'Not just standard solutions, but customization'

Structural cold bridge breaks

Schöck Nederland develops, manufactures and supplies product solutions that contribute to improving the quality of buildings. For the construction of the Binck City Park project in The Hague, the company supplied various solutions for constructive thermal bridge breaks. "The load on the balconies largely determines which product is needed," says Schöck.

Schöck's solutions for thermal insulation, impact sound insulation and reinforcement technology have already been used in thousands of projects worldwide. Jaap van de Kamp, technical account manager precast at Schöck: "For Binck City Park, a project development by construction developer VORM, we supplied several of our products to the precast concrete suppliers involved. In this project, our Isokorf® elements were used for interrupting thermal bridges at concrete-concrete connections. We also have solutions for concrete-steel or steel-steel connections. These solutions improve the energy efficiency of buildings. In addition, our Isolink® system was also used in this project: a system of fiberglass-reinforced plastic anchor rods, which serve as thermal breaks in concrete structures. This is used to connect balconies, terraces and concrete walls. This also reduces heat loss."

Consulting and engineering

For this project in The Hague, Schöck's products initially appeared on the drawings of the structural engineer, who is familiar with Schöck's solutions. Then, following a tender, the company was awarded the contract by the precast concrete suppliers involved, Mombarg Betonelementen and HCI Betonindustrie. Schöck then advised on the products to be used and handled their engineering. "We ultimately choose the best technical solution and type. We then consider what loads will be placed on the balcony slabs, for example, such as balustrades or masonry. These loads largely determine which product is needed. We then make a report and drawings of this. The proposal then goes to the structural engineer, who checks that the system meets his requirements. The precast concrete supplier then orders the elements from us and partially pours them into the balconies. The balconies are brought to the construction site in their entirety and placed there. When the floors are then poured, a beautiful, constructive connection is created that reduces thermal bridges."

Balcony slabs, gallery slabs and gable bands

In addition to the balcony slabs, the gallery slabs at Binck City Park are also anchored with Isokorf®, as are a whole series of façade strips. One such strip is attached to each storey. In total, some 1,000 Schöck products are being used on this project. 

Several aspects make Binck City Park a great reference for Schöck, such as the size and the various applications. "We not only provide standard solutions, but also elements that we conceived and developed specifically for this project. For example, we designed certain bar bends to make everything fit. Customization, in other words." 

Construction site instruction

Even though Schöck then supplies the concrete industry, which incorporates the products into its concrete elements, the consultants did visit the construction site, Van de Kamp says. "One of the products supplied, (Schöck) IDock®, is used for a 'wet' retrofit of balcony slabs on the construction site. One of our colleagues therefore gave instruction at the construction site. This product makes it possible to continue construction with temporary support for about 48 hours after a balcony slab has been installed and cast on."

IDock® is a Schöck product specifically designed for the safe and efficient assembly of precast concrete elements. It offers an innovative solution for connecting concrete balconies, galleries and other precast concrete elements to concrete building structures. This ensures not only thermal insulation but also the structural integrity of the connection. It minimizes thermal bridges between concrete elements and the building, resulting in improved energy efficiency and thermal comfort.

A solution for every connection

In short, Schöck has a solution for every connection. The company's most recent invention is IQlick®: a bolted connection for ('dry') retrofitting. Only the adapter is cast into the concrete and then the connection can simply be tightened with a bolt. For Schöck Netherlands, the work for Binck City Park has now been completed. "It was a great project to work on and everything went fine," says Schöck.