CINTEC Canada of Nepean, Ontario, designer and manufacturer of the CINTEC Reinforcing Anchor System, offers a blast protection system for existing masonry structures. The system, known as Blastec, a complete diagnostic design and installation service, utilizes sophisticated technology and drilling methods designed to retrofit masonry structures to better withstand possible damage from incidents such as gas explosions or bomb blasts. Blastec is capable of reinforcing a variety of masonry wall types in either solid or windowed panels.
The Blastec process begins with an inspection of the structure by a qualified CINTEC engineer. The structure is then modeled in 3D modeling to assess the behavioral probability and the risk inherent to the structure in order to determine the best reinforcement pattern.
At the site, the CINTEC Reinforcing Anchor System, fashioned out of a steel bar enclosed in a mesh fabric sleeve, is inserted into the structure in need of reinforcement. A specially-developed, non-polymer, cement-like grout is then injected into the sleeve under low pressure. The grout then fuses with the mesh, expands, and shapes itself around the steel to fit the space. CINTEC uses state-of-the-art dry- or low-volume wet diamond drilling techniques to reduce or even eliminate water damage associated with conventional concrete wet drilling.
Extensive in-situ load testing on various sizes and types of CINTEC anchors has proven that large blast loads can be successfully resisted, and that the CINTEC Reinforcing Anchor System provides a reliable, bottom line defense against explosions.
