Completed this month, the Porto di Ventimiglia Marina is now the newest stop for sailors (and shoppers!) on the Italian Riviera. Penetron was trusted to provide durable solutions to waterproof and protect the concrete tanks as well as the piers, walls and slabs of the new port against the harsh marine environment.
A popular summer destination for tourists on the Italian (and French) Riviera, Ventimiglia (pop. 55,000) features a historic town center, a popular weekly street market on the Boardwalk, and a new marina: the Porto di Ventimiglia.
“The new marina is not the first project Penetron Italia helped complete in Ventimiglia,” adds Enricomaria Gastaldo Brac, CEO & Managing Director of Penetron Italia. “Just over a year ago, we provided a durable waterproofing solution for the vehicular underpass at the main train station by adding Penetron’s integral crystalline technology to the cast-in-place concrete components for the tunnel structure.”
The €90 million Porto di Ventimiglia project created a new marina on the Mediterranean coast that increased the number of berths for boats, expanded marina services, added retail shops and parking areas – and even an elevator to connect the port with the historic center of Ventimiglia.
Integral Waterproofing the Most Durable
CEM, the project contractor, asked Penetron Italia to provide a durable waterproofing solution for the following key concrete elements of the new port:
- Yacht fuel tanks – four concrete tanks (4 m x 12 m x 3.6 m) with a 30 cm thick base slab permanently immersed in sea water
- Hydraulic service tanks – five tanks (5 m x 5 m x 3.3 m) with a 30 cm thick base slab permanently immersed in sea water
- All concrete piers, walls and slabs exposed to seawater and surrounding weather conditions
- All resulting construction joints and tie holes in the foundation slabs and walls, especially for the underwater components
“During the planning phase of the marina project, it became evident that the quayside construction of the concrete marine structures and the need to hoist each tank and the pier elements into the sea would demand a robust waterproofing solution. The Penetron System was the only system that would not be damaged during the complicated installation process of the tanks – because Penetron waterproofing is integral to the concrete,” says Enricomaria Gastaldo Brac. “The Penetron System met all performance parameters of the Ventimiglia marina project.”
Lifetime Concrete Protection
Added during batching, PENETRON ADMIX significantly increases concrete durability and service life through a non-soluble crystalline formation that grows throughout the pores and capillary tracts of the concrete to permanently seal microcracks, pores and capillaries against the penetration of seawater and moisture from any direction. This significantly reduces chloride penetration into the concrete, which prevents corrosion of the underlying reinforcement steel. Once the concrete has been placed, the waterproofing and protection capabilities are part of the concrete matrix for the lifespan of the concrete.
“Finally, the ease of application and the time savings in the construction schedule enabled by the Penetron System made the Ventimiglia project a complete success,” concludes Enricomaria Gastaldo Brac.
Built on Penetron waterproofing technology: The €90 million Porto di Ventimiglia (Italy) project created a new marina on the Mediterranean coast.
PENETRON ADMIX works best here: Quayside construction and subsequent hoisting of the concrete marine structures into the sea demanded an integral and durable waterproofing solution.
Ensuring concrete durability: PENETRON ADMIX generates a non-soluble crystalline formation in concrete to seals microcracks, pores and capillaries against the penetration of seawater and moisture.
