Quantum Nano Centre: reinforcement with GFRP rebars
A research centre of a special kind – the unique “Mike and Ophelia
Lazaridis Quantum Nano Centre ” complex – is currently being built in the university city of Waterloo in Ontario, Canada’s
Schöck Bauteile GmbH
Press office
Vimbucher Straße 2
76534 Baden-Baden
Telephone: +49 7223 967 471
Fax: +49 7223 967 7471 presse@schoeck.de
economically most important Province. The technical equipment for demanding basic research in quantum physics and nano technology is to be funded by the Province of Ontario and donations made by Mike and Ophelia Lazaridis. Aecon Buildings, the renowned Canadian partner of Hochtief Construction AG, won the construction contract for the building, which measures approximately 600 square meters.
On account of their electromagnetic non-conductivity and their special mechanical properties, Schöck ComBAR reinforcing bars were installed in the 800 millimeter thick slab in the harsh winter of 2008/2009.
Installation of the non-metallic reinforcement will ensure perfect operation of the highly sensitive research equipment and installations in the building. Around 15 metric tons of ComBAR bars with a core diameter of 16 millimeters were used in the upper and lower reinforcement layers of the foundation slab. The bars were laid in both
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directions only 100 millimeters apart. Due to the comparatively high modulus of elasticity of ComBAR, it was possible to optimize the design in comparison with the bid by a competitor, reducing the reinforcement cross-section in each direction from 39.3 square centimeters per meter to 20.1 square centimeters per meter.
Horizontal single-headed ComBAR bolts were installed as edge reinforcement. This ensured that the slab reinforcement was fully anchored only a few centimeters from the edge. ComBAR double headed bolts were installed vertically along the slab edges to avoid the use of more expensive bent GFRP bars.
Another important component of the ComBAR reinforcement system were the metalfree spacers made of plastic lattice tubing which Schöck supplied to the construction site with the reinforcing bars. Along with
Schöck’s recommendation to connect the ComBAR bars using plastic wire cable ties, this made it possible to produce a entirely steel-free foundation slab.
Schöck has been involved since December 2006 with the design of the
610 square meter footing of the Quantum Nano Centre and convinced the designers from Halsall Associates Ltd. engineering consultants in
Toronto that they should invite a tender for the Schöck ComBAR reinforcement system as a superior alternative. After almost 18 months and an exciting contest with its competitors
, Schöck was finally awarded th e contract for supplying the reinforcement on 1 August 2008. Schöck then produced the necessary reinforcement drawings.
Construction of the approx. 100 million Euro research building began in
June 2008 and the building is scheduled to open in 2011. As usual, in addition to full support and assistance during the whole planning process, Schöck’s services included instruction of the construction personnel in the correct handling of the ComBAR bars and on-site monitoring of the ComBAR installation. Installation was carried out by
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Schöck’s partner “Total Bridge Services Incorporated” (TBSI). The complete package was a decisive reason for accepting Schöck’s tender for supplying the steelfree reinforcement. “The tender contains all the elements we require and th e price was fair” said David Coulter, project leader for Aecon. In addition, Schöck was able to agree to a very short delivery time at the start and, despite this, quickly adapt when delays with excavation made later delivery necessary.
Details
Client: University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario
Architect: Kuwabara Payne McKenna Blumberg
Architects (KPMB), Toronto
Structural engineer: Halsall Associates Ltd., Toronto
Construction company: Aecon Buildings, Toronto
For more information, please visit www.schoeck-canada.com
.
Caption
[09-02 Quantum Nano Centre_1]
Quantum Nano Centre in the university city of Waterloo : Schöck
ComBAR reinforcing bars were installed in the foundation slab.
Source: Aecon Buildings
[09-02 Quantum Nano Centre_2]]
The ComBAR reinforcement system made it possible to produce a steel-free foundation slab.
Source: Aecon Buildings
[09-02 Quantum Nano Centre_3]
Detail of the reinforcement: ComBAR with a core diameter of 16 millimeters were used.
Source: Aecon Buildings
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[09-02 Drawing]]
Quantum Nano Centre: reinforcement with Schöck ComBAR bars. Total
Bridge Services Incorporated, an affiliate of Facca Inc., developed the design in close collaboration with Schöck Bauteile GmbH.
Source: Total Bridge Services Inc./ Schoeck Canada Inc.
Media Enquiries:
Schöck Bauteile GmbH
Wolfgang Ackenheil
Telephone: +49 7223 967 471
Fax: +49 7223 9677 471
Mail: presse@schoeck.de www.schoeck.de dako pr corporate communications
Mareike Quassowski
Telephone: +49 214 20 69 10
Fax: + 49 214 20 69 150
Mail: m.quassowski@dako-pr.de www.dako-pr.de
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