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| Q | 4.3 Performance in a seismic zone? |
| A | Superior (see also 5.3). |
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| Q | 5.1 Thermal movement: expansion, contraction and temperature gradient. What is the effect on the structure, components and individual materials? |
| A | There will be no effect on the structure and the only effect will be limited to the type of paint used on the flexible joints. However, IHI will specify the type of paint to be used in order to virtually eliminate any potential aesthetic problem. IHI recommends a durable elastic paint similar to the one used in IHI's show homes both in Luxembourg and Vancouver. We are working with a laboratory in Vancouver on a superior nylon paint water based and also a ceramic paint that we may use in the near future, the results are very attractive. |
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| Q | 5.2 Thermal insulation, cold bridging, vapour barriers and interstitial condensation, drainage/weep holes: these issues appear to be unresolved. What do you propose to do? |
| A | IHI has developed special details for a Hotel project in Whistler B.C. for an outside temperature of -40 degrees Celsius. This illustrates the fact that the thermal insulation in the Hi-Tech system is flexible and can meet almost any design requirement and conditions. Cold bridging: IHI has studied and resolved this issue in great depth (details available upon request). The expandable polystyrene EPS used in the Hi-Tech panels is minimum type 2. IHI has a certification that type 2 EPS acts on its own as a vapour barrier and hence will not allow any condensation. Such a vapour barrier is by far more durable and reliable than the conventional membrane that is used in the industry that is subject to unpredictable tempering during the construction period and after that during remodelling and maintenance of conventional construction.
Drainage/weep holes: IHI has also studied and resolved this issue in great depth as can be clearly seen in the above mentioned set of details. The weep holes have been designed to accommodate any serious man-made damage in the structural envelope integrity of the external Hi-Tech panels anytime in the future, even after 50 or 100 years. For example, if someone drills a hole through the external layer of concrete without sealing it, it is evident that this opening will allow water to penetrate through the external layer of concrete and this exposed drainage/weep hole will then be very effective to prevent any moisture to pass through the internal Hi-Tech panel concrete layer. |
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| Q | 5.3 Joints, seals, structural movement, movement of joints, seismic movement: how do these work on the structure and what is the impact? |
| A | The joints in the Hi-Tech structural system are designed to have ZERO relative movement with respect to the adjacent ones. The whole structure is one ductile unit allowing serious stress reductions. The gaps between vertical and horizontal panels approx. 12 m/m wide are designed to allow thermal expansion/contraction and a standard panel has a mechanical seal (backrod) on each side covered with heavy duty elastic seal. Such a combination will make the joints virtually permanently sealed as explained earlier.
Based upon all of the above, and under heavy severe dynamic loading, the worse scenario that can happen, is a micro-crack in the paint itself that can be easily repaired by applying an elastic based paint on top of it. |
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| Q | 5.4 Effect of differential movement between steel, concrete, inside, outside, sunny and shady sides? |
| A | We believe that this point has been covered earlier above. |
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| Q | 5.5 Porosity, water absorption, effect of frost, staining, rusting of metal frame and reinforcement, degradation over time: what is the effect on life expectancy? |
| A | Please kindly refer to the points covered above. |
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| Q | 5.6 Effects of calcium chloride to speed up drying time results in concrete being less alkaline and allows steel to rot/rust. What are the effects on this specific system? |
| A | The IHI mix after setting becomes totally inert and the steel is treated and painted, thus this scenario in not applicable to our Hi-Tech system. |
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| Q | 5.7 Effects of alkali/silica reaction? |
| A | 5.7 As in 5.6 |
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| Q | 5.8 Effects of shrinkage of concrete, particularly in relation to steel structure. |
| A | With the additives used in our concrete mix, the shrinkage is reduced to a minimum and as mentioned earlier, the paint covers any potential micro-cracks that may occur in certain localized areas and, of course, if that happens it has no effect on the steel that is well bonded to the concrete from all sides. |
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| Q | 5.9 Does season and weather affect construction tolerances and is dimensional compensation required? Is there a temperature and humidity range over which construction should take place? |
| A | 5.9 The only effect on construction/erection of the Hi-Tech panels is the wind. In Canada according to the Workers Compensation Board, one is not allow to use a crane when the wind blows at a speed superior to 40km/hr. All other effects are negligible other than very heavy rain. |
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