Commercial Architecture December 2017 - 59

PROJECT

exteriors

DESIGN ADVANTAGE

The GCP team jumped in before the project was designed and
worked directly with the McCarran management team; architecture firm Gensler & Associates, Las Vegas; waterproofing consultant
CDC Inc., Las Vegas; and general contractor Martin-Harris Construction to walk through details and drawings. GCP was involved
in pre-construction meetings and presented the products, specifications, and details, minimizing unforeseen challenges with drawings
and prepping the project to be managed efficiently in the field.
"From blueprint to build, GCP has an excellent process of working from the design phase to completion of the project," noted Maestas. "They had a great relationship with the architectural firm, working with them on the tunnel drawings, and built their products
seamlessly into the design."
In addition to meeting all aspects of the project's design, the International Gate Expansion also required working with McCarran's
owner, the Clark County Department of Aviation, to meet its requirements. Specifically, the department had requirements on the
specifications of the concrete being used to construct the tunnel.
CalPortland, Glendora, CA, the concrete provider for the tunnel
project, used GCP admixtures to meet the aviation-department delivery-time limitations and low-shrinkage requirements. Admixtures
are used to improve or change specific properties in concrete. GCP
has an extensive portfolio of concrete admixtures to ensure that all
criteria are met and the finished product meets a project's concrete

was used on the lid of the tunnel. Bituthene Deck Prep was first in-

The vertical walls of the tunnel were

requirements.

stalled as a fluid-applied leveling course, followed by a layer of the

constructed using Bituthene 3000, a
high-performance, flexible, preformed
waterproof membrane. After the walls
were installed, Bituthene Deck System
was used on the lid of the tunnel.

"I have been working with GCP concrete admixtures for six

Bituthene 3000 sheet waterproofing membrane.

years," said CalPortland director of quality control Mark Bliss. "As a

"In addition to being high performing, GCP membranes are able

government project, additional inspections and requirements come

to be electronically tested to verify water tightness, and they are well

into play. GCP's admixtures worked very well and played a key role,

suited for the extreme variations in the Las Vegas climate," said CDC

exceeding all minimum design requirements. The Department of

Inc. manager Michael Lee. "During the day it can be 102 degrees and

Aviation even commented on how they liked the concrete mix and

then drop to 40 degrees at night. GCP's products have a high toler-

how well it was working."

ance for the dramatic swing in temperatures."
Once construction began, GCP representatives were on the tar-

PROVEN PERFORMANCE

mac to provide complete site support. The company's field techni-

GCP has been involved in numerous McCarran expansions. The

cians collaborated with all teams-overseeing installation, answering

company's products were used in an existing tunnel to the D Gates,

questions, sharing insight, and providing recommendations.

built in 2001. Products were also used in the $2.4-billion construc-

"We had a GCP representative here at least once a week guiding

tion of Terminal 3, which included the addition of 14 gates and an

us and ensuring everything was installed properly," Cooklin said.

automated people-mover system that connects Terminal 3 with exist-

"When they were not onsite, we would simply text them a photo with

ing Terminal 1 using an underground tunnel.

a question and would usually have an answer back within an hour.

For the international-gate project Preprufe 300R pre-applied wa-

This kind of partnership was vital in maintaining our timeline."

terproofing system was selected to deliver the extreme water tightness

"As the waterproofing consultant on the project, we always con-

required for the tunnel. The product was used on the underslab of

sider the manufacturer's ability to be able to provide technical sup-

the tunnel's concrete floor. The membranes are multi-layered com-

port when selecting a waterproofing system," noted Lee. "The quality

posite waterproofing sheets made from a chemically resistant HDPE

of GCP's support, both from their technical office staff and their

film, a highly aggressive pressure-sensitive adhesive, and a weather-re-

field staff was a major factor in our decision to utilize a GCP water-

sistant protective coating that allows the membrane to fully adhere to

proofing system on this difficult project."

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freshly poured concrete and prevent water tracking. Unlike some

The GCP team provided the products, knowledge, data, technol-

conventional membranes that are vulnerable to water penetration at

ogies, services, and people to successfully and seamlessly complete

junctions and penetrations, the company's Advanced Bond Technol-

the McCarran Airport International Gate Expansion Project on

ogy creates a seal with the concrete to prevent any entry or migration

time. The combination of products, people, and expertise is the com-

of moisture around the structure.

pany's Blue360 Total Business Advantage. The company's approach

Bituthene post-applied
waterproofing

The vertical walls of the tunnel were constructed using GCP's

of high-performance products accompanied with layers of design

Bituthene 3000, a high-performance, flexible, preformed waterproof

and technical expertise provided a partner that the McCarran team

Concrete.

membrane. After the walls were installed, Bituthene Deck System

trusted. CA
commercialarchitecturemagazine.com

DECEMBER 2017

Blue 360 Design Advantage
Preprufe pre-applied
waterproofing

COMMERCI A L A RCHI T EC T URE

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Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Commercial Architecture December 2017