Civil
Empower Civil infrastructure advancement with Sovereign.
Civil
Sovereign Hydroseal provides long-term waterproofing and water infiltration solutions for civil projects ranging from underground transportation structures, such as subway tunnels and stations, to dams, waste disposal sites and retaining walls. Projects have been focused in major cities where the Sovereign team of specialists are accustomed to working in congested areas with limited space to operate. In particular, transportation agencies throughout North America rely on our expertise and experience to perform work during regularly scheduled maintenance intervals.
Sovereign’s roster of patented Polymer Grout NOH2O® products VITA, IMPERVIOUS and FINITE were created to provide waterproofing and water infiltration solutions to meet our clients’ civil application needs: from positive-side injection for post-construction waterproofing (curtain grouting and back wall grouting), to pre-construction and pre-tunneling waterproofing and negative-side injection. These products are the result of years of development by our dedicated research team that is focused on continuously innovating new water sealing technologies for tomorrow’s challenges.
ABOUT NOH2O® VITA
Created for heavy civil/infrastructure projects that require positive-side injection for post-construction waterproofing, NOH2O® VITA is a polymer-based emulsion grout formulated to seal water leaks in concrete, steel and earthen structures. NOH2O® VITA is injected as a single-component or multiple-component grout that is activated by shear as the product flows under pressure through fractures, fissures, and pores. Set time can also be controlled using accessory inhibitor and activator solutions. When fully cured, NOH2O® VITA forms a permanent, flexible solid seal against water intrusion. From subway stations to underground parking lots, this product is guaranteed to meet post-construction waterproofing needs and surpass expectations.
Application
- Curtain Grouting to provide a low permeability barrier against water intrusion
- Back Wall Grouting to seal unwanted water seepage through concrete or steel walls and floors
- Remedial Grouting to control water at dam sites or environmental project sites
- Permeation Grouting to alter the permeability and cohesion characteristics of coarse-textured sediments and deeply weathered bedrock
- Reactive Grouting to rapidly respond to emergency situations such as gushing water
- Post-Grouting to address residual seepage after construction of below-grade infrastructure such as shafts and tunnels
NOH2O® VITA has been successfully used in:
- Below-grade subway stations and lined tunnels
- Below-grade parking garages and utility vaults
- Basements
- Retaining walls
- Reservoirs and dams
- Pipelines
- Elevator shafts
- TBM tunnels
- Open-cut (surface pit) mines
- Underground military sites, silos and bunkers
- Subsurface waste repositories
- Underground mine shafts, tunnels, ore passes, dams and bulkheads
- Exposed water-bearing geological features such as fissures, aquifers, cracks and voids
ABOUT NOH2O® IMPERVIOUS
Application
- Liquid waterproofing membrane for design-build installation
- Pre-construction and pre-boring waterproofing
- Permeation grouting
NOH2O® IMPERVIOUS has been successfully used in:
- Below-grade subway stations and lined tunnels
- Below-grade parking garages and utility vaults
- Basements
- Retaining walls
- Reservoirs and dams
- Pipelines
- Elevator shafts
- TBM tunnels
- Open-cut (surface pit) mines
- Underground military sites, silos and bunkers
- Subsurface waste repositories
- Underground mine shafts, tunnels, ore passes, dams and bulkheads
- Exposed water-bearing geological features such as fissures, aquifers, cracks and voids
ABOUT NOH2O® FINITE
When a project calls for negative-side injection, NOH2O® FINITE is the answer. Developed for post-construction leak mitigation, and particularly useful for performing crack injection in localized areas, FINITE will provide maximum waterproofing support for your project. This polymer-based emulsion grout is formulated to seal water seepage from discrete cracks in concrete, steel and earthen structures. NOH2O® FINITE is injected as a single or multiple-component grout that is activated by shear as the product flows under pressure through fractures. Set time can also be controlled using accessory inhibitor and activator solutions. When fully cured, NOH2O® FINITE forms a permanent, flexible solid seal against water intrusion.
Application
- Negative-side grouting
- Sealing leaking cracks and joints
- Sealing pipe entries
- Sealing of bulkheads
- Specialized bolt injection
Useful for:
- Below-grade subway stations
- Concrete- and steel-lined tunnels
- Below-grade parking garages
- Basements
- Below-grade utility vaults
- Retaining walls
- Pipelines
- Elevator shafts
- Underground military sites, silos, bunkers
FEATURED PROJECTS
WMATA YELLOW LINE TUNNEL LINER AND PORTAL WALL REPAIR, 2022
Highlights
- Combined use of several NOH2O® injection techniques for positive-side, curtain grouting to remediate water leaks through liner sections, joints and bolts
- NOH2O® successfully formed a waterproofing membrane in the annular space between inner steel and outer concrete tunnel lining
Project Overview
Sovereign was tasked to demonstrate through a field trial that NOH2O® could provide cost- effective sealing of voids at the interface between the steel liner and outer concrete components of the tunnel structure to mitigate water infiltration.
Strategy
Sovereign designed a demonstration project employing curtain grouting, injection of NOH2O® through our specially designed bolts, sealing of joints between steel liner segments, and grout data management and reporting. Sovereign also included an emergency grouting plan if water ingress at any location exceeded a pre-determined threshold value.
Results
Sovereign performed curtain grouting of the steel tunnel liner and the concrete interface between Station Mk. 56+25 and 56+45 in the Inbound Track (L1) of the Yellow line. Our methods included careful drilling and documentation of grout holes, pre-grouting dye testing, injection of NOH2O® through grout holes, specially-designed bolts and ports created at steel liner joints. A record book containing detailed grouting data was made available to WMATA during and after the successful trial program.
For more information
MTA Bridges and Tunnels – Verrazano Bridge, 2020
Highlights
- Combined use of NOH2O® and Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC) for positive-side, curtain grouting, leak remediation
- NOH2O® formed a waterproofing membrane along the outer boundary of a utility tunnel
- Schedule-driven performance to ensure completion in time for the summer holiday season
Project Overview
The Verrazzano Narrows Bridge Toll Plaza Utility Tunnel has suffered significant water infiltration since its construction As part of an overall bridge rehabilitation program, Sovereign was tasked to ensure the Toll Plaza Utility Tunnel provides a long-term dry environment for existing and future communication, surveillance, and power systems.
Strategy
Sovereign was tasked to design a cost-effective solution and, based on extensive research and development, developed a plan for combined use of OPC and NOH2O® for cost-effective sealing of voids at the interface between the outside of the tunnel structure and surrounding soils/rock to mitigate water infiltration.
Results
Work was successfully completed in 12 weeks, in time for the summer holiday season. OPC cost-effectively filling excess void space behind the concrete tunnel structure, providing a better-defined pathway within which the NOH2O® waterproofing membrane was injected and solidified, rendering the tunnel dry.
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MTACC – 34th Street Hudson Yards, 2016
Highlights
- NOH2O® provides permanent leak remediation
- Performance is warrantied
- Minimal impact to station operations – zero impact to revenue service
- NOH2O® yields success after previous grouting attempts by others failed
Project Overview
NYCT’s 34th Street -Hudson Yards Subway Station, which opened to the public in September 2015, was plagued by water infiltration very shortly after its opening. The water leaks impacted the operation of escalators, created slippery walking surfaces and damaged architectural finishes. In 2016, Sovereign was tasked to design a solution involving application of NOH2O® to mitigate impacts to the station’s operation and the unsightly conditions.
Strategy
Sovereign developed a two-phase approach/plan. Phase 1 focused on treatment of areas accessible and visible to the public. Phase 2 addressed leaks in the non-public concourse areas and a ventilation shaft.
Results
Phase 1, completed in 6 weeks by working 12-hour night shifts, reduced impacts to the public while the Station remained in service throughout the program. Phase 2 was completed in 8 weeks, with work shifts varying between day and night shifts.
The initially-planned duration of the leak remediation work (6 months) was shortened to 3 months.
34th Street – Hudson Yards Station is free of unwanted water infiltration.
For more information
NYCT – South Ferry Terminal, 2015
Highlights
- First MTA/NYCT application of NOH2O® for positive-side, curtain grouting
- NOH2O® formed a waterproofing membrane along the outer boundaries of the station and tunnel structures
- Project completed 4 months ahead of schedule improvement allowing early start of architectural finishes work and systems installation
- NOH2O® was selected over 6 other competing leak mitigation products
Project Overview
The South Ferry Terminal Complex was severely damaged by Superstorm Sandy in 2012. As a result of the Station being entirely submerged in saltwater, the entire Station underwent a total makeover. Prior to this event, Station enhancements had been completed in 2009. However, water infiltration remained a problem. In 2015, Sovereign was tasked to design a solution utilizing NOH2O® to mitigate water infiltration and ensure a dry Station.
Strategy
Sovereign developed a two-phase approach/plan. Phase 1 treated the entire Station cut & cover box, and Phase 2 focused on the adjacent facility rooms and tunnels.
Results
Phase 1 was completed in 8 weeks. Phase 2 was completed in 12 weeks. Work was completed during both day and night shifts. The application of NOH2O® successfully formed a membrane along the outside of the station and tunnel structures, rendering them dry.
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NYCT – Steinway Electrical Duct Bench, 2012
Highlights
- Innovative leak remediation with NOH2O® through cast iron tunnel liner
- Drilled and injected NOH2O® through patented bolts
- Work performed during regularly scheduled track outages
- No train service disruption during revenue service hours
Project Overview
The leak mitigation for Steinway Tube involved sealing leaks in the tunnel liner behind the existing electrical duct bench. The duct bench was demolished, and wet spots identified. In areas where the liner consisted of cast-in-place concrete, holes were drilled through the liner to inject NOH2O® behind the liner. Where the liner consisted of cast-iron segments, the concrete was chipped out to expose leaking bolts. The leaking bolts from the original construction were replaced with patented stainless steel bolts of the same diameter that allow injection of NOH2O® into the annulus around bolt hole and bolt. The NOH2O® injected through the bolts also sealed adjacent leaks in the segment joints.
Strategy
Sovereign provided a four-man grouting crew and material to seal the leak documented during the duct bank demolition. The leak was located at the transition between the Manhattan horseshoe and cast-iron sections and originated at the concrete-rock interface and behind a steel liner.
Results
Work was completed on February 7, 2015 in one 12-hour shift using 6 drilled holes, 550 liters of NOH2O®, 80 liters of Inhibitor, and 140 liters of Actical 500®. Finally, new concrete duct banks were cast.
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Dartford Tunnel East – London, England
The tunnel, which carries traffic on the M25 London Orbital Motorway under the Thames River, started leaking in several places. Total water make was 350 liters per minute. After several unsuccessful attempts by others to adequately seal the water, Sovereign mobilized in September 1989 to perform a trial sealing exercise on the worst 100-meter section. Within 6 shifts, the total water make in the tunnel was reduced to an acceptable rate of 125 liters per minute. An August 1992 inspection certified that no further leaks had developed in the 100-meter SCEM66 trial area.
