Recently in Tech Tips Category

Flatness, Levelness, F-Numbers, Straightedge: What do the numbers mean? Recent changes to ACI 117 provide new procedures for straightedge measurements for floor slab flatness. Under the revised standard, 1/8 inch in 10 feet is not a standard option. Learn what each term means and how to specify floor slab tolerances in accordance with industry standards for each floor surface classification.

Visit our website at http://www.conspectusinc.com/publications.htm to view or download A1030-Floor Slab Flatness & Levelness 10.07.01.

Share your opinions and comments about this month's Tech Tips, by leaving a comment, here.

Metal Studs: Smooth, Dimpled, and High Performance. Must you choose? Recent innovations in the design and manufacturing of steel studs have produced studs that use less steel yet perform as well and better than traditional smooth-faced studs. Learn how to specify these new studs because minimum metal thickness is no longer a valid measure.

Visit our website at http://www.conspectusinc.com/publications.htm to view or download C1010-Dimpled Studs 10.06.01.

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What is an AW60 window and how will it perform? The window performance classes and performance grades set by the North American Fenestration Standard provide a simplified method for specifying the minimum performance for air infiltration, water penetration, and structural capacity. Learn what the ratings mean to specify the correct window performance for projects.

Visit our website at http://www.conspectusinc.com/publications.htm to view or download B2020-Exterior Window Ratings 10.05.01.

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What functions must an air barrier perform? It may be more than the obvious. Learn about the types, functions, performance, difficulties, and details for air barriers to be effective. Air barriers must be carefully selected to provide the correct expected performance. Carefully crafted details and specifications are required to ensure expectations are met by the installed assembly.

Visit our website at http://www.conspectusinc.com/publications.htm to view or download B2010-Air Barriers 10.04.01. Each Tech Tips file is titled using the UniFormat system and assembly designation to facilitate filing and future reference.

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Improving acoustic ratings for partitions and floors depends on increasing sound transmission losses to minimize unwanted air borne and structure borne sounds between adjacent spaces. Effective noise control improves functionality of building spaces.

 

Visit our website at http://www.conspectusinc.com/publications.htm to view or download C1010-Acoustic Ratings 10.03.01. Each Tech Tips file is titled using the UniFormat system and assembly designation to facilitate filing and future reference.

 

Share your opinion about this month's Tech Tips, by leaving a comment, here.

Successful floor finish installations depend on a proper concrete substrate. What are the key factors for achieving the desired appearance and performance of the finished floor? This month's article discusses the standards which govern surface preparation and moisture testing of concrete slabs.

 

Visit our website at http://www.conspectusinc.com/publications.htm to view or download B2030‑Concrete Floor Prep & Test 10.02.01. Each Tech Tips file is titled using the UniFormat system and assembly designation to facilitate filing and future reference.

Vapor retarders, vapor barriers, waterproofing - there are differences between the three materials and why they are used under slabs on grade. This month's article addresses those differences and focuses on the use and proper installation of vapor retarders.

 

Visit our website at http://www.conspectusinc.com/publications.htm to view or download A1030‑Slab on Grade Vapor Retarders 10.01.01. We invite your comments and questions about the article here.

What are the differences between curtain walls, storefronts, and windows? These terms, used interchangeably, can cause confusion when more than one system is used on a project. Learn what the differences are and how each system performs to ensure you select the right system for your next project.

 

Visit our website publications page to view or download B2020‑Curtain Walls Storefronts Windows 09.12.01. We invite your comments and questions about the article here.

When sealants fail, the integrity of the entire building is in jeopardy. Calculate the size ans spacing so joint sealants will accommodate the expected thermal movement. Select joint sealants that are rated to withstand the total joint movement. And test the joint sealants with the substrate to ensure proper adhesion.

Read the complete article titled B2010 - Exterior Sealant Joints 09.11.01at our website publications page. We invite your comments about the article here.

Conspectus' monthly Tech Tips and quarterly News Bulletins are generating discussions that previously occurred off-line, via email, directly with the reader asking the questions or offering additional comments. The recent discussions are too valuable to be limited to single individuals. So we decided to start a blog so we can share these discussions with all our readers.

Each time we release a new publication, we will post a notice and a summary description on this blog. These announcements will allow our readers to post their comments on the publications directly to this blog where all readers will have access to the discussion. This blog will be accessible from links on our publications web page and our publications.

We encourage all our clients and readers to participate. We learn a great deal from everyone that participates. And we want to share what we do learn with the rest of the construction community. Our hope is that through our publications and this discussion forum that everyone can learn from the exchange and ultimately improve the design process and resulting construction.

If you wish to receive notices of our publications, please join our mail list.

We look forward to your participation.