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The
Future of Concrete Masonry
FlexLock®:
Next Generation Concrete Masonry Unit Construction
What if you could have tomorrow’s technology today? What if that
technology made it possible to produce a loadbearing wall system three
times faster to assemble and considerably stronger than standard
concrete masonry unit construction to reduce overall masonry costs by a
remarkable 25%? You may be surprised to discover that tomorrow’s
technology is already here with the revolutionary FlexLock®
Wall System. Designed as a mortarless alternative to standard concrete
masonry unit construction, the FlexLock system creates a high-tech
loadbearing structure engineered from the ground up.
Through the use of parallel interlocking components, precision-ground
bearing surfaces, and
post-tensioned tendons, the wall system’s multi-patented design offers
significant competitive advantages over standard concrete masonry units.
A
uniform height and a completely flat load bearing surface is achieved
through the FlexLock Calibrator.
Mortarless
The FlexLock Wall System requires no mortar between the joints or
grouting of the cores, except for the first course.
Reduced Construction Time
The system can be assembled three times faster than conventional
concrete masonry unit construction.
Workforce and Market Sensitive
With the average age of masons increasing every year and the skilled
labor pool decreasing steadily, the FlexLock system address both
industry and market needs. A project using standard block requires a
team of masons along with laborers, but the FlexLock system requires
only a master mason to set the first course — apprentices can do the
rest.
Completely
Reusable
Should the need ever arise, the unique interlocking surfaces of
FlexLock allow for total disassembly, rendering the components useful
for other construction projects.
All-Season
Construction
Conventional concrete masonry unit walls require expensive additions
to enable the mortar to cure in sub-zero temperatures. As a result, many
colder climates do not build during the winter months. Since the
FlexLock system only uses mortar on the first course it can be assembled
in any temperature.
Super-Strong
Wall
Post-tensioning enables concrete to be used for its greatest
advantage, compressive strength. By increasing the tension using
post-tensioning tendons, the concrete masonry units are placed in
compression. This limits the flexural action of the structure, thereby
dramatically increasing its strength. Should the structure experience
catastrophic forces such as earthquakes or hurricanes, the joints
throughout will "flex" slightly, radially distributing the
force across the whole surface, and then lock-up as a single, solid
interconnected mass. This property will make the Flex Lock system
attractive for use in seismic regions.
Lower
Overall Construction Costs
The previously mentioned advantages translate into significant
monetary savings. A recent independent study indicated that overall
masonry cost decreased 25% using the FlexLock Wall System.†
The FlexLock System
is both groutless and mortarless.
Advantages
to Producers
All of these benefits for the building owner also translate into
significant advantages to producers. FlexLock is produced using standard
concrete machines outfitted with FlexLock molds and a core puller. After
the units are cured, a dedicated calibrator is used to size the concrete
masonry units. While the unit costs are slightly higher than with
standard block production, the overall cost reduction realized by the
building owner more than compensates. Unlike standard concrete masonry
unit construction, FlexLock is uniquely configured to the current labor
pool. This allows the industry to recoup and expand markets that have
been lost to precast and tilt-up construction. All this means greater
productivity and higher profit margins for the producer.
The FlexLock system is the flagship product of Cercorp Initiatives
Inc. Cercorp evaluates, develops and licenses technology in the building
and landscape industry. Working closely with Besser Company, Cercorp has
forged a relationship that provides turnkey licensing solutions to
producers worldwide. Where Cercorp brings innovative products, Besser
brings innovative manufacturing systems and production expertise.
Together, we are making the technology of tomorrow available today.
For More Information
Visit the web site: www.cercorp.com,
or call 740.346.0960.
Reference
† InterAct Solutions Group, Professor Michael Welker, 1999
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