The opening of the state-of-the-art Pacific Seas Aquarium at the Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium on Sept. 7, 2018 is a milestone for the Tacoma, WA zoo. The PENETRON ADMIX-treated pumphouse supplies the new aquarium with saltwater.
The new 35,000-square-foot (3,200 m2) Pacific Seas Aquarium showcases marine life along the Pacific Rim, from the cold waters of the North to the more temperate seas in the Gulf of California. The stunning 280,000-gallon Baja Bay habitat will be home to an amazing array of tropical fish. For the first time, guests will see three new species new to the zoo: green sea turtles, scalloped hammerhead sharks and spotted eagle rays. The project, the largest in the 113-year history of Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium, was funded primarily through a bond issue approved by voters in 2014.
“It replaces the 55-year-old North Pacific Aquarium, which played a crucial role in the growth of the zoo and in teaching our guests about the fish and other sea animals that live in Puget Sound and the waters of the northern Pacific Ocean,” Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium Deputy Director John Houck said.
Less Permeability, More Durability
“Understanding how seawater effects concrete and carefully selecting a mix design can help ensure the maximum service life of the concrete structure,” says Christopher Chen, Director of The Penetron Group. “Adverse effects to concrete are minimized by reducing concrete permeability, which keeps aggressive chemicals out, slows the leaching of soluble materials – such as lime – and limits carbonation to protect the underlying reinforcing steel from corrosion.”
When PENETRON ADMIX is added to a concrete mix, it reduces permeability by permanently sealing microcracks, pores and capillaries, effectively protecting the concrete against water penetration and the effects of deterioration. The crystalline admixture also reduces shrinkage and provides self-healing of cracks over the service life of the structure. According to ACI guidelines for permeability-reducing admixtures for hydrostatic conditions (PRAH), PENETRON ADMIX provides a reduction of 70% or more in concrete permeability.
Concrete Lasts 3x Longer
Turner Construction Company was the GCCM for the aquarium project. Holroyd Concrete of Tacoma, was the pumphouse project’s ready-mix supplier, which specified PENETRON ADMIX SB (in premeasured, soluble bags) for the concrete used for the aquarium pumphouse that keeps saltwater circulating through the aquarium tanks. The pumphouse contractor, McClure and Sons also used PENEBAR SW swellable waterstop to seal the construction joints. PENETRON slurry was used to replace the air entrainment process for the pump station walls to reduce the propensity for bug holes in the new concrete, and PENECRETE MORTAR was applied to patch any voids (tie holes, bug holes, etc.) in the concrete.
“Because PENETRON crystalline technology produces an integral crystalline formation, the service life of PENETRON-treated concrete is about three times that of conventional concrete,” concludes Christopher Chen.
Breathtaking Pacific Seas Aquarium:
The stunning 275,000-gallon Baja Bay exhibit specified PENETRON ADMIX to ensure a waterproof concrete structure – and a durable home for an array of tropical fish.
Standing up to seawater:
By reducing concrete permeability, the PENETRON ADMIX-treated Pacific Seas Aquarium at the Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium will keep saltwater out of the concrete matrix.
