We will be at the EuroGeo7 Conference in Warsaw
After being postponed for so many months due to the health emergency, EUROGEO7, the 7th European Geosynthetics Conference will take place at last in Warsaw from 4 to 7 September 2022. We will be participating with our thirty years of experience and our innovative flow of products and functions.
We will be attending with ourTeMa Geo Solutions division, specialized in developing innovative technologies and products for protection, maintenance, retention, reinforcement and drainage in environmental works.
We have achieved these goals because since 1993, when TeMa was established, geosynthetic products have been our targeted approach to geotechnical and environmental applications. At a time when there was little talk of ecosystems, we developed considerable experience in this field, deploying new technologies and finding crucial improvements in terms of durability and less invasive intervention works using geosynthetic products.
The many fields of application range from the most important functions to be addressed in the fields of geotechnical engineering, reinforced earth structures and reinforced soil, to name but a few. They are highly impressive in the fields of hillside agriculture and the urban regeneration of small villages: drainage and filtration for landfills and contaminated sites; roads, railways and other transport applications; rainwater management.
What will TeMa Geo Solutions explore?
The focus is on geosynthetic products and the aspects that make them versatile, high-performance and innovative in geotechnical engineering applications. In particular, we will be focusing on TeMa Geo Solutions technologies for:
- removing seepage water using drainage geocomposites bonded with a nonwoven geotextile;
- reinforcement and stabilization with geogrids;
- the drainage capacity for the cap, bottom and sides of landfills with geonets;
- erosion control and drainage with geomats.
Our technicians will be available to provide catalogues and data sheets with performance details.
To learn more: https://www.temacorporation.com/geo-applications/
- Published in CORPORATION, Exhibitions and events, news, TeMa Technologies and Materials
Rooftop car park: next-level solution for making the most of underused space.
City centres are overcrowded with vehicles and restricted areas, car parks are “stressed” and there are never enough spaces to go round. Alongside the more “standard” trafficable ceiling slab solutions — such as in the case of underground garages — it’s not too much of a stretch, where structurally feasible, to think about designing or making better use of spaces on elevated levels.
Over the holidays, car parks on the roofs of public buildings or buildings for use by the public could also provide refuge for the cars of passers-through. During the offices’ closing time, for example, these parking spaces can become a real asset, an ideal solution for making use of otherwise unused space and increasing the number of car parks for people travelling to tourist hot spots
Continual vehicular traffic and exposure to the elements — from freezing temperatures to sweltering heat — mean the construction materials used must be fit for purpose. Intensive use means it’s imperative all the proper layers are in place (build-up design) to serve the different specific functions. Let’s see what these layers are.
What do we need to be careful about when designing a rooftop car park?
This kind of roof is subjected to high loads, both static and dynamic, from vehicles of all kinds. This makes the mechanical protection of the waterproofing layer and the need for high compressive strength two key focus areas.
Drainage is another aspect to be factored into the design. Rainwater can seep into the underlying layers and damage them, so we need to ensure that water is drained off the roof properly.
We recommend applying studded membranes laminated with nonwovens or drainage geocomposites made from monofilaments or geonets.
Our drainage geocomposite T-Mix Drain Plus is a good candidate for the drainage layer. Alternatively, you can opt for the T-Net Drain 5 and T-Net Drain 7 geonets, which are sandwiched between nonwovens.
The job of mechanical protection, together with drainage, can instead be handled by the drainage geocomposite TMD 1011. The product consists of a filter geotextile laminated to a studded membrane, whose conformation delivers effective drainage even under the strain of high loads (up to 400 kPa).
- Published in BUILDING, Drainage geocomposites
Hotels and acoustic comfort
Acoustic well-being is also included in the concept of comfort in hotels.
Vibrations and sound waves disturb guests and there can be many sources of origin: panoramic pools with adjacent rooftop bars, air conditioners, bathroom drains, laundries, lifts, but above all corridors and areas where people with upright suitcases are constantly passing through.
In Italy, for example, speaking of acoustic comfort and governing its implementation is Prime Ministerial Decree of 5/12/97, which establishes the limit values, calculation methods and requirements to be achieved in order to reduce exposure to excessive noise.
How can I soundproof high-frequency spaces from footfall noise?
Carpets and vinyl flooring or similar materials can add to the insulating effect, but the ‘bulk’ of the work is done by acoustic insulation systems.
Depending on the need to reduce decibels and the available time frame, under-screed or under-tile application can be chosen.
In the first case, the floating screed technique allows structural elements to be separated, preventing the transmission of vibrations. In the second case, instead, dry systems, ideal for less invasive and cost-conscious renovations, that do not require new screeds, allow you to reduce intervention times and install sound insulation directly under the floor. In exceptional cases, they can also be installed over an existing floor by re-laying tiles or other chosen surfaces.
The approach of TeMa Interior Solutions
T-Silence offers excellent acoustic insulation performance and can be applied under any finish, including wood, PVC, ceramic tiles and stone.
For under-tile applications, our range includes T-Silence dB21, the panel consisting of a polymeric inner core bonded on both sides with special fabrics, and T-Silence dB17, the roll consisting of a polymeric sheet bonded on one side to a resilient polypropylene non-woven fabric, and on the other side to a spunbonded fabric.
For under-screed applications, instead, we recommend:
- T-Silence 3.8 mm, the honeycomb membrane bonded with a waterproof membrane.
- T-Silence 5 mm, the closed-cell, cross-linked polyethylene foam insulation.
- T-Silence 9.5 mm, the three-dimensional monofilament mat bonded to a breathable waterproof membrane, with butyl selvedge edge for overlapping.
- T-Silence 10 mm, in closed-cell, cross-linked polyethylene foam.
The range is complemented with accessories such as tapes and adhesives for sealing joints.
Tunnels: the problem of groundwater inflows and water seepage
We are heading towards summer and finally, after two years of the pandemic, people will be making a mass exodus to tourist resorts again. Those who choose the mountains (or the sea, for example, the Ligurian Riviera) will find themselves passing through more than one tunnel.
Italy is one of the countries in Europe with the largest number of road tunnels. As for the TERN (TRANS-EUROPEAN ROAD NETWORK), there are currently about 610 road tunnels in operation covering a total length of about 710 km. The total number of tunnels in operation on ANAS (National Autonomous Roads Corporation) roads is 1,235 km, covering a total length of approximately 755 km.
Especially in older tunnels, you may notice large damp patches running high up the inside walls, or dangerous water stagnation on the ground. So, let’s see what exactly happens and how to prevent the problem.
When building tunnels today, tried and tested systems and materials exist. However, the problem that still needs to be addressed is the hydro-geological aspect, which highlights two main problems: groundwater inflows and water seepage.
By groundwater inflows, we mean the sudden flow of water from walls, coming from an aquifer that finds a new outlet. So, after detecting it, it becomes a priority to plan adequate drainage methods.
Water seepage, instead, refers to the passage of water due to its inherent capillary action or to the force of gravity.
The consequences of groundwater inflows and water seepage can be seen if problems are not tackled, or rather prevented, correctly.
Water is a major threat to structures such as tunnels, since it reduces the life of concrete cladding, causing structural deterioration, endangering systems and posing a hazard to road safety.
What can be done about water?
The ideal solution is to design with suitable drainage systems, with studded membranes and drainage geocomposites.
Maxistud and HDD by TeMa Geo Solutions are HDPE studded membranes with high compressive strength: the former is a 20 mm thermoformed membrane, whereas the latter is a 10 mm membrane bonded to a non-woven geotextile, available in different weights and increasing compressive strengths.
Drainage geocomposites such as Q-Drain ZW5 60 20P TG, 5mm thick with a monofilament core, and a nonwoven fabric can also be used.
The choice of product and the thickness depends on conditions regarding groundwater inflow and the relative risk of water seepage.
Furnishings and accessories for designer bathrooms
Large or small, square or rectangular, with or without a panoramic view, the bathroom is always an intimate place that needs to combine functionality with relaxation. It’s a room that’s used very often, which is why everyone tries to make it a pleasant experience and personalise it according to their own taste.
A new soap dish, a rug to contrast with the floor and a larger mirror are good starting points, but it’s strictly in architectural terms that spaces can be customised.
Let’s see how.
SOLUTIONS FOR NEW CONSTRUCTION
The first thing to bear in mind is the fact that the bathroom is a place with a high amount of humidity and vapour, therefore any intervention works must provide suitable long-lasting solutions.
The TeMa Interior system allows many intervention works to make your bathroom extremely personal, including creating walls, making the spaces you want and external cladding for the bathtub with a whirlpool and shower, or creating structures for washbasins, shelves, niches or small cabinets.
Water Panel gives you the opportunity to create self-supporting partition walls for a sophisticated look in the bathroom. Its wide range of thicknesses (see data sheet) makes it an extremely adaptable and functional product.
It can be used as cladding for the bathtub and shower, also because it’s waterproof and prevents the risk of water seepage, which would cause costly damage, and conceals fixtures, therefore becoming a true furnishing element. In addition, since it’s cut to size, it offers the very advantageous option of making the shower or bathtub the required size.
Also for washbasins and walls for the installation of sanitary fixtures, creative solutions can be found with Water Panel: the structure supporting them, whether just one or many more, can be custom-made with a mirror recess and shelves.
Of course, Water Panel can be cladded with your choice of finish: tiles or plaster.
To make it even more visually attractive, you can choose to include niches thereby maximising the use of space. T-Niche is the ideal waterproofed prefabricated product for all your needs.
The above-mentioned products are very light, extremely easy to handle and can also be carried to upper floors without requiring a freight lift.
RENOVATION SOLUTIONS
Workers in the house, bathrooms out of use and dust everywhere: the nightmare can be minimised if you choose to waterproof your shower with TH2 Stop, the membrane that can be applied under tiles with standard cement glue and cladded as desired.
Accessories
To complete the work at critical points, such as corners, specific products can be used such as T-Corner I and T-Corner E, whereas at panel joints, where there are fixtures and drains, T-Bandel can be applied and fixed with T-Fix.
What are the advantages?
All solutions can be customised to the millimetre, on-site and without causing any dust, for quick installation. This allows unprecedented speed of work with the highest performance ever.
- Published in Baths and showers rooms, INTERIOR
The new frontier in metal roofs and walls
The use of drones in making video documentaries often shows us Italy as seen from above with its combination of roofs that vary according to cultures, landscape constraints and architectural and technical choices.
The use of materials such as aluminium, titanium zinc or steel for walls and roofs is an innovative and design-oriented solution that is now increasingly widespread in residential and commercial applications.
But let’s take a look step by step.
Advantages of metal roofs and walls
One of the economic advantages is certainly low maintenance: metal has a fairly high initial cost, but it’s recovered over the years that follow. Not least is its durability: unlike traditional materials, metal does not deteriorate easily and is much less susceptible to weather conditions and temperature changes, which makes it last for several decades. Unlike conventional roofs, metal ones are much lighter therefore difficulties are also minimised during installation. Lastly, they are recyclable: respect for the environment is always appreciated.
Let’s not forget that metal roofs and walls, when well-insulated, are also good for the pocket. A little energy saving is never a bad thing, considering energy costs in recent months. This material, in the best-suited colours, reflects summer heat instead of absorbing it.It’s also beneficial to the value of the property!
Did you know that?
Metal-clad structures offer natural protection against lightning due to the ‘Faraday cage’ system.
What to look out for
You can imagine that an inconvenience of metal roofs and roofing is sound insulation: the noise of rain or, even worse, hail, especially in areas with heavy rainfall, is an annoyance. Another more damaging effect that needs to be considered is the formation of condensation on the inner façade, which needs to be properly drained.
K-Roof was created to solve both problems. This underlayment for metal roofs and walls provides an efficient drainage system and excellent sound insulation.
Discover all the specifications here.
Controlled landfills and the importance of isolating them
Landfills for inert, non-hazardous and hazardous waste are governed by specific laws in each country, which set out precise regulations on the construction and maintenance of these sites.
As they are virtually in the ground and designed for certain types of waste, they must meet environmental and safety standards.
Let’s take a look at everything in detail.
The risks of not isolating them
Assuming that proper disposal is essential, many types of waste can take years, even decades, to disintegrate and complete natural decomposition processes. At this stage, they produce a large amount of slurry, such as leachate, which is extremely contaminating for the soil and for groundwater.
Moreover, biogases are also produced, mainly methane and carbon dioxide, due to the breakdown of organic material, which must be controlled and could be used to produce renewable energy.
How to isolate them
Controlled landfills need to be isolated from the ground that hosts them, but to be safe they need to fulfil different functions.
Surface erosion control
Vegetation naturally protects the ground from erosion by weather conditions such as wind and rain, which would cause subsidence. While waiting for grassing to protect the sides and surface of the landfill, anti-erosion geomats, in a biodegradable and synthetic version, can be chosen according to needs.
TeMa Geo Solutions offers a wide range to choose from, which can be browsed here.
Reinforcement
A landfill site is sometimes designed and built on more or less steep slopes. If a slope is steep and the ground is unable to support itself, retaining grids need to be installed in order to prevent slippage, which would expose and damage lower layers. View all our solutions.
Drainage
Specific products, drainage geocomposites, can be used for the drainage of rainwater and leachate, which inevitably builds up and must be kept away from the ground.
Barrier
Bentonite-based products, such as Barrier Bento, allow the area to be waterproofed, including walls with high slopes and the bottom.
Capping
Landfills also have a final cover that must meet precise criteria. These include isolating waste from the ground and surface erosion control. However, minimising water seepage and blending into the landscape are equally important.
Proud to be BEE certified
Our strength is that we never stop striving for the best, in everything: we are at the forefront in researching new materials, studying innovative solutions, focusing on the environment and exploiting resources… We couldn’t be any less inclusive.
Our company operates worldwide, we have branches in practically all continents and the concept of ‘internationalisation’ is our daily bread. We have always worked in contact with different people and cultures and have no difficulty in approaching them: it comes naturally to us!
We are therefore delighted to have been awarded BEE certification for our TeMa South Africa division.
What is it and how does it work?
Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment, or B-BBEE, is a South African government initiative that encourages businesses to integrate more black citizens into all jobs, from employees to entrepreneurs, and reduce inequality in income.
The assessment is made based on 5 parameters:
- Ownership: voting rights and shareholding in the company
- Management control: members in management roles and voting rights with control over the board of directors
- Skills development: learning opportunities for developing new skills
- Enterprise development: support and development of small businesses run by black people
- Socio-economic development: corporate investment in economic and social initiatives.
Each parameter is assigned a value that creates the final percentage score, which is used to assign the category level. There are 8 of them, proceeding in descending order: 1 is the level with the highest score, 8 with the lowest score.
TeMa South Africa has been assessed by the EmpowerBEE certification agency and is a certified collaborator at Level 3 – 110% procurement recognition level.
We aim to improve further in order to reach the highest level.
Click here to find out more.
- Published in CORPORATION, news
Protecting outdoor flooring with drainage geocomposites
Autumn precipitation, winter frosts and scorching summer heat may even be followed by a downpour lasting a few minutes. Terraces and balconies, or outdoor flooring in general, are affected by seasonal and sometimes daily weather events and temperature fluctuations that put the resistance of flooring at risk.
So how can we protect them?
Drainage geocomposites are the solution, but let’s take a closer look at them and their functions.
What are drainage geocomposites and when should they be used?
They are geosynthetic materials with a drainage core bonded to a non-woven filtering fabric. They can be used on walls, underground structures, flat roofs, trafficable roofs, flat green roofs, as well as terraces, balconies and outdoor flooring.
TeMa Interior Solutions suggestsT-K NW and T-K Net, polyethylene studded membranes bonded to a non-woven fabric that acts as a filtering layer for T-K NW or a HDPE mesh for T-K Net.
What are the functions?
The functions of geosynthetic products are set out in the UNI EN ISO 10318 standard.
Drainage
As the name implies, the main function of geosynthetic products is to drain any water that may seep into the screed. Passive capillary drainage eliminates the risk of stagnant water in the system and, if there are rooms below, prevents moisture from damaging the insulating layer.
Protecting the waterproofing layer
Damage to the waterproofing layer causes significant and immediately visible problems. Moisture and water penetrating into deeper layers, compromise the durability and strength of the structure, causing cracks in tiles. Protection is therefore necessary.
Distributing the load
Flooring often has to withstand heavy loads, such as outdoor tables, sunshades, large plant pots etc…. Using studded membranes, which are highly resistant to loads, allows the screed to remain “suspended” from the sealing layer (i.e. the waterproofing layer) below, protecting it from perforations and abrasions.
Advantages of applying the system
The time required is extremely short and flooring can be laid after a few days.
The thickness of the membranes is much reduced, an advantage not to be underestimated in renovations. Moreover, the thresholds of French windows opening outwards or onto a terrace do not need to be raised.
Lastly, in consideration of the environment, the materials are safe and odourless. They do not develop toxic gases or organic components, and comply with VOC standards. No hazardous substances are released underground.
Vapour diffusion, retarder and barrier: how do they differ?
On flat or sloping roofs, water and moisture arrive from outside with atmospheric precipitation. However, water seepage is just as hazardous and is created inside with vapour that may accumulate as a result of temperature changes between outdoor and indoor environments.
In building elements, the persistence of moisture and condensation can cause a structure to deteriorate. This is evident in the appearance of efflorescence (those white spots that appear as a result of the solidification of salts contained in water) and, subsequently, mould.
Multilayer vapour membranes are excellent for protecting buildings against water seepage. They can be divided into vapour diffusion, barrier and retarder.
Although often confused and considered interchangeable, they actually perform quite separate functions.Let’s take a look at them in detail.
What makes them differ?
What makes these products differ is mainly the degree of vapour breathability, its resistance capacity, measured with an Sd indicator. The lower the Sd value, the more breathable the material. The UNI 11470:2015 standard sets out application methods for breathable screens and membranes and their use on pitched roofs, on continuous or discontinuous supports or in direct contact with thermal insulation.
Vapour diffusion
With Sd ≤0.1 m, diffusion membranes are impermeable to water but highly permeable to vapour that is created in a room and can escape.
On roofing, a breathable diffusion membrane is applied to the outside of a building over insulation, as it facilitates the evaporation of moisture, even residual moisture, whereas on the inside – below the insulation – a retarder or barrier should be chosen.
TeMa Building Solutions suggests T-VAPO FAST 150, T-VAPO FAST 180 andT-VAPO FAST 210.
Vapour retarder
These membranes (2 m < Sd ≤ 20 m) completely block the passage of water but only partially block vapour, thereby controlling the passage of moisture and preventing the formation of interstitial condensation.
They are generally placed inside a structure because it slows down the passage of vapour that is conveyed, in winter, by warm air to the outside and which might deteriorate materials.
TeMa Building Solutions suggests T-VAPO SLOW NET.
N.B. The watertightness of breathable membranes and vapour retarders refers to their ability to withstand rainwater if a roof covering is damaged or breaks: it should not be considered in relation to pressurised water.
Vapour barrier
Lastly, a vapour barrier is a material that is completely impermeable to both water and vapour (Sd ≥ 100 m). It is mainly, but not exclusively, used in humid environments such as swimming pools.
The position of a vapour barrier depends on the heat flow: it should be placed against insulation on the warm side.
TeMa Building Solutions suggests T-VAPO STOP and T-VAPO STOP ALU.
Which one should you choose?
There is no single answer. A technician will recommend the right product after a passive thermographic analysis and precise thermal engineering design. In principle, the most important factor is to block vapour where it forms while allowing any residue to pass through so that the waterproof layer remains intact.
As mentioned above, choosing which membrane to use requires an evaluation of various aspects, including climatic conditions, the type of insulation, structural components and a technical assessment based on thermo-hygrometric measurements.
Discover the full range offered by TeMa Building Solutions here.
- Published in BUILDING, Vapour barrier, Vapour diffusion, Vapour retarder
