Cintec Special Projects

Introduction

For more than 30 years, CINTEC has recognized and observed the policies of Heritage Authorities, Historic Preservation agencies and local interest groups who seek to preserve and maintain heritage buildings, and historic structures worldwide. CINTEC strives to use its knowledge and products to preserve buildings and structures while maintaining their historic character. This revolutionary application has been implemented in several major projects worldwide, including the Roman Ruins at Bet She’an National Park, Israel, the Mosque of al-Ghuri, Egypt and Christ Church Cathedral, Australia. The CINTEC reinforcement system has also been implemented in more mainstream projects such as the reinforcement of masonry walls to resist accidental gas explosions and earthquakes.

CINTEC has been involved in blast mitigation since the 1980s, after the collapse of Ronan Point, a high rise “panel” building in London, UK where the progressive collapse was triggered by a gas explosion on the 18th floor and resulted in the floors above to the roof and below almost to the floor of the building corner being lost. The involvement and development of a strengthening system to reinforce masonry walls to resist accidental gas explosions, and earthquakes was developed as a result of the Ronan Point example, and a devastating earthquake in Australia which severely damaged Christ Church Cathedral in Newcastle, Australia. In the mid 1980s, some 30 miles (48km) of CINTEC reinforcement anchoring was installed in large panel system buildings at Watford and Basildon, UK to strengthen the building against accidental gas explosions.

CINTEC has developed a masonry strengthening system that reduces the effects of explosions and seismic shock. The system involves the detailed modeling of a building or structure using a computerized 3-Dimensional discrete element analysis to evaluate its current loading and predict its reaction to progressive blast and seismic loads. A unique treatment specification using custom made retrofitted high-grade reinforcement anchors is then developed specifically for the desired scenario. The anchor sets are installed in cored holes and are bonded to the masonry with a compatible cementitious grout. The CINTEC retrofitting process respects the historic character and structural integrity of the building, and any evidence of structural invasion during drilling and retrofit operations is carefully eliminated.

Technical excellence in modeling buildings is assured by CINTEC’s in-house team of highly qualified and experienced engineers. This division has, by combining the unique knowledge of a team of engineering talents, gone on to develop a wide range of engineering skills and products to provide a complete defense against blast and seismic events. In-house specializations range from the conservation of heritage and historic buildings and seismic engineering to blast mitigation and CADCAM design disciplines. This team, together with a partnership team of highly qualified heritage architects, conservators and additional engineers with world wide experience can provide “design and retrofit” solutions.

To this end CINTEC works to the guidelines of the Secretary of the Interior’s standards for Historic rehabilitations as well as the principles of the Venice Charters (1964) and the Burra Charters (1979). CINTEC is currently part of the USACE commercial off-the-shelf program (COTS) and a registered contractor with the U.S. Defense Logistics Agency.

CINTEC’s unique reinforcement system combines the use of today’s highly advanced computer technology and engineering expertise to provide blast mitigation and seismic protection solutions for masonry buildings in a historically sensitive and cost effective manner.

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