Nicore™ & Double Tee Fire Resistance
DOUBLE TEE FLANGE – FIRE RESISTANCE This is an update to a blog we previously posted in 2016 that captures what has transpired since then. As such, it provides a historical perspective along with information on contemporary practice to help explain why we are, where we are, today. High-performance, precast, prestressed double tees have been […]
Read MoreColumn Encroachment in Parking Spaces
A commonly encountered occurrence in parking structures is column encroachment in parking spaces. While this is perceived as problematic, or at the very least resulting in a reduced Level-of-Service (LOS), the goal of this narrative is to demonstrate that rarely should this be a concern. Nor is this a topic exclusive to precast, prestressed parking […]
Read MoreCollateral Dead Loads for Hotels, Apartments, and Dormitories
When designing NiCore™ Planks by Nitterhouse Concrete Products, Inc. (NCP) for a multitude of structures such as hotels, apartments, and dormitories in Residential Group R-2 it is important not to overlook commonly encountered collateral dead loads. Such loads are not included in the IBC-prescribed minimum live loads for these types of occupancy. A typical 40 psf live load essentially includes […]
Read MoreThe Consideration of Weep Holes in NiCore™ Plank
Concrete is a porous material that absorbs water and as a result, a floor or roof comprised of hollow-core planks is not a waterproof system by itself, and NiCore™ Planks are no exception. This is true not only for the finished system, where planks exposed to the elements must be protected by a permanent waterproof […]
Read MoreWarping Double Tees for Drainage
Important to the performance of parking garages is the need for drainage of surface water from rain and snow on the top level directly exposed to the weather, and by wind-driven rain and melt off from slush and snow carried into the parking garages by vehicles at the lower levels. Precast, prestressed parking structures are […]
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