C A N A D I A N P R E C A S T/ P R E S T R E S S E D C O N C R E T E I N S T I T U T E
Engineer of Record
&
Engineering Roles & Responsibilities
for Precast Concrete Design
2023
CERTIFIED
CERTIFIED
PLANT
CERTIFIED
PLANT
PLANT
Member
Member
Member
CERTIFIED
CERTIFIED
PLANT
CERTIFIED
PLANT
PLANT
Member
Member
Member
Table of contents
1.0 Introduction ....................................................................................................................... 1
2.0 Definitions ......................................................................................................................... 1
3.0 Design Process for Structures with Precast Concrete ......................................3
3.1 EOR Structural Drawings & Related Documents ................................................ 4
3.2 Designing for Volume Restraint ............................................................................... 5
3.3 Design Responsibility – Structure Connections .................................................. 7
3.4 Using Precast Concrete in Structures – EOR Process Flow Chart ................... 8
4.0 Example Project ........................................................................................................ 9-15
Precast Concrete...
Sustainable
Structures
for Tomorrow!
Precast
Concrete...
Precast
Concrete...
Sustainable Structures
for Tomorrow!
Sustainable Structures for Tomorrow!
Engineer of Record & Engineering Roles & Responsibilities
for Precast Concrete Design
Purpose:
To clarify the roles and responsibilities for the Engineering design of structures that utilize
precast concrete components, either in part, or as a Total Precast Structure.
1.0 Introduction
Precast concrete continues to be a popular choice for designers and owners for use in
structures, especially for residential applications. With the recent rapid price escalations
and supply chain challenges associated with construction materials in Canada, attention has
shifted even more to precast concrete construction as an economical and efficient system –
either in a Total Precast Structure, or in a Hybrid Structure, where precast makes up one or
more parts of the structure.
With the overlap of multiple engineered structural components, there can sometimes be confusion over who is responsible for specific design scopes, especially when it comes to the design
of connections interfacing precast with other systems.
This Technical Bulletin clarifies the roles and responsibilities of the Engineer-of-Record and
the Precast Engineer, for projects that incorporate precast concrete components into the
structure construction.
2.0 Definitions
Authority-Having-Jurisdiction (AHJ) – The local authority who issues a Building Permit for
construction, and an Occupancy Permit upon completion of the structure and receipt of a
Letter-of-Compliance from the EOR.
CSA Standards – The Canadian Standards Association (CSA) is an accredited agency that
publishes materials design standards that are referenced in the NBC. Precast concrete
components and structures shall be designed to meet the requirements of the NBC,
Provincial/Territorial code requirements, and CAN/CSA-A23.3, “Design of Concrete
Structures.” In addition, Parking Structures shall be designed to meet the requirements
of the latest edition of CSA-S413, “Parking Structures”.
CPCI – The Canadian Precast/Prestressed Concrete Institute. CPCI’s mission is to be the body
of knowledge for precast and prestressed concrete in Canada and to educate, advocate and
raise awareness with key decision makers on the outstanding attributes of precast concrete
products and systems.
CPCI Active (Producer) Member – A person, firm, or corporation engaged in the plant
manufacture of structural precast concrete, or architectural precast concrete, or specialty
precast concrete, or the fabrication and/or installation of post-tensioning assemblies.
1
Engineer of Record & Engineering Roles & Responsibilities for Precast Concrete Design
CPCI Professional Firm Member – Any individual who is a registered Architect or Engineer,
or a firm that is engaged in the practice of Architecture or Engineering, or any person who
is deemed by the CPCI Board of Directors to have abilities or standing equal to the above qualification. In a Structural Engineering context, a CPCI Professional Firm Member provides
Consulting Engineering services to Owners, Developers, Architects, Prime Consultants, and
General Contractors (as the project Structural EOR), or to the Active Member companies of
CPCI (as the Precast Engineer).
CPCQA Certification Program – The Canadian Precast Concrete Quality Assurance (CPCQA)
Certification Program and the CPCQA Quality Assurance Council (QAC) are independent
third-party entities, separate from CPCI. The council provides a formalized process that
allows the QAC to create auditing and grading standards and apply them in a uniform and
impartial manner. This reflects a true consensus of the precast concrete industry,
government, the construction industry and its professionals.
Engineer-of-Record (EOR) – The Engineer who is responsible for the design of the overall
project as the Structural Engineer-of-Record. The EOR determines which structural systems
the structure will use, reviews and coordinates the Engineered component shop drawings,
and submits the Letter-of-Compliance to the AHJ. The EOR does not take professional responsibility for the design work of other Specialty Structural Engineers, but rather performs
a coordinating role to ensure the overall design meets the design intent of the project.
Hybrid Precast Structure – A structure in which precast concrete components make up
part of the structural system, together with other structural systems such as cast-in-place
concrete, masonry, wood, structural steel, cold-formed steel, etc.
Letter of Compliance - A letter issued by the EOR to the AHJ confirming the construction is
in substantial compliance with the Building Code, and the project plans and specifications. Other
jurisdictions may refer to this letter as Letter of Certification, Letter of Assurance, Schedule of
Compliance, etc.
National Building Code of Canada (NBC) – The National Building Code of Canada, adopted
with or without changes and/or additions by each Provincial or Territorial jurisdiction
through legislation.
Precast Engineer – The Precast supplier’s in-house Precast Design Engineer, or a SubConsultant Precast Design Engineer retained by the precast supplier.
Structural Integrity – Minimum structural design and detailing requirements, required
to ensure a building has structural redundancy and alternate load paths in the event of
abnormal, or unforeseen loading. Structural integrity requirements specific to each type of
structural system can be found in the CSA Design Standards for various material types
(concrete, masonry, steel, wood, etc.). For Hybrid Structures, the EOR must determine the
structural integrity requirements at member connections, ensuring they meet the code
requirements for each component of the structural system, and for the overall structure.
Superstructure Engineer - the Structural Engineer who performs the analysis and design of
the above-grade building superstructure. The Superstructure Engineer can be either the EOR or
Precast Engineer, depending on the contractual setup and type of structural systems selected
for the building. For a Hybrid Precast Structure, the EOR would be the Superstructure Engineer.
For a Total Precast Structure, the Precast Engineer often acts as the Superstructure Engineer.
Note that for either case the EOR must review and coordinate all aspects of the structural analysis and design for the overall project, as they have the final signing authority for issuance of
the Letter-of-Compliance to the AHJ for building occupancy.
2
Engineer of Record & Engineering Roles & Responsibilities for Precast Concrete Design
Total Precast Structure – A structure in which the majority, or all of the structural system is
made up of precast concrete components.
Volume Restraint – The resistance to movement of dimensional changes of a structure,
resulting from prestressing, creep, shrinkage, and temperature effects, leading to a build-up
of restraint forces in the structure over time. While this effect is most prominent for structures
with an exterior exposure, and located in a region with large variations in seasonal temperatures, volume restraint effects should be checked by the EOR for all structure designs.
3.0 Design Process for Structures with Precast Concrete
The process for the design of a structure in Canada begins with selecting the design team
of consultants which includes an Architect, Structural, Mechanical, Electrical, Civil and
Geotechnical Engineers, and in some cases specialty consultants (such as Building Envelope
specialists).
The Structural Consultant acts on behalf of the Owner as the EOR, assuming responsibility
for the overall structural analysis and design of the structure, from concept to completion.
During the design phase, the EOR works closely with the Owner and Consultant team to
establish the optimum material systems to use for the project; in some cases, a large majority
of the structural system may be of one type (as in Total Precast); in other cases, the
structural system may be a hybrid of multiple structural system types (cast-in-place (CIP)
concrete grade beams, load-bearing masonry walls, precast hollowcore floor slabs, and a
steel joist roof for example).
Once the structural system has been selected, the EOR applies the provisions of the National
Building Code of Canada (NBC), together with the applicable local Provincial/Territorial Building
Code to analyze the structure for load effects, which include gravity, wind, volume restraint
effects, and possibly seismic effects, depending on the location of the project. For a Total
Precast Structure, the Precast Engineer will often perform the structural analysis and design
of the superstructure based on the code design requirements established by the EOR.
As the Structural Engineer-of-Record responsible for the overall design of the proposed
structure, the EOR will convey their design intent on the structural drawings - typically in
progressive stages, from the initial schematic design stage to an Issued-for-Tender drawing
set. Depending on the local jurisdiction, a Building Permit is applied for with submission of
an Issued-for-Permit, or Issued-for-Construction (IFC) set of structural drawings, which are
submitted to the AHJ for permit approval. Any further design developments are captured
either on the IFC drawing set, or subsequent drawing releases by the EOR.
Regarding durability requirements for precast design (concrete classification, concrete cover,
embedment plate material types, protection systems for parking structures, etc.), the EOR shall
specify the project requirements either on their structural drawings, or in the project specifications,
and the precast shop drawings shall list the applicable durability requirements as noted by the EOR.
Input from suppliers of Engineered Structural systems to be incorporated into the structure is
invaluable, and most effective in the early schematic design phase of the project – in the case
of a structure with precast components, that input can be provided by the local CPCI member
producers ( Active Members – Canadian Precast Prestressed Concrete Institute (cpci.ca) ) .
Precast suppliers most often provide in-house expertise and guidance, for the design of
Precast components and connections. Alternatively, some Precast suppliers may retain
an independent Precast Engineer for a specific project. Owners can benefit further by
partnering with CPCI Professional Firm Members on their projects, who have specialized
experience with the fabrication, design and/or construction of precast concrete.
( Professional Firm Member – Canadian Precast Prestressed Concrete Institute (cpci.ca) ).
3
Engineer of Record & Engineering Roles & Responsibilities for Precast Concrete Design
3.1 EOR Structural Drawings & Related Documents
In preparing the structural drawings for the project, the EOR’s structural drawings, and the
precast shop drawings shall meet the requirements of clauses 5 and 16.3 of CSA A23.3, as
well as CSA A23.4, as applicable. The provisions of these clauses are intended to provide the
Precast Engineer with the information needed to design the precast, and produce a detailed
set of shop drawings, which convey the design details for the precast components and
connections to the Owner, Architect and EOR.
With permission from the Canadian Standards Association, the following clauses of CSA A23.3
are included below:
CSA A23.3-19
5 Drawings and related documents
In addition to the information required by the applicable building codes, the drawings and
related documents for structures designed in accordance with this Standard shall include
a) the size and location of all structural elements, reinforcement, and prestressing tendons;
b) provision for dimensional changes resulting from prestress, creep, shrinkage, and
temperature;
c) the locations and details of expansion or contraction joints and permissible locations and
details for construction joints;
d) the magnitude and location of prestressing forces;
e) the specified strength of concrete in various parts of the structure at stated ages or stages
of construction and the nominal maximum size and type of aggregate;
f) the required cover;
g) identification of the applicable reinforcing steel Standard and the specified type and grade
of reinforcement;
h) the anchorage length and the location and length of lap splices;
i) the type and location of welded splices and mechanical connections of reinforcement;
j) the type and grade of prestressing steel; and
k) identification of the protective coatings for reinforcement, prestressing tendons, and hardware.
16.3 Drawings
In addition to the requirements specified in Clause 5 , drawings and related documents shall
include the following:
a) sufficient dimensions to permit preparation of the shop drawings;
b) sufficient indication of the work supporting, supported by, or attached to the precast
concrete to permit preparation of the shop drawings;
c) the class of surface finish required for structural purposes;
d) any non-standard tolerances required for the precast concrete elements or the building
structure;
e) any superimposed loads on the precast concrete elements, the location of connections, and
the factored forces to be developed at the connections to the elements;
f) when precast elements are to act as diaphragms, the factored external forces and shears
acting on the diaphragms; and
g) the expected deformations of the structure under specified loads, insofar as they affect the
design of the precast concrete elements or associated connections. Deformations due to
specified earthquake loads shall be shown separately.
Parking structures shall also be designed to satisfy the requirements of CSA-S413. The S413
- Parking Structures standard outlines the durability requirements and acceptable protection
systems for parking structures.
4
Engineer of Record & Engineering Roles & Responsibilities for Precast Concrete Design
3.2 Designing for Volume Restraint
EORs are cautioned that overlooking consideration of dimensional changes to structural
components (affected by prestressing, creep, shrinkage and temperature effects) may lead
to visible signs of structural distress at the precast connections – most often within the first
year of completion of the structure. This is commonly observed when multiple exterior precast
balconies are rigidly tied together end-to-end along the length of a structure, without allowing
for some relief of the build-up of volume restraint forces at one or more locations in the
form of an expansion/contraction joint.
For a Hybrid Precast Structure, the EOR should engage with the Precast Engineer early in the
project, to ensure the effects of prestressing, creep and shrinkage are properly accounted for
in connecting the precast concrete components to other structural systems. For a Total Precast
Structure, the Precast Engineer will typically design the precast-precast connections and will
account for volume change effects in the connection design.
Consideration of the need for expansion/contraction joints in the structure falls under the
scope of design responsibility of the EOR. Involvement of the Precast Engineer by the EOR
during the preliminary design stages of a structure is essential, since the Precast Engineer
can advise on strategies to minimize volume restraint effects, standard practices for expansion
joint spacing, type, and configuration, and also provide guidance on industry- standard
connections commonly used in the local market region. An expansion joint for a precast
parking structure is shown in Figure 01.
Figure 01 - A Typical Expansion Joint for a
Precast Parking Structure (source: Tower
Engineering)
5
Engineer of Record & Engineering Roles & Responsibilities for Precast Concrete Design
For precast parking structures subject to exterior exposure, the placement on the floorplan
of stiff lateral resisting elements such as shear walls, and stair and elevator cores should be
strategic to minimize the build-up of volume restraint forces. The type of connections used
to connect the precast components within the diaphragm, and to connect the diaphragm to
the lateral resisting elements is also important; each connection type can serve one or more
functions, but some connections can be specifically designed to allow for some relief of the
build-up of volume restraint forces. The footprint of a parking structure can often be quite
large, which makes consideration of volume restraint forces especially important (Figure 02).
Figure 02 - A Total Precast Concrete Parking
Structure (source: Tower Engineering)
If expansion/contraction joints are required but are not specified by the EOR – or if a structure
is rigidly connected without any consideration of volume restraint forces by the EOR, the
structure will create its own joints – typically in the form of large cracks adjacent to the
member connections, possible overstressing of local connection components, and costly
repairs. In regards to expansion/contraction joint design specifically for parking structures, if the
parking structure is a Total Precast Structure, the Precast Engineer will often develop the design
and details under the direction of the EOR. However, for a Hybrid Precast Structure, it should be
determined at the start of the project who will design and detail the expansion/contraction joints
and system components. Extensive guidance on design for volume restraint, and considerations
for expansion/contraction joints is available in the CPCI 5th Edition Design Manual, as well as
from local CPCI Active Members and CPCI Professional Firm Members.
EOR’s are also reminded that if precast concrete components make up a portion or all of the
structural framing of the structure, then the requirements of CSA A23.3 Clause 16.5 (Structural
Integrity) apply to the design. Clause 16.5 has specific Structural Integrity requirements for
precast floor and roof diaphragms, and vertical structural elements such as precast wall panels
and precast columns.
6
Engineer of Record & Engineering Roles & Responsibilities for Precast Concrete Design
3.3 Design Responsibility – Structure Connections
Given the overlap of structural design responsibilities, it is not surprising that there is
sometimes confusion over “who owns what” in terms of scope and specifics for design and
detailing – the EOR, or the Precast Engineer, especially when it comes to the design of
structure component connections.
In a Total Precast structure, the Precast Engineer would typically design the precast-toprecast connections, with each local producer having their preferred standard connection
details. It is also common for precast suppliers to design precast-to-CIP connections as well,
since the Precast Engineer would be applying the same concrete design principles to CIP as
they would for precast, and again – many suppliers have their preferred standard connection
details for typical precast-to-CIP connections.
As noted earlier, the EOR applies the provisions of the National Building Code of Canada
(NBC), together with the applicable local Provincial/Territorial Building Code to analyze the
structure for load effects, which include gravity, wind, volume restraint effects, and possibly
seismic effects, depending on the location of the project. For a Total Precast Structure, the
Precast Engineer will often perform the structural analysis and design of the superstructure
(as the Superstructure Engineer) based on the code design requirements established by
the EOR.
Regardless of who performs the analysis and design of the superstructure, the EOR must
review and coordinate all aspects of the structural anaylsis and design for the overall project,
as they have the final signing authority for issuance of the Letter-of-Compliance to the AHJ
or building occupancy. The Precast Engineer may be required to review and certify the
precast portion of the structure for compliance to their design, so that the EOR can certify
the building as a whole. Once the EOR has reviewed and coordinated the design requirements
with the Precast Engineer (for precast member and connection design forces, precast member
deflection limits, drift limits, etc.), the precast design and shop drawings can be completed
and submitted to the General Contractor, for submission to the Consultant design team for
review. The design review and coordination with the Precast Engineer often happens during
the development of the precast shop drawings, but ideally it should happen during the
schematic and final design phases of the project, in case any major changes need to be
made with the design.
In a Total Precast structure, the EOR would review the precast shop drawings that outline
the proposed precast-precast and precast-CIP connections, and confirm that they meet their
structural design intent for the overall structure. However, in a Hybrid Precast Structure (for
example a load-bearing heavy-gauge steel stud wall system, supporting multiple storeys of
hollowcore floors and a roof), the Precast Engineer would not typically be familiar with the
design of cold-formed steel studs and/or their connections, and therefore the EOR would
be required to design the wall-to-floor connections for the forces derived from their analysis
of the structure.
In this case, the EOR would work closely with the precast and cold-formed steel suppliers to
develop details that would efficiently tie the components together, without compromising
the beneficial advantages of each system. In regards to structural integrity for a Hybrid
Precast Structure, connections that interface precast concrete components with other
7
Engineer of Record & Engineering Roles & Responsibilities for Precast Concrete Design
structural materials must provide the same load paths and follow the design philosophy
described in CSA A23.3 Clause 16.5 (Structural integrity). In this specific case, the EOR would
review the precast and steel stud shop drawings that outline the proposed precast-precast,
precast-steel stud, and steel stud connection details, and confirm that they meet their
structural design intent for the overall structure.
Regardless of whether the project is a Total Precast or a Hybrid Precast Structure, there should
be a discussion early in the design process to determine whether the EOR or the Precast
Engineer is responsible for designing embedment plates required for the connection of
non-precast framing (such as guardrail base plates, curtain wall/girt connection plates, etc.), as
these would need to be cast-in during the precast member fabrication. If the Precast Engineer
is responsible for the embedded plate design, the EOR must provide the plate loading and plate
sizes to the Precast Engineer. Additionally, it should be determined whether the Precast supplier
or the Miscellaneous/Structural Steel supplier will be providing the embedment plates prior to
the precast member fabrication.
To assist EOR’s with the process of design for precast projects, a flowchart has been
developed below:
3.4 Using Precast Concrete in Structures – EOR Process Flow Chart
Is precast concrete a
possibility for part or
all of the structural
system?
Consider retaining
CPCI Professional Firm
Members & contact
CPCI Active (Producer)
Members for design &
budget support
Consider which
system provides the
best value to the
owner for cost,
schedule, durability,
and reduced longterm maintenance
Total Precast
Structure
Structural
System
All structures shall
meet the requirements
of CSA A23.3 Clause
16.5 for Structural
Integrity
Structural Drawings,
and Precast Shop
Drawings shall meet
CSA A23.3 Clauses
5 and 16.3, and CSA
A23.4 (as applicable).
8
* Establish design code
requirements for the
structure (site class,
load effects of gravity,
wind, seismic, etc.)
Use standard regional
connection details
* Work closely with
Precast Engineer
through all design
phases. Confirm scope
and responsibility who will analyze and
design the building
superstructure?
Adapt connection
details as needed with
input from precast
suppliers
* Indicate clearly
on structural EOR
drawings which
specific details are
to be designed by
Precast Engineer
Use standard regional
connection details
Hybrid Precast
Structure
STRUCTURAL EOR
Adapt connection
details as needed with
input from precast and
other system suppliers
* Account for volume
restraint & the need
for expansion joints
(consult CPCI Professional Firm Member/
Active members for
guidance)
Engineer of Record & Engineering Roles & Responsibilities for Precast Concrete Design
4.0 Example Project
One of the easiest ways to convey the process of detailed coordination of the design
between the Structural EOR and the Precast Engineer, is to review an actual project.
The example project is located at 185 Smith Street, in downtown Winnipeg, Manitoba –
originally constructed as a 20-storey Seniors Residence in 1971, and later used as housing
for low-income tenants, the building was recently purchased by a new owner who had a
vision to convert the building into 2-storey luxury loft apartments. A photo of the existing
building at the beginning of the renovation and construction is shown below (Figure 03):
Figure 03 - Original Brick-Clad High-Rise
Apartment Building at 185 Smith Steet
(source: Tower Engineering)
9
Engineer of Record & Engineering Roles & Responsibilities for Precast Concrete Design
The main structural framing consists of 150 mm load-bearing CIP concrete walls, and 200
mm thick hollowcore floor slabs. Upgrades to the original building included removal of
hollowcore floor slabs to create the 2-storey loft suites, and the addition of new precast
balconies and supporting walls on the exterior faces, as the original building did not have
any balconies. The new design also incorporated areas of continuous curtainwall throughout
both of the main building elevations.
Design coordination between the Structural EOR and the Precast Engineer began at the
schematic design phase, which was a major key to the project’s success. The design of the new
precast balcony wall and slab system required careful consideration of the following items:
• Changes in the vertical dimensions of the balcony walls over the full building height
during installation and after completion, due to elastic shortening, creep, concrete
shrinkage, temperature changes, and settlement of the new precast/prestressed
concrete pile foundations supporting the balcony wall and slab system. Vertical
slotted inserts were used to ensure vertical movement could occur at the balcony
wall to building connection locations, to accommodate these movements.
• Changes in the horizontal dimensions of the balcony slabs across the width of the
building, accounting for shrinkage and temperature effects – the design called for
long lines of balcony slabs to be interconnected across the building, which can cause
large volume restraint forces if not properly detailed. Expansion / contraction joints
were introduced at key areas to reduce the cumulative amount of movement, and
allow for relief of the build-up of volume restraint forces.
• Thermal considerations – the connections between the new precast balcony walls
and the interior CIP concrete walls of the building had to consider more than just
structural loads; thermal bridging at the connections was also a design consideration.
A thermal-break structural grade pad was incorporated into the design, and stainless steel bolts were selected at the thermal pad location, to minimize thermal bridging at
the connection locations.
• Tolerances on-site; a detailed survey of the existing building floor levels and vertical
building profile along each elevation was undertaken to ensure the new design could
incorporate maximum flexibility in fitment of precast, standardize connection types
and finally – to minimize the need for multiple “custom” pieces for the precast walls
and slabs. The precast wall-building connections were designed to provide the full
range of tolerance required for panels to fit during installation, with allowances for
fine-tuned adjustments to suit actual conditions.
• Bracing of the precast panels back to the structure via the wall-building connections,
to prevent lateral buckling of the system in all directions under full dead & live loading. Connections were also designed for lateral wind loading (at the time of the precast
design, the local building code did not require consideration of seismic loads)
10
Engineer of Record & Engineering Roles & Responsibilities for Precast Concrete Design
• To minimize costs and simplify the building envelope details at the curtainwall areas,
no connections were permitted to pass through areas with curtain walls; connections
were only permitted at the areas where existing brick façade was to remain. To
accommodate this requirement, the precast balcony slab-wall connections were
designed to allow for the lateral loads to bypass the areas with curtain wall and
distribute the balcony wall and slab lateral loads to the CIP building wall / brick
locations, resulting in fewer connections.
The
corrosion protection of the connections was of critical importance, with all
•
exposed steel to be hot-dip galvanized. All welds were painted with zinc-rich paint.
• The installation of the precast panels also required a carefully planned installation,
bracing and grouting sequence, allowing the installers to remove braces at the lower
levels of the building, and re-install the braces at upper levels once all connections
below were complete.
Figure 04 shows the finalized design of the main connection joining the precast balcony
walls to the CIP interior bearing walls – note the clear dividing line of design responsibility
between the Precast Engineer and the EOR shown on the detail:
Figure 04 - Plan Detail of Precast Balcony
Wall-to-CIP Wall Connection (source: Tower
Engineering)
11
Engineer of Record & Engineering Roles & Responsibilities for Precast Concrete Design
Prior to precast installation, a full-scale mock-up of the connection was built to review the
sequence of installation of the connection components, and to confirm the constructability
of the connection concept (Figure 05).
Figure 05 - Full-Scale Mock-up of Precast
Balcony Wall-to-CIP Wall Connection
(source: Tower Engineering)
12
Engineer of Record & Engineering Roles & Responsibilities for Precast Concrete Design
Figure 06 shows the balcony walls and slabs during precast installation, including the
temporary shoring required to stabilize the system during precast installation. Figure 07
shows the completed precast balcony wall-to-CIP wall connection, as well as the angle
support connections for the precast balconies. Figure 08 is a photo of the completed
structure, with the new precast balconies, curtainwall, and the brick painted white to
compliment the white precast balconies and balcony walls.
To summarize, a project with multiple structural systems can often have complex
overlapping design and construction considerations, but it can be successfully implemented
when there is a clear understanding of Structural design roles and responsibilities between
the Structural EOR and the Precast Engineer. That understanding, combined with input
from the Architect, Owner and General Contractor throughout the project will ensure
delivery of a successful project for all involved.
Figure 06 – Precast Balcony
Walls and Slabs During Installation
(source: Tower Engineering)
13
Engineer of Record & Engineering Roles & Responsibilities for Precast Concrete Design
Figure 07 – Completed Precast Balcony
Walls and Slabs, with Connections
(source: Tower Engineering)
14
Engineer of Record & Engineering Roles & Responsibilities for Precast Concrete Design
Owner: Edison Properties
General Contractor: Akman Construction Ltd.
Architect: MMP Architects Inc.
Structural EOR: Crosier Kilgour & Partners Ltd.
Precast Engineer: Tower Engineering
Precast Supplier: Wells
Precast Installer: Phoenix Crane & Erectors Ltd.
Figure 08 – Completed Building with
Precast Balcony Walls and Slabs
(source: Tower Engineering)
15
TIFIED
TIFIED
ANT
TIFIED
ANT
ANT
Member
Member
Member
Engineer of Record & Engineering Roles &
Responsibilities for Precast Concrete Design
BOK
Precast concrete
Bod
Bo
dy of Know
nowledge
ledge
Body of Knowledge
BOK
Body of Knowledge
The Canadian Precast/Prestressed Concrete Institute (CPCI) is the technical institute for the
precast concrete industry. CPCI develops, maintains, and disseminates the Body of Knowledge
(BOK) necessary for designing, fabricating, and constructing precast concrete structures. The
BOK refers to the collective knowledge of an industry that is relied upon
to design
and build with
Body
of Knowledge
a specific material or system. It is from this BOK that building codes, design guides, education
programs, certifications, and more are derived.
For additional technical information
https://www.cpci.ca/en/resources/technical_publications/
CPCI Technical Support Help Desk
CPCI help desk support and customer support are part of a comprehensive CPCI customer
support program. Please email us at helpdesk@cpci.ca or call us at 1.877.YES.CPCI (1.877.937.2724).
Precast Concrete...
Sustainable
Structures
for Tomorrow!
Precast
Concrete...
Precast
Concrete...
Sustainable
Structures
for Tomorrow!
Sustainable Structures for Tomorrow!