Kmart30:
There isn’t any particular reason that the system shouldn’t work, and it may have some fairly interesting feature when studied a bit more. But, if they want fairly universal acceptance, it is for them to do a bunch of testing (many different load conditions and construction conditions), to provide a good set of spec. and data sheets for engineers to use in the bldg. design process, and to get ICC-ER reports which most AHJ will want for the system to get their approval for use. For starters, I’ll bet 75% of the 6” epoxy holes in the ftgs. will fail before they get any real tensioning in the vert. rods. They need very good instructions and training on epoxy application in general, on any/all joints. What is their bond beam arrangement over large openings?
Dhengr....yes testing is a must! He did say they have a FL product approval which should meet min. requirements for the ICC. He is supposed to be sending the testing reports so I can have a look. He said its approved in Miami/dade which is much more stringent that the FL product approval testing and ICC. I think in the video they mention some blocks with voids to put horizontal reif.in but I dont know how they would fill them?...maybe those large openings are precast over the windows
Just wanted to throw it out there and see if anyone has used this system or something similar. I would think tilt up construction would be easier than this...Ive seen residential precast walls in the past with the insulation, furring strips, electrical conduit, and window/door bucks ready to go for install. This just seems a bit more cumbersome for installation.
Another attempt to reinvent masonry construction! But in most cases there is no need to do so. The video shows everything in a sterile warehouse - not what is seen on a real jobsite. Mortarless systems like this require the foundation to be PERFECT since there is no tolerances in the joints above. Perfectly flat foundations don't happen very often. Also, to thread the rebar down through the wall requires very tight tolerances - again something that isn't easy to do. Where to you place the crane that is necessary to lift these units in place? In the mud? On the hillside? Finally, reinforced concrete masonry can meet the required strength for most projects by just putting in more rebar or increasing the f'm of the masonry (2,000 psi is now the minimum with values much higher). There are a lot of numbers thrown around in the video that aren't confirmed.
I would rather see autoclaved aerated concrete (AAC) masonry become more popular than this system. It is a lightweight block product that has great insulating (thermal and sound) value and can be reinforced. AAC is common in other countries, but just hasn't taken hold here in the states. And regular masonry construction is still cost-effective when you are using trained masons who can lay up a wall fast without gimmicks or perfect worksites required.
When I was a young engineer, my first firm did a lot of engineering for the Integra Block System which was a post-tensioned CMU wall system (w/ mortar). They filled the walls w/ foam after installation. It seemed like a good, flexible system and I believe was initially intended to replace wood stud walls. If an area didn't work out with the system (small pier, high point load), you could slide right into conventionally reinforced/grouted CMU in the design and it wouldn't disrupt the block tradesmen.
Might be worth a look to your owner. I think they're owned by Oldcastle now although I don't know how regional the system has become. It was moderately used here in Phoenix.
