Current Issue
Cover:
The new location of Calgary’s science centre, Telus Spark, presented challenges for designers as it is near an airport, a freeway, a rail line, and a light rapid transit (LRT) line. To meet owner requirements and exceed minimum noise isolation requirements, the building envelope needed to provide sufficient noise isolation from all these sources. The noise isolation measures incorporated into the building design ensure the sounds heard within the building are those of the various displays and programs rather than the noise from the surrounding planes, trains, and automobiles.
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Mike Carter, CET, Roman Stangl, CET
Façades of urban high-rises and public buildings are commonly tested during the design stage to investigate their performance for water penetration, air infiltration, thermal performance, and structural capabilities. Unfortunately, only a few are ever tested for ice and snow collection/release.
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Ron Pitts
Fire-rated glass is increasingly available as part of comprehensive glass and framing systems, instead of individual components. Whether transparent wall panels, glazed curtain walls, or glass floors, these systems work together for effective life safety performance and expanded esthetic options for design professionals.
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Jerry Beall
When it comes to single-ply roofing membranes, ketone ethylene ester (KEE) membrane is gaining in popularity due to its great waterproofing protection and lightweight design. This article examines the associated ASTM standard, along with material properties ranging from water absorption to chemical resistance and long-term durability.
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Erika Huber
In addition to the strong mandates of official heritage conservation, owners and interested parties often have a strong desire to preserve the historical integrity of their buildings, but energy efficiency and durability are also important. Copper and zinc can help provide balance.
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Cliff Faszer, P.Eng.
When Spark—Calgary's science centre—moved to a new location, there were several major challenges when it came to acoustics and noise control. The site is in line with the main north-south runway at the Calgary International Airport, adjacent to a major freeway route, rail line, and future light rapid transit (LRT). Meeting owner requirements meant the ideal building envelope.
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Ian L. Matthew, MSc., P.Eng., and Al Lightstone, PhD, P.Eng.
Since its recent enacting, Toronto's construction vibration bylaw has changed the city's landscape for construction and demolition projects. When there is a chance construction vibration could affect a structure beyond the property line of the subject site, activities can be halted. Now, similar regulations could be spreading throughout the country—what must design/construction professionals know?
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Stacy Byrd, LEED AP
Plaza deck waterproofing typically requires replacement at some point during the building's life. However, restoring the waterproofing system over occupied space poses many challenges, both in design and construction. Typically, plaza decks constructed many years ago do not include subsurface drainage or adequate deck slope—correcting these deficiencies can result in increased plaza deck thickness and dead loads.
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Brad Sleeper and Steven H. Miller, CDT
In response to the need for more affordable reflective concrete floors, contractors have developed several fast, economical methods of putting a reflective surface on concrete without diamond polishing by taking advantage of certain unique properties of a chemical compound called reactive colloidal silica. In many cases, their gloss is indistinguishable from a true polish to the untrained eye.
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Paul Nutcher, CSI, CDT
The building envelope efficiencies of insulating concrete forms (ICFs) have been well known to insiders, but until recently the structural engineering data for multi-storey construction was not always widely accepted. The continent's building codes and green rating programs are now reflecting the benefits of this construction.
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