The Dincel Group has multiple companies with differing roles. Below, introductions have been made for when operating as a manufacturer, and for when operating as a contractor (where an opportunity is also present to collaborate with fellow AIW members).

AS A MANUFACTURER:

The Dincel Group was founded by Burak Dincel in 1977 as Structural & Civil Consulting Engineers. In year 2000, the group was the largest engineering firm in western Sydney and specialised in providing consultancy services in all facades of the construction industry – apartments, offices, industrial works including new/maintenance engineering for nearly all building material supply manufacturers located in west and south Sydney. The proposed NCC acoustic changes in year 2000 resulted in significantly increased slab thicknesses, and particularly impacted the use of brick walls which were being used in up to 9 storey buildings, which made Burak think about the future of brick/block walls. This was the reason which led to Burak inventing Dincel Wall.

In 2006, Dincel Construction System (DCS) commercialised Dincel Structural Walling, and went to market. Over the years Dincel increased the polymer web and skin thicknesses of their products in order to combat against panel web damages on-site (which were sometimes occurring due to rough horizontal steel placement), and to accommodate the use of Self Compacting Concrete pressures of up to 3m as a single pour in all Dincel panels.

DCS engaged CSIRO in 2010 to conduct various tests which proved that the Dincel forms and their vertical snap connection panel joints were waterproof when filled with concrete and steel bars with good workmanship to the recommendations of the Dincel Construction Manual.

Until 17th October 2023, Dincel never made a claim that the Dincel Wall to footing/slab junction (i.e. cold joint) was waterproof. Due to this junction, the system had been getting utilised by designers as a WET WALL case until 17th October 2023. The ineffectiveness or poor installation of conventional water stops (hydrophilic or hydrophobic in nature) led Dincel to innovate the Dincel Water Stop (DWS) + injection system which stops water ingress at the already waterproof Dincel Wall, and footing/slab cold joint. In other words, stopping water at the first point of potential ingress to create a DRY WALL case.

Today, DCS manufactures Dincel panels for the use of the entire industry. The proprietary DWS, in these early years, is currently only being sold to Dincel Civil Solution Pty Ltd to provide product + installation/workmanship warranty for zero leakage up to 50 years (more possible) for structures such as below ground basement walls.

The use and acceptance of Dincel products in the marketplace, both locally and internationally, is growing rapidly with Dincel being used across commercial, residential and civil markets.

AS A CONTRACTOR:

Dincel Civil Solution Pty Ltd was formed by Burak Dincel who is the inventor of Dincel Wall. Initially, the purpose of this company was to introduce Dincel Wall to the civil infrastructure market. This market commonly uses very tall retaining walls, and liquid retaining tanks with extensive depths. Burak as a structural engineer did not see the original 200 Dincel as being structurally adequate for very high level engineering use, hence invented 275 Dincel which is specifically engineered for heavier works. The 275 Dincel profile/shell contains an internal ring, which works similar to the steel rim of a wine barrel, and for this reason the unique profile shape provides significant robustness and strength even without the use of concrete and reo-bars. For example, empty 275 Dincel profiles are adequate to withstand against 3m height of earth pressure, or adequate to withstand the pressure of up to 6m high self-compacting concrete pressure as a single pour (i.e. equivalent of 290mm slump concrete).

Dincel Civil originally provided supply and install services to the civil market. The existing civil contractors immediately saw the major benefits with Dincel, which was either at the construction sites where Dincel Civil was performing installation work or by attending the DINCEL ACADEMY which provides free training to all civil and/or building work installers. At current, Dincel Civil has stopped providing installation services, and only provides assistance to civil contractors who provide installation services.

Now, Dincel Civil provides supply and install services for Dincel WATERPROOFING WARRANTY work. This warranty work incorporates the mandatory use of the Dincel Water Stop (DWS) + injection system + 200 Dincel or 275 Dincel profiles + Self Compacting Concrete.

At present, 7 Sydney Local Councils require a Full-Tanking system to prevent the pumping out of ground water during the life of the basement structure. NSW Water also recommends the use of a full-tanking system to control the extraction of ground water quantity and quality. This trend appears to be growing particularly in NSW, and no doubt other states and their requirements will grow in a similar manner as well.

However, there is another aspect leading to local councils to requiring Full-Tanking as part of DA approvals as well, which are the NCC mould/mildew prevention requirements. The NCC requirements are;
1. Since 1st October 2023 basements must be free from mould/mildew.
2. It is most likely that all basements for Class 7a of accommodation type of buildings will be subjected to mould/mildew prevention requirements from May 2025 (i.e. adoption of NCC 2025). The reason for this being that the majority of DA approvals require storage facilities, where the materials used by occupants within these storage facilities (cardboard boxes, etc.) provide a source for mould/mildew growth, which in turn affects the amenity of occupants. The majority of the insurance industry is already not covering water, water vapour leaks, mould/mildew, therefore it would be most likely (at least to avoid liability) that Local Council DA approvals will require a full tanking system when they require storage facilities within basements.

Mould/mildew is a result of water/water vapour leaks or the internal RH level being above 60% created by internal use (e.g. laundry, shower, cooking facilities without a mechanical extraction system). Dincel Civil’s service is only to prevent water leaks at basement walls from temporary or permanent ground water. Full Tanking for any basement can only be achieved by protecting the footing/slab, basement wall, and the wall to footing/slab junction. This can be achieved by providing a membrane system which covers the footing/slab and the basement perimeter walls. The advantage of Dincel however is that the system removes the requirement to have additional space behind the basement perimeter wall in order to apply a membrane on the wall. It would be very apparent that the application of membranes on shotcrete walls is not working in practice.

Dincel Civil can partner with AIW members to offer a full tanking system, which can be achieved in the following way with the interested parties:
1. Dincel Civil provides up to 50 years zero leak warranty for the appropriate basement projects, which covers the Dincel Wall and the Dincel Wall to footing/slab cold joint.
2. Dincel Civil’s partner (for example, an AIW member) assumes the responsibility for the footing/slab in a way which they see appropriate (i.e. membrane protection or waterproofing additives)

Dincel Civil’s GM Mr Ken Holden (ken.holden@dincel.com.au) invites interested parties for the above noted collaboration for the mutual interest of all parties.