Construction Solutions

There is a great deal of conversation in the media relating to offsite construction, modular buildings and modern methods of construction - the success of this approach is key to the future success of our construction industry. The challenge for component or material suppliers is to be able to transfer their ideas and knowledge to the specifiers and manufacturers.

Smart use of water–based materials can be an effective strategy against moisture-related problems in floor constructions. This is what we implement in our Sikafloor® MultiDur water-based epoxy range. Tough and water vapor permeable, plus low VOC & odor, Sikafloor® MultiDur water-based epoxy flooring systems are especially suitable for your next functional floors if you have issues of humidity or rising moisture in the floor slab. Additionally, among the range, the system Sikafloor® MultiDur WS-26 has the unique performance of the fire classification A2fl -S1.

Specific concrete characteristics are obtained by using different fibre types, or mixtures of different fibres, depending on what the performance requirements are. Longer high E-modulus fibres are used to achieve high energy absorption, whilst longer low E-modulus fibres are used for increased ductility and crack reduction.

Different fibre types are used to deliver different performance requirements. Short, thin synthetic fibres are used for fire protection and crack reduction, whilst long synthetic or steel fibres generally come into play to increase energy absorption. One size doesn’t always fit all, and special requirements demand special fibre materials and shapes – Ultra High Performance Concrete (UHPC) requires short fibres with a high E-modulus, for example. Sika provides solutions for all these eventualities, as well as other special types and blends of fibres.

Water is the source of all life as well as a scarce commodity. Clean drinking water should therefore be protected against contamination, while waste water must be treated before being released into a discharge system. The waste water itself as well as the treatment measures undertaken represent an exposure to chemicals for concrete surfaces.

Employee safety is one of the most important requirements for any workplace. Slips and falls are among the most common injuries at work. They account for about 86% of total injuries, and 90% of these happen because the floor is wet. These injuries are particularly prevalent in the food industry, where they occur four times more often than the average in other industries. Injuries can create significant impacts to all involved. The most significant is the suffering and possible disabling of the person injured. The next is impact on the company — financial, loss of key staff, loss of productivity, and liability.

A functional and purpose-built floor is key to a safe and hygienic production environment in food and beverage facilities. Floors that are hygienic, non-slip, easy to clean, and durable provide a safe and attractive place to work. Choosing and installing the right floor are critical to every work environment. This article looks at getting it right the first time — achieving satisfactory and long-term flooring in a food processing environment.

A well-crafted color palette can do wonders for a healthcare facility. The use of color and graphic images can align to the existing logo and symbolic color of the facility to achieve an overall visual aesthetic, while it can also elicit emotions and unique perceptions of space. It has an ability to calm or excite, can make a room appear smaller or more grandiose, or even trigger subconscious reactions. Color is the most vital, impactful and expressive design element in a designer’s toolbox.

Infection prevention and control is of utmost importance in hospitals and other healthcare facilities. Building owners, facilities managers, healthcare architects and all others involved in healthcare design decisions need to consider how the materials used within a building contribute to this issue.

Concrete is an ingenious building material, also because in combination with reinforcing steel it exhibits tremendous load-bearing capacity. The combination of steel and concrete has the advantage that under normal conditions the high pH value of concrete creates a passivating layer of iron hydroxides on the steel surface, which protects it from corrosion. Particularly steel, however, can be compromised in its durability of performance by the presence of moisture and salt.