Stadium Waterproofing | Expansion Joints at Villanova Stadium

Waterproofing stadium expansion joints at Villanova Stadium’s seating bowl was achieved as part of a comprehensive restoration project with custom fabricated transitions utilizing the DSM System ensuring watertight performance. With multiple changes in direction and plane, sealing expansion joints along treads and risers is too complex to rely on field fabrication alone. Seating bowl expansion joints are subjected to some of the harshest conditions in the stadium environment. They must withstand continuous pedestrian traffic during events, routine cleaning and maintenance operations that often involve power-washing and chemical exposure, as well as year-round weather extremes including UV, rain, snow, and freeze-thaw cycles. Together, these demands require a joint system engineered for durability, flexibility, and watertight performance. Traditional cover plates and sealants often fail here, leading to water infiltration into the concourses and suites below. To address this, each section is factory-fabricated across the seating bowl, ensuring durable, continuous stadium waterproofing in one of the most demanding conditions.

At the core of this approach is Sika Emseal’s Continuity of Seal principle. This design philosophy ensures that expansion joints are not treated as isolated pieces but as interconnected elements within a complete waterproofing system. By integrating factory-fabricated transitions, terminations, and changes in direction, the DSM System eliminates weak points where leaks typically occur. The result is a truly continuous, monolithic seal that bridges every transition – horizontal to vertical, tread to riser – providing long-term watertight performance that conventional joint systems cannot match.

Custom Expansion Joint Transitions

Each tread and riser joint is precisely measured, drawn, factory-fabricated, and clearly labeled, allowing for drop-in-place installation without any cutting or field modifications. This meticulous preparation not only simplifies installation but also ensures full integrity of the system. By applying Sika Emseal’s Continuity of Seal principle, every fabricated section, including changes in direction, transitions, and terminations, interlocks perfectly to form a continuous, watertight barrier. The result is a durable, watertight seal across the seating bowl, protecting concourses and suites below from leaks while maintaining the joint’s flexibility and movement capacity under heavy traffic and environmental exposure.

Epoxy is applied to the substrate walls, facilitating the installation of custom-fabricated expansion joint transitions that extend throughout the entire seating bowl. This process ensures a secure bond without compromising the integrity of the substrate. By employing Sika Emseal’s non-invasive anchoring method, the system is anchored without the need for mechanical fasteners like screws or bolts. Instead, the expansion joint system relies on the mechanical backpressure of precompressed foam, combined with the field-applied high-bond epoxy adhesive. This approach eliminates the risk of substrate damage, such as spalling, and ensures a durable, watertight seal that accommodates the dynamic movements of the structure.