Lightning Protection: Weather or Not
September 20, 2022
Aprimary function of the building enclosure is to protect structures, their contents, and occupants from the variations and extremes of weather. Wind, precipitation, air temperature, and humidity are readily recognized as atmospheric phenomena that must be considered in the design of building systems, especially when they manifest in their more extreme forms, such as tornados, […]
An Assessment of Polymer Gel Waterproofing
September 19, 2022
Whether you are an architect, an engineer, or another design professional, you are only as good as the items you have hanging from your tool belt; namely, the products you specify that are made available by innovative companies and individuals. Sixty years ago, only two or three products were typically used for below-ground waterproofing. Today, […]
Case Study: Cold-Applied, Durable Traffic Deck Coating Installed Beneath Practice Rowing Tank at University of Minnesota Boathouse
September 19, 2022
Water intrusion can cause big problems for concrete structures. If those structures are not waterproofed properly, water can cause distress on the concrete, which can lead to fractures that will continue to grow exponentially as saturation of the material increases. A concrete surface with aging or inadequate waterproofing is in real danger of cracks, spalls, […]
Survey: 65% of Built Environment Employees Say It’s Important to Increase Diversity
September 19, 2022
Around two-thirds (65%) of employeeshave indicated that it is important or extremely important to increase the diversity of the built environment, according to the 2021 Built Environment Social Equity Survey of the National Institute of Building Sciences (NIBS). Eighteen organizations participated in the survey, including the American Institute of Architects, American Society of Civil Engineers, […]
The Perils of Undue Structural Reliance on “Lag Screws”: A Case Study
September 19, 2022
The terms “lag screw” and “lag bolt” often are used interchangeably in construction and maritime fields. For example, guidance from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development1 states, “Lag screws (often called lag bolts) function as bolts in joints where the main member is too thick to be economically penetrated by regular bolts.” However, […]
A New Climate-Resilience Tool for the Commercial Roofing Community
September 19, 2022
This paper focuses on the effects of climate change on Canadian low-slope membrane roofs and provides an overview of CSA A123.26, Performance Requirements for Climate Resilience of Low Slope Membrane Roofing Systems,1 a new standard that can help the roofing industry prepare for and mitigate those effects. Although this article is focused on Canada, a […]
Key Design Considerations for Concrete Topping Slabs in Split-Slab Construction
September 19, 2022
Split-slab assemblies for plaza decks use a concrete topping slab over insulation, waterproofing, a drainage board, and a structural concrete deck. The topping slab primarily functions as a wearing layer and protects the underlying components. Concrete topping durability can be adversely affected by improper subsurface drainage, inadequate resistance to freezing and thawing, inadequate joint design, […]
Best Practices for the Design and Installation of Thermoplastic Roofing Systems – Part 1: Common Mistakes in Roof Insulation and Membrane Selection
September 19, 2022
CLIENT: Siplast JOB#: SIPL-21-001 2021 Ad Resizes TRIM: 8.5″w x 11″h LIVE: 8″w x 10.5″h BLEED: 8.75″w x 11.25h COLOR: CMYK PUB: IIBEC CONTACT: Chris Barnes cbarnes@iibec.org 919-859-0742 RELEASE: 7/12/21 INSERTION: August 43 PM November/December 2021 IIBEC Interface • 35 In the roofing industry, several everyday design practices and jobsite tasks can, and typically do, […]
Sturdy Windows into History at Chicago’s Field Museum
September 19, 2022
8 • IIBEC Interface January 2022 Figure 1. The Field Museum of Natural History in Chicago is world famous for its dinosaurs. Chicago’s Field Museum of Natural History was incorporated in 1893 with the following stated purpose: “accumulation and dissemination of knowledge, and the preservation and exhibition of objects illustrating art, archaeology, science, and history” […]