14 Nov Peikko introduces HELKA: the next evolution in column connections
New Peikko column shoes enhance safety and reduce installation time and labour costs on construction projects
14 November 2024 – Peikko Group, in its journey to continuously make significant advancements with column connection solutions, has launched its latest innovation, the HELKA® column shoes, designed to replace the HPKM column shoes, which has been a staple in Peikko’s lineup for many years.
Peikko South Africa MD Daniel Petrov explains that this new product enhances efficiency and reliability in construction projects, forming fast and safe bolted connections between precast concrete columns and foundations, or between precast concrete columns.
HELKA® also offers enhanced flexibility when positioning anchor bolts and adjusting the shoe’s placement inside columns, which helps adapt to various construction scenarios, including residential, commercial, and industrial construction. Used with HPM® Rebar Anchor Bolts or COPRA® Anchoring Couplers, the HELKA® column shoes create moment-resisting column connections under heavy loading conditions.
“The HELKA’s load ratings are optimised to withstand newer, stricter design codes, providing more flexibility for modern construction requirements. The HELKA® 30, for example, provides a higher tensile resistance compared to the HPKM equivalent models, while it also features enhanced load-bearing capacity,” notes Petrov, adding that this ensures safety and stability in large-scale projects.
By using HELKA® Column Shoes, a small onsite crew can erect precast columns easily and efficiently and with no need for bracing or welding, reducing personnel and crane time. This compact and optimised structure of the HELKA® column shoe also reduces installation time, therefore reducing labour costs on-site.
Reinforcing Peikko’s commitment to environmentally responsible practices, the HELKA® column shoe also meets the latest sustainability criteria and boasts certifications that affirm its sustainability credentials, making it an ideal choice for eco-conscious projects. Built with high-quality materials, HELKA® is further engineered for longevity, reducing the need for frequent replacements.
Further, with a more refined approach to resist both tensile and compressive forces than the earlier generation HPKM® column shoe, the HELKA® is fabricated from high-quality materials like S355J2+N steel plates and B500B ribbed bars, comprising steel base plates with holes in them for the anchor bolts, and reinforcement steel bars, ensuring robustness under European standards like EN 1992-1-1 and EN 1993-1-1.
It also features improved resistance and optimised anchor bolts for structural connections, with four or more used in one column cross-section, depending on the column dimensions and forces involved, as well as improved axial resistance values.
“Peikko is committed to ensuring a smooth transition from HPKM® to HELKA® for all our existing users. The phased-out process will begin immediately, with full support available to assist customers during this transition. Current users can rest assured that HELKA® is compatible with existing systems and can be integrated seamlessly into ongoing projects,” concludes Petrov.
ENDS
About Peikko Group:
Peikko Group Corporation is a leading global supplier of slim floor structures, wind energy applications and connection technology for precast and cast-in-situ. Peikko’s innovative solutions offer a faster, safer, and more efficient way to design and build. Peikko has sales offices in over 30 countries in Asia-Pacific, Europe, Africa, the Middle East, and North America, with manufacturing operations in eleven countries. Peikko generated a turnover of EUR 230 million in 2019. Peikko is a family-owned and managed company that employs over 1,800 professionals. Peikko was founded in 1965 and is headquartered in Lahti, Finland. Further information: www.peikko.com
Media Contact:
Charles Poulter, Account Director
Tel. +27 768128429
charles@swmcommunications.co.za
Contact:
Daniel Petrov, Managing Director
Tel. +27 83 608 5534