Discover why our Thunderbolt PRO stainless steel screw-bolts were selected for 110,000 brick tie fixings in a 230-unit apartment development.
ICCONS' stainless steel Thunderbolt® PRO Screw-Bolt solution combines seismic anchoring performance, corrosion resistance and efficient installation for brick ties fixed to precast concrete.
This 230-unit rental apartment development in a high-density inner-city location required a reliable fastening solution to secure its brick veneer façade to precast concrete walls.
Brick ties spanning the cavity provide lateral restraint to the veneer, with each connection required to meet the project’s seismic design requirements. With the fixings concealed once the brickwork is laid, durability was also essential.
Our Thunderbolt® PRO stainless steel hex head screw-bolts were specified with isolation washers to meet the project’s critical requirements for seismic performance, corrosion resistance and installation efficiency. A total of 110,000 screw-bolts were required to secure the brick ties to the precast concrete panels.
The Project Challenge
The brick tie fixing specification needed to address three key requirements:
- Seismic performance: anchorage suitable for cracked concrete under cyclic loading.
- Long-term durability: corrosion resistance for concealed fixings exposed to a coastal environment.
- Installation efficiency: a consistent, repeatable fixing method suited to a high-volume bricklaying program.
As the cavity fixings cannot be accessed for inspection or replacement once the brick veneer is completed, selecting an appropriate anchoring system from the outset was critical to the façade’s long-term performance.
Our Fixing Solution
Our Thunderbolt® PRO stainless steel hex head screw-bolts were selected to secure the brick ties directly to the precast concrete panels, with isolation washers incorporated into the connection.
The screw-bolt’s thread cuts into the concrete during installation, forming a mechanical interlock. Its low expansion force makes it well suited to applications where panel edges and anchor spacing influence the fixing design.
The Thunderbolt® PRO range includes ETA-assessed options for cracked concrete and seismic applications, allowing the fixing specification to be matched to the project’s design requirements.
For the concealed cavity connections, the stainless steel anchors provided corrosion resistance suited to the project’s coastal exposure requirements.
Installation Process
With 110,000 screw-bolts required, a straightforward installation method was an important part of the product selection.
Our Thunderbolt® PRO screw-bolts use a drill, clean and drive sequence.
The mechanical fixing requires no adhesive curing time, allowing installation to progress alongside the brickwork. A repeatable installation sequence also supports consistency across the development’s high fixing count.
Stamped head markings provide anchor identification and traceability during inspection before the connections are concealed.
Project Highlights
- Project: 230-unit rental apartment development
- Location: High-density inner-city setting
- Application: Brick tie fixing through the cavity to precast concrete walls
- Façade: Brick veneer
- Design priorities: Seismic performance, coastal durability and installation efficiency
- Fixing solution: Thunderbolt® PRO stainless steel hex head screw-bolts with isolation washers
- Total screw-bolts required: 110,000
Products Used
Product:
ICCONS® Thunderbolt® PRO Stainless Steel Hex Head Screw-Bolts
Quantity: 110,000 required
Selected to anchor brick ties to precast concrete walls, combining mechanical anchorage, corrosion resistance, and a straightforward installation process. Specified as part of the brick tie fixing assembly.
Fixing Confidence into Every Connection
This apartment development highlights the importance of selecting brick tie fixings that address both structural requirements and the practical demands of installation.
For concealed brick façade connections, seismic suitability and corrosion resistance must be considered alongside a fixing method that works efficiently on site. Our Thunderbolt® PRO stainless steel screw-bolts brought these priorities together in a solution specified for 110,000 connections.
Discover our Thunderbolt® PRO range, or contact ICCONS team to discuss the fixing requirements of your next project.
