After seven years of construction, the new Thủ Thiêm 2 Bridge in Hồ Chí Minh City, Vietnam was opened to traffic in April 2022. Penetron Vietnam provided key on-site support during the surface application of PENESEAL PRO, a liquid concrete sealer.
Located in Hồ Chí Minh City, Vietnam’s largest city, the new Thủ Thiêm 2 Bridge is 1.4-km (0.9-miles) long and accommodates 6 lanes of vehicular traffic. Crossing the Saigon River (Sông Sài Gòn), the bridge is an important link between downtown Hồ Chí Minh City (District 1) and the Thu Thiem New Urban Area of Bình Thạnh (District 2), the emerging financial and innovative hub of the city.
The Hồ Chí Minh City Council originally mandated the construction of four bridges and a tunnel to connect the downtown district with Thu Thiem. The Thu Thiem 1 Bridge was completed in 2008, and the Thu Thiem Tunnel opened in 2011. The Thu Thiem Bridges 3 and 4 are set for completion by 2030.
The Thiêm Thủ 2 Bridge features a cable-stayed bridge design with an elegantly curved single tower. As a new highlight on the Hồ Chí Minh City skyline, the US $135 million project is easily the most expensive of the city’s numerous bridges.
Technical Support is Fundamental
The bridge’s concrete structures underwent a number of tests last year by TediSouth, a local consultancy company, and WSP Finland, a Finnish engineering company, and the project architect contacted Penetron Vietnam for a concrete waterproofing solution.
“The most obvious benefit for waterproofing a concrete bridge is protection of the underlying reinforcing steel from the damaging effects of corrosion,” explains Kim Khanh Ngo Xuan, CEO & Managing Director of Penetron Vietnam. “Once you reduce concrete permeability, water and waterborne chemicals can’t penetrate into the matrix.”
To secure a longer bridge service life – and reduce downstream maintenance and repair costs – any concrete waterproofing treatment must ensure low permeability, reduced shrinkage, and a permanent self-healing capability. This protects concrete from any future water penetration, corrosion of the steel bars, and chemical attack.
After review with the project engineers, Penetron Vietnam recommended the topical application of PENESEAL PRO, a spray-on liquid sealer that provides a barrier to seal hairline cracks and protect concrete against water penetration. Once applied, the sealer creates a sub-surface gel that seals the pores, capillaries, and cracks. PENESEAL PRO remains active as long as water is present, sealing any future hairline cracks.
PENESEAL PRO was applied to over 22,000 m2 of the Thủ Thiêm Bridge deck by the project contractor. The Penetron Vietnam technical support team monitored the application of the liquid sealer on-site to ensure proper application of the waterproofing sealer. Once the sealer cured, it was covered with a final top layer of asphalt.
“With the timely application of PENESEAL PRO, sources of deterioration to the exposed concrete structures of a bridge can be eliminated,” concludes Kim Khanh Ngo Xuan. “Proven around the world in numerous construction projects, the Penetron System plays a key role in the waterproofing and protection of concrete bridges and enhances the service life of these structures.”
About The Penetron Group
The Penetron Group is a leading manufacturer of specialty construction products for concrete waterproofing, concrete repairs and floor preparation systems. The Group operates through a global network, offering support to the design and construction community through its regional offices, representatives and distribution channels.
