Engineered as an alternative to traditional building core construction methods, such as cast-in-place concrete, precast concrete, and masonry, this patented, steel-and-concrete hybrid system can simplify and accelerate the construction of reinforced concrete stair and elevator core structures.
The CorTek Core System is supplied by Vulcraft, a fabricator of steel joist and deck components, in collaboration with its parent company, steel producer Nucor.
The newly launched system has been used on five projects to date, including the One Steamboat Place resort in Steamboat Springs, Colo., the Taxi II mixed-use residential building in Denver, and Limelight Lodge in Aspen, Colo.
The system is made up of modular, stackable cores that are factory-built and shipped ready to install. Modular construction minimizes site time and provides easy on-site installation. Stairs are pre-installed at the factory, and the stair rails are shipped inside the cores. This allows for safer, earlier, and more efficient trade access to floors. Workers can begin setting steel right away without having to wait on core curing.
Each CorTek system is custom-built to the requirements of the specific project. The architect and structural engineer are responsible for producing drawings and specifications that define the requirements for the core walls and stairs in the final constructed form. These drawings and specifications are given to the CorTek sub-contractor in order to begin shop drawings.
Once the all-steel cores are delivered on site, the CorTek installation process entails three steps: stack the cores; connect the steel, then continue erecting the structure; and pour concrete inside the core walls as erection continues.
The CorTek system is compatible with steel, concrete, and wood framing, and is structurally equivalent to cast-in-place concrete walls of various thicknesses, according to the makers. The modules go up with floor framing and do not require stripping. The interior surfaces can be left as is or finished with any standard wall
finish, such as paint, drywall, or laminate.
Related Stories
Building Tech | May 21, 2024
In a world first, load-bearing concrete walls built with a 3D printer
A Germany-based construction engineering company says it has constructed the world’s first load-bearing concrete walls built with a 3D printer. Züblin built a new warehouse from a single 3D print for Strabag Baumaschinentechnik International in Stuttgart, Germany using a Putzmeister 3D printer.
Industrial Facilities | Apr 9, 2024
Confessions of a cold storage architect
Designing energy-efficient cold storage facilities that keep food safe and look beautiful takes special knowledge.
AEC Innovators | Feb 28, 2024
How Suffolk Construction identifies ConTech and PropTech startups for investment, adoption
Contractor giant Suffolk Construction has invested in 27 ConTech and PropTech companies since 2019 through its Suffolk Technologies venture capital firm. Parker Mundt, Suffolk Technologies’ Vice President–Platforms, recently spoke with Building Design+Construction about his company’s investment strategy.
MFPRO+ Special Reports | Feb 22, 2024
Crystal Lagoons: A deep dive into real estate's most extreme guest amenity
These year-round, manmade, crystal clear blue lagoons offer a groundbreaking technology with immense potential to redefine the concept of water amenities. However, navigating regulatory challenges and ensuring long-term sustainability are crucial to success with Crystal Lagoons.
AEC Tech | Feb 20, 2024
AI for construction: What kind of tool can artificial intelligence become for AEC teams?
Avoiding the hype and gathering good data are half the battle toward making artificial intelligence tools useful for performing design, operational, and jobsite tasks.
Building Tech | Feb 20, 2024
Construction method featuring LEGO-like bricks wins global innovation award
A new construction method featuring LEGO-like bricks made from a renewable composite material took first place for building innovations at the 2024 JEC Composites Innovation Awards in Paris, France.
Modular Building | Jan 19, 2024
Building with shipping containers not as eco-friendly as it seems
With millions of shipping containers lying empty at ports around the world, it may seem like repurposing them to construct buildings would be a clear environmental winner. The reality of building with shipping containers is complicated, though, and in many cases isn’t a net-positive for the environment, critics charge, according to a report by NPR's Chloe Veltman.
Sponsored | BD+C University Course | Jan 17, 2024
Waterproofing deep foundations for new construction
This continuing education course, by Walter P Moore's Amos Chan, P.E., BECxP, CxA+BE, covers design considerations for below-grade waterproofing for new construction, the types of below-grade systems available, and specific concerns associated with waterproofing deep foundations.
Mass Timber | Jan 2, 2024
5 ways mass timber will reshape the design of life sciences facilities
Here are five reasons why it has become increasingly evident that mass timber is ready to shape the future of laboratory spaces.
Sustainability | Nov 1, 2023
Researchers create building air leakage detection system using a camera in real time
Researchers at the U.S. Department of Energy’s Oak Ridge National Laboratory have developed a system that uses a camera to detect air leakage from buildings in real time.
