Our firm focuses on the development of building systems that facilitate creative architectural and functional designs.
Building systems enhance construction economy and optimize structural performance by using appropriately sized structural members, constructed of the most effective combination of building materials. Unlike framing systems designed from scratch each time, building systems allow the economical use of superior components and connections to provide enhanced service performance and seismic behavior.
We combine superior technical expertise, practical construction experience, and an innovation outlook to fashion imaginative solutions that provide you with the competitive advantage needed to excel in the challenging development environment.
The development of the Dywidag Ductile Connector, a patented connector for precast concrete seismic frames, illustrates a building system development to promote the future for the construction industry.
Tunnel form construction has been an effective method of erecting residential developments for many years and has recently become a preferred choice of execution. Tunnel forms are an effective approach when a project involves repetitive floors and unit layouts, which is typical for multi-family residential type projects. The tunnel form allows the construction of the vertical bearing walls and horizontal floor slab in one construction process. This construction process reduces the cycle time needed to construct a floor in a tower. It allows an owner to shave months off construction time, resulting in major cost savings.
Our experience with tunnel form design has encouraged us to seek innovative ways of improving the results for this method of construction. Current code sections limit tunnel form systems to 160 feet in height. We have been able to extend this height limitation by evaluating the post-elastic behavior of these bearing shear walls, and demonstration that with proper design and detailing, this system can posses the level of ductility of other seismic bracing systems.
The Structural Wall Coupling System is a result of our research and development. This system couples adjacent tunnel formed walls and reduces the demands by up to 50%. This system also provides additional ductility and performance compared to conventional shear wall systems.
