Grace’s Preprufe® waterproofing membrane
Preprufe® is an advanced membrane system which offered the safest and most reliable waterproofing option. Designed with synthetic adhesive layers, Grace’s patented Advanced Bond Technology™ enables concrete to aggressively adhere to Preprufe®, forming a unique intimate seal which prevents any water migration between the waterproofing and the structure, substantially reducing the risk of leaks.No other system on the market protects a substructure from the harmful effects of water, vapour and gas better than Preprufe®. It can also be applied on wet concrete and is immediately trafficable after installation, which makes for fast and easy installation. To complete the project’s comprehensive waterproofing specification, Grace supplied its Bituthene® LM asphalt-modified liquid membrane to provide a continuous waterproofing barrier system between the concrete slab and diaphragm walls.
Exceptional resistance to harsh conditions
Built on the shores of the Mediterranean Sea, the new 65€ million Museum of European and Mediterranean Civilisations (MuCEM) in Marseille has been designed to deliver exceptional resistance to the challenging and aggressive coastal conditions. Faced with salt water exposure, high water tables and fluctuating temperatures, over 5,000m2 of Grace Construction Products’ Preprufe® waterproofing membrane proved the perfect solution to provide watertight protection from below the ground up.Designed by architects Rudy Ricciotti and Roland Carta, and built by Dumez Sud + Freyssinet Sud-Est (VINCI Construction France), MuCEM sits on reclaimed land at the entrance to Marseille’s historical harbour – between a 17th century fort and former cruise terminal. A spectacular 15,000m2 cube covered with a latticework reinforced UHPC concrete shell, it is the first national museum exclusively located outside the French capital and marks the year of Marseille as the European Capital of Culture.
Due to its coastal proximity, structural engineers SICA and Lamoureux & Riciotti required a comprehensive waterproofing system which would protect the slab from water ingress, provide protection from salt and sulphates in the ground and preserve the lifespan of the structure. Preventing water penetration and migration around the foundations, the application of Preprufe® will protect the development and its collection and expositions many years to come.
Preserving and protecting cultural buildings is essential for future generations which is why the successful application of Preprufe® at MuCEM perfectly demonstrates the importance of specifying a geomembrane which is fit for purpose, economically and environmentally sustainable and delivers waterproofing performance like no other system on the market.
