Circular construction with precast concrete elements

Courtesy of dry connectors

For 30 years, Peikko has been making good money with its dry connection elements for precast concrete elements. An effective methodology for fast, efficient and safe construction. On the other hand, the dry connection elements also make the building construction very sustainable and circular, as the precast elements can be very easily dismantled and used elsewhere at the end of the operating life.

Peikko is originally a Finnish company operating worldwide in the construction industry. "We specialize in the production of DELTABEAM® steel-concrete beams for creating extremely slender floor structures," says Wim Zwaan, director of Peikko Benelux. "In addition, we have long specialized in the production of structural, dry joints for precast concrete elements. Joints that were originally designed for fast and safe on-site assembly. They realize a constructive connection immediately and assembly is twice as fast as via the traditional method with stakes and gains. Bracing is also unnecessary, resulting in a beautiful and free work area."

Detachable

The dry connectors were designed by Peikko some 30 years ago. "Back then, there was no talk of a circular economy or sustainable construction methods," Zwaan acknowledges. "Because our connections are based on a kind of screw connection, they are also basically detachable. So, in fact, circular thinking has been in the DNA of Peikko connections from the beginning. As the circular construction economy becomes more and more topical, we notice an increasing demand for our connection elements. In some cases some static calculations have to be adjusted, but with our methodology you can design in such a way that you can disassemble the columns, walls or beams at the end of the building life and give them a second life. So that allows you to build circularly with precast concrete, something that was not possible before because all the components were cast together. Dismantling then means sawing and drilling. With that you degenerate the element to a B or C quality and capital is destroyed."

Circular design

The Building Code is not yet geared toward a circular building economy. "Everyone is pioneering," notes Zwaan. "A good thing, because we need to move forward towards a circular building economy. We are already positioned and are making a substantial contribution with our connection elements, preserving the value of the precast elements. Recently with Peikko connections an apartment complex on the Buiksloterham in Amsterdam was designed completely circular and we are now involved in a new cargo warehouse at Schiphol that is also being built with our dry connection elements. And so more and more projects are moving in our direction." 

The connecting elements themselves are not yet fully circularly produced. "There are developments in that direction, because we are not standing still either. But at the moment it is not yet possible for 100%, although we try to work with recycled steel as much as possible. By the way, we recently launched a green version of the steel-concrete beam under the name DELTABEAM® Green, produced from over 90% recycled content and thus with a much lower CO2 footprint. The production of these sustainable girders makes full use of green energy from sun, wind and water, and customers in Scandinavia can be delivered by electric transport. In this, too, we take our responsibility."