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
Project + Process Innovation | Mar 22, 2023
Onsite prefabrication for healthcare construction: It's more than a process, it's a partnership
Prefabrication can help project teams navigate an uncertain market. GBBN's Mickey LeRoy, AIA, ACHA, LEED AP, explains the difference between onsite and offsite prefabrication methods for healthcare construction projects.
Building Tech | Mar 14, 2023
Reaping the benefits of offsite construction, with ICC's Ryan Colker
Ryan Colker, VP of Innovation at the International Code Council, discusses how municipal regulations and inspections are keeping up with the expansion of off-site manufacturing for commercial construction. Colker speaks with BD+C's John Caulfield.
Student Housing | Mar 13, 2023
University of Oklahoma, Missouri S&T add storm-safe spaces in student housing buildings for tornado protection
More universities are incorporating reinforced rooms in student housing designs to provide an extra layer of protection for students. Storm shelters have been included in recent KWK Architects-designed university projects in the Great Plains where there is a high incidence of tornadoes. Projects include Headington and Dunham Residential Colleges at the University of Oklahoma and the University Commons residential complex at Missouri S&T.
AEC Innovators | Mar 3, 2023
Meet BD+C's 2023 AEC Innovators
More than ever, AEC firms and their suppliers are wedding innovation with corporate responsibility. How they are addressing climate change usually gets the headlines. But as the following articles in our AEC Innovators package chronicle, companies are attempting to make an impact as well on the integrity of their supply chains, the reduction of construction waste, and answering calls for more affordable housing and homeless shelters. As often as not, these companies are partnering with municipalities and nonprofit interest groups to help guide their production.
Modular Building | Mar 3, 2023
Pallet Shelter is fighting homelessness, one person and modular pod at a time
Everett, Wash.-based Pallet Inc. helped the City of Burlington, Vt., turn a municipal parking lot into an emergency shelter community, complete with 30 modular “sleeping cabins” for the homeless.
Multifamily Housing | Mar 1, 2023
Multifamily construction startup Cassette takes a different approach to modular building
Prefabricated modular design and construction have made notable inroads into such sectors as industrial, residential, hospitality and, more recently, office and healthcare. But Dafna Kaplan thinks that what’s held back the modular building industry from even greater market penetration has been suppliers’ insistence that they do everything: design, manufacture, logistics, land prep, assembly, even onsite construction. Kaplan is CEO and Founder of Cassette, a Los Angeles-based modular building startup.
Sustainability | Feb 8, 2023
A wind energy system—without the blades—can be placed on commercial building rooftops
Aeromine Technologies’ bladeless system captures and amplifies a building’s airflow like airfoils on a race car.
Multifamily Housing | Feb 3, 2023
HUD unveils report to help multifamily housing developers overcome barriers to offsite construction
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, in partnership with the National Institute of Building Sciences and MOD X, has released the Offsite Construction for Housing: Research Roadmap, a strategic report that presents the key knowledge gaps and research needs to overcome the barriers and challenges to offsite construction.
Healthcare Facilities | Jan 31, 2023
How to solve humidity issues in hospitals and healthcare facilities
Humidity control is one of the top mechanical issues healthcare clients face. SSR's Lee Nordholm, PE, LEED AP, offers tips for handling humidity issues in hospitals and healthcare facilities.
AEC Tech | Jan 27, 2023
Key takeaways from Autodesk University 2022
Autodesk laid out its long-term vision to drive digital collaboration through cloud-based solutions and emphasized the importance of connecting people, processes and data.
