Embed façade attachments and related systems and methods
An embed façade attachment system comprises an inner channel and an outer channel. The inner channel is configured to receive one or more fasteners between an upper retaining flange and a lower retaining flange. The outer channel is defined between an upper outward flange and a lower outward flange and configured to receive one or more fasteners. One of the inner channel and the outer channel is coupled to a concrete reinforcement element and another of the inner channel and the outer channel is removably coupled to a façade element by the one or more fasteners. The façade attachment is embedded in concrete with at least the inner channel or the outer channel exposed to a surface of the concrete to allow coupling of the façade element.
1 . An embed façade attachment system, comprising:
an inner channel configured to receive one or more fasteners between an inner upper retaining flange and an inner lower retaining flange defining a first opening, each of the inner upper and lower retaining flange having a flange thickness and a rounded end having a greater thickness than the flange thickness;
an outer channel integrally formed with and sharing an inner wall with the inner channel, the outer channel defined between an outer upper retaining flange extending to an upper outward flange, and an outer lower retaining flange extending to a lower outward flange defining an second opening opposed to the first opening and configured to receive one or more fasteners, each of the outer upper and lower retaining flange having a flange thickness and a rounded end having a greater thickness than the flange thickness;
one of the inner channel and the outer channel coupled to a concrete reinforcement element;
another of the inner channel and the outer channel is removably coupled to a façade element by the one or more fasteners; and
the façade attachment system embedded in concrete with at least the inner channel or the outer channel exposed to a surface of the concrete to allow coupling of the façade element.
2 . The embed façade attachment system of claim 1 wherein the inner channel is coupled to the concrete reinforcement element and the outer channel is removably coupled to the façade element.
3 . The embed façade attachment system of claim 1 wherein the outer channel is coupled to the concrete reinforcement element and the inner channel is removably coupled to the façade element.
4 . The embed façade attachment system of claim 1 wherein the one or more fasteners are nuts.
5 . The embed façade attachment system of claim 1 wherein the one or more fasteners are T-bolts.
6 . The embed façade attachment system of claim 1 wherein the upper outward flange, upper retaining flange, lower outward flange, and lower retaining flange are substantially coplanar.
7 . The embed façade attachment system of claim 1 the concrete comprises a portion of a building, the surface of the concrete faces an exterior of the building, and wherein the outer channel is exposed to the exterior to allow horizontal coupling of the façade element.
8 . The embed façade attachment system of claim 1 the concrete comprises a portion of a building, the surface of the concrete comprises a floor the building, and wherein the inner channel is exposed to allow vertical coupling of the façade element.
9 . A method for installing an embed façade attachment system in a reinforced concrete structure, comprising:
coupling an inner side of the embed façade attachment system to a reinforcing structure in the concrete structure, the inner side comprising an inner channel configured to receive one or more fasteners of the reinforcing structure between an inner upper retaining flange and an inner lower retaining flange defining a first opening, each of the inner upper and lower retaining flange having a flange thickness and a rounded end having a greater thickness than the flange thickness;
coupling a temporary concrete form to the embed façade attachment system at an outer side, the outer side including an outer channel sharing an inner wall with the inner channel, the outer channel defined between an outer upper retaining flange extending to an upper outward flange, and an outer lower retaining flange extending to a lower outward flange defining an second opening opposed to the first opening and configured to receive one or more fasteners, the temporary concrete form attached to one of the upper outward flange or lower outward flange;
pouring mixed concrete in the inner side of the concrete form to submerge the embed façade attachment system, except the outer channel; and
removing the concrete form after the concrete is cured, to expose the outer channel of the embed façade attachment system; and
coupling a façade attachment using a fastener in the outer channel.
10 . The method of claim 9 wherein the reinforcing structure is rebar and coupling includes connecting outer channel to threaded rebar such that an inner channel and an outer channel of the embed façade attachment system both open in a horizontal direction.
11 . The method of claim 9 wherein the coupling the inner side comprises attaching the inner side to the reinforcing structure using a coupler and a T-bolt in an inner channel of the system.
12 . The method of claim 9 wherein outer channel is exposed to an exterior of a portion of a building, the inner side and the reinforcing structure are on an interior of the building, whereby the outer channel is placed to allow horizontal coupling of a façade element.
13 . A method for installing an embed façade attachment system in a reinforced concrete structure, comprising:
coupling the embed façade attachment system at an outer side of the embed façade attachment system to a reinforcing structure laid out for the concrete structure, the embed façade attachment system comprising
an first channel configured to receive one or more fasteners between a first upper retaining flange and a first lower retaining flange defining a first opening, each of the first upper and lower retaining flange having a flange thickness and a rounded end having a greater thickness than the flange thickness;
an second channel integrally formed with the first channel and sharing an inner wall with the first channel, the second channel defined between a second upper retaining flange extending to an upper outward flange, and a second lower retaining flange extending to a lower outward flange defining an second opening opposed to the first opening and configured to receive one or more fasteners, each of the second upper and lower retaining flange having a flange thickness and a rounded end having a greater thickness than the flange thickness;
inserting a malleable concrete stop into the first channel;
pouring mixed concrete around the embed façade attachment system to submerge the embed façade attachment system;
removing the concrete stop leaving the first channel substantially free of concrete;
inserting a fastener into the first channel and
securing a façade attachment plate to the second channel using the fastener.
14 . The method of claim 13 wherein the reinforcing structure is rebar and coupling includes connecting first channel to threaded rebar such that the first channel and an the second channel of the embed façade attachment system both open in a vertical direction.
15 . The method of claim 13 wherein the malleable concrete stop comprises foam, plastic, or another malleable substance.
16 . The method of claim 13 wherein the fastener is a T-bolt.
17 . The method of claim 16 wherein the method includes securing the façade attachment plate to the T-bolt using nut ( 454 ) and washer plate ( 457 ).