Concrete basement and foundation for the KUL Conservatory Building, Heverlee
KU Leuven
For the expansion of the KU Leuven greenhouse complex in Heverlee, contractor Denys built an underground concrete cellar with a foundation plate. Due to the high groundwater level and structural requirements, a sustainable and watertight solution was chosen with Penetron Admix SB, integrated into the concrete mixture.
The basement consists of foundation plates and (crawl) basement walls. By using the Penetron system, permanent protection is guaranteed, without additional membranes or a classic seal.
Activities carried out
In order to meet the watertightness requirements and extend the life of the concrete, the following approach was chosen:
- Use of Penetron Admix SB in both the foundation plates and the basement walls (approx. 530 m³ of concrete in total).
- Waterproofing of landfill and expansion joints with PeneBar SW55 and PeneBar Primer.
- Provision of technical support on site during processing and installation.
This version results in a structurally watertight whole, even with varying groundwater pressure.
Products used
- Penetron Admix SB: Crystalline additive for waterproof and durable concrete structures.
- PeneBar SW55 & PeneBar Primer: self-expanding swelling bands for cold joints
- Penetron & Penecrete Mortar (optional): for repairing local concrete defects and sealing tie holes.
The combination of these products ensures that the concrete itself actively protects itself with a self-healing capacity in the event of future microcracks.
