Smart Concrete

Smart Concrete, in collaboration with Riverside Construction Limited, successfully completed a high-end residential project at Broomy Hill, Hereford. The development comprised three distinctive contemporary homes on a challenging sloping site. This project combined innovative waterproofing technologies and precise engineering to deliver exceptional results in durability and water management.ChallengesThe sloping nature of the Broomy Hill site presented significant challenges, particularly regarding water management. With homes positioned on varying elevations, ensuring long-term structural integrity required an advanced waterproofing solution for the foundations and retaining walls.Waterproofing ApproachThe team employed a multi-layered waterproofing strategy, integrating both Type B and Type C systems to deliver a robust solution.Foundations and Retaining Walls:The foundations and retaining walls were constructed using Kryton KIM waterproof concrete, a Type B system. This integral waterproofing solution provided the first line of defence by transforming the concrete itself into a water-resistant barrier.An external drainage membrane, Newton Membranes HydroBond 410 GeoDrain, was installed to manage water pressures from the surrounding soil. This membrane efficiently diverted water away from the structure, reducing hydrostatic pressure on the walls.Tie-Bolt Hole Sealing:To further fortify the waterproofing, the RiveStop System was utilised for sealing tie-bolt holes. This ensured there were no vulnerabilities in the structural integrity where water ingress could occur.Internal Floors:The homes featured beam and block internal floors, providing a solid and durable foundation within the structures.A Newton CDM System (Type C cavity drain system) was installed by Guardian Waterproofing Ltd. This secondary layer ensured any water that might bypass the external systems was safely collected and directed to a sump for removal.Materials and TechnologiesKryton KIM: Integral waterproofing concrete admixture that chemically transforms concrete into a waterproof material.Newton Membranes HydroBond 410 GeoDrain: High-performance external drainage membrane designed for challenging environments.RiveStop System: Advanced sealing solution for tie-bolt holes, enhancing water-tightness.Newton CDM System: A trusted cavity drain system providing reliable internal water management.OutcomesDurability: The combination of Kryton KIM and Newton systems provided a comprehensive solution that ensures the long-term durability of the foundations and retaining walls.Efficient Water Management: The layered waterproofing approach guarantees that the homes remain dry and structurally sound, even under extreme weather conditions.Seamless Execution: Collaboration among Smart Concrete, Riverside Construction Limited, Guardian Waterproofing Ltd, and Tarmac ensured a smooth workflow and timely project delivery.For future developments, Smart Concrete continues to set benchmarks in advanced waterproofing, ensuring every project is resilient, sustainable, and built to last.

Mount Anvil and One Housing Group partnered to build a new luxury development, featuring studio apartments as well as one -, two-, three-, and four-bedroom apartments. These living spaces were designed to be surrounded by private gardens and water features in the heart of fashionable Clerkenwell, England.The plans for this new development called for 274 units within 10 stories set atop of 4,500 m2 (48,438 ft2) of commercial space, including room for basements and parking.To provide permanent protection against water for the space surrounding the basements and parking, Mount Anvil and One Housing Group’s construction team were looking for a long-term concrete waterproofing solution.

Channing School, a well-respected all-girls’ school in North London, is undergoing further development to its junior school. The redevelopment plans include a rear extension, a new hall, upgrades to existing buildings, and enhanced sports facilities further cementing the school’s place among London’s best-equipped educational academies.The development features a combination of new build and alterations to existing buildings, with significant below-ground structures requiring robust and long-lasting waterproofing. The client demanded a solution that would guarantee durability whileminimising maintenance and the risk of future water ingress is essential in a high-profile educational setting.To meet the project’s high standards, Smart Concrete, known for its reliable waterproofing solutions delivered a powerful dual waterproofing scheme that ticks all the boxes for client expectations.Newton Hydrobond 403 (Type A – Barrier Protection)This advanced external membrane forms a continuous, self-healing layer that blocks water from getting in. It’s installed beneath the building’s slab and along the retaining walls, acting as the first line of defence against water ingress.Kryton KIM (Krystol Internal Membrane – Type B Structurally Integral Protection) Blended directly into the concrete mix, Kryton KIM turns the concrete itself into a waterproof barrier. Using smart crystalline technology, it reacts with water and unhydrated cement to form crystals that seal even hairline cracks, providing long-term,self-sealing protection from the inside out. Together, these two systems create a fully integrated waterproofing envelope, giving the school’s foundations maximum protection and long-term peace of mind.By combining Newton’s external membrane with Kryton’s integral waterproofing admixture, Smart Concrete delivered a fully watertight solution one that’s built to last. The system comes with an industry-leading 35-year performance guarantee, giving the school and its stakeholders total confidence that the below-ground areas will stay dry, durable, and maintenance-free, built to last the test of time.The Channing School Junior Development is a prime example of how advanced waterproofing technologies—provided by trusted experts can safeguard the longevity and integrity of modern educational spaces. With Newton and Kryton systems in place, the school’s investment is future-proofed, ensuring a dry, safe, and inspiring environment for both pupils and staff.

“Right away, when we started pouring this concrete, we could see the difference that Hard-Cem was making. It was easy to work with and place, and now that it has cured and has been exposed to some use, you can see that the concrete is more durable than a regular mix. We have driven heavy machinery over this slab, and it still looks like it did the day it was poured!” – Billy Powell, Construction Manager | McGee McGee required a high-performance concrete solution for their external slab at a heavy plant storage yard, where it would be subjected to constant heavy loads and traffic. Given the demands of the site, the concrete needed exceptional abrasion resistance to withstand years of wear and tear from heavy machinery.According to the Civil Engineer’s Handbook, “Cement paste does not have good resistance to abrasion.” Traditional concrete surfaces can wear down quickly in high-traffic areas, leading to frequent repairs, increased maintenance costs, and reduced operational efficiency. McGee required a durable, cost-effective, and sustainable solution to ensure the long-term performance of their storage yard.To meet McGee’s durability requirements, Hard-Cem was incorporated into the mix design at a dosage of three bags per cubic metre. As a concrete hardener that enhances abrasion and erosion resistance, Hard-Cem was the ideal solution for the heavy-duty environment of the plant storage yard.Key Benefits of Hard-Cem1. High PerformanceExtends the lifespan of concrete, significantly reducing wear and tear in high-traffic areas.Provides superior abrasion and erosion resistance, ensuring long-term durability.2. Low RiskProven performance, backed by a 20-year warranty.No impact on concrete water demand, workability, strength development, or shrinkage.Compatible with other concrete admixtures, supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs), and mix designs.3. SafeEliminates exposure to toxic chemicals, such as silica dust from dry shake hardeners.Enhances site safety by being mixed at the batching plant, reducing on-site handling.4. Cost-EffectiveRemoves the need for additional floor treatments or special finishing, lowering overall project costs.Prevents delamination issues commonly associated with traditional dry shake or liquid densifiers.5. VersatileSuitable for cast-in-place, precast, and shotcrete applications.Effective in horizontal, vertical, and inclined placements.6. SustainableReduces carbon footprint by eliminating unnecessary cement consumption.Minimises maintenance, repair, and replacement cycles, lowering long-term environmental impact.Extends concrete service life, delaying demolition and associated carbon emissions.For durable concrete in high-impact environments, Hard-Cem provides the ideal solution. By eliminating the risks associated with surface-applied hardeners and offering deep, integral protection, Hard-Cem ensures long-term durability, cost efficiency, and sustainability.

Once known as a local police station, Westbourne Place was eventually converted into a lavish building with an add-on in the rear. Developed by Redrow, the building retained a number of details from its original design, such as high ceilings and period features. It even remains connected to what was once the police station’s parade ground and is now a scenic and serene courtyard.Still, the building itself is anything but stuck in the past. Redrow’s conversion gave the Westbourne Place more modern features as well. These include fully fitted contemporary kitchen units and engineered oak flooring. All of which benefit the 49 luxury suites there. Those who reside in any one of them will not only enjoy those features in a one-, two-, or three-bedroom unit but will also enjoy the advantage of living within the heart of West London next to multiple transit, taxi, and cycling areas.Of course, to make any of this possible, Redrow needed to restore Westbourne Place efficiently. For that to happen, it was vital that they find a concrete waterproofing solution that would be low-maintenance, set no limits on concrete pouring, and have an easy installation process.SolutionWhen considering a solution that fit all those requirements, the contractor for Westbourne Place decided on KIM as their desired form of concrete waterproofing. As a result, they used 1,000 m3 (35,315 ft3) of KIM-treated concrete to waterproof the building’s basement parkade’s slab and walls. That allowed the contractor to build straight up to the property line and to save on the cost of application. It also allowed the KIM-treated concrete to self-seal if any minor cracks occurred in the concrete and to block water from passing through the concrete, reducing the need for maintenance.For further waterproofing protection, the contractor applied Krytonite Swelling Waterstop and Krystol Waterstop Treatment to all the construction joints and details. With this dual-protection waterstop system, the contractor could ensure that no leaks would occur and that water would not be able to infiltrate the concrete and corrode the steel rebar within. Moreover, this system and KIM will work for the life of the structure, providing permanent protection.

Facing concerns about the durability of the concrete and the reliability of the water supply, CONAGUA’s construction team sought solutions that would ensure the durability of their concrete. That led them to sourcing KIM and Hard-Cem admixtures to provide quality waterproofing and abrasion and erosion resistance.With KIM, the construction team’s concrete would reap the benefits of having an award-winning waterproofing admixture that’s been certified by NSF to be safe with potable water. The concrete would become permanently watertight and safe from any waterborne contaminants. And it would all be thanks to KIM’s unique Krystol® technology. Designed to disperse throughout the concrete mix during batching, this technology would imbue the concrete with the ability to chemically react in the presence of water and unhydrated cement particles. As a result, even the slightest presence of water would allow the concrete to react to form solid interlocking crystals, which would fill up the capillary pores and micro-cracks of the concrete. That would ensure that the water would not be able to pass through the concrete and that the concrete itself could self-seal hairline cracks even under heavy hydrostatic pressure.