UAUIM Faculty of Architecture / Architectural Detailing(1) / 3rd year of study / 2022-2023 / author: PhD.arch.

Zina MACRI
Publishing in any way this material without the author’s consent is not permitted.

floors
Any building has a permanent exchange with the external
environment, for ex.:
- heat loss/heat gain through the entire envelope
- water/vapour infiltration at the contact with the soil/ground

exterior

exterior

interior

UAUIM Faculty of Architecture / Architectural Detailing(1) / 3rd year of study / 2022-2023 / author: PhD.arch.Zina MACRI
Publishing in any way this material without the author’s consent is not permitted.

floors
Any building has a permanent exchange with the external
environment, for ex.:
- heat loss/heat gain through the entire envelope
- water/vapour infiltration at the contact with the soil/ground

exterior

exterior

interior

 Thermal insulation

1
 UAUIM Faculty of Architecture / Architectural Detailing(1) / 3rd year of study / 2022-2023 / author: PhD.arch.Zina MACRI
Publishing in any way this material without the author’s consent is not permitted.

floors
Any building has a permanent exchange with the external
environment, for ex.:
- heat loss/heat gain through the entire envelope
- water/vapour infiltration at the contact with the soil/ground

exterior

exterior

interior

 Thermal insulation
 Waterproofing 3

UAUIM Faculty of Architecture / Architectural Detailing(1) / 3rd year of study / 2022-2023 / author: PhD.arch.Zina MACRI
Publishing in any way this material without the author’s consent is not permitted.

floors

+ +

_
+

4
Cold basement Heated basement
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 UAUIM Faculty of Architecture / Architectural Detailing(1) / 3rd year of study / 2022-2023 / author: PhD.arch.Zina MACRI
Publishing in any way this material without the author’s consent is not permitted.

floors
Protection against water infiltration from the soil / through capillary rise

Almost (conventionally) dry

Discontinuous capillary

Capillary rise
Continuous capillary
through thin tubes
Hydrostatic pressure

Capillary force
5

UAUIM Faculty of Architecture / Architectural Detailing(1) / 3rd year of study / 2022-2023 / author: PhD.arch.Zina MACRI
Publishing in any way this material without the author’s consent is not permitted.

floors
Protection against water infiltration from the soil / through capillary rise

Almost (conventionally) dry

Discontinuous capillary

Continuous capillary

Hydrostatic pressure

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 UAUIM Faculty of Architecture / Architectural Detailing(1) / 3rd year of study / 2022-2023 / author: PhD.arch.Zina MACRI
Publishing in any way this material without the author’s consent is not permitted.

floors
depending on the foundation depth, we can reach strata with different humidity
levels, so we can provide different levels of protection to the water from the soil

Almost (conventionally) dry

Discontinuous capillary

Continuous capillary

Hydrostatic pressure

UAUIM Faculty of Architecture / Architectural Detailing(1) / 3rd year of study / 2022-2023 / author: PhD.arch.Zina MACRI
Publishing in any way this material without the author’s consent is not permitted.

floors
Protection against water infiltration from the soil

- influence of the surface water (rain,

snow…)

external wall foundation schematics

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 UAUIM Faculty of Architecture / Architectural Detailing(1) / 3rd year of study / 2022-2023 / author: PhD.arch.Zina MACRI
Publishing in any way this material without the author’s consent is not permitted.

floors

Protection from underground water accumulation around the

building’s foundation (w/ basement) through overall design
(waterproofing layer, impervious slope away, deeper overhang etc.)
9

UAUIM Faculty of Architecture / Architectural Detailing(1) / 3rd year of study / 2022-2023 / author: PhD.arch.Zina MACRI
Publishing in any way this material without the author’s consent is not permitted.

floors
Protection against water infiltration from the soil

Capillary rise through the foundation 

might need horizontal waterproofing layer
external wall foundation schematics
10

10

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 UAUIM Faculty of Architecture / Architectural Detailing(1) / 3rd year of study / 2022-2023 / author: PhD.arch.Zina MACRI
Publishing in any way this material without the author’s consent is not permitted.

floors
Protection against water infiltration from the soil

Capillary rise under the slabs on ground

 granular capillary break layers under
the slabs (gravel)

external wall foundation schematics 11

11

UAUIM Faculty of Architecture / Architectural Detailing(1) / 3rd year of study / 2022-2023 / author: PhD.arch.Zina MACRI
Publishing in any way this material without the author’s consent is not permitted.

floors
- base layers (layers below ground slab, on-
grade/below-grade)
- intermediate layers with specific functions:
thermal/acoustic insulation, waterproofing
- floor, flooring, finish floor / wearing surface

above-grade

on-grade

below-grade 12

12

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 UAUIM Faculty of Architecture / Architectural Detailing(1) / 3rd year of study / 2022-2023 / author: PhD.arch.Zina MACRI
Publishing in any way this material without the author’s consent is not permitted.

floors
- base layers (layers below ground slab, on-
grade/below-grade)
- intermediate layers with specific functions:
thermal/acoustic insulation, waterproofing
- floor, flooring, finish floor / wearing surface

above-grade

on-grade

below-grade 13

13

UAUIM Faculty of Architecture / Architectural Detailing(1) / 3rd year of study / 2022-2023 / author: PhD.arch.Zina MACRI
Publishing in any way this material without the author’s consent is not permitted.

floors
- base layers (layers below ground slab, on-
grade/below-grade)
- intermediate layers with specific functions:
thermal/acoustic insulation, waterproofing
- floor, flooring, finish floor / wearing surface

above-grade

on-grade

below-grade 14

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 UAUIM Faculty of Architecture / Architectural Detailing(1) / 3rd year of study / 2022-2023 / author: PhD.arch.Zina MACRI
floors
Publishing in any way this material without the author’s consent is not permitted.

ground slab, on-grade (no basement)

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15

UAUIM Faculty of Architecture / Architectural Detailing(1) / 3rd year of study / 2022-2023 / author: PhD.arch.Zina MACRI
floors
Publishing in any way this material without the author’s consent is not permitted.

ground slab, on-grade (no basement)

Horizontal waterproofing/rigid (acting also
as capillary break) at the base of the wall

 Waterproofing/water-repellent mortar

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16

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 UAUIM Faculty of Architecture / Architectural Detailing(1) / 3rd year of study / 2022-2023 / author: PhD.arch.Zina MACRI
floors
Publishing in any way this material without the author’s consent is not permitted.

ground slab, on-grade (no basement)

Horizontal waterproofing between
stem/plinth wall and ground floor wall

RCC slab, 15 cm
granular capillary break layer, gravel, 10-12
cm + separation layer (protection!)

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17

UAUIM Faculty of Architecture / Architectural Detailing(1) / 3rd year of study / 2022-2023 / author: PhD.arch.Zina MACRI
floors
Publishing in any way this material without the author’s consent is not permitted.

ground slab, on-grade (no basement)

Horizontal waterproofing between
stem/plinth wall and ground floor wall

RCC slab, 15 cm
capillary break layer + protection!

Separation/protection layer:
- PE membrane
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- Kraft paper etc.
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 UAUIM Faculty of Architecture / Architectural Detailing(1) / 3rd year of study / 2022-2023 / author: PhD.arch.Zina MACRI
floors
Publishing in any way this material without the author’s consent is not permitted.

ground slab, on-grade (no basement)

Horizontal waterproofing between
stem/plinth wall and ground floor wall

+ Thermal insulation+water vapour barrier on the

warm side of the thermal insulation

RCC slab
Capillary break layer, gravel + protection

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19

UAUIM Faculty of Architecture / Architectural Detailing(1) / 3rd year of study / 2022-2023 / author: PhD.arch.Zina MACRI
floors
Publishing in any way this material without the author’s consent is not permitted.

ground slab, on-grade (no basement)

Horizontal waterproofing between
stem wall and groundfloor wall
Thermal insulation Thermal insulation
(EPS, mineral wool...) +
Thermal insulation
(XPS…)

RCC slab
Capillary break layer, gravel + protection

EPS – expanded polystyrene

XPS – extruded polystyrene: more resistant to humidity and mechanical stress 20

20

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 UAUIM Faculty of Architecture / Architectural Detailing(1) / 3rd year of study / 2022-2023 / author: PhD.arch.Zina MACRI
floors
Publishing in any way this material without the author’s consent is not permitted.

ground slab, on-grade (no basement)

Horizontal waterproofing between
stem wall and groundfloor wall
Thermal insulation Thermal insulation
(EPS, mineral wool...) +
Thermal insulation
(XPS…)

RCC slab
Capillary break layer, gravel + protection

21

21

UAUIM Faculty of Architecture / Architectural Detailing(1) / 3rd year of study / 2022-2023 / author: PhD.arch.Zina MACRI
floors
Publishing in any way this material without the author’s consent is not permitted.

ground slab, on-grade (no basement)

Horizontal waterproofing, continuous

Th. insulation Th. insulation

(EPS, mineral wool...) +
Th. insulation
(XPS…)

RCC slab
Capillary break layer, gravel + protection

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22

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 UAUIM Faculty of Architecture / Architectural Detailing(1) / 3rd year of study / 2022-2023 / author: PhD.arch.Zina MACRI
floors
Publishing in any way this material without the author’s consent is not permitted.

ground slab/no basement, waterproofing, thermal

insulation below slab  lost formwork for RCC
Horizontal waterproofing, continuous

Th. insulation
(EPS, mineral wool...)
Th. insulation
(XPS…)

RCC slab
Thermal insulation, XPS* (rebate joints)
/supplementary protection of the plinth
Capillary break layer, gravel

* a material which is not affected by humidity (XPS, foam-glass…) 23

23

UAUIM Faculty of Architecture / Architectural Detailing(1) / 3rd year of study / 2022-2023 / author: PhD.arch.Zina MACRI
floors
Publishing in any way this material without the author’s consent is not permitted.

ground slab/no basement, waterproofing, thermal

insulation below slab  lost formwork for RCC
Horizontal waterproofing, continuous

Th. insulation
(EPS, mineral wool...)
Th. insulation
(XPS…)

RCC slab
Thermal insulation, XPS

Capillary break layer, gravel

24

24

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 UAUIM Faculty of Architecture / Architectural Detailing(1) / 3rd year of study / 2022-2023 / author: PhD.arch.Zina MACRI
floors
Publishing in any way this material without the author’s consent is not permitted.

ground slab/no basement, raised first floor (groundfloor)

o Horizontal waterproofing layer

o Thermal insulation (damp

resistant!)
o Capillary break (positioning
waterproofing layer!)
o Backfill

Backfilling (=refilling the excavation) with successive layers (~20cm)

wet and thoroughly compacted 25

25

UAUIM Faculty of Architecture / Architectural Detailing(1) / 3rd year of study / 2022-2023 / author: PhD.arch.Zina MACRI
floors
Publishing in any way this material without the author’s consent is not permitted.

ground slab/no basement

RC slab
 separation/protection (PE…)
 thermal insulation (XPS…)
 capillary break
 backfill

 impermeable concrete for the foundation

© Sika
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26

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 UAUIM Faculty of Architecture / Architectural Detailing(1) / 3rd year of study / 2022-2023 / author: PhD.arch.Zina MACRI
Publishing in any way this material without the author’s consent is not permitted.

floors
waterproofing, thermal insulation – cold basement
ground slab, below-grade

min. 50 cm
Termoizolaţie

basement RC wall

Soil backfill
RC slab
Capillary break layer,
horizontal waterproofing/rigid
gravel – position!
impermeable mortar
Soil, undisturbed/backfill
(or impermeable concrete for footing)
27

27

UAUIM Faculty of Architecture / Architectural Detailing(1) / 3rd year of study / 2022-2023 / author: PhD.arch.Zina MACRI
Publishing in any way this material without the author’s consent is not permitted.

floors
waterproofing, thermal insulation – cold basement
ground slab, below-grade

min 30 cm raise
min. 50 cm

Termoizolaţie

basement RC wall

levelled support for

vertical waterproofing
waterproofing membranes

Soil backfill
RC slab
horizontal waterproofing Capillary break layer, gravel

Soil (undisturbed/backfill)
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28

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 UAUIM Faculty of Architecture / Architectural Detailing(1) / 3rd year of study / 2022-2023 / author: PhD.arch.Zina MACRI
Publishing in any way this material without the author’s consent is not permitted.

floors
waterproofing, thermal insulation – cold basement
ground slab, below-grade

min. 50 cm
basement RCC wall HDPE (dimpled) membrane/
high density polyethylene
Waterproofing protection
vertical waterproofing

Soil backfill
RCC slab
horizontal waterproofing Capillary break layer, gravel

Soil (undisturbed/backfill)
29

29

UAUIM Faculty of Architecture / Architectural Detailing(1) / 3rd year of study / 2022-2023 / author: PhD.arch.Zina MACRI
Publishing in any way this material without the author’s consent is not permitted.

floors
waterproofing, thermal insulation – cold basement
ground slab, below-grade
min. 50 cm

HDPE
basement RCC wall membrane

Waterproofing protection
vertical waterproofing

Soil backfill
RCC slab
horizontal waterproofing Capillary break layer, gravel

Soil (undisturbed/backfill)
30

30

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 UAUIM Faculty of Architecture / Architectural Detailing(1) / 3rd year of study / 2022-2023 / author: PhD.arch.Zina MACRI
Publishing in any way this material without the author’s consent is not permitted.

floors
waterproofing, thermal insulation – cold basement
ground slab, below-grade
Horizontal waterproofing
Thermal insulation (EPS...)

min. 50 cm
Thermal insulation
Termoizolaţie

basement RCC wall

Waterproofing protection
vertical waterproofing

Soil backfill
RCC slab
horizontal waterproofing Capillary break layer, gravel

Soil (undisturbed/backfill)
31

31

UAUIM Faculty of Architecture / Architectural Detailing(1) / 3rd year of study / 2022-2023 / author: PhD.arch.Zina MACRI
Publishing in any way this material without the author’s consent is not permitted.

floors
waterproofing, cold basement, thermal insulation + drainage

Thermal insulation, 8 cm

Thermal insulation (XPS...), 6 cm

min. 50 cm

Termoizolaţie
Thermal insulation

Soil backfill
Waterproofing protection/drainage
waterproofing

RCC slab
Capillary break

Soil 32

32

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 UAUIM Faculty of Architecture / Architectural Detailing(1) / 3rd year of study / 2022-2023 / author: PhD.arch.Zina MACRI
Publishing in any way this material without the author’s consent is not permitted.

floors
waterproofing, cold basement, thermal insulation + drainage

Thermal insulation, 8 cm

Thermal insulation (XPS...), 6 cm

min. 50 cm
Termoizolaţie
Thermal insulation

Soil backfill
Waterproofing protection/drainage
waterproofing

RCC slab
Drainage bed,
Capillary break
rocks/ gravel
Soil 33

33

UAUIM Faculty of Architecture / Architectural Detailing(1) / 3rd year of study / 2022-2023 / author: PhD.arch.Zina MACRI
Publishing in any way this material without the author’s consent is not permitted.

floors
waterproofing, cold basement, thermal insulation + drainage

Thermal insulation, 8 cm

Thermal insulation (XPS...), 6 cm

min. 50 cm

Termoizolaţie
Thermal insulation

Soil backfill
Waterproofing protection/drainage
waterproofing

geotextile RCC slab

Drainage bed,
Capillary break
rocks/ gravel
Soil 34

34

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 UAUIM Faculty of Architecture / Architectural Detailing(1) / 3rd year of study / 2022-2023 / author: PhD.arch.Zina MACRI
Publishing in any way this material without the author’s consent is not permitted.

floors
waterproofing, cold basement, thermal insulation + drainage

Thermal insulation, 8 cm

Thermal insulation (XPS...), 6 cm

min. 50 cm
Termoizolaţie
Thermal insulation

Soil backfill
Waterproofing protection/drainage
waterproofing

geotextile RCC slab

Drainage bed,
Capillary break
rocks/ gravel
Drainpipe
Soil 35

35

UAUIM Faculty of Architecture / Architectural Detailing(1) / 3rd year of study / 2022-2023 / author: PhD.arch.Zina MACRI
Publishing in any way this material without the author’s consent is not permitted.

floors

Drainage layer / waterproofing protection

36

36

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 UAUIM Faculty of Architecture / Architectural Detailing(1) / 3rd year of study / 2022-2023 / author: PhD.arch.Zina MACRI
Publishing in any way this material without the author’s consent is not permitted.

floors
warm basement, waterproofing, thermal insulation (also
protection layer for the waterproofing) + drainage

-RC basement wall, levelled

-waterproofing (bituminous…)
-thermal insulation (XPS…)
-protection + drainage layer
-soil backfil

© swisspor 37

37

UAUIM Faculty of Architecture / Architectural Detailing(1) / 3rd year of study / 2022-2023 / author: PhD.arch.Zina MACRI
Publishing in any way this material without the author’s consent is not permitted.

floors
floors – thermal insulation
• Water vapour barrier
- Water vapour barrier: “on • Thermal insulation
the warm side of the • RC slab
thermal insulation”

- (no water vapour barrier)

layers of increased water
• RC slab
vapour permeability
• Thermal insulation
towards the exterior
• (plaster)
Isover fundament 2018
38

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 UAUIM Faculty of Architecture / Architectural Detailing(1) / 3rd year of study / 2022-2023 / author: PhD.arch.Zina MACRI
Publishing in any way this material without the author’s consent is not permitted.

floors
floors – thermal insulation

Compression-proof and resistant to mechanical shocks:

AAC aerated autoclaved concrete blocks/boards
foamglass boards
rigid polyurethane foam board etc.

 requires flat/smooth surface underneath (screed)

 levelled with a screed layer on top
 may need water vapour barrier

39

39

UAUIM Faculty of Architecture / Architectural Detailing(1) / 3rd year of study / 2022-2023 / author: PhD.arch.Zina MACRI
Publishing in any way this material without the author’s consent is not permitted.

floors
floors – thermal insulation

Elastic boards – fair/medium compressive strength

- EPS – expanded polystyrene
- High density rock-wool
- Cork etc.

 may not necessarilly need a flat/smooth surface (screed)

underneath
 might need a RC slab above them

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 UAUIM Faculty of Architecture / Architectural Detailing(1) / 3rd year of study / 2022-2023 / author: PhD.arch.Zina MACRI
Publishing in any way this material without the author’s consent is not permitted.

floors
floors – thermal insulation

Compressive materials
 Fiberglass/mineral wool – rigid boards

- need RC slab above (~4-5 cm) to avoid unwanted local

compression + separation/protection layer

41

41

UAUIM Faculty of Architecture / Architectural Detailing(1) / 3rd year of study / 2022-2023 / author: PhD.arch.Zina MACRI
Publishing in any way this material without the author’s consent is not permitted.

floors
Intermediate layers – screeds for levelling/smoothing the surfaces
- Sand layers
- Mortars – when the layers placed above need to adhere to/to be attached
 Membranes
 Compression proof thermal insulation boards etc.

Levelling screed

Water proofing
• Wearing surface
Sloped
• Water proofing
concrete/mortar
screed • Sloped mortar screed
42

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 UAUIM Faculty of Architecture / Architectural Detailing(1) / 3rd year of study / 2022-2023 / author: PhD.arch.Zina MACRI
Publishing in any way this material without the author’s consent is not permitted.

floors
Intermediate layers – screeds for levelling/smoothing the surfaces
- Sand layers
- Mortars – when the layers placed above need to adhere to/to be attached
 Membranes
 Compression proof thermal insulation boards etc.

Levelling screed

Water proofing

Sloped
concrete/mortar The water proofing layer should be
screed appropriately sloped and connected
43
to the drainage system.
43

UAUIM Faculty of Architecture / Architectural Detailing(1) / 3rd year of study / 2022-2023 / author: PhD.arch.Zina MACRI
Publishing in any way this material without the author’s consent is not permitted.

floors

Intermediate water-proofing layers

- acting also as capillary-break; • Wearing surface

• Water proofing
- on the floor of high humidity spaces: • Sloped mortar screed
 always laid on a sloped layer - mortar bed/screed
(sloped towards the drain)
 need a protective layer above (reinforced cement
mortar bed)
 raised on the adjacent walls

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 UAUIM Faculty of Architecture / Architectural Detailing(1) / 3rd year of study / 2022-2023 / author: PhD.arch.Zina MACRI
Publishing in any way this material without the author’s consent is not permitted.

floors
Heated subfloors – underfloor radiant heating
- Thermal protection underlay

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