German construction contract procedures (VOB) - Part C: General technical specifications in construction contracts (ATV) - Asphalt flooring works
1Key Takeaways
1.1 Die ATV DIN 18354 „Gussasphaltarbeiten“ gilt für das Herstellen von Estrichen aus Gussasphalt nach den DIN 18560 (alle Teile) „Estriche im Bauwesen“, Schutzschichten aus Gussasphalt auf Bauwerksabdichtungen nach DIN 18195-10 „Bauwerksabdichtungen — Teil 10: Schutzschichten und Schutzmaßnahmen“, Abdichtungen in Verb…
2Expert Interpretation
An in-depth analysis of the German DIN 18354:2016 construction standard for poured asphalt projects, covering material requirements, construction techniques, acceptance criteria, and measurement rules. A detailed analysis of the application specifications and technical key points of Gussasphalt in areas such as building waterproofing, floor protection, and industrial corrosion protection.
DIN 18354:2016 Standard Framework and Technological Evolution
As a key component of the VOB/C series, the German industrial standard DIN 18354:2016 specifically regulates the use of poured asphalt (Gussasphalt) in construction projects. Published in September 2016, this standard replaced the August 2015 version, marking Germany's technological accumulation and improvement in asphalt construction technology.
Scope of application and core definition of the standard
According to Chapter 1 of the standard, DIN 18354 is applicable to the following types of projects:
| Application areas | Reference standards | Technical requirements |
|---|---|---|
| Gussasphalt floor | DIN 18560 series | Including adhesive floor, isolation layer floor, etc. |
| Building waterproof protective layer | DIN 18195-10 | Construction of protective layer on waterproof layer |
| Waterproofing project | DIN 18195-5 | Waterproof layer against non-pressure water |
| Industrial corrosion protection | DIN EN 14879-3 | Organic coatings for concrete components |
| Hazardous materials facilities | Special specifications | Construction of sealing surface layers |
It is worth noting that this standard does not apply to asphalt surface layers and bridge deck pavements in road engineering, which are governed by DIN 18317.
Material Technical Requirements System
Asphalt and Natural Asphalt Materials
Chapter 2 of the standard defines the specification requirements for the main materials:
- Road asphalt: Meets the requirements of DIN EN 12591
- Industrial hard asphalt: Meets the specifications of DIN EN 13305
- Polymer modified asphalt: Implements DIN EN 14023 standards
- Natural asphalt: Meets the requirements of Hot Rolled Asphalt in DIN EN 13108-4
Mixture Proportion Design
The standard gives contractors autonomy in the mixture proportion, but they must comprehensively consider the use purpose, traffic load, climatic conditions and local environmental factors to ensure the applicability and durability of the project quality.
Insulation material specifications
DIN 18354 refers to a series of European insulation material standards:
| Material type | Standard number | Application characteristics |
|---|---|---|
| Mineral wool products | DIN EN 13162 | Excellent fire resistance |
| Rigid polyurethane foam | DIN EN 13165 | High insulation efficiency |
| Phenolic resin foam | DIN EN 13166 | Good high temperature resistance |
| Cellular glass | DIN EN 13167 | Hydrophobic and moisture-resistant |
| Expanded perlite | DIN EN 13169 | Lightweight thermal insulation |
For non-standard insulation materials, such as boards or bulk materials made of granular, foamed or expanded mineral materials, their suitability must be demonstrated in accordance with the requirements of building regulation.
Key technical requirements for construction technology
Base treatment and acceptance
Article 3.1.1 of the standard specifies in detail the technical requirements for base acceptance. Objections may be raised in the following situations:
- The current situation does not meet the design requirements
- Lack of reference points
- The base does not meet the requirements of DIN 18195 and DIN 18560
- Level or slope deviation
- Elevation error
- Flatness exceeds the allowable range of DIN 18202
- Cracks and holes
- Frozen, damp, oily or contaminated surfaces
Construction environment conditions
Gussasphalt flooring, surface layers and waterproofing layers can only be constructed on non-freezing base layers. This is a key prerequisite for ensuring project quality.
Layered Construction Requirements
Gussasphalt layers with a nominal thickness exceeding 40mm must be constructed in layers, with working joints between each layer staggered by at least 20cm to ensure interlayer bonding quality and overall stability.
Surface Preparation
The floor and topping surfaces should be sanded immediately after laying, using sufficient sand to leave unbound excess sand on the surface after the asphalt cools. This is a crucial step in ensuring surface roughness and anti-slip properties.
Technical Requirements for Special Project Types
Gussasphalt floors over insulation layers
Comply with DIN 18560-2. High-load floors must also meet DIN 18560-7 for industrial floors.
Gussasphalt floors over isolation layers
Comply with DIN 18560-4, which also has additional requirements for high-load situations.
Gussasphalt Surface for Outdoor Heating
The heating element cover must be at least 25mm thick, with a minimum 10mm wide edge joint between adjacent components to ensure adequate space for thermal expansion and contraction.
Building Waterproofing
Comply with DIN 18195-10, with a focus on the mechanical protection of the waterproofing layer.
Measurement and Pricing Rules System
Measurement Unit Provisions
Chapter 0.5 of the standard specifies the pricing units:
- Area measurement(m²): base treatment, insulation layer, isolation layer, waterproof layer, protective layer, Gussasphalt floor and surface layer, surface treatment
- Length measurement(m): step surface layer, movement joint waterproofing, joint reserved groove, joint filling, various profiles
- Quantity measurement(pieces): step surface layer, waterproof layer connection, special node treatment
- Mass measurement(kg,t): base filling
Measurement Rules
Chapter 5 stipulates detailed measurement rules:
| Measurement type | Rule content | Scope of application |
|---|---|---|
| Area measurement | Joints and reserved holes > 0.1m² are measured separately | Floor and surface engineering |
| Length measurement | Joints and interruptions > 1m are measured separately | Profile and joint engineering |
| Mass measurement | Settlement by weighing bills | Base filling engineering |
Suggestions and precautions for standard implementation
Precautions in the design phase
According to the requirements of Chapter 0 of the standard, when compiling the bill of quantities, the following must be clarified:
- Type, location, size and approach of the project, separated by floor
- Purpose of use, type and size of traffic load
- Special chemical corrosion conditions (acid, alkali, grease, etc.)
- Type, condition, strength and slope of the base layer
- Type and size of insulation layer, isolation layer, waterproof layer and protective layer
Key points of construction quality control
Focus on the following aspects:
- Quality acceptance of base layer treatment
- Material heating temperature control
- Paving thickness and flatness control
- Joint treatment and detail treatment
- Implementation of surface treatment process
Grasp the acceptance criteria
The allowable deviation of flatness shall be implemented in accordance with DIN 18202. Special requirements shall be clarified in the design and charged as additional services. The allowable deviation of unevenness on inclined surfaces within a 4m measuring section varies depending on the slope.
Technological Development Trends and Standard Outlook
Since its first edition in 1925, DIN 18354 has undergone numerous revisions and improvements, reflecting Germany's continued progress in asphalt pouring technology. The 2016 edition primarily includes editorial revisions and updated standard references, reflecting the continuous optimization of the standard system.
Future development trends include:
- The use of environmentally friendly asphalt materials
- Mechanization and automation of construction processes
- Digitalization of quality inspection technologies
- Integration with other building systems
Through a thorough understanding and proper application of the DIN 18354 standard, the quality of Gussasphalt projects can be ensured, the service life of buildings can be improved, maintenance costs can be reduced, and reliable technical support can be provided for construction projects.