Build
Concrete, the single most widely-used building material in the world, has a history dating back to the Romans and ancient Egyptians. Given that concrete is used twice as much in construction over all other building materials, emphasis on quality, performance and sustainability is essential for the industry to grow and thrive.
One of the most important ingredients in high performance, long-lasting, durable and beautiful concrete produced today are concrete admixtures. Concrete admixtures are natural or manufactured chemicals or additives added during concrete mixing to enhance specific properties of the fresh or hardened concrete, such as workability, durability, or early and final strength.
Cement additives are materials added to cement for the optimization of the cement properties and the cement grinding process. Cement additives are classified into different product groups such as grinding aids, strength enhancers and performance enhancers.
Grout is a composite material generally consisting of water, cement, and sand. It is typically used for filling voids under machines or other structural elements, sealing joints and openings in surfaces and reinforcing existing structures.
Rigid bonding is a traditional bonding method where adhesive is applied to the surface of substrates that are then pressed together, and after time the two objects are strong and rigidly fixed. The adhesive layer between the objects is thin and hard. Load, stress and movement are transferred directly. Rigid bonding is recommended when bonding very similar materials that are not subjected to cyclic stress. Typical rigid adhesives are hard epoxy as well as water or solvent based products.
Protect
Fire protection is an increasingly important part of today’s building industry largely due to urbanization. The more concentrated environments we live in, the higher the risk is for a life-threatening fire to spread quickly. Buildings and structures need protection against this imminent threat. Consistent use of integrated, passive fire protection is the most effective way to minimize this risk and protect people’s lives, their property and the environment.
Roofs are exposed every day to hazardous conditions and can be damaged and deteriorated over time. It is the most critical area of a building or structure which protects the users and interior from these hazards, and must be well-selected, well-designed and well-installed to be long-lasting without fail. Sika’s roofing systems are not only durable to wind, rain, snow, hail and other environmental conditions, but they also come with decades of Sika expertise and support.
Sustainable construction begins with an efficient building envelope. As the single largest building element, the building envelope or building shell separates the interior of the building from the external environment and includes the roof, walls, windows, glazing, floors and all the joints in between.
A high-performance envelope must meet the project’s requirements for acoustic, thermal, structural, visual, air-quality, fire-resistant, watertight, temperature-control and aesthetic needs. Along with this great responsibility, the building envelope presents great opportunities to enhance sustainability and reduce long-term costs of buildings throughout their life.
Waterproofing protects structures against water infiltration which can cause expensive and irreversible damage. It is mostly invisible after construction is completed. Every day the basement of a building, or the outermost layer of a tunnel, is exposed to intense fluctuations in moisture levels and temperatures, all contributing to its deterioration. Count on Sika to provide long-lasting waterproof systems to protect your project.
Finish
Flooring is the most important feature in any building to make it beautiful, practical and add a sense of personality. The floor is the finishing touch and the material most touched by the regular user of any building, structure or home. Any building you set foot into, you come in contact with the floor. Beneath your feet, there is an entire system of layers and parts which go together to create this finished look.
A perfectly smooth, well-detailed wall and ceiling is the finishing touch of any interior space or exterior facade. It is a sweet delight for your eyes and your nose – an aesthetic and olfactory purity that may even help purify the air you breathe or keep you warm in winter. Choosing just the right wall system solution ensures a nontoxic, eco-friendly and temperature-controlled environment.
No surface finishing covering allows as much possibility and creativity as a tiled surface – from graphic patterns and matte finish, to wood imitation and glass tiles. Many shapes, textures and colors in all sizes can be used in almost infinite combinations – the geometric puzzle comes together in any design you can dream of. The critical part comes when choosing how to install this beautiful tiled surface.
The use of construction adhesives for structural and non-structural bonding on construction sites is gaining more importance due to new materials, new methods of building and increasing time pressure. Examples range from the simple bonding of wooden laths, plaster or insulation boards, to the bonding of facade elements and structural reinforcement.
Repair
Roofs are the part of a building that are most exposed to intense elements – fluctuating temperatures, powerful sunshine, hail, rain, or even strong wind uplift – all of which gradually damages a roof over time. The lifespan of a roof depends on the type of material used, climate, orientation and other factors. The average roof can last anywhere from 15-30 years, whereas the average building lasts between 50-100 years – meaning that every building will need at least one roof replacement or repair in its lifetime.
Given the huge amount of concrete structures that surround us day to day, it is easy to take concrete for granted and how it enables us to live the lives we do in our evolving urban landscapes. Just like us, concrete needs to be maintained. It is affected by the stresses and strains of everyday life.
Injection is a procedure of pumping cement-based, polyurethane-based, epoxy-based or acrylate-based material into damaged or cracked structures to securely seal leaks, repair compromised structures and make them watertight again for the long term.
Chemical anchors are ideally suited for high load applications, as the resulting load is almost always stronger than the base substrate material itself. Since the system is based on chemical and mechanical compounds, no pre-loading stress is imparted to the substrate as it is with expansive mechanical anchors. Therefore chemical anchors are ideal for fixing close to edges and for close group anchoring.
Solutions for Projects
Throughout history, bridges have always been important, valuable structures in their own right. By their very nature, bridges are built in a variety of areas where the topography, ground conditions, or other existing structures and developments are unsuitable for conventional pathways, roads or railway construction. Therefore, bridges are found in the most challenging, exposed environments.
For many centuries, dams have played an essential role to store water for different purposes, such as irrigation, water supply, hydroelectric power and flood control. Today agricultural irrigation and hydroelectric power, also known as hydropower generation, are by far the most common functions for dams. Sika supplies innovative solutions for the largest and technically complex dam and hydropower plant designs.
For many centuries, dams have played an essential role to store water for different purposes, such as irrigation, water supply, hydroelectric power and flood control. Today agricultural irrigation and hydroelectric power, also known as hydropower generation, are by far the most common functions for dams. Sika supplies innovative solutions for the largest and technically complex dam and hydropower plant designs.
Construction or repair of a factory or warehouse involves many critical decisions to ensure the business will run like a well-oiled machine. From location and size, to logistics and space-planning and finally to the construction materials which go into that space during building or repair – every decision is a careful one to ensure long term, uninterrupted operation of the facility. Sika supplies materials, systems and technical expertise for the largest and most complex factory construction or repair projects.