OREANDA-NEWS. Sports stadiums are major construction projects that normally need to be completed under considerable pressure of time and pose a variety of challenges.

"These include the concreting of large areas in city centers, the harmonization of design and safety standards and the construction of grandstands, roofs and parking areas that can withstand wind and weather", explains Dr. Michael Fischer, responsible at BASF for regional market management for concrete additives in Europe. "These challenges can be mastered extremely effectively using the broad product portfolio and flexible solutions of Master Builders Solutions." This has recently been demonstrated by projects throughout Europe.

Projects completed using these solutions include the Warsaw National Stadium, the Aviva Stadium in Dublin and the San Mamйs football stadium in Bilbao, northern Spain. These stadiums all offer seating for more than 50,000 spectators at sports and cultural events. In addition, for the current construction of the Allianz Stadium in Vienna precast concrete from Master Builders Solutions was used.

Work on the construction of the Allianz Stadium in Vienna started in February 2015. The new stadium, which is to be ready for the 2016/17 season, is to offer space for more than 24,000 spectators. Concrete admixtures from Master Builders Solutions were used for the pre-fabricated concrete components of the nine kilometers of grandstands. This project called for a self-compacting concrete with high segregation resistance. For this reason, the experts from Applications Technology optimized the concrete formulation with MasterGlenium ACE 430. This concrete admixture promotes the fine dispersion of the cement and is therefore suitable for the production of self-compacting concrete.

"This type of concrete is especially economical as faster construction reduces time and energy requirements and also means that less personnel is required", says Thomas Strobl, Technical Services Admixtures. "Deadlines can be met reliably and the construction progress becomes more predictable."

Appearance was a key factor for the construction of the grandstands. The exposed concrete surfaces were to be free from air inclusions and pores and to show uniform coloring. These objectives were achieved thanks to the use of MasterFinish DF 370. During concrete mixing and placing, this product functions as a "de-aerator", preventing air bubbles forming on the shuttered concrete surfaces. As a result, it is possible to produce exposed surfaces without pores.

Under the Master Builders Solutions(r) brand, BASF bundles its advanced chemical solutions for new construction, maintenance, repair and renovation of structures. Master Builders Solutions is built on the experience gained from more than 100 years in the construction industry. The comprehensive portfolio under the brand encompasses concrete admixtures, form release agents, cement additives, chemical solutions for underground construction, waterproofing solutions, sealants, repair and protection solutions, performance grouts, and performance flooring solutions.

Master Builders Solutions is backed by a global community of BASF construction experts. To solve our customers' specific construction challenges, we combine the suitable elements of our portfolio, our know-how across areas of expertise and regions, and draw on the experience gained in countless construction projects worldwide. We leverage global BASF technologies as well as our in-depth knowledge of local building needs, to develop innovations that help make our customers more successful and drive sustainable construction.