Customers – and even some competitors – are continually surprised at the diverse range of tests   which can be performed with standard Tinius Olsen testing equipment

One of the more interesting tests involves the waterproofing membranes applied onto the roof of buildings around the world, particularly in developing countries.

With the boom in the Civil Engineering Industry particularly in the UAE, and the number of buildings zooming up in the UAE skyline, you can understand the high demand of waterproofing that would be needed as a whole. But making and applying these membranes on the top of these buildings is very serious business.

Waterproofing membranes have to withstand the forces of nature i.e. the extreme temperatures, humidity and of course heavy rain. Their purpose being to prevent the rain-water from getting in, or damaging the structure buildings and ultimately our homes.

Just how can Tinius Olsen testing equipment be used to test the membranes to these parameters? The following are just some of the tests performed by standard Tinius Olsen test equipment;

1. Tensile Strength, Elongation and Modulus of Elasticity to BS 6319 Part 7, ASTM D 412, ASTM D 638, BS 2782 – Method 320E & F, and UEATC test method.

2. Initial tear resistance of plastics sheets to ASTM D1004 test method.

3. Crack bridging strength of membranes to ASTM C836.

4. Puncture resistance of membranes to ASTM E154.

• High temperatures on rooftops cause expansion in the concrete slabs on which the waterproofing membranes are applied. Therefore, tensile strength and elongation are measured in both rubber, and bitumen waterproofing membranes to know how much tensile force the material can withstand, how far they are able to elongate without breaking, and at what point defects appear.

• Resistance to tearing is also an important parameter that needs to be measured for the plastic sheets applied on top of bitumen membranes. Bitumen is sticky in nature and therefore bitumen waterproofing membranes are covered with plastic sheets on the exposed side, hence tear resistance of this covering is a crucial parameter.

• Cracks are a common defect that appear in buildings due to the stresses on load bearing faces and also as they age. These cracks aid the water leakage problems and affect the integrity of the structure as well. Waterproofing membranes are therefore required to have crack bridging capabilities which prevent water from going into the cracks. These membranes also have to be strong enough to withstand the expansion and contraction cycles that are typical to cracked structures.

• Resistance to puncture is also an important parameter, as this is one of the major stresses that construction materials like waterproofing membranes are subjected to.

All these factors highlight the importance of testing when manufacturing these kind of membranes. The experts at Tinius Olsen know this, and have offered solutions for testing since 1880. Their expertise is reflected on the abilities of their testing machines in the ease-of-use and high through-put of sample testing.

For more information on testing Waterproof membranes, please contact us.