Xypex Admixture specified for environmentally sustainable earth-sheltered home

Xypex Admix C-1000NF has been utilised as part of a concrete waterproofing solution for a new environmentally sustainable Earth-Sheltered home in regional Victoria.

Earth Sheltered Homes provide a low allergy, energy efficient and climate-controlled dwelling, whilst maximising existing surface space.

Xypex Admixture is non-toxic and was selected as the preferred concrete waterproofing admixture for its unique ability to generate a non-soluble crystalline formation deep within the pores and capillary tracts of concrete, to seal the concrete against the penetration of moisture from any direction.

Concrete dosed with Xypex Admix C-1000NF was used in precast archways for the home and in the shotcrete mix, placed at an average thickness of 175mm. The shotcrete mix included Polypropylene fibers, creating an effective multi-directional secondary reinforcement.

The dome home will be back-filled and once complete will deliver the owner many benefits including:-

- A watertight structure, with steel reinforcing protected with Xypex crystalline technology
- A year round temperature variation of 16 – 25*C without supplementary heating or cooling.
- Less structural maintenance than a traditional dwelling
- Energy Efficiency
- Low maintenance
- Much longer life expectancy than traditional construction methods

Xypex admixture is independently certified ‘environmentally preferable’, and delivers a reduced environmental load of at least 30% when compared to like products on the Australian market. The certification is provided by Good Environmental Choice Australia, a not-for-profit organisation.

Concrete for the home was supplied by Ovens and Kiewa concrete supplies.