BG System

Watertight below-grade foundation and tunnel expansion joint system

A below-grade expansion joint system, BG System can be installed onto the exterior of free-standing foundation and tunnel walls, against the retaining wall (blind-side) on one-sided formed walls, and sub floor joints, prior to casting concrete against lagging or prepared sub floor base.

BG System features heavy-duty, extruded multiple-cell thermoplastic gland, with dual flanges for a secure tie-in to the waterproofing system. The flanges are sandwiched within, welded, or adhered to layers of the below-grade waterproofing membrane. The assembly is secured to the structure with mechanically-fastened termination bars.

The BG System is integrated into the waterproofing membrane using accessories offered by the waterproofing membrane manufacturer. It is heat-weldable, uniquely ensuring continuity of seal through factory-welded transitions and terminations.

BG System

Watertight below-grade foundation and tunnel expansion joint system

Below grade expansion joint, BG System, model BG-0200 shown in underslab and positive-side wall orientations.

Below grade expansion joint, BG System model BG-0400 shown in underslab and positive-side wall orientations.

EMSEAL BG System transition to Seismic Colorseal

BG-0200 wall to wall blind-side on lagging

BG System below grade expansion joint in blind side waterproofing jobsite EMSEAL

Lagging wall with dranage board BG System EMSEAL

BG Lagging wall with first layer of below grade waterproofing and mastic BG System EMSEAL

BG Lagging wall with BG laid into mastic BG System EMSEAL

BG Lagging wall with BG flanges integrated to waterproofing membrane EMSEAL

BG Lagging wall installing BG System termination bar EMSEAL

BG Lagging wall BG System termination bar and anchors both sides EMSEAL

BG Lagging wall BG System termination bar and anchors behind rebar EMSEAL

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BG System is a below-grade expansion joint for installation on the blind-side of single sided formed foundation walls and on-grade cast slabs as well as for backfilled wall installations below grade.
(click images to enlarge)

BG System model BG-0200 shown in underslab and positive-side wall orientations.

BG System model BG-0400 shown in underslab and positive-side wall orientations.

BG is designed to provide a watertight transition from the foundation wall to above-grade wall expansion joints using EMSEAL's Seismic Colorseal.

Factory fabricated, reinforced, and leak-tested outside-90 transitions from underslab to foundation walls ensure continuity of seal.

BG System BG-0400 in positive-side wall installation. Dual-level flanges ensure positive integration with below-grade waterproofing membrane.

BG System model BG-0200 shown installed in blind-side application against lagging. The foundation wall is formed with a single form on one side and uses the lagged wall as the other form.

Lagged foundation jobsite shows wood lagging earth retainage prior to waterproofing. Expansion joint location is seen back/center where waterproofing membrane and BG System have been installed and await completion of waterproofing prior to casting of foundation wall.

Expansion joint on lagged retaining wall. Drainage board installed against lagging as first step in treating the joint to receive the BG System.

First layer of waterproofing membrane installed over drainage board with waterproofing mastic troweled on both sides of EJ centerline.

BG System laid into mastic over waterpoofing membrane.

BG Lagging wall with BG flanges integrated to waterproofing membrane.

Installing BG System termination bar and anchors on lagging wall application.

BG System termination bar and anchors installed on both sides of joint before completion of waterproofing on lagging and final casting of wall.

BG Lagging wall with BG System termination bar and anchors behind rebar before casting concrete foundation wall against the waterproofing assembly.

Features

Watertight system for below-grade, backfilled wall expansion joints
Watertight system for expansion joints installed into blind side of single-sided formed walls and under-slab
High movement capacity
Redundant sealing to waterproofing capability
Double-level membrane integration flanges
Welds to PVC based membranes
Rubber, mod-bit, cold applied liquid, or hot-rubberized asphalt membranes can be adhered to the BG flanges
Redundant fastening—bonded and mechanical
Heat welded transitions at tees, crosses, outside & inside-90’s
Watertight transition to EMSEAL wall joints
Watertight transition to FP plaza deck joints in hardscape decks
Watertight transitions to RoofJoint in green roofs, vegetative roofs, and plaza decks
Supplied BG System includes necessary termination bar and fasteners when required for installation.

Sizes

BG-0200: 2-3 inches | 50-75mm
BG-0400: 3-5 inches | 75-125mm
BG-0600: 5-7 inches | 125-175mm

Larger custom sizes may be available to suit a specific application. Consult EMSEAL.

Movement

BG-0200: 2 1/2-inches | 60mm
BG-0400: 5-inches | 125mm
BG-0600: 7-inches (min) | 175mm

For questions regarding movement in a specific condition, consult EMSEAL.

Color

Black or white

Uses

For use at structural expansion joints in foundation and tunnel walls, both backfilled and blind side construction, and under slab.

Cast concrete walls where access to the exterior is possible (backfilled conditions)
Cast concrete walls where access to the exterior is not possible after concrete placement – i.e. blindside (single-side forming conditions)
Tunnel under slab conditions (slab is cast onto waterproofing membrane and BG System)

Where the waterproofing and expansion joint continue from the wall under the floor slab, the BG System would be installed under the floor slab and transition, via a factory-welded outside corner, to BG System installed at the exterior of wall joints.

For vertical joints continuing above finished grade, the BG System would transition at grade to Seismic Colorseal or Emshield WFR joint seals.

Where the below grade expansion joint transitions to a horizontal deck joint at or below grade: In softscapes the BG System would transition to RoofJoint and waterproofing at the structural deck. In hardscapes and split-slabs, the BG would transition to an FP (For Plaza) system.

U.S. Patents

9,850,662
9,322,163
10,851,542

Installation

(This is a summary. See Install Data for complete instructions)

Positive-Side Access Installation

Where the construction method is to form free-standing foundation walls leaving access for installation of the waterproofing membrane from the outside of the foundation wall (backfilled wall), the waterproofing membrane is installed up to the joint opening in accordance with the membrane-manufacturer’s instructions.

The BG System is installed into the joint. The lower flange is welded or adhered to the outside face of the waterproofing membrane. Termination bars and fasteners are installed over the lower flange of the BG System to anchor the BG extrusion to the wall, and then sealed.

The upper flange of the BG extrusion encapsulates the termination bar, fasteners and lower flanges. Another layer of waterproofing membrane is installed over the upper flanges of the BG System. A protection course and/or drainage board is installed over the entire waterproofing membrane and integrated BG System as prescribed for the application by the waterproofing membrane manufacturer and/or designer. The walls and waterproofing system are then ready for backfill.

Blind Side Installation

Where the structural joint extends through the foundation and base slab, the waterproofing membrane is installed on the ground over the mud-slab, compacted fill or gravel as prescribed by the designer or waterproofing membrane manufacturer, as well as onto the lagged walls in accordance with the waterproofing membrane manufacturer’s instructions.

The BG System sealing gland is integrated into the waterproofing membrane at the center line location of the structural expansion joint opening to be formed and cast later, utilizing accessories and methods recommended by the waterproofing membrane manufacturer.

The BG System termination bar and anchors are installed prior to the concrete being poured, in order to lock the system into the concrete that will be cast over it.

A blockout form is positioned over the belly of the BG System extrusion and the concrete is poured over the waterproofing membrane and BG System sandwich.

The net result is the integration of the below-grade waterproofing membrane and expansion joint system on the positive side (the side that water reaches first) of the wall or floor while ensuring that movement at the joint-gap is properly accommodated.

Note: : Termination bars and anchors may be optional at the discretion of the membrane manufacturer.

Supplied BG System includes necessary termination bar and fasteners when required for installation.

Transitions

The new BG extrusion, featuring dual-level flanges, affords redundancy in anchoring and membrane integration. The BG extrusion is also used in RoofJoint product and the central gland geometry matches that of EMSEAL’s Migutan-FP sealing insert. Consequently it can be welded to RoofJoint across tunnel roofs and under softscaped plazas to ensure continuity of seal.

Similarly, in hard-scaped plaza and split-slab conditions, the new BG System glands can also be welded to the rubber sealing components (central insert and side flashing sheets) of our other FP (For Plaza) systems including MIGUTAN-FP, SJS-FP, DSM-FP, and SJS-FP-FR to ensure continuity of seal.

Transition from below grade walls to above grade walls sealed with Seismic Colorseal is also practically achieved using the appropriate detail for this condition from EMSEAL.

Factory-fabricated transitions–inside 90’s; outside-90’s; tees; crosses; and custom configurations–are available.

Joint Termination at Base of Wall

No Joint in Interior, Bottom Floor

Where the structural joint is designed only in the walls and does not continue through the foundation and floor slab, the BG System is integrated into the waterproofing membrane on the walls and must terminate at the concrete footings at a point designed to be below the elevation of the slab and into a properly designed, active, perimeter drainage system. Details of flashing skirts for footing termination are available from EMSEAL.

Warranty

EMSEAL offers a limited material only warranty for BG System.

The BG System will not perform in conditions that are unsuitable to the requirements for performance of the waterproofing membrane materials into which the BG System is integrated (consult the waterproofing membrane manufacturer).

Consult EMSEAL and refer to warranty conditions, exclusions, and limitations.

Availability & Price

Available for shipment internationally.
Prices are available from local distributors or representatives and/or directly from the manufacturer.
The product range is continually being updated, and accordingly EMSEAL® reserves the right to modify or withdraw any product without prior notice.