By Dan O’Reilly
Correspondent
An aerated flooring system for slab-on-grade and structural slab applications that lessens moisture problems, reduces aggregate and concrete consumption and minimizes site work requirements is slowly being embraced by the Ontario design and construction industries.
Used in Europe for the past 50 years, the Cupolex aerated forming system consists of an interconnected series of modular stool-like recycled polypropylene forms that create an aerated chamber below the slab.
Available in a range of different heights to suit each project’s specific requirements, the cupolex shape gives the structure both mechanical rigidity and reduced weight, with engineered slab designs capable of high punctual and distributed loads.
“This unique system was designed to enhance the construction of energy efficient buildings and has been found to be of assistance in eradicating problems associated with contaminated or poor load bearing soils,” says Gene Latour, marketing director for Trancels Construction Technologies.
It provides ventilation in all directions beneath the slab, substantially reducing moisture and expels methane, radon or hydrocarbons out of the building should those conditions be present, he explains.
Speed and simplicity are the main characteristics, with maximum benefits realized as the system is engineered during the early design stage. “As no two projects are alike, a software program determines concrete cover or concrete beam requirements by evaluating soil conditions and design loads.”
Calculation reports and engineered drawings are provided with Cupolex component layouts, concrete consumption and details, says Latour.
Trancels is the marketing representative for Pontarolo Engineering, a Concord-based firm that manufactures the product, as well as providing technical and engineering support for its clients. Registered applicators install the system.
On the North American market for about three years, the system was rigorously tested by the National Research Council, approved by several Ontario regulatory agencies and has been granted a New Environmental Technology Evaluation (NETE) certificate from the Ministry of the Environment.
“It can now be used for Level 2 Brownfield remediation,” says Latour, in explaining the importance of the certificate.
The first major groundbreaking—both literally and figuratively—application in Ontario was at the new Ferry terminal on the Toronto waterfront.
Because of the experience and due diligence dealing with the product, terminal construction manager EllisDon recommended its use at the Toronto Centre for Phenogenomics’ which it is also building.
Located in the heart of the city’s downtown academic and research core, the $68-million research facility will be home to genetically altered mice, which will be used for research on human diseases. The six-storey concrete and glass building will include two below grade labatory floors, as well as above grade laboratory space.
As moisture was a major concern at the 40-foot-depth of those laboratories, the expensive epoxy flooring in those areas required a high performance base slab. A ventilation duct system designed by Toronto-based LKM Consultants circulates air beneath the slab in the voids created by the 45-centimetre-high Cupolex and reduces the amount of moisture wicking through the slab into the structure, says Latour.
Site conditions and logistics also favoured the easy-to-install use of Cupolex, while reducing the amount of fill required and providing space to run cabling, conduit and services lines.
As well, the modular components allowed for the forming and pouring of the tie beams in one application and reduced overall concrete use.
That’s a major consideration for any contractor looking to improve the bottom line, especially on sites where soil conditions are poor, says Latour.
“We’re running out of good soil and are relying more and more on engineered fill.”
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