Hollow Core Plank – Retrofit anchor solutions. It has been over 12 years where one project in NYC had hollow core plank specified on 5000PSI CMU block walls. Problem was the job was built with 3000psi CMU resulting in compression failure of the brick at every floor line. In lieu of tearing down the structure we supplied custom Cintec anchors to allow the reskinning of the brick after we strengthen the connection for the plank to the block. Attachment to brick, CMU Block, Speed Tile or even steel is a typical application.
Archives for March 2021
Vintage Blind Side Membrane Injection Waterproofing
Almost 30 years since we did blind side injection into an overhead NYC Subway platform sandwich slab on Roosevelt Avenue to re-establish the waterproofing of the original felt paper/tar membrane, circa 1904, over a drop down electrical room. Those were the good old days when as usual we were told it couldn’t be done but when some says it “cannot be done” it means they cannot do it, it doesn’t mean that we cannot do it.
Fire Resistance/Concern for Anchors
ENGINEERS, PLEASE CONSIDER THE FOLLOWING – I just spoke with a national anchor testing lab. They told me that to get the test anchors out of the concrete, THEY USE A TORCH! Think about it. Ever wonder why resin anchors aren’t allowed over 6 stories in the UK, something else to think about.
GROZNY, RUSSIA. APRIL 3, 2013. A fire at a 145-meter-high building in Chechnyas capital Grozny. This is the Olympus (Olimp) Tower in the Grozny City compound. (Photo ITAR-TASS / Murat Kazbekov)
When New Construction Turns Into Restoration
Cintec while primarily used as a retrofit high capacity cement based fireproof anchor is rarely considered for new construction so most designers are not familiar with the 50 year track record of this system. However when there is a deficiency in new construction or an anchor fails, it them, by definition, becomes a restoration project. The problem now becomes, most structural engineers are not restoration/adaptive engineers and are not familiar with this type of retrofit solution. It is however a common solution in the restoration, stabilization, strengthening community. Please reach out to www.cintec.com or our site www.conspec-rep.com for your repair/restoration needs.
CINTEC – Better, Faster, Cheaper?
What is the difference between a restoration engineer who specifies Cintec and one who doesn’t? This project on 5th Avenue in New York City needed a repair and an anchor for only this one piece of terracotta. The photo shows the preparation for the repair and the hole in the face of the terracotta piece that will accept the Cintec anchor. The engineer who considers Cintec a go to solution will use it on a project like the Helmsley Building where there are hundreds of substantial 2-4 foot anchor or on a project where there is only one anchor. If you do not specify or install Cintec please consider both your options and installed cost to solve this problem.
For those that use and specify Cintec they get it, for those aren’t they really DON’T GET IT. Not only is there less insult to the structure but the cost to the owner is substantially less and it is a truly sustainable solution. Think about it on your next project.
Giatec Maturity Meter – In-Situ Concrete Strength
I started in this business in the early 70’s as VP of Windsor Probe and now companies like Giatec and others are making it easier, faster and more profitable for contractors to shorten their construction cycles with in-situ maturity/strength testing.
Darwen Terracotta and Laser Measurements
Berkshire Dimensions, Warren Wilford, doing the laser scanning for our Darwen project in the Bronx. Documentation yesterday, files and drawings in the hands of Darwen for final shop drawing details next week and once we get color approval it is off to the races. This is how we can keep our 14-16 week delivery schedule viable. Please consider Darwen on your next terracotta project especially if you need material in 2021.
