The research reported concerns fifteen sub-studies in which concrete and waterproofing studies were incorporated into one project to provide information on waterproofing membrane blistering. Delamination damage, or blistering, of bridge deck waterproofing is caused by high temperatures and fluctuation of pore pressure of the concrete layer under the waterproofing membrane. The project employed a 'blistering' simulator to trace the formation mechanism of blistering and clarify factors affecting its formation. Covering a range of different waterproofing systems, the results indicate that temperature and concrete porosity affect the susceptibility of the sheet membrane to blistering. This is said to be more likely on air-entrained concrete than with non-air-entrained concrete. The use of epoxy sealant under the sheet membrane was found to prevent blistering.
Abstract