ASTM C898/C898M-09(2024)

This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
Designation: C898/C898M − 09 (Reapproved 2024)
Standard Guide for
Use of High Solids Content, Cold Liquid-Applied
Elastomeric Waterproofing Membrane with Separate
Wearing Course
This standard is issued under the fixed designation C898/C898M; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year
of original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval.
A superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope C836/C836M Specification for High Solids Content, Cold
Liquid-Applied Elastomeric Waterproofing Membrane for
1.1 This guide describes the use of a high solids content,
Use with Separate Wearing Course
cold liquid-applied elastomeric waterproofing membrane that
C920 Specification for Elastomeric Joint Sealants
meets the criteria in Specification C836/C836M, in a water-
C1193 Guide for Use of Joint Sealants
proofing system subject to hydrostatic pressure for building
C1299 Guide for Use in Selection of Liquid-Applied Seal-
decks over occupied space where the membrane is covered
ants (Withdrawn 2012)
with a separate protective wearing course.
C1471/C1471M Guide for the Use of High Solids Content
1.2 The values stated in either SI units or inch-pound units
Cold Liquid-Applied Elastomeric Waterproofing Mem-
are to be regarded separately as standard. The values stated in
brane on Vertical Surfaces
each system may not be exact equivalents; therefore, each
C1472 Guide for Calculating Movement and Other Effects
system shall be used independently of the other. Combining
When Establishing Sealant Joint Width
values from the two systems may result in nonconformance
D1056 Specification for Flexible Cellular Materials—
with the standard.
Sponge or Expanded Rubber
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the
D1751 Specification for Preformed Expansion Joint Filler
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
for Concrete Paving and Structural Construction (Nonex-
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
truding and Resilient Asphalt Types)
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
D1752 Specification for Preformed Sponge Rubber, Cork,
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
and Recycled PVC Expansion Joint Fillers for Concrete
1.4 This international standard was developed in accor-
Paving and Structural Construction
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
D5295/D5295M Guide for Preparation of Concrete Surfaces
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
for Adhered (Bonded) Membrane Waterproofing Systems
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
D5957 Guide for Flood Testing Horizontal Waterproofing
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
Installations
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
D6134/D6134M Specification for Vulcanized Rubber Sheets
Used in Waterproofing Systems
2. Referenced Documents
D6451/D6451M Guide for Application of Asphalt-Based
2.1 ASTM Standards:
Protection Board
C33/C33M Specification for Concrete Aggregates
D6506/D6506M Specification for Asphalt Based Protection
C578 Specification for Rigid, Cellular Polystyrene Thermal
Board for Below-Grade Waterproofing
Insulation
E1907 Guide to Methods of Evaluating Moisture Conditions
C717 Terminology of Building Seals and Sealants
of Concrete Floors to Receive Resilient Floor Coverings
(Withdrawn 2008)
This guide is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D08 on Roofing and 4
2.2 American Concrete Institute Standard:
Waterproofing and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D08.22 on Water-
ACI 301 Specifications for Structural Concrete for Buildings
proofing and Dampproofing Systems.
Current edition approved April 1, 2024. Published April 2024. Originally
approved in 1978. Last previous edition approved in 2017 as C898/C898M – 09
(2017). DOI: 10.1520/C0898_C0898M-09R24.
2 3
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or The last approved version of this historical standard is referenced on
contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM www.astm.org.
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on Available from ACI International, P.O. Box 9094, Farmington Hills, MI
the ASTM website. 4833-9094.
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C898/C898M − 09 (2024)
3. Terminology 3.2.10 structural slab—a horizontal, supporting, cast-in-
place, concrete building deck. See Fig. 1.
3.1 For definitions of terms used in the guide, refer to
Terminology C717. 3.2.11 troweled finish—a concrete finish provided by
smoothing the surface with power-driven or hand trowels or
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
both, after the float finishing operation. A troweled finish is
3.2.1 cold-applied—capable of being applied without heat-
smoother than the floated finish. For specifications, see ACI
ing as contrasted to hot-applied. Cold-applied products are
301.
furnished in a liquid state, whereas hot-applied products are
3.2.12 wearing surface—a surface exposed to traffic, either
furnished as solids that must be heated to liquefy them.
pedestrian or vehicular, also described as finish wearing
3.2.2 curing time—the period between application and the
surface.
time when the material reaches its design physical properties.
3.2.13 wet film thickness—the thickness of a liquid coating
3.2.3 deflection—the deviation of a structural element from
as it is applied.
its original shape or plane due to physical loading, temperature
gradients, or rotation of its supports.
3.2.14 wet film gage—a gage for measuring the thickness of
a wet film.
3.2.4 drainage board—see prefabricated drainage
composite, the preferred term.
4. Significance and Use
3.2.5 drainage course—see percolation layer and Fig. 1.
4.1 Designers and installers of waterproofing systems may
3.2.6 flashing—a generic term describing the transitional
consult this guide for a discussion of important elements of the
area between the waterproofing membrane and surfaces above
use of cold liquid-applied waterproofing membranes and asso-
the wearing surface of the building deck; a terminal closure or
ciated elements of construction. This guide is not intended to
barrier to prevent ingress of water into the system.
serve as a specification for waterproofing installation.
3.2.7 freeze-thaw cycle—the freezing and subsequent thaw-
4.2 Long-term performance of waterproofing with a sepa-
ing of a material.
rate wearing course is important because of the substantial
3.2.8 percolation layer (drainage course)—a layer of
difficulty in determining the location of leakage and in remov-
washed gravel or of a manufactured drainage media that allows
ing overlying materials to make repairs.
water to filter through to the drain (see Fig. 1).
4.3 Refer to Guide C1471/C1471M for application on
3.2.9 prefabricated drainage composite—proprietary de-
below grade walls and vertical surfaces.
vices to facilitate drainage, usually a composite laminate of
more than one material including filter fabric.
5. General
5.1 Major Components, Subsystems, and Features—The
major components to be considered for a building deck
waterproofing system are the structural building deck or
substrate to be waterproofed, waterproofing membrane, protec-
tion of the membrane, drainage, insulation, and wearing course
(see Fig. 1). Additional features to be considered are membrane
terminal conditions and expansion joints.
5.2 Compatibility—It is essential that all components and
contiguous elements be compatible and coordinated to form a
totally integrated waterproofing system.
6. Substrate
6.1 General—The building deck or substrate referred to in
this guide is reinforced cast-in-place structural concrete. Pre-
cast concrete slabs pose more technical problems than cast-in-
place concrete, and the probability of lasting watertightness is
greatly diminished and difficult to achieve because of the
multitude of joints which have the capability of movement and
must be treated accordingly. Moving joints are critical features
of waterproofing systems and are more critical when sealed at
the membrane level than at a higher level with the use of
integral concrete curbs. Such curbs are impractical with precast
concrete slabs and necessitate an even more impractical drain
in each slab. Other disadvantages of precast concrete slabs are
their inflexibility in achieving contoured slope to drains and the
FIG. 1 Basic Components of Cold Liquid-Applied Elastomeric
Membrane Waterproofing System with Separate Wearing Course difficulty of coordinating the placement of such drains.
C898/C898M − 09 (2024)
6.2 Strength—The strength of concrete is a factor to be additional cracks and provides a cleavage plane between the fill
considered with respect to the liquid-applied membrane insofar and structural slab. This cleavage plane complicates the detec-
as it relates to finish, bond strength, and continuing integrity tion of leakage in the event that water should penetrate the
(absence of cracks and other defects that could affect the membrane at a crack in the fill and travel along the separation
integrity of the membrane after installation). until reaching a crack in the structural slab.
6.7 Finish—The structural slab should have a finish that
6.3 Density and Moisture Content—Density of concrete and
moisture content when cured are interrelated and can affect facilitates proper application of the liquid-applied membrane.
The surface should be of sufficiently rough texture to provide
adhesion of the membrane to the substrate with an excessively
high moisture content; moisture may condense at the mem- a mechanical bond for the membrane, but not so rough as to
preclude achieving continuity of the membrane of the specified
brane and concrete interface and cause membrane delamina-
tion. This is particularly so if the top surface is cooler than the thickness across the surface. A typical manufacturer’s recom-
mendation is a steel-troweled finish, followed by a fine hair
concrete below. Lower moisture contents are achieved with the
use of hard, dense stone aggregate. This type of coarse broom.
6.7.1 Concrete surfaces shall be free of laitance, loose
aggregate will generally provide structural concrete with a
moisture content from 3 to 5 % when cured. Lightweight aggregate, sharp projections, grease, oil, dirt, curing
compounds, or other contaminants that could affect the com-
aggregate, such as expanded shale, will generally provide
lightweight structural concrete with a moisture content from 5 plete bonding of the liquid-applied membrane to the concrete
surface. For preparation and acceptance of concrete surfaces,
to 20 % when cured. Lightweight insulating concrete made
with a weaker expanded aggregate, such as perlite, has a refer to Guide D5295/D5295M. Application shall not proceed
until all protrusions and projections through the structural slab
relatively low compressive strength and can contain over 20 %
moisture when cured. The concrete used for the substrate are in place, or sleeves placed through the slab, and provision
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has been made to secure their watertightness. Concrete sur-
should have a minimum density of 1762 kg/m [110 lb/ft ] and
have a maximum moisture content of 8 % when cured. From faces shall be visibly dry and pass any additional dryness tests
recommended by the liquid-applied membrane manufacturer
this it can be seen that only certain lightweight aggregates can
be considered for use and no lightweight insulating aggregates prior to application.
can be used.
6.8 Curing—Curing of the structural slab is necessary to
provide a sound concrete surface and to obtain the quality of
6.4 Admixtures, Additives, and Cement/Concrete
concrete required. The concrete should be cured a minimum of
Modifiers—Admixtures, additives, and modifiers serve many
seven days and aged a minimum of 28 days, including curing
functions in mixing, forming, and curing concrete, such as to
time, before application of the liquid-applied membrane. Cur-
retard or accelerate the cure rate; reduce the water content
ing is accomplished chemically with moisture and should not
required; entrain air; increase strength; create or improve the
be construed as drying.
ability of the concrete to bond to existing, cured concrete;
permit thin topping overlayers; and improve workability. Some 6.8.1 Moist Curing—Moist curing is achieved by keeping
the surfaces continuously wet by covering them with burlap
admixtures and modifiers (particularly polymeric, latex, or
other organic chemical based materials) may coat the concrete saturated with water and kept wet by spraying or hosing. The
covering material should be placed to provide complete surface
particles and reduce the ability of the waterproofing membrane
to bond to the concrete. The membrane manufacturer should be coverage with joints lapped a minimum of 75 mm [3 in.].
consulted if the concrete used for the deck will contain any
6.8.2 Sheet Curing—Sheet curing is accomplished with a
admixtures, additives, or modifiers in order to determine the sheet vapor retarder that reduces the loss of water from the
compatibility of the membrane with the concrete.
concrete and moistens the surface of concrete by condensation,
preventing the surface from drying while curing. Laps of sheets
6.5 Underside Liner and Coating—The underside of the
covering the slab should not be less than 50 mm [2 in.] and
concrete deck should not have an impermeable barrier. A metal
should be sealed or weighted.
liner or coating that forms a vapor barrier on the underside can
6.8.3 Chemical Curing—Liquid or chemical curing com-
trap moisture in the concrete and destroy or prevent the
pounds should not be used unless approved by the manufac-
adhesive bond of the membrane to the upper surface of the
turer of the liquid-applied membrane, as the material may
concrete. Uniformly spaced perforations in metal liners may
interfere with the bond of the membrane to the structural slab.
provide a solution to the vapor barrier problem, but as yet there
are no definitive data on the requirements for the size and
6.9 Dryness—Comply with membrane manufacturer’s re-
spacing of the perforations. It should also be recognized that quirements for substrate dryness. For methods for testing
this method would preclude any painting of the metal liner
moisture content, refer to Guide E1907.
after the concrete
...