The Burj Al Arab ... a project where Rawl Fixings' products have been put to the test.
Rawl introduces innovative anchor
The latest fixing anchor from Rawl Fixings, which reduces stress on the substrate, is designed to save time and effort and at the same time deliver a high-quality result.
01 August 2005
Fixings specialist Rawl Fixings has launched an innovative, high-performance styrene-free chemical anchor, R-Kem+, which has been designed with safety in mind.
R-Kem+ is the latest addition to the comprehensive range of heavyweight fixings and mechanical and bonded anchors available from Rawl Fixings distributors throughout the Gulf. It is ready to use without the need for cutting or trimming and can be pumped and injected by simply removing the cap and attaching the nozzle.
“The benefits of this new system are clear to see,” says Martin Perry, regional export manager for Rawl Fixings. “The special helix within the nozzle ensures efficient mixing of the resin and the hardener. Couple this with the self-discharge system, the easy-to-pump formulation and a re-sealable cap, and the result is an efficient and practical fixing solution with minimal wastage. R-Kem+ is a product designed to save time and effort but to deliver the same high-quality result.”
These bonded anchors are recommended where close edge and spacing distances are a factor or for use in crumbling brickwork as they reduce stress on the substrate. An additional benefit over mechanical anchors is the speed at which they can be used. For a construction project requiring multiple fixings, once the holes are drilled and blown, pumping the resin and inserting the stud is a time-efficient task, says Perry.
The new R-Kem+ is suitable for use in concrete, other hollow and solid materials and rebar applications where deeper embedment is often required. It can be relied on for a wide range of heavy-duty applications such as balustrading, cladding and signage. As it is a ready-to-use formulation, it is ideal for challenging overhead applications such as canopies and mechanical and electrical services, he adds.
Throughbolt
Rawl Fixings products have been used on a diverse range of projects in the Gulf, where a key fixing is the stainless steel Throughbolt. Unaffected by the adverse climatic conditions, this product is frequently used for curtain walling and water treatment plant applications. Historically, the stainless steel Throughbolt has been used extensively on petrochemical projects throughout the Gulf region, especially on major LNG projects in Qatar, says Perry.
Recently, Rawl Fixings’ Dubai distributor won deals to supply the product to high-profile projects including the Shangri-La Hotel project for which Aluminium Contractors and Thomas Bennet were the curtain walling and aluminium glazing sub-contractors.
“By working closely with the local distributor, the sub-contractors were able to select the correct anchor for each application and receive delivery of the product from stock in accordance with their work schedule,” says Perry.
Between the two companies, 10,000 A4 stainless steel Throughbolts were used during this part of the construction.
Another high-profile project was the landmark Burj Al Arab hotel in Dubai, where Arabian Profile carried out the installation of the internal GRP panels using Throughbolts and Rawlbolts.
“This proved to be a very demanding application,” says Perry. “A total of 10,000 Throughbolts were installed along with 5,000 Rawlbolts to meet the critical design criteria.
“Where edge distances and constraints on fixing plate size were an issue, M12 chemical anchors were used from our range of injection and capsule types,” he says.
CD-Rom
To support architects and specifiers in the recommendation of fixings for such projects, Rawl Fixings has recently updated its specification and design CD-Rom. Developed to give the construction industry access to a number of specialist features frequently requested by structural and civil engineers, this new CD-Rom includes bending moment calculations and CAD drawings of the expansion and bonded anchors range. This enables the approved anchor to be inserted into the shop drawings, ensuring that the work is carried out on site using the correctly specified product, he explains.
All the latest design data and product range information is incorporated making this CD-Rom a key requirement in ensuring the correct selection of anchors, says Perry.
An additional benefit is that the output of the calculation includes the adequate safety margin for every specification. Once the CD-Rom is registered onto the computer, regular technical and product updates are sent by email ensuring that the data is always up to date and accurate.
“Following its launch, demand for the new CD-Rom has been high and users are really seeing the benefits in terms of time saved and confidence in specification,” says Perry. “The introduction of the CAD drawings for expansion and bonded anchors gives architects everything needed to ensure the specification of the optimum fixing solution.”
In addition to the exhaustive CD-Rom, Rawl Fixings has also brought out the Rawl Specification and Design Guide. The new 2005 version brings together product information for the complete range of fixings combined with comprehensive specification data.
Commenting on the quality of the products, Perry says: “The proven quality and performance of Rawl Fixings’ anchors is demonstrated by the numerous independent appro-vals that the products carry. In 1999, Rawlplug became the first UK manufacturer to obtain European approvals (ETA) for the R-HPT and R-SPT Throughbolt range. Rawl Fixings products are manufactured in the UK using some of the most advanced production facilities in the industry and the company’s quality system is approved to BS EN ISO 9001:2000 for design and manufacture.”
*00000 distributors are available on www.artex-rawlplug.co.uk.
