Basement
Definition
Basement
Where the building has no storey above ground, a storey
A storey of a building which is below the first storey and the floor
the floor of which is situated at such a level that either the
of which is situated at such a level that more than half the height
whole storey is below ground or more than half the height
of such storey is below the level of the ground adjoining its
of such storey is below the level of the ground adjoining its
perimeter walls for more than half the length of such perimeter
perimeter walls for more than half the length of such
walls.
perimeter walls.
Fire & Water
Fire
BASEMENT VENTILATION
Fire Code 2018
7.4.2 Smoke Vent
https://www.scdf.gov.sg/firecode/table-of-
content/chapter-7-mechanical-ventilation-
smoke-control-systems/clause-7.4
Fire Code 2018
9 air changes per hour 7.4.3 Smoke Purging System
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content/chapter-7-mechanical-ventilation-smoke-
control-systems/clause-7.4
Dual ventilation/smoke extraction systems
A typical basement smoke extraction system
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Fire
Exiting Technologies of Fire Extraction System
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smoke-control-systems/clause-7.4
Fire
The basement car park employs a combination of ducted and ductless
ventilation system. The ducted system is responsible for the
distribution of fresh air throughout the entire basement car park. Large
axial fans are used on the west side of the car park to draw fresh air
into the interior, and at the direct opposite end, large axial fans are also
installed to expel exhaust air from the parking facility.
After the fresh air has been drawn into the basement car park, they are
channeled into ducts that span across the entire area of the parking
facility, so as to ensure a balanced and even supply of fresh air
throughout the car park. There are staggered openings along the ducts
so as to allow the diffusion of fresh air.
Side fresh air intake vents Side Exhaust Vents
Fire
Exhaust Ducts at Loading/Unloading Area
Fresh Air Duct Opening
Due to the enormous area of the basement car park, the ducted
ventilation alone is insufficient to effectively distribute fresh air
within the facility. Hence, VivoCity supplements the ducted
ventilation system with a ductless ventilation to enhance air
circulation and distribution of air within the interior. The dustless
system is made up of mini fan jets installed throughout the
parking facility in a predetermined arrangement to assist in the
propelling of air in the basement car park.
Mini Jet Fans
Common problems Basement
Structural
Corrosion & spalling Seepage through joints Seepage through diaphragm wall Alkali-silica reaction Seepage through concrete wall Seepage subsequent to PU inject
Architectural
Flaking & peeling Blistering Crazing Rust stains Tile cracking Rising damp
Oil stain in carpark False ceiling distortion Efflorescence at joints Water path within masonry cavities High water table Seepage concrete floor
Services
High RH in Inspection shaft Corrosion of pipe
Seepage through pipe penetrationCondensation on chilled pipes Condensation on chilled pipes Inadequate insulation of pipes
Water
Basement Waterproofing
Water
Water
Storm water runoff Examples of ‘Source-Pathway-Receptor’
More than half of Singapore’s land area is being used as water
catchment that collects rainwater via a network of 8,000km drains
and canals before discharging to 17 reservoirs for storage and
treatment into potable water. Apart from drains and canals which
rainwater flows (Pathway), PUB also looks at the source where the
origin of stormwater flows such as detention pond (Source) as well
as areas where flood may typically occur (Receptor).
Active, Beautiful, Clean Waters - ABC Waters
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ABC Water Design operation flow
ABC Water Design consists of ‘Source’ solutions
such as decentralised detention tanks and ponds to
provide temporary storage of stormwater on-site
which is released to the downstream drainage system.
Water
Storm water runoff
Treatment elements
mainly green
components incorporated
to slow down, detain or
retain the first flush of
storm water runoff while
filtering and cleaning it.
Water
Storm water runoff Video – Stanford diversion canal and Stanford detention tank
Stamford Detention Tank (SDT)
Stamford Detention Tank (SDT) Stamford Diversion Canal (SDC),‘Source’ and ‘Pathway’ solution
respectively, were major projects undertaken by the PUB to combat surface flood in the vicinity of
Orchard Road. Completed in September 2018, the $227 million project is a preventive measure
following an intense rain in 2010 and 2011 that caused a series of massive floods along Orchard.
Operation
workflow of
SDT
Infographic of Stamford Diversion Canal and Stamford Detention Tank
SDT which is located beneath Singapore Botanic Gardens. is approximately the size of a
football field that can hold up to 38,000m3, equivalent to 15 Olympic sized swimming pools.
Made up of concrete column and beam structures, it is designed to temporarily detain rainwater
along Holland Road during a heavy downpour and can be emptied within four hours.
Water
Video – Henan – 21 July 2021
Video – Forbidden City – 12.13+
Video – Flood barrier
Additional crest protection levels Flood barrier not Flood barrier raised
for openings to basement facilities activated
Water
Video
– water table above
basement level
Video
– Titanic
干千年 湿万年 不干不湿就半年
Video
– Henan 楚墓青铜剑 Titanic – Sank 1912, photographed 2004
North Atlantic - 3000m deep
Oxidation 氧化
The lowest layer, with all of its spaces filled with water, is called the "zone of saturation." Above this layer is the
"zone of aeration," in which some of the holes are filled with air instead of water. The boundary between these two
layers is the "water table."
Constraints due to concrete:
•Porosity. Concrete consist
of micro pores
caused during the
•Cracks. migration of
excess water
during the
hydration process.
As these excess
water dries off,
they form
channels or
capillary pores.
When subjected
to water pressure,
the pores allow
the passage of
water resulting in
leakage.
Constraints due to methods of construction:
• Open-cut excavation methods
• Cut and cover
• T-down
Positive side waterproofing allows membrane to be installed to the
outside of the basement wall but difficulty in installation such as site
conditions must be considered.
Membranes need to be protected immediately after
installation to prevent mechanical damages. Also membrane
requires a clean and dry surface before application.
Detailing between floor slab and wall to form continuation is
difficult to achieve.
Constraints due to methods of construction:
• Sheet pile, contiguous / secant pile, diaphragm wall construction.
•Negative side waterproofing - no access to water-side.
•Concrete porous and cast in segments with many cold joints.
•Concrete surface rough and unsuitable for waterproofing application.
•Working against the flow of water restricts internal membrane application.
Video – flood test
Constraints due to methods of construction:
• Basement floor slab construction.
•Discontinuity due to structural connectors.
•Difficulty in placement of membrane and prone to damages.
•Termination between slab and wall membrane installation.
Constraints by other factors
•Service penetrations.
•Congested working conditions.
•Limited options for repairs.
Waterproofing Techniques for Bored Tunnels
(1) Crystalline Systems
Perhaps the least complex method is to incorporate a crystalline
admixture into the shotcrete so that the concrete itself becomes
waterproof and self sealing.
Video
(2) Membrane Systems
A second method uses traditional blindside membranes developed for
deep foundations. Unlike foundations, though, which utilize a drain
sheet between the wall and the waterproofing layer, in tunnel work
the waterproofing membrane is applied directly to the shotcrete. In
this case, the shotcrete is primarily to stabilize and encapsulate the
sharp edges of the freshly broken rock, and protect the membrane
from being punctured.
(3) Drainage and Waterstops
Many tunnel designs—especially deep tunnel designs—allow for
a certain amount of leakage.
(4) Polyurethane Grout Systems & Waterstops Video
TBM –
Like every type of project, bored tunnels have an Achilles Heel. 1.50 + Video
Cold joints, expansion joints, and connections to other tunnels— Drill & blast
exca’n
such as ventilation shafts or cross passages—are prone to leakage
and require extra care.
TBM – T219 (Penta Ocean/Bachy Solatanche) TBM - Initial Drive from T225 to T223 (STEC)
Mining
Drill & Blast Excavation (Mining) – T213 (Samsung)
Basement Basement Usage Performance Level Water-
Grade proofing
System
1 Basic Utility – carpark, plant rooms Some seepage and damp patches Type B
(excluding electrical equipment and tolerable. Running and standing water not
workshops). acceptable.
2 Better Utility – workshops, retail storage No water penetration acceptable but Type A + B
areas for materials not sensitive to water certain degree of water vapour may be
vapour, and plantrooms requiring drier tolerable.
environment than Grade 1.
3 Habitable – residential, commercial and Dry environment with some control of Type A + B
working areas including offices, internal humidity via ventilation, +C
restaurants public places. dehumidification and/or air-conditioning.
4 Special – archives, museums, hospitals Totally dry environment requiring active Type A + B
and areas requiring special controlled control of internal humidity. +C+D
environment.
Type A – barrier or tanked protection
Type B – structural integral protection
Type C – drained protection
Type D – vapour protection
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Basement Waterproofing - Type A
Video – Type A, B and C
Basement Waterproofing - Type B
Structural concrete min. grade 35.
Xypex DS2 being applied to the basement 3 slab of HDB hub
Type B - Structural integral protection - where
the structure itself (waterproof reinforced
concrete) is the protection.
The water tightness of the Type B construction is
reliant upon the design and construction of the
basement as an integral shell, using a concrete of
low permeability, and appropriate joint detailing and
the use of waterstops.
Basement Waterproofing - Type C Video – Sika cavity drainage system
Basement Waterproofing - Type C
Typical Rodding Points’ layout
Water draining from the system to the lower floor slab is
drained via gulleys (these gulleys also incorporate rodding
eyes) in the slab to the installed sumps. To allow for
maintenance of the system, rodding eyes were installed to the
Aqua Channel every 10 linear metres or at approximately
12LM intervals to allow for maintenance of the system.
Offset aqua channel plus rodding point
https://cms.esi.info/Media/documents/86459_1501601524377.pdf Triton Rodding/Jetting Eye Fixing detail
Basement Waterproofing - Type D
A vapor barrier (or vapour barrier) is any material used for damp proofing, typically a plastic or foil sheet, that resists diffusion of
moisture through wall, ceiling and floor assemblies of buildings to prevent interstitial condensation and of packaging.
http://www.residentialresq.com/crawlspace-encapsulation/ https://buildingscience.com/documents/digests/bsd-106-understanding-vapor-barriers
Basement Basement Usage Performance Level Water-
Grade proofing
System
1 Basic Utility – carpark, plant rooms Some seepage and damp patches Type B
(excluding electrical equipment and tolerable. Running and standing water
workshops). not acceptable.
2 Better Utility – workshops, retail No water penetration acceptable but Type A +
storage areas for materials not certain degree of water vapour may be B
sensitive to water vapour, and tolerable.
plantrooms requiring drier
environment than Grade 1.
3 Habitable – residential, commercial Dry environment with some control of Type A +
and working areas including offices, internal humidity via ventilation, B+C
restaurants public places. dehumidification and/or air-
conditioning.
4 Special – archives, museums, Totally dry environment requiring active Type A +
hospitals and areas requiring special control of internal humidity. B+C+D
controlled environment.
Basement Waterproofing - Systems and materials.
•Positive-side waterproofing.
Positive-side application is carried out on the external (water-side)
of the basement wall and can only be done using the open-cut
excavation method. Membranes, cementitious types can be used.
•Negative-side waterproofing
Negative-side or internal application is used mainly for
contiguous/secant piled walls and diaphragm wall
construction. Usually cementitious and admixtures are
used.
Basement Waterproofing - Selection of materials.
•Product life expectancy and warranty,
•Ease of application,
•Crack-bridging / re-sealability of material,
•Resistance to chemicals - sulphate and nitrate,
•Resistance to mechanical damages,
•Compatibility with other materials,
•Cost factors.
Basement Waterproofing - waterproofing materials.
Membranes
•Preformed membranes
•Liquid-applied membranes
•Bituminous emulsions,
•Urethanes,
•Polyisoprenes.
•Modified bitumen membranes
•ECB (ethylene copolymer bitumen)
•PVC (polyvinyl chloride)
•HDPE (high density polyethylene)
Basement Waterproofing - waterproofing materials.
Admixtures.
•Water-reducing types.
Reduces the amount of water used for mixing concrete thereby
producing a denser gel structure with less bleed and lower
permeability.
•Air-entraining types
Surfactants which reduce the formation of macro voids by
replacing it with micro bubbles which retards the passage of
water molecules and lowering the permeability.
•Water-repellant types
Stearic-type chemicals which reacts with calcium ions in cement
paste to form hydrophobic deposits within capillary walls to
repel water ingress. Video - Hycrete
Basement Waterproofing - waterproofing materials.
Cementitious
•Crystallisation types
Reactive pore fillers which penetrates into capillary
tracts of concrete to react with free lime and water
to form crystalline chain which blocks up the
capillary and makes concrete water-tight.
Video - Xypex
•Flexible cement membranes
Polymer modified cement trowelled onto concrete
Video – Rilem tube
surface to form a dense waterproof barrier of Absorption Test
between 3 to 6 mm thick.
Video - Krystol
Figure 4.35
Textbook
200 min
Video – Waterstop
Holding of waterstop flanges
Video - Water
DORE General Office – July 2013
Seepage from bottom for years, especially obvious during Cracks on
heavy rains. drain on
the side
Pipe from
pantry
connected
to this trap
Dry up after water
source spotted
Water seepage in Hangzhou Metro
soaks passengers - 2012
Typical drainage system
Contracts 925 and 937 are for the construction of Tampines East and River Valley stations and their associated tunnels. The contracts have been
awarded to GS Engineering & Construction Corp. at S$208.52 million and S$255.05 million respectively.
Contracts 925A for the construction of Tampines station has been awarded to KTC Civil Engineering & Construction Pte Ltd at a contract sum of
S$118.5 million.
Leakage at
pipe
penetration
Water seepage through pipe penetration
Figure 4.6 Plastic packers installed at an angle to a ceiling/wall joint to receive
chemical injection
Figure 4.7 Chemical injection at a wall-to-ceiling construction joint. Video – PU injection
End
