Intelligent connections

Construction traditional? No. There is more and more prefabrication, where intelligent connections allow a prefabricated wall or column to be anchored quickly and efficiently on the construction site. Peikko is lord and master in the development of these intelligent connections for precast concrete elements. An interview with Wim Zwaan, director of Peikko Benelux.

Originally, Peikko is a Finnish company. "In the far North, it is generally considerably colder than with us in Western Europe," says Zwaan. "Under winter conditions, little activity usually takes place on a construction site. This is why a lot of prefabrication takes place here under conditioned conditions. If the weather then permits, it is important to be able to assemble the precast concrete elements quickly. Peikko's connections are designed for just that and greatly simplify the process of placing precast columns on the foundation or topping precast columns."

Column mounted on anchor bolts.

In the Netherlands we may not have such harsh winters, but here we face the problem of a shortage of personnel, Zwaan rightly states. "Then it's nice to have relatively few operations to perform on construction." Zwaan gives an example of installing precast concrete columns. "Traditionally, the connection of the precast concrete columns to the foundation is designed with stakes and gains, with the columns having to be braced during assembly. And the bracing structure also has to be officially calculated by the structural engineer. Our solution assumes anchor bolts that are cast into the foundation. Instead of 1.5 meter high plug ends protruding from the foundation, our anchoring solution reduces the "obstacle" to just 15 centimeters. Using a specially supplied installation frame, the anchor bolts are inserted into the foundation exactly to size. Our column shoes are then inserted into the precast concrete columns instead of gaines. At the construction site, it is just a matter of hoisting the column over the anchor bolt and using the supplied washers and nuts to set and tighten it. There are no braces involved, because the structure is immediately stable and moment-proof."

Free software
According to Zwaan, assembly of precast concrete columns goes twice as fast with Peikko's anchoring systems. "It saves labor, the crane is occupied for less time and no shoring is required. That makes it a more economical alternative in many cases. The connections and column configuration can be calculated very easily via our free software on the website." Whereas Peikko's anchoring systems were previously mainly used for longer column lengths from about 14 meters, nowadays Zwaan notices that the system is also used for shorter lengths. "In particular, the speed of assembly then plays a role. For example, a large parking garage was recently constructed with our column shoes for precast columns of 'only' 3 meters high. It turned out to be a more economically favorable alternative with fewer risks."

The installation frame with the anchor bolts for perfect adjustment.

Hidden consoles
Another intelligent connection from Peikko is the PCs console system. "Traditionally, precast concrete beams are placed on concrete console socks laid," explains Zwaan. "Aesthetically, this connection is not very aesthetically pleasing and it places limitations on available space. In contrast, the PCs console system provides a clean, aesthetic and invisible overlay connection. This is because the steel overlay cam is integrated onto a cast-in piece in the column or wall. This creates more free space under the beams. During assembly, the overlay cam can be adjusted to level to accommodate any construction tolerances. We offer a whole range of PCs brackets, depending on the transverse force to be absorbed. Like the column shoes and anchor bolts, the system is KOMO-certified. With these and many more intelligent connections, we are taking the construction industry to the next level when it comes to speed, safety and user-friendliness."   

Text | Roel van Gils   Image | Peikko