The December 2020 opening of the Diwan Residence Towers marks another highlight in the ongoing expansion and modernization of Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. The Penetron System was applied to secure the below-grade concrete structures against groundwater intrusion.
The second largest city in Saudi Arabia, Jeddah is the country’s most important Red Sea port for trade with Africa and Europe. It is also the main embarking point for Islamic pilgrims going east to Mecca (for a religious pilgrimage known as the hajj). Due to a steady influx of travelers, the city continues to build hotels, shopping centers, and other infrastructure.
Located in the Al-Naseem neighborhood of Jeddah, the new Diwan Residence Towers were designed by Retaj Architects & Consultant Engineers and developed by Hasaad Real Estate. The US$25 million project comprises two residential towers, each 14 floors in height, which house a total of 210 residential units.
Successful Solution for Saudi Projects
“The engineers at Retaj asked Penetron for help on a concrete waterproofing solution for their newest project,” explains Bayahya Aiman, Managing Director of Penetron Saudi Arabia. “The Penetron team has recently had notable success with a number of commercial and residential projects in Jeddah, so we knew exactly what the Retaj engineers were dealing with for the Diwan Residence Towers.”
The Penetron System for the Diwan Residence Towers consisted of PENETRON ADMIX, which was added to the concrete mix (about 5,000 m3 of concrete) for the foundation slabs, basement structures and two concrete drinking water storage tanks. PENEBAR SW-45A, a swellable waterstop used to seal construction joints, was also used. Finally, PENECRETE MORTAR was applied as a repair grout for any cracks larger than 0.5 mm (1/51”) that appeared in the basement structures.
Significantly Increasing Concrete Durability
Penetron products are formulated to react with key concrete components to produce an integral crystalline formation that will last for the life of the concrete. Once treated, the concrete matrix shows vastly improved chloride diffusion, sulfate resistance, and self-healing capabilities.
“When you prevent water and waterborne elements from penetrating a concrete matrix, the life span and durability of concrete is significantly increased,” says Bayahya Aiman. “As tests have shown, the service life of Penetron-treated concrete is about three times that of conventional concrete.”
Keeping groundwater out: The concrete basements of both Diwan Residence towers (14-floors tall with 210 apartments) were waterproofed with a combination of Penetron crystalline products.
