ASTM C898-95

NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or discontinued.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information.
Designation: C 898 – 95
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 C 898; 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 (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope D 1752 Specification for Preformed Sponge Rubber and
Cork Expansion Joint Fillers for Concrete Paving and
1.1 This guide describes the use of a high solids content,
Structural Construction
cold liquid-applied elastomeric waterproofing membrane in a
D 3253 Specification for Vulcanized Rubber Sheeting for
waterproofing system subject to hydrostatic pressure for build-
Pond, Canal, and Reservoir Lining
ing decks over occupied space where the membrane is covered
2.2 American Concrete Institute Standard:
with a separate protective wearing course.
301-72 (1975) Specifications for Structural Concrete for
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the
Buildings
standard. The values given in parentheses are for information
only.
3. Terminology
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the
3.1 Refer to Terminology C 717 for definitions of the
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
following terms used in this guide: bond breaker; cellular; cold
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
joint; compatibility; compound; construction joint; control
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
joint; creep; dry film thickness; elastomer; expansion joint;
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
gasket; isolation joint; joint; laitance; primer; reglet; reinforced
2. Referenced Documents joint; sealant; spalling; waterproofing.
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
2.1 ASTM Standards:
3.2.1 cold-applied—capable of being applied without heat-
C 33 Specification for Concrete Aggregates
ing as contrasted to hot-applied. Cold-applied products are
C 136 Test Method for Sieve Analysis of Fine and Coarse
furnished in a liquid state, whereas hot-applied products are
Aggregates
furnished as solids that must be heated to liquefy them.
C 717 Terminology of Building Seals and Sealants
3.2.2 curing time—the period between application and the
C 755 Practice for Selection of Vapor Retarders for Thermal
time when the material reaches its design physical properties.
Insulations
3.2.3 deflection—the deviation of a structural element from
C 836 Specification for High Solids Content, Cold Liquid-
its original shape or plane due to physical loading, temperature
Applied Elastomeric Waterproofing Membrane for Use
gradients, or rotation of its supports.
with Separate Wearing Course
3.2.4 drainage board—see prefabricated drainage compos-
C 920 Specification for Elastomeric Joint Sealants
ite, the preferred term.
C 962 Guide for Use of Elastomeric Joint Sealants
3.2.5 drainage course—see percolation layer and Fig. 1.
D 1056 Specification for Flexible Cellular Materialsù-
6 3.2.6 finish wearing surface—see traffıc surface.
Sponge or Expanded Rubber
3.2.7 flashing—a generic term describing the transitional
D 1751 Specification for Preformed Expansion Joint Fillers
area between the waterproofing membrane and surfaces above
for Concrete Paving and Structural Construction (Nonex-
the wearing surface of the building deck; a terminal closure or
truding and Resilient Bituminous Types)
barrier to prevent ingress of water into the system.
3.2.8 floated finish—a concrete finish provided by consoli-
dating and leveling the concrete with only a power driver or
This guide is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee C-24 on Building
Seals and Sealants and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee C24.80 on
hand float, or both. A floated finish is coarser than a troweled
Building Deck Waterproofing Systems.
finish. For specifications, see ACI 301-72 (1975).
Current edition approved Dec. 10, 1995. Published February 1996. Originally
3.2.9 freeze-thaw cycle—the freezing and subsequent thaw-
published as C 898 – 78. Last previous edition C 898 – 89.
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 04.02.
ing of a material.
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 04.07.
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 04.06.
Discontinued. See 1992 Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 04.07. Replaced
by C 1193. Discontinued. See 1988 Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 04.09.
6 9
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 08.01. Available from American Concrete Institute, P.O. Box 19150 Redford Station,
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 04.03. Detroit, MI 48219.
Copyright © ASTM, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
C 898
of the waterproofing system as well as guide specifications.
The intent of Sections 5-14 is to provide information and
guidelines for consideration of the designer of the waterproof-
ing system. The intent of the remaining sections is to provide
minimum guide specifications for the use of purchaser and
seller in contract documents. Where the state of the art is such
that criteria for a particular condition is not as yet firmly
established or has numerous variables that require consider-
ation, reference is made to the applicable portion of Sections
5-14 that covers the particular area of concern.
DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS
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.
FIG. 1 Basic Components of Cold Liquid-Applied Elastomeric
6. Substrate
Membrane Waterproofing System with Separate Wearing Course
6.1 General—The building deck or substrate referred to in
this guide is reinforced cast-in-place structural concrete. Pre-
3.2.10 grout—concrete containing no coarse aggregates; a
cast concrete slabs pose more technical problems than cast-in-
thin mortar.
place concrete, and the probability of lasting watertightness is
3.2.11 percolation layer (drainage course)—a layer of
greatly diminished and difficult to achieve because of the
washed gravel or of a manufactured drainage media that allows
multitude of joints which have the capability of movement and
water to filter through to the drain (see Fig. 1).
must be treated accordingly. Moving joints are critical features
3.2.12 prefabricated drainage composite—proprietary de-
of waterproofing systems and are more critical when sealed at
vices to facilitate drainage, usually a composite laminate of
the membrane level than at a higher level with the use of
more than one material including filter fabric.
integral concrete curbs. Such curbs are impractical with precast
3.2.13 protection board—see protection course.
concrete slabs and necessitate an even more impractical drain
3.2.14 protection course—semi-rigid sheet material placed
in each slab. Other disadvantages of precast concrete slabs are
on top of the waterproofing membrane to protect it against
their inflexibility in achieving contoured slope to drains and the
damage during subsequent construction and to provide a
difficulty of coordinating the placement of such drains.
protective barrier against compressive and shearing forces
6.2 Strength—The strength of concrete is a factor to be
induced by materials placed above it (see Fig. 1).
considered with respect to the liquid-applied membrane insofar
3.2.15 structural slab—a horizontal, supporting, cast-in-
as it relates to finish, bond strength, and continuing integrity
place, concrete building deck. See Fig. 1.
(absence of cracks and other defects that could affect the
3.2.16 traffıc surface—a surface exposed to traffic, either
integrity of the membrane after installation).
pedestrian or vehicular, also described as finish wearing
6.3 Density and Moisture Content—Density of concrete and
surface.
moisture content when cured are interrelated and can affect
3.2.17 troweled finish—a concrete finish provided by
adhesion of the membrane to the substrate with an excessively
smoothing the surface with power driven or hand trowels or
high moisture content, moisture may condense at the mem-
both, after the float finishing operation. A troweled finish is
brane and concrete interface and cause membrane delamina-
smoother than the floated finish. For specifications, see ACI
tion. This is particularly so if the top surface is cooler than the
301-72 (1975).
concrete below. Lower moisture contents are achieved with the
3.2.18 wearing surface—see traffıc surface.
use of hard, dense, stone aggregate. This type of coarse
3.2.19 wet-film thickness—the thickness of a liquid coating
aggregate will generally provide structural concrete with a
as it is applied.
moisture content from 3 to 5 % when cured. Lightweight
3.2.20 wet-film gage—a gage for measuring the thickness of
aggregate, such as expanded shale, will generally provide
a wet film.
lightweight structural concrete with a moisture content from 5
4. Significance and Use
to 20 % when cured. Lightweight insulating concrete made
4.1 This guide provides design considerations for the design with a weaker expanded aggregate, such as perlite, has a
C 898
relatively low compressive strength and can contain over 20 % 6.8.1 Moist Curing—Moist curing is achieved by keeping
moisture when cured. The concrete used for the substrate the surfaces continuously wet by covering them with burlap
3 3
should have a minimum density of 1762 kg/m (110 lb/ft ) and saturated with water and kept wet by spraying or hosing. The
have a maximum moisture content of 8 % when cured. From covering material should be placed to provide complete surface
this it can be seen that only certain lightweight aggregates can coverage with joints lapped a minimum of 75 mm (3 in.).
be considered for use and no lightweight insulating aggregates 6.8.2 Sheet Curing—Sheet curing is accomplished with a
can be used. sheet vapor retarder that reduces the loss of water from the
concrete and moistens the surface of concrete by condensation,
6.4 Admixtures, Additives, and Cement/Concrete
preventing the surface from drying while curing. Laps of sheets
Modifiers—Admixtures, additives, and modifiers serve many
covering the slab should not be less than 50 mm (2 in.) and
functions in mixing, forming, and curing concrete, such as to
should be sealed or weighted (see Practice C 755).
retard or accelerate the cure rate; reduce the water content
6.8.3 Chemical Curing—Liquid or chemical curing com-
required; entrain air; increase strength; create or improve the
pounds should not be used unless approved by the manufac-
ability of the concrete to bond to existing, cured concrete;
turer of the liquid-applied membrane as the material may
permit thin topping overlayers; and improve workability. Some
interfere with the bond of the membrane to the structural slab.
admixtures and modifiers (particularly polymeric, latex, or
6.9 Dryness—Membrane manufacturer’s requirements for
other organic chemical based materials) may coat the concrete
substrate dryness vary from being visibly dry to passing a 4-h
particles and reduce the ability of the waterproofing membrane
glass test with no condensate, or having a specific maximum
to bond to the concrete. The membrane manufacturer should be
moisture content as measured by a moisture meter. Since there
consulted if the concrete used for the deck will contain any
is a lack of unanimity in this regard, it is necessary to meet the
admixtures, additives, or modifiers in order to determine the
manufacturer’s requirements for the particular membrane be-
compatibility of the membrane with the concrete.
ing applied.
6.5 Underside Liner and Coating—The underside of the
6.10 Joints—Joints in a structural concrete slab in this guide
concrete deck should not have an impermeable barrier. A metal
are referred to as reinforced joints, nonreinforced joints, and
liner or coating that forms a vapor barrier on the underside can
expansion joints.
trap moisture in the concrete and destroy or prevent the
6.10.1 Reinforced Joints—Reinforced joints consist of hair-
adhesive bond of the membrane to the upper surface of the
line cracks, cold joints, construction joints, isolation joints, and
concrete. Uniformly spaced perforations in metal liners may
control joints held together with steel reinforcing bars or wire
provide a solution to the vapor barrier problem but as yet there
fabric. These are considered static joints with little or no
are no definitive data on the requirements for the size and
anticipated movement because the slab reinforcement is con-
spacing of the perforations. It should also be recognized that
tinuous across the joint.
this method would preclude any painting of the metal liner
6.10.2 Nonreinforced Joints—Nonreinforced joints consist
after the concrete is poured on it.
of butted construction joints and isolation joints not held
6.6 Slope for Drainage—Drainage at the membrane level is
together with steel reinforcing bars or wire fabric. These joints
important. When the waterproofing membrane is placed di-
are generally considered by the designer of the structural
rectly on the concrete slab a monolithic concrete substrate
system as nonmoving or static joints. However, they should be
slope of a minimum 11 mm/m ( ⁄8 in./ft) should be maintained.
considered as capable of having some movement, the magni-
Slope is best achieved with a monolithic structural slab and not
tude of which is difficult to predict.
with a separate concrete fill layer. The fill presents the potential
6.10.3 Expansion Joints—Expansion joints are designed to
of additional cracks and provides a cleavage plane between the
accommodate a predetermined amount of movement. Such
fill and structural slab. This cleavage plane complicates the
movement could be due to thermal change, shrinkage, creep,
detection of leakage in the event that water should penetrate the
deflection, or other factors and combinations of factors. In the
membrane at a crack in the fill and travel along the separation
detailing of expansion joints to achieve watertightness, the
until reaching a crack in the structural slab.
amount of movement anticipated should be carefully deter-
6.7 Finish—The structural slab should have a finish
...