction and are particularly important for hydraulic and industrial facilities. They play a key role in ensuring the stability and safety of infrastructure. Especially after emergencies, there are many questions and new challenges when working with damaged structures,” noted Natalia Diuzhylova, Deputy Head of the State Inspection of Architecture and Urban Development of Ukraine, who moderated the discussion. She reminded the audience that resources in Ukraine are also limited, and therefore, we need to use not only traditional but also innovative approaches, which, in particular, require fewer workers and less time.  

👤 Stanislav Sushanin, Deputy Director of LLC "Center for Waterproofing and Roofing," spoke about the features of using new materials and technologies for waterproofing and strengthening structures. In particular, he described methods used in the repair and reconstruction of concrete and reinforced concrete structures, including tunnels, bridges, dams, filling voids in concrete and reinforced concrete, waterproofing foundations, basements, semi-basements, reservoirs, critical infrastructure facilities, and more.  

The use of high-tech equipment provides significant advantages, such as working in extremely challenging conditions at 90° angles.  

⛰️ Mr. Sushanin explained to the participants how the anchoring principle is used for strengthening soils, slopes, retaining walls, supports, foundations, and structures. It involves using special rods that are inserted into the soil or structure and fixed to ensure reliable stabilization and load distribution.  

🌊 For above-ground, underground, engineering structures, and tunnel construction, a self-healing waterproofing membrane with a swelling agent can be used. When water penetrates the pellicle, the water-reactive polymer expands (swells), creating an extremely hermetic, jelly-like waterproofing layer, which ensures long-term reliable waterproofing of the construction. Even shrinkage cracks in concrete are sealed.  

He also presented many other innovative solutions that can be used for waterproofing or sealing. Among them are bentonite mats with double or triple protection, PVC membranes with fleece, and metal waterstops.  

👤 Oleksandr Kosminskyi, Executive Director of Peikko Ukraine, presented a series of innovative solutions in precast reinforced concrete. As he noted, these solutions are being tested in collaboration with construction institutes.

👤 Oleksii Murashko, a representative of Well-being ConTech, joined the discussion and presented the implementation of precast reinforced concrete in residential construction, specifically modern reinforced concrete prefab technologies with digital BIM tools.

During the testing of a seismic-resistant frame, it was found that its resistance to earthquakes is very similar to its resistance to explosions. The only difference is weight: for seismic resistance, lower weight is preferred, while for explosion resistance, greater weight is better.

Thanks to software solutions that connect the BIM model of the construction project with the company's ERP system, transparency in forming the cost, duration, and labor intensity of the project has been achieved, minimizing manual work (human factor).

👤 The self-healing capabilities of concrete influenced by crystalline materials from the Penetron system were presented by Oleksandr Kapylov, Commercial Director of PENETRON Ukraine. Crystalline (penetrating) waterproofing reacts with water in the concrete, forming water-insoluble crystals. It becomes an integral part of the structure, filling micro-pores and cracks, thus densifying the concrete. The crystallization process is unlimited in time and is activated whenever water appears. It protects the structure throughout its entire service life.

Mr. Kapylov also outlined the advantages of crystalline technologies. These include reduced water permeability, increased compressive strength, resistance to sulfates, frost resistance, resistance to chloride penetration, and a reduction in shrinkage cracks and maintenance needs. They endow the concrete with self-healing properties and increase its service life.

👤 Oleksandr Panchenko, Director of SIKA UKRAINE, Ph.D., Associate Professor at the Department of Reinforced Concrete and Masonry Structures of the Kyiv National University of Construction and Architecture, explained how waterproofing affects the safety and longevity of structures.

In the absence of foundation protection and sealing of the silo junction, foundation destruction and product spoilage inside due to water penetration are possible. He emphasized that to ensure high-quality waterproofing, it is necessary to allocate 2-3% of the construction's estimated cost.

👤 Kostiantyn Shumbar, Project Office Manager at Technomain Engineering, told about solutions for waterproofing protective structures for infrastructure and energy facilities. He described the features of underground and semi-underground construction technology for protection, which is backfilled with sand and exposed to water. One option is the use of drainage combined with a two-layer covering filled with gravel. Additionally, Mr. Shumbar presented a project for external waterproofing of a tunnel, which involves using water-resistant concrete.

👤 Oleksandr Bondarenko, Associate Professor of Geotechnics, Underground Structures, and Hydraulic Engineering at O.M. Beketov National University of Urban Economy in Kharkiv, explained the specifics of foundation construction and waterproofing for protective structures in flood-prone areas. 

An important element is the backfilling and compaction of the gravel cushion (lower layer, 40-70 mm fraction) after construction dewatering. The control of the modulus of total deformation of the foundation soil is carried out using the stamping method after the compaction of the gravel cushion (upper layer).

A common problem is the destruction of enclosing walls and plaster due to moisture from groundwater. To prevent this, waterproofing should be applied to the interior side of the structure. Thus, the sequence is: ground base, followed by masonry, and finally, the waterproofing of the masonry joints.

👤 Oleksandr Molodid, Ph.D., Professor of Building Technologies at the Kyiv National University of Construction and Architecture (KNUCA) and Director of the Engineering and Expertise Center at KNUCA, addressed the issues of ensuring water impermeability in reinforced concrete underground structures in both new and existing buildings. 

He reminded the audience that to prevent water leakage into the structure through construction joints, it is necessary to follow State standard of Ukraine-N B V.2.6-203:2015 “Guidelines for Work Execution in the Manufacture and Installation of Building Structures.” Before concreting, working joint surfaces must be cleaned, washed with water, and dried with an air stream. The immersion depth of the deep vibrator in the concrete mixture must ensure it penetrates 5-10 cm into the previously laid layer.

Additionally, the surface of working joints, made during concrete pouring with interruptions, must be perpendicular to the axis of columns, beams, slabs, and walls being poured.

👤 Adam Janíček, Senior Product Manager at Minova, Germany, shared information on restoring tunnel waterproofing using post-injection techniques and sprayed membranes, as well as repairing common defects in concrete structures. 

Minova has been a manufacturer of ground support products since 1958. The company's core portfolio consists of chemical products, including injection resins and membranes used for stopping, stabilizing, and consolidating water.

Mr. Janíček provided insights into common waterproofing systems for underground structures. These include the installation of waterproof membrane sheets on the interior side of tunnel linings, excavation and installation of waterproof membrane sheets on the tunnel's exterior, and the application of waterproof coating (sprayed membrane) on the interior side of the tunnel lining, as well as pre-injection of cracks in rock or post-injection treatment through injection curtains.

He explained how injection works in cracks, boreholes, fissures, or rock mass. Chemical resins are used to stop water penetration in the immediate vicinity of the tunnel (injection curtain), fill gaps between the lining and rock (ring injection), or seal cracks in the lining (crack injection). The difference lies in the drilling depth (into the rock, behind the lining, or in the lining) and the type of injection resin used (plastic or elastic).

The method of sector activation in the repaired membrane involves working with a two-layer sheet membrane divided into smaller sectors (50-150 m²). Each sector is equipped with an injection system during installation. If a fault is detected (presence of water), the problematic sector can be re-injected with a special chemical resin.

Mr. Janíček also explained how the sprayed membrane method works. It is suitable for local or surface repair of concrete or masonry facings of underground structures. The special product creates an impermeable membrane within the facing, preventing water penetration.

Minova places significant focus on sustainable development. Along with durability testing, Minova accompanies its products with an Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) that contains quantitative CO2 emissions data.

Organizers: Confederation of Builders of Ukraine, Center for Waterproofing and Roofing

Strategic Partner: Penetron

Official Partners: Aquaizol, Group of companies MINOVA, BPA GmbH, Scientific and Production Association "Building Structure Protection Systems" LLC (ТОВ “НВО СЗБК”)

Information partners: All-Ukrainian NGO Living Planet, Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH, Property Times, Build Portal, ProfBuild, Address Group, Ukrayinsky pohlyad, Vidbudova. Zaporizhzhia, Ohorona Praci, Marketer, Budynok, UAWEB, BIZRELIZ, Economist, Aspekty budivnytstva (Aspects of Construction Media)

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