Different applications, different anchors

For certain projects, it may be difficult to use standard corrugated steel brick ties while adhering to all the Masonry Standards Joint Committee’s MSJC Code requirements. This web feature serves as a supplement to a January 2016 issue that explored more traditional applications for anchors.
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The architect as initial decision-maker

All claims and disputes between the owner and the contractor on projects using American Institute of Architects (AIA) A232, General Conditions of the Contract for Construction must be submitted to a first-fact-finder for investigation and a written decision before proceeding to mediation or arbitration.
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Water-loop heat pumps and net-zero

Designing net-zero-energy buildings for new construction or renovation presents many challenges. It requires analyzing the unique energy use of the entire facility and then designing a system that can reduce the net-energy footprint without sacrificing functionality or comfort.
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Controlling mechanical system noise

A typical urban and suburban environment has numerous sources contributing to the exterior ambient noise. Among these are the environmental sounds from a building’s heating, ventilating, and air-conditioning equipment. How can design professionals help mitigate the distraction caused by HVAC?
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Masonry wall systems and insulation

Today’s high-performance building market is driven by increasingly stringent energy codes and a growing demand for greater building efficiency, sustainability, and affordability—meaning specifying and building masonry cavity walls and adhered masonry walls with materials that work together as a functioning system is more critical than ever.
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Performing above and beyond with coatings for steel

Specifying high-performance coatings for structural steel framing, decking, or curtain walls can be a tall order when the application surface is located hundreds of feet above ground level. The specified coatings must protect the structural integrity of these hard-to-reach steel exposures against corrosion.
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