Waterproofing Under Hydrostatic Conditions

E5 Nano-silica admixtures create waterproof concrete by reacting with calcium hydroxide to form more C-S-H gel, compacting the pore structure, reducing permeability by up to 80%, and enabling self-healing of cracks up to 32µm — delivering integral waterproofing that performs under hydrostatic pressure without external membranes.

E5 Internal CureE5 Liquid Fly Ash

The Challenge

Waterproofing under hydrostatic conditions demands concrete that can perform two critical functions: reduce permeability by 50–90% to resist water pressure, and self-seal cracks over the life of the structure (ACI 212.3R-10, Chapter 15). Traditional external membranes, coatings, and tanking systems are vulnerable to damage during backfilling, fail at joints and penetrations, and deteriorate with age. Repairs require costly excavation and are disruptive to building operations.

Our Approach

Combining E5 Internal Cure and E5 Liquid Fly Ash delivers integral waterproofing at the nano level. E5 Internal Cure — a proprietary nano-silica in suspension and AS 1478.1 Type SN admixture — ensures complete hydration with precisely sized nanoparticles for optimal water control, creating a harder, denser concrete matrix. E5 Liquid Fly Ash — the most efficient supplementary cementitious material for consuming calcium hydroxide — provides molecular particle packing for dense concrete while replacing up to 10% of cement for carbon reduction. Together, they reduce water penetration depth by approximately 80% (DIN 1048-5 / BS EN 12390-8 testing) and achieve a permeability coefficient of 6.13 × 10⁻¹³ cm/sec under 1.38 MPa pressure (USACE CRD-C48 testing). Peer-reviewed research from Purdue University confirms E5 nano-silica enables self-healing of cracks up to 32µm.

Key Benefits

Reduces concrete permeability by up to 80% — proven by DIN 1048-5 and USACE CRD-C48 testing

Achieves permeability coefficient of 6.13 × 10⁻¹³ cm/sec under 1.38 MPa pressure over 14 days

Self-healing capability — research proves cracks up to 32µm fully seal through continued hydration

Eliminates external waterproofing membranes, coatings, and tanking systems

Self-curing technology eliminates all other, less efficient curing methods

Carbon reduction — E5 Liquid Fly Ash replaces up to 10% of cement content

Cannot be damaged during backfill — waterproofing is integral to the concrete matrix

Reduced whole-of-life maintenance costs with no membrane reapplication

How It Works

E5 Internal Cure is added to the concrete mix — nano-silica particles control hydration and create a densified concrete matrix

E5 Liquid Fly Ash reacts with calcium hydroxide to form additional C-S-H gel, compacting the pore structure at the molecular level

The combined system reduces water penetration depth by approximately 80% compared to reference concrete (DIN 1048 tested)

Under hydrostatic pressure (1.38 MPa for 14 days), virtually zero water passes through the concrete (USACE CRD-C48 tested)

Over the life of the structure, nano-silica continues to react, self-sealing hairline cracks up to 32µm (Purdue University peer-reviewed research)

Permeability Test Results

DIN 1048-5 / BS EN 12390-8 — Constant water pressure 0.5 MPa for 3 days

Mix ID	Sample	Max Depth (mm)	Avg Depth (mm)	Reduction
Reference	Depth 1	20.3	22.6	—
	Depth 2	25.1
	Depth 3	22.1
E5 IC + LFA	Depth 1	6.1	4.8	79.6%
	Depth 2	2.8
	Depth 3	5.6

Reference Concrete

22.6 mm

E5 Internal Cure + Liquid Fly Ash

4.8 mm

Average depth of water penetration over 3 days — 79.6% reduction

USACE CRD-C48 Permeability Test

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers standard — Constant water pressure 1.38 MPa for 14 days

Parameter	E5 Sample 1	E5 Sample 2	E5 Average
Age at time of testing	88 days	88 days	88 days
Specimen diameter	152 mm	152 mm	152 mm
Specimen length	152 mm	152 mm	152 mm
Water permeability coefficient	4.20 × 10⁻¹³	8.06 × 10⁻¹³	6.13 × 10⁻¹³ cm/sec
Total water passed through specimen	0.0	0.0	0.0

Result: Under 1.38 MPa (200 psi) constant water pressure for 14 days, virtually zero water passed through the E5-treated concrete specimens. Testing conducted by SGS Tec Services.

Self-Healing Concrete Research

Purdue University — Peer-reviewed research, published August 2022

Microscopic Observation — 0.3% E5 Internal Cure SHCC

Pre-Cracked

27µm32µm

Cracks of 27µm and 32µm width observed

After 2 Wet-Dry Cycles (8 Days)

Cracks fully sealed

E5 Nano-silica fully seals cracks up to 32µm in size

Self-healing occurs within just 2 wet-dry cycles (8 days)

High-ductility self-healing cementitious composites (SHCC) undergo substantial loading then heal

Conventional concrete suffers freeze-thaw deterioration — SHCC with E5 self-heals instead

Research Lead: Dr Luna Lu, Founding Director of Center for Intelligent Infrastructure, Purdue University. Alfred Noble Prize Winner 2022.

Case Studies

Block 20

Indianapolis, IN, USA

E5 Nano-silica was the chosen solution to densify and cure the concrete for this 6-storey mixed-use parking garage, apartments, and commercial building — ensuring long-term structural longevity through integral waterproofing.

General Contractor:Meyer-Najem

Products Used:E5 Internal Cure + E5 Liquid Fly Ash

Project Value:$20M USD

Beaver Creek Spillway

Georgia DOT, USA

Georgia DOT utilised E5 Internal Cure and E5 Liquid Fly Ash to achieve integral waterproofing of the spillway and dam structure, eliminating the need for post-applied surface chemicals. The monolithic, internally cured concrete matrix provided enhanced density, reduced permeability, and superior long-term durability under hydrostatic pressure.

General Contractor:Heidelberg Materials

Products Used:E5 Internal Cure + E5 Liquid Fly Ash