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Glass fibre reinforced polymer ties provide interior bracing for insulated precast panels from Armtec. AUGUST 2016 | 15 cladding panels. "We found that the traditional way of doing the insulated precast panel can be optimized. Historically, steel wydth ties were used inside them going through the insulation," says Ignacio Cariaga, sales director, precast concrete solutions, at Armtec. To reduce thermal bridging and meet the new R27 requirement, the company switched from steel to other materials, including fibre polymers and car- bon fibre to provide interior bracing for its insulated precast panels. "Glass fibre reinforced polymer ties Building Envelope or GFRPs have been heavily used for years in highly corrosive environments like bridges. Now, more and more, they're being used to reduce thermal conductiv- ity," Cariaga says. He adds that tracking market trends and evolv- ing energy code requirements is enabling Armtec to come up with the best solutions that meet or exceed the code. The precast panels with continuous insu- lation and non-metallic connectors are customized thermally-efficient solutions typically designed and spec'd for individual projects or clients. "We like to understand customer needs on a specific project and work with consultants to ensure our solution meets the new energy code, prescriptively and/or through energy models," Cariaga says. Experts are advocating the deployment of struc- tural elements inside the envelope to reduce or elim- inate thermal bridging. "By doing this, the structure retains a uniform environment so it can't act as a ther- mal bridge, and because there's no environmental change, you're not risking condensation. It allows for continuous insulation and a better performing enve- lope," says Michael Blackman, an associate and regional manager with Read Jones Christoffersen Ltd. (RJC). Besides more widespread use of energy modelling software for the envelope, vast amounts of weather data are now being factored into the process for both enve- lope and other building systems on some projects. "This allows you to evaluate and make really informed deci- sions very early on and at very little cost," Blackman says. Whether for new projects or envelope retrofits, modelling is being used for both design and more effec- tive communication with other stakeholders. PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY ALTUS GROUP Green/LEED TM Selection Solutions Education Innovation Choose the aesthetics and durability of natural stone when you choose Arriscraft. Our Natural Process technology uses only natural materials (plus colour pigments) and replicates how stone is created in the earth. Naturally-made, premium Building Stone in distinctive styles and natural colours arriscraft.com Build green.

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