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I was recently asked about a precast "kalex" floor system after running into a school roof analysis from the 1950's. Unable to find any information on the subject, does any one have any prior experience with the system or knowledge of what it might be? I do not know whether or not it is a proprietary system or not.

Thank you,

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Gabriel Amaya EIT, A.M.ASCE
NK Bhandari Archit. and Engg.
Syracuse NY
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Please see the article from 2009 in Architecture weekly:  ArchitectureWeek - Building - Prefab Clay-Tile and Concrete-Block Framing Systems - 2009.1014

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ArchitectureWeek - Building - Prefab Clay-Tile and Concrete-Block Framing Systems - 2009.1014 The Building Department at ArchitectureWeek, the world magazine of design and building, serving up architecture like never before. View this on Architectureweek >

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Charles Pisano P.E., M.ASCE
Vice-President
Bernardsville NJ
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Original Message:
Sent: 03-08-2018 10:38
From: Gabriel Amaya
Subject: PRECAST "KALEX" FLOOR SYSTEM

I was recently asked about a precast "kalex" floor system after running into a school roof analysis from the 1950's. Unable to find any information on the subject, does any one have any prior experience with the system or knowledge of what it might be? I do not know whether or not it is a proprietary system or not.

Thank you,

------------------------------
Gabriel Amaya EIT, A.M.ASCE
NK Bhandari Archit. and Engg.
Syracuse NY
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​I believe this is one of several proprietary clay tile/masonry precast systems that predated modern precast plank. Check out the Antiquated Structural System Series by Matthew Stuart from Structure Magazine for some info: http://www.structuremag.org/?p=5658 
Note that some of these systems had a flaw in the shear design methods that have led to documented failures (Sheffield tile, for example). These were common systems for schools of that time period.



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Sean Cotton P.E., M.ASCE
Associate Vice President
HGA
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Original Message:
Sent: 03-08-2018 10:38
From: Gabriel Amaya
Subject: PRECAST "KALEX" FLOOR SYSTEM

I was recently asked about a precast "kalex" floor system after running into a school roof analysis from the 1950's. Unable to find any information on the subject, does any one have any prior experience with the system or knowledge of what it might be? I do not know whether or not it is a proprietary system or not.

Thank you,

------------------------------
Gabriel Amaya EIT, A.M.ASCE
NK Bhandari Archit. and Engg.
Syracuse NY
------------------------------