Civil Engineering and Construction Review – October, 2007
CE&CR: What are the problems due to cracking of concrete?
U.K.K.: Cracks help in the penetration of water carrying soluble salts through them. The penetrated soluble salts may corrode reinforcement. This reduces the life span of the structure. It erodes concrete and corrodes the reinforcement. Also, the undesired water may react with chemicals / concrete components to weaken it. Deep cracks can cause the spall of concrete. This phenomenon spoils the finishing and adds significantly to the cost of maintenance.
The cracks in the structure should be attended immediately whether they are structural or non-structural. Both types of cracks are critical. Structural cracks should be attended to immediately because the structure may collapse if these are left unattended whereas non-structural cracks with time will have an acute adverse effect on the life of the structure and its durability.
CE&CR: How does Krystol Waterproofing system work to stop the leakage permanently?
U.K.K: Generally the Krystol waterproofing products are supplied in a dry powdered mixture of Portland cement, silica sand and special chemicals, which is mixed with water to form a thick slurry. On brushing the slurry on to the prepared concrete surface, the chemicals contained in the
waterproofing compound combine with water to initiate a chemical reaction. This results in the formation of long, narrow crystals which grow in and through the pores, capillaries and hairline cracks of the concrete mass thereby sealing the passages and preventing the movement of water.
The chemicals themselves are carried into the concrete by capillary action and diffusion. Capillary action is the natural wicking movement of liquids in a porous structure, while diffusion is the natural movement of chemical molecules. These processes cause the crystals to penetrate deep into the concrete.
The crystals continue to grow as long as there is moisture, and can reach lengths of several feet through the concrete over a period of days. In the absence of moisture, the chemicals become dormant, waiting for the next dose of water to start their growth again. Supposedly, however very unlikely, after a few years some cracks develop, the water entering through these cracks will come into contact with the dormant chemicals of the Krystol waterproofing chemicals and cause them to be active again. New crystals form and grow to again shut off the water. This self-healing capability is one of its best and most unique features.
CE&CR: What is the process of applying Krystol on existing concrete structures?
U.K.K.: The Krystol waterproofing system can be applied in the internal membrane form and the surface applied form. Internal membrane application is done in case of new construction, where KIM is mixed as an admixture. On an already existing surface, the application is done using T1 and in some cases Tl and T2. Krystol T1 may be spread as a brush-on slurry. Krystol T1 reacts with the concrete by forming hydration crystals which block voids, microcracks and interstices within the concrete mass.
The same technology can be used to stop a running leakage. To stop a running leakage, the Krystol Waterproofing System is applied to concrete to transfer billions of needle-like crystals to infiltrate the concrete mass. Unlike other systems, Krystol protects from any direction, both positive and negative, even against high water pressure because Krystol can be applied to either side of concrete.
CE&CR: Please list major projects in which Krystol has been applied.
U.K.K.: To list just a few:
1. Parsvnath Prestige – NOIDA
2. Parsvnath Exotica – Gurgaon
3. Eldeco Utopia – NODIA
4. Assotech Windsor Park – Ghaziabad
5. Uniworld Gardens (E. L. Gupta Construction Pvt. Ltd.)
6. Mittal’s City Mall, Bhatinda, Punjab
7. Airport Authority of India: Airport Terminal, New Delhi
8. Delhi Development Authority, Sewage Pumping Station, Jasola and ASIAD Water Tank.
9. J & K Government, Shopping Plaza, Srinagar
10. Todays Hotel, Gurgaon
11. New Delhi Municipal Corporation, R. K. Puram, New Delhi
12. Ansals Properties and Infrastructures Ltd., Ansal Highway, Sonipat, Haryana
13. TDI City, Kundli, Haryana
14. Global Business Park – Gurgaon
15. Millenium Plaza Hotel, Gurgaon
CE&CR: What are the future expansion plans of Kryton Buildmat Company Pvt. Ltd.?
U.K.K.: After being one of the top waterproofing companies in the world for over 30 years and in Northern India for 10 years, Kryton Buildmat Co. Pvt. Ltd. is now going through rapid expansion. Our plans are that this expansion will only grow with more pace in the coming years. We already have representatives in Punjab, Uttaranchal, Maharashtra and Gujarat, and Andhra Pradesh. We also have recently appointed distributors for Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. In the coming years, we look forward to be one of the most prominent waterproofing companies in South Asia.
