AC447-0618-R1 #6 LOK-N-BLOK PRODUCT INTRODUCTION ICC-ES June 5, 2018
PRODUCT OVERVIEW Injection-molded glass fiber-reinforced polypropylene structural block Horizontal connectivity between block courses provided by posts at the top of the blocks which fit tightly into receivers at the base Horizontal connectivity within block courses provided by interlocking male and female dovetails Vertical connectivity provided by mechanical reinforcement Vertical and horizontal cavities in the block permit installation of mechanical reinforcement and conduit
BLOCK GEOMETRY Post Web Conduit cavity Receiver Female dovetail Male dovetail
BLOCK CONNECTIVITY Male dovetail Female dovetail Male dovetail Female dovetail Stacked configuration
CONSTRUCTION DETAIL CONCEPTS Block Wood joist Joist hanger Block Wood joist Joist hanger Hold-down device Top plate Intermediate coupler Threaded rod Base anchorage Floor framing wood or metal joists and decking Roof framing wood trusses, metal joists Floor framing attached to blocks with screw-type fasteners, with or without ledger board Reinforcement anchorage at base of wall in concrete foundation Reinforcement anchorage at top of wall provided by nuts and plate washers bearing on wood plate
WALL CONSTRUCTION Spacing of mechanical anchorage varies based on demand and location Lintel at fenestration opening
INTENDED USAGE Exterior and interior structural walls Interior partition walls Construction of low-rise commercial and residential structures Construction in hurricane-prone regions Construction in high-seismic risk regions Temporary structures Structures in areas with limited access to materials
PRELIMINARY TESTING BLOCK COMPRESSION Configuration (AC447 4.1.10): Two-block stacks Stacked bond and running bond patterns Temperature: ~70 F (AC447 requires 158 F) Ultimate load: substantially unchanged from preliminary tests 84,300 pounds (minimum) 89,500 pounds (average)
PRELIMINARY TESTING COMPRESSIVE CREEP Configuration: Component Material Half-Block Full Block Temperature: Unheated Heated
PRELIMINARY LOAD TESTING OF MOCK-UP STRUCTURE 19 6 x 12 6 plan - 10-0 floor height Threaded rods installed in block cavities as mechanical reinforcement Reinforcement anchorage at base of wall provided by tapped steel plates Reinforcement anchorage at top of wall provided by nuts and plate washers bearing on wood plate Three doorway openings - steel pipe used for headers Traditional wood floor framing - joist hangers attached to blocks directly and to wood ledger board
PRELIMINARY LOAD TESTING OF MOCK-UP STRUCTURE Tested in accordance with 2015 IBC, Section 1708.3.2 Design live load 100 psf Twelve caged plastic water tanks, filled to height of 2-10-1/2 inches atop cribbing on floor framing Load test duration approximately 2 days All structural components rebounded 75% or more by 24 hours after unloading
MEASURED DEFLECTIONS Tested Structural Member Deflection Loading (in) Unloading (in) Rebound (%) Span (ft) IBC Criteria IBC Deflection Limit (in) Passed Load Test per IBC Criteria? Bearing Wall 0.08 0.06 77% N/A N/A Yes Structural Header 0.16 0.13 77% 4.00 0.20 Yes Single Joist Hanger Type 1 0.08 0.06 82% N/A N/A Yes Single Joist Hanger Type 2 0.21 0.17 84% N/A N/A Yes Double Joist Hanger 0.23 0.17 74% N/A N/A Yes Non-Bearing Wall w/ Ledger 0.06 0.04 78% N/A N/A Yes Floor Joist 1 0.65 0.62 94% 18.50 0.93 Yes Floor Joist 2 0.53 0.55 104% 18.50 0.93 Yes Note: IBC deflection limit corresponds to L/240 for mid-span deflection.