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Corporate Profile

CDC is a world leader in design and consulting services for state-of-the-art building envelope systems. Founded in 1973, CDC is an employee owned and operated corporation, with over 100 design professionals who are completely and solely dedicated to design, engineering and consulting for the building envelope.

As a professional services firm, we provide design and engineering for some of the most well-known facade cladding manufacturers in the world, providing design support for established and tested systems as well as creating new systems and assisting in development of innovative new approaches to cladding execution.

As an independent consulting firm, CDC focuses on critical performance issues related to the total building envelope. We provide performance-based design details/engineering, specification writing, review of details provided by others and quality assurance observations for glazed aluminum systems such as curtain wall/window/window walls; stone veneer systems; architectural pre-cast concrete EIFS systems; direct-applied stucco finishes; brick and masonry veneers; all-glass wall systems; skylights; metal panel systems; complex cable net and point supported wall systems; roofing and waterproofing systems; and free-standing sculptures.

From our Dallas, Texas corporate headquarters, and 22 offices in 8 countries including the United States, Canada, Mexico, China, Taiwan, South Korea, Australia and the Philippines, CDC services its projects anywhere on the globe. Architects, developers, contractors, sub-contractors, and manufacturers, world-wide, routinely call on CDC for design, engineering, and consulting services for the total building envelope.

Intertech Design, Inc. a wholly owned subsidiary of CDC, Inc., is a multi-disciplinary consulting / engineering firm offering innovative and comprehensive structural engineering services, including civil structures, steel and concrete structural design, parking garage structural design and parking garage design consulting.

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Services Offered by CDC

Consulting

Observation & Testing

Drafting Production

Research & Development

New Systems Design

Legal Services

Engineering

• Custom and Standard Aluminum Curtain Wall Designs:

- Unitized - Panelized - Stick• Structural Silicone

Glazing• Suspended and

Structural Glass Systems

• Operable Window Designs

• Natural Stone Cladding• Proposal and Bid

Drawings• Thermal Systems• Sliding Glass Doors• Sloped Glazing and

Skylights• Recladding and

Overcladding Designs• Double Wall Design• Roofing and

Waterproofing

• Technical Evaluation of Existing Conditions

• Technical Evaluation of Contract Documents

• Library of Industry Documents

• Depositions• Due Diligence Surveys• Alternative Dispute

Resolution Presentations

• Second Opinion Reports

• Fact Witness Testimony

• Complete Structural Design and Analysis Calculation Packages

• ANSYS Finite Element Modeling Software

• Component and Assembly Simulations

• 3D Heat Transfer Simulations

• Reflectivity Studies• Linear and Non-Linear

Simulations• Blast Analysis

Conforming to GSA, DOD, Municipal and Private Criteria

• Thermal Analysis using Windows 6.3, Therm 6.3 and Optics

• Acoustic Calculations• ACE Organization - NRFC Commercial Project Labels• Evaluation and Testing

of Materials and Design Assemblies for Structural Integrity

• Evaluation of Existing Construction

• Hyper-elastic Analysis of Structural Silicone Glazing

• Structural Glass Analysis Including Composite Laminates and Point Support Fixings

• Tension Structure Design and Analysis for Cable Net Walls

• Shop and Fabrication Drawings for:

- Curtain Wall - Window Wall - Steel Truss - Precast Concrete - All-Glass Walls - Natural Stone - Paving - GFRC - EIFS - Roofing - Waterproofing - Metal Panels - Rain Screens• Extrusion Die Drawings• Metal Stud Systems• Performance and Visual

Mock-ups• Installation Diagrams

and Instructions• BIM Integration

• Recladding Systems• Sealant Materials• Seismic Joint Designs• Splice Designs• Structural Silicone Tests• All Glass Wall Systems• Adhesive Anchors• Mechanical Anchors• Specialized Gasket

Designs• Thin Panel Design• Development of Quality

Control Program• Blast and Hurricane

Systems

• Systems and Materials Selection

• Specification Writing• International Standards• Design Drawings for

Architectural Drawings• Technical Performance

Criteria Development• Evaluation of Proposal

Documents and Interview of Bidders

• Witness and Report on Mock-up Testing

• Comprehensive Technical Review of Subcontractor Submittals for Compliance with Job Requirements

• Observe and Report on Manufacturer’s Facilities

• Observe Installation of Systems

• Witness Field Testing• Develop Remedial

Solutions • Perform Water / Penetration Testing per AAMA 501.2 (Calibrated Hose and Nozzle Test) and AAMA 501.3 (Static Pressure Test)

• Perform Spray Rack Testing

• Sealant Adhesion Testing

• Structural Anchor Testing

• Stone Panel Testing• Physical Properties

Testing• Trouble-shooting

Problem Walls• Fire and Storm Damage

Assessment

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Balance Cost with Performance

Facade cladding can represent 20% of construction cost on new projects. Engaging a specialist consultant during cladding design increases your success in achieving design, budget, and performance targets.

Proactively Avoid Failures

Facade cladding failures are a leading cause of building construction problems and claims after construction is completed. Bringing an expert into your Design Team early in the design process helps avoid cladding design deficiencies. CDC’s consultants quickly pinpoint problem areas and resolve technical issues before they become building failures.

Expert Design

Building cladding technology changes rapidly. New materials, finishes, and systems are constantly being introduced to the designer’s palette, and require careful evaluation prior to application to your project. CDC’s in-depth involvement with your project’s evolution helps you balance the pros and cons to make expedient and prudent choices.

Technical Resources

CDC’s experience with alternative design solutions, applied to hundreds of projects, increases your opportunity to develop a cladding design that “works” for the life of the building. CDC provides decisive and definitive answers to your toughest technical questions.

Conflict of Interest

CDC gives you an honest, independent answer, the best solution for your unique project. Answers obtained from curtain wall fabricators, suppliers, and installers can be influenced by sales, product availability, plant capacity or other limits. CDC provides information that considers the best interests of your client and your project.

Architectural Value of a Facade Consultant

Lotte Super Tower 123, Seoul, Korea

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Architect Services

CDC has developed an exceptional working relationship with many architectural firms across the United States and around the world. Based on our reputation for experience and expertise in exterior building facade systems, Owners and Architects routinely engage CDC early in the design of a project. This collaboration from the start of the design process helps eliminate problems before they become issues in construction.

Preliminary Design Input

In the early stages of any project, CDC reviews Schematic Architectural drawings that pertain to the building envelope design, and provides recommendations concerning the various envelope systems under consideration.

CDC meets with the Architect’s Design Team to review performance and design parameters and/or constraints, and formulate design strategies that capitalize on these project-specific conditions.

CDC develops technical specification sections for building facade systems; generates typical cladding details for support framing and joinery; and advises regarding the need for a laboratory test mock-up, its scope, and appropriate test criteria.

Submittal Review

CDC reviews shop drawings, structural calculations and technical data submissions for compliance with Contract Documents, highlighting areas of technical weaknesses and issues that should be addressed prior to proceeding with construction.

Project Observation

CDC provides quality assurance visits to the construction site to observe the building envelope installation process. We make observations and file field observation reports with the Client, which include a photographic log detailing observations made. When required, our field observation reports and photo logs may be used to obtain the longest warranty periods offered by manufacturers.

Observation of Field Water Testing

CDC specifies and observes field water testing, including a full, formal report of observations and recommendations based on the results of the test.

Cathedral of Christ the Light, Oakland, California

Prada Epicenter, San Francisco, CaliforniaMuseum of American Folk Art, New York City, New York

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Bid Review and Evaluation Services

CDC advises our Client during bidding and evaluation of subcontractor’s proposals, by providing technical analysis of bids, for new construction, renovation, and restoration or repairs projects.

Our review of bid documents and design proposal drawings includes:

• Review for conformance to design intent, including arrangement of components and jointing details for field connections

• Review technical performance provisions, including internal drainage of water infiltration, thermal movement, accommodation of building structural movements, construction tolerances, fastening devices, sealing methods, fire resistance, and other performance issues

Gaylord National, Washington, D.C.

Alfred A. Arraj Federal Courthouse, Denver, Colorado © Frank Ooms Photography

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Laboratory Mock-up Services

Validating the contractor’s system design through a laboratory mock-up is an important part of the construction process. CDC provides valuable in-depth assistance to our clients during this phase of the work.

CDC works closely with the Architect Project Team, to confirm that the contractor’s test program is properly planned and conducted according to specified AAMA and ASTM guidelines.

CDC reviews mock-up drawings, structural calculations, samples and other product information related to mock-up components for technical merit and conformance with Contract Documents.

CDC witnesses the erection, pre-testing and final testing of mock-up specimens at test laboratory facilities and produce a written report of our observations and recommendations as a result of mock-up installation and testing.

After the completion of the testing, CDC reviews and comments on the laboratory report and as-built mock-up shop drawings.

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CDC provides air infiltration and water penetration resistance testing, of on-site building facade mock-ups as well as facade systems in their final, installed state on a building. We also perform diagnostic water leak investigations using industry standard field testing protocols. This testing can be enhanced by the use infrared thermography for nondestructive detection of air/water/vapor/thermal barrier continuity.

Field tests offered by CDC include:

• Air infiltration tests per AAMA 502/ASTM E 783

• Water penetration tests per AAMA 501.2, “field hose test”

• Water penetration tests per AAMA 502 and 503/ASTM E1105 with static and/or cyclic air pressure differential, “field chamber test”

• Water leak investigations using hose and soaker-bar, with or without air pressure differential

Field Testing Services

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Traditional building facade design takes into account sunlight/natural daylight that passes through transparent areas of the facade. The impact of sunlight reflected from building surfaces, and on surrounding buildings and landscapes, has recently been given equal consideration in facade design.

CDC performs detailed engineering analysis via Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) to address the angle and intensity of reflected sunlight from a building’s facade.

• CDC applies CFD simulations to determine whether reflected glare will present problems for motorists, pedestrians and adjacent buildings.

• Simulation extends through a solar year, identifying potential number of days, hours, and even minutes within an identified day that glare could present comfort issues.

• CDC CFD simulations also identify the path of solar reflections, shadowing and glare intensity.

• Using this information, CDC applies its design expertise to help our Clients develop glare mitigation strategies that are sensitive to overall design goals and reduce negative impacts on adjacent buildings, motorists and pedestrians.

• A study can be executed on a single building in isolation, or may target building/s including the surrounding neighborhood.

Solar Reflectivity Studies

Legado Monterrey - Equus 333, Monterrey, MexicoHall Arts Center, Dallas, Texas

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Architectural Documents

• Review and comment on the Architect’s details of the exterior facade including continuity of air, water and thermal properties, particularly at the interface of discrete building envelope systems.

• Analyze typical details for thermal performance, including condensation analysis, and determine R and U values of composite sections.

• Evaluate material selections and finishes, sealant detailing, and code considerations such as smoke/fire control at building envelope elements.

• Write or review technical specifications to establish appropriate performance criteria which account for building enclosure system tolerances, building frame movement and mechanical design/performance parameters.

• Advise on maintenance issues associated with the exterior wall, and incorporate building maintenance/window washing accommodations into the exterior enclosure.

• Establish code-based wind load requirements, or review and provide comment on wind tunnel studies.

Shop Drawings and Submittals

• Technical review and comments on contractor submittals to establish conformance with the design intent as set forth by the Contract Documents.

• Review system provisions for internal drainage of water infiltration, thermal movement, building deflections, construction tolerances, appropriate fastening devices, sealing methods, fire resistance, and other performance requirements.

• Review and comment on structural calculations submitted by subcontractor to support their design submittals.

• Structural review & interpretation of as-built conditions.

• Review and comment on contractors job specific quality control checklist for shop assemblies and field installation.

Peer Review Services for Building Enclosures

Nasher Sculpture Garden, Dallas, TexasDoha Convention Center, Doha, Qatar

Abu Dhabi Airport, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

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In addition to design consulting, engineering and drafting for natural stone cladding projects, CDC offers full Stone Sourcing Services to Owners, Architects and Contractors. We can identify economical, aesthetically acceptable, and structurally sound material options, and assist in its procurement for architectural stone cladding applications.

CDC:

• Researches and samples natural stone from worldwide quarries

• Evaluates stone quarry and fabricator capabilities

• Develops budget pricing for material acquisition and cladding installation

• Establishes pre-construction stone testing and observation protocol

• Suggests value enhancing stone material alternatives and technical detailing options

• Observes stand-up slab mock-up, and coordinate record samples

• Coordinates full-scale pre-fabrication visual mock-up at stone fabrication facility

• Reviews contract drawings, shop drawings and calculations

• Performs subcontractor design peer reviews

• Observes material fabrication for aesthetic and structural conformance

• Establishes production stone testing protocol, and observe testing

• Reviews and comment on field workmanship mock-up

• Observes stone cladding installation on project site for conformance with design requirements

Stone Sourcing Services

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CDC enjoys an exceptional working relationship with building facade subcontractors in the U.S. and around the world. Since 1973, contractors have relied on CDC to provide experience-based engineering services that eliminate problems before they become issues on the job site.

CDC provides:

• Complete Structural Design and Analysis Calculation Packages

- Aluminum-and-Glass Curtain Wall, Window Wall, Punched Windows and Storefront - Natural and Cast Stone - Brick Veneer - Architectural Metal Panels - Skylights - Architectural Precast Concrete - Terra Cotta Rain Screen Systems - Light Gage Metal Studs

• Specialized Computer Software for analysis of system behavior under wind and thermal loads

• Specialized Buckling and Stability Analysis for Framing Designs

• Large Deflection and Membrane Stress Analysis

• Finite Element Analysis• Computational Fluid Dynamics• Thermal Analysis, including

NFRC rating• Blast Analysis and Blast-Resistant

Design Development• Tension Structure Analysis• Structural Glazing Analysis• Unitized, Stick and Panelized

Assemblies Analysis

Engineering Services

Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts, Miami, Florida

The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Seattle, Washington

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CDC offers thermal modeling and analysis services to building facade system manufacturers and subcontractors during system design development and technical submission phases. We also offer these services to Architects and Construction Managers to define design parameters during project documentation phases, for LEED certification purposes or to diagnose condensation / frost formation after facade system installation. In addition to providing basic thermal services using Therm and Window, CDC can provide more advanced analyses using the ANSYS family of software packages. CDC will perform:

• Computer Thermal Simulation, via - Window 6.3 o Center-of-Glass Energy Performance o Monolithic Glass or IG Units o Insulated Spandrel Panels

- Therm 6.3 o Overall Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC) and Visible Transmittance (VT) per NFRC 200 o Simulated Condensation Resistance Factor (CRF) o Simulated Condensation Resistance Values (CR) per NFRC 500 Procedures o Dew Point Analysis

- ANSYS o Analyze 3-D heat flow effects o Model convective flow effects in the built environment

- WUFI Pro 4 Vapor Transmission • Thermal Stress Analysis - Glass - Stone - Framing - Sealant Joints

Thermal Modeling Services

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CDC offers design and detailing services to subcontracting and manufacturing firms in the building facade industry, world-wide. These firms count on CDC to develop workable details to meet project technical requirements for a wide range of cladding systems that assure excellent performance as well as value for their Clients.

CDC provides:

System Design

• Glass / Aluminum Systems

- Unitized and Stick Curtain Wall - Ribbon Windows - Punched Windows - Operable Windows / Vents - Sliding Glass Doors - Suspended and Structural Glass Systems - Double Wall Design - All-Glass Walls - Sloped Glazing - Skylights

• Cladding Systems

- Natural Stone (panelized and handset) - Cast Stone - Terra Cotta Rain Screen Systems - Architectural Precast Concrete - Composite and Monolithic Metal Panels - Panelized Brick

Related Services

• Extrusion Die Drawings• Extrusion Confirmation• Proposal and Bid Drawings• Thermal Analysis• Blast Analysis / Design

Design Services

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CDC Client: Boston Valley Terra Cotta

Architect of Record: Mario Botta

Date of Completion: June 2009

Building Description

Museum of Modern Art

Scope of Services

CDC�� worked closely with Boston Valley Terra Cotta�� attachment system.��

�

Bechtler Museum ��Charlotte, North Carolina

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Building Information Modeling (BIM) Services

CDC is on the forefront of building facade engineering application of BIM software, allowing our Clients to comply with current project BIM requirements. CDC’s application of BIM includes clash detection between facade elements and surrounding construction, and overall coordination between the structure and other trades. We can also translate the 3D facade system detailing into part fabrication drawings for manufacturing applications.

CDC utilizes the following software for 3D services:

• AutoCad 3D• Revit Architecture• Revit Structure• Inventor

University of North Carolina Genome Science Laboratory Building, Chapel Hill, North Carolina

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Drafting Services

CDC offers drafting services to building facade subcontractors in the U.S. and around the world. We can prepare a total drafting package for a manufacturer or manufacturing subcontractor, or alleviate workload and scheduling problems by preparation of a portion of a Client’s total drafting package. Our depth of understanding of the critical elements of a Client’s design enhances the quality of the drafting package submitted to the end user.

CDC provides:

Drafting Services

• Submission Drawings• Extrusion Die Drawings• Part Fabrication Drawings• Unit Assembly Drawings• Elevation Tag Drawings• Installation Diagrams• Mock-Up Drawings

System Types

• Stick-Built Curtain Wall• Unitized Curtain Wall• Ribbon Windows• Punched Windows• Operable Windows and Vents• Storefront• All-Glass Walls• Sloped Glazing• Skylights• Composite / Monolithic Aluminum Panels• Suspended and Structural Glass Walls• Handset Natural Stone / Cast Stone• Panelized Natural Stone / Cast Stone• Handset Terra Cotta Rain Screen Systems• Panelized Terra Cotta Rain Screen

Systems• Panelized Brick• Architectural Precast Concrete• GFRC

The Icon Hotel, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

King Abdullah Financial District Parcel 4.03, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

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CDC provides blast design services to meet GSA, DOD, or project-specific blast mitigation requirements, using current ISC and DOD design methodologies. We also consider the Architectural and end-user functional requirements of the building, such as building use and location, to provide both required occupant safety and enhanced aesthetic qualities.

CDC will:

• Establish protection methods based on design and/or threat level specified

• Analyze glass behavior using current Wingard program

• Perform dynamic analysis of curtain wall framing components

• Analyze and design facade anchorage to building structure to resist blast reactions

• Application of ANSYS, Explicit STR, SDOF, SBEDS software to perform and confirm our analyses

Building Enclosure Blast Design Services

Buffalo Federal Courthouse, Buffalo, New York

Camp Pendleton Naval Center, Camp Pendleton, California

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Any building, regardless of age, can be subject to poor performance of the building envelope. CDC provides observation and diagnostic testing to determine causes of unwanted air and water infiltration; condensation and/or frost formation; undesirable in-service noise; and failing glass, stone, brick, sealants or other elements.

CDC diagnoses performance issues:

• Establishes probable cause of poor performance, via:

- Observation from the ground, from aerial personnel lifts or swing stages(provided by others), and/or from accessible roof levels - Review of existing Architectural drawings, and shop drawing documents if available - Review of previous condition studies, reports or other relevant Client documents

• Performs a range of tests and/or soundings, and (if justified) observe limited disassembly in the vicinity of a failure, to further clarify the mode of failure

• Prepares a detailed written, photographic report of Observations and findings

After mode of failure is established, CDC:

• Develops procedural recommendations, details and specifications for repair/remediation

• Performs bid review and contract administration for Quality assurance during the repair cycle

• Provides site observations and written photographic reports as part of field quality assurance program during repair

Diagnostic Analysis Services

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CDC performs site observations during construction to as a quality assurance measure. CDC:

• Attends pre-construction Coordination Meetings with building enclosure subcontractors prior to start of building envelope installation

• Observes installation of building enclosure systems, and prepare detailed reports addressing conformance with the Architect’s design intent, Subcontractor submittals, and Manufacturer recommendations

• Maintains an on-going list of deficiencies

• Provides field testing services, or witness testing provided by others, and prepare detailed, photographic reports documenting test protocol and test results

Site Observation Services

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CDC performs condition surveys to establish ongoing serviceability of existing building envelopes. We are experienced in evaluating all types and ages of facades, from those that are historically significant to ones that are recently completed. CDC:

• Evaluates the condition of the exterior building enclosure, via:

- Observation from the ground, from aerial personnel lifts (provided by others), and or from accessible roof levels - Review of existing Architectural drawings and shop drawing documents, if available - Review of previous condition studies, reports or other relevant Client documents

• Examines the exterior facade including curtain wall, windows, storefronts, panels, precast granite, marble, brick, caulking and other building elements for deterioration and performance issues

• Prepares a detailed written, photographic report of observations

After building envelope condition is established, CDC:

• Develops procedural recommendations, details and specifications for repair/remediation

• Performs bid review and contract administration for Quality assurance during the repair cycle

• Provides site observations and written photographic reports

Building Envelope Condition Survey Services

Price Tower, Bartlesville, Oklahoma

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CDC employs InfraRed (IR) thermography to diagnose building envelope performance problems. IR imaging can reveal:

• Undesirable air flow through an envelope assembly

• Moisture trapped within an envelope assembly

• Voids in thermal insulation• C o n d e n s a t i o n - p r o n e

conditions• Thermal bridges that

create undesired thermal transfer through the envelope assembly

CDC combines expertise in building envelope design and engineering with on-the-spot IR visualization to quickly assess problem areas of a facade, waterproofing or roofing system. Follow-up analysis in 2D using THERM, or in 3D using Finite Element Analysis programs, allows us to focus in on the sources of problems and develop sound repair and/or abatement strategies.

Thermal Imaging Services

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Transversing multiple substrates and axes, exterior expansion assemblies are intimately integrated with building envelope systems. Without a thorough knowledge of exterior expansion assemblies in concert with building envelope systems, projects can encounter a wide variety of avoidable problems. CDC is equipped with the intimate understanding required for successful integration of exterior expansion assemblies into the larger building envelope.

Services Include:

• Design Assistance• Systems and Material Selection• Performance Criteria Development• Specification Writing• System Detailing• Shop Drawing Preparation • Integration with other Building

Envelope Systems• Shop Drawing and Technical

Submittal Review• On-site Observation and reporting

for Quality Assurance• Remedial Design and Bid

Packages

Exterior Expansion Assemblies

Devon Energy Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

800 North Glebe, Ballston, Virginia

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Coordination of roofing systems with other building envelope systems is paramount to successful building enclosure and in-service performance. CDC understands the complete building envelope from both the design and execution viewpoints, allowing us to anticipate and resolve issues in the specification and detailing stages so that they do not become problems during and after installation.

CDC’s Design Services include:

• Systems and Material Selection• Performance Criteria Development• Specification Writing• System Detailing • Shop Drawing Preparation• Thermal Analysis• Wind Loading Analysis• Integration with Other Building

Envelope Systems• Design Integration with Wind

Tunnel Study

CDC’s Construction Phase Services include:

• Shop Drawing and Technical Submittal Review

• On-site observation and reporting for quality assurance

• Life Cycle Analysis• ROI (Return on Investment)

Analysis• Comprehensive Maintenance

Programs• Remedial Design and Bid

Packages

Roofing Services

San Diego County Operations Center, San Diego, California

Denver International Airport (South Terminal Redevelopment), Denver, Colorado

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When occupied space is located below a Plaza deck, a leak is often not realized until significant damage has been done. CDC has the experience and knowledge to develop performance-driven plaza deck and other types of above-grade waterproofing systems that provide long-term protection of interior spaces below these design features.


• Systems and Material Selection• Performance Criteria Development• Specification Writing• System Detailing • Shop Drawings Preparation • Integration with Exterior Expansion

Assemblies and other Building Envelope Systems

• Coordination with Overburden Systems

• Thermal Analysis• ASTM D5957 and observe EFVM

(Electric Field Vector Mapping) Water Testing and Water Detection Systems



• On-site observation and reporting for quality assurance

• Comprehensive Maintenance Programs

• Remedial Design and Bid Packages

Above-Grade Waterproofing Services


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Protecting below-grade structure and spaces from water penetration and contaminants, and integrating below-grade waterproofing systems with other building envelope systems are important elements of a successful project. CDC possesses the depth of understanding required for successful integration of below grade waterproofing systems into the larger building envelope.


• Systems and Material Selection• Performance Criteria Development• Specification Writing• System Detailing• Shop Drawing Preparation • Design Integration with Soils and

Water Reports



• On-site Observation and Reporting for Quality Assurance

• Remedial Design and Bid Packages

• Integration with other Building Envelope Systems

Below-Grade Waterproofing Services

The Pentagon Memorial, Washington, D.C.

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LEED - Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, is the U.S. Green Building Council rating system that measures the sustainability of a building. LEED Accredited Professionals (LEED AP) architects, engineers and designers have demonstrated their knowledge and understanding about “green” building practices and principles.

CDC’s staff includes LEED Accredited Professionals who are available to assist our Clients in meeting their “green” building goals.

CDC has provided engineering and consulting services for a number of LEED certified and LEED certification seeking buildings. Some of the LEED certified buildings CDC has worked on include:

• U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Regional Headquarters located in Denver, Colorado Certified LEED Gold

• Byron G. Rogers Federal Building and U.S. Courthouse located in Denver, Colorado Certified LEED Gold

• Wayne L. Morse U.S. Federal Courthouse located in Eugene, Oregon Certified LEED Gold

• Applied Research and Development Facility for Northern Arizona University located in Flagstaff, Arizona Certified LEED Platinum

• Loyola University Klarchek Information Commons located in Chicago, Illinois Certified LEED Silver

LEED Services

NOAA Center for Climate and Weather Prediction, Riverdale Park, Maryland

Applied Research and Development Facility for Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, Arizona

Loyola University Klarchek Information Commons, Chicago, Illinois© James Steinkamp Photography 2008

Wayne L. Morse U.S. Federal Courthouse, Eugene, Oregon

Buffalo Federal Courthouse, Buffalo, New York


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CDC has developed an exceptional working relationship with many legal firms across the nation. CDC’s expertise in building envelope systems contributes to the support of legal actions involving system failures, technical interpretations, and contract issues.

CDC offers the following services:

• Preliminary Investigation and Testing

- Review existing construction documents and/or shop drawings to determine inherent defects in design, as well as possible causes of failure - Identify potential areas of failure and determine locations for diagnostic and/or destructive testing - Perform or arrange for testing to support investigation - Review discoverable materials related to the building envelope systems and associated problems - Outline or comprehensive reports stating observations and discoveries made during document review • Observation and Witnessing of Destructive /

Non-Destructive Testing

- Specify appropriate testing procedures to evaluate failure modes - Formal report of observations of testing

• Expert Presentation

- Written or audio-visual presentations - Develop images of impacted areas - Statement of observations and discoveries - Expert opinion of failure modes and impacts

• Testimony and Deposition

Litigation Services

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CDC applies its full complement of design consulting, detailing and technical specification writing services for remediation or full replacement of exterior facades, roofing and waterproofing systems. Our remedial/recladding experience encompasses historic preservation, curtain wall system repairs, window replacement, skylight repairs, masonry repairs or replacement, EIFS repair or replacement, stone anchor redesign & engineering, and sealant restoration/replacement; for private, public, and institutionally-owned buildings.

CDC provides:

• Preliminary investigation and testing of existing systems and building structure prior to execution of remediation or recladding design

• Review of Architect’s design documents

• Review of exterior window washing attachment to the facade

• Thermal analysis of exterior facade or roof systems

• Evaluation and recommendation of materials and finishes, system type/design theory, sealants and code requirements

• Detail development and drafting for incorporation into design documents

• Preparation of bid documents, and analysis of bid packages after bidding

• Review and comment on procedures and construction sequencing

• Review of subcontractor shop drawings and technical submittals, for conformance with design intent

• Observation of repairs or new system installation, including reporting

• Field testing for structural performance, resistance to water penetration and air infiltration

Recladding and Remediation

Celebrezze Federal Building, Cleveland, Ohio

Pierre Federal Courthouse and Office Building, Pierre, South Dakota

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New Joint Design Typical Joint Design

Research/Product Description: Using Ansys software, CDC accurately models stress distributions of structural silicone joints to optimize design capacity.

The Problem: Narrow vertical framing limits the bonding surface area available for the typically profiled structural silicone joint. In high-wind applications, wider surfaces must be provided to distribute the load, increasing sightlines.

The Solution: In collaboration with Dow Corning, CDC has gained approval for redistribution and reduction of silicone material utilizing an optimized sealant bead shape (patent pending).

Our advanced design method allows the Architect to reduce sight-line dimensions as well as silicone material compared to traditional structural silicone joint designs.

In the pilot project application, the new sealant design allowed a reduction in the mullion width dimension (sightline) from 6 inches to 3-1/2 inches.

Advantages:• Same material as typical structural silicone

joints• Existing track record of silicone• Warranty by Dow Corning• Engineering optimization• Lower material quantity• Narrower vertical mullions• Larger load capacity than typical structural

silicone joint design

Limitations: • CDC’s intellectual property • Collaboration exclusively with Dow Corning• Modified fabrication and QC techniques • Limits bidding to qualified fabricators, due

to education and training• Limited track record of new configuration

Advanced Structural Silicone Glazing Joint Design

New Joint Design Typical Joint Design

6”

3/4”3/4”

3 1/2”6”

3/4”3/4”

3 1/2”

All images © CDC

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Falling ice and snow from man-made structures can be a dangerous risk for designers, engineers, or owners in any cold-weather environment. The propensity for wintry precipitation to accumulate on tall and super-tall buildings and the location of such weather build-up above pedestrian areas in metropolitan regions must be carefully studied by qualified firms to assess potential issues and recommend possible design revisions, material selections, or heat-trace elements to mitigate such hazardous conditions. To accomplish this, CDC utilizes scientific computer modeling known as Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) to help identify potential icing risks on individual building components; CDC then relies on our extensive façade and roofing system design and engineering knowledge to recommend prudent suggestions to designers and owners to lessen these concerns.

Different scientific approaches and methodologies may be used in ice accretion assessment, but CDC prefers to conduct our analysis utilizing the Eulerian frame of reference to provide more accurate and reliable results. Advantages of using the Eulerian approach over a less accurate Lagrangian approach are as follows:

• Water droplets are represented by volume fraction in a more realistic continuous phase and not as discrete particles

• Individual droplet sizes are solved as a separate phase and not as particle tracking

• Refined surface mesh yields smooth impingement region in lieu of a requirement for a large number of droplets to achieve similar results

• Convenient method to specify droplet free stream condition is provided

• More accurate results of accretion on multi-directional and contoured building components such as vertical and horizontal fins, open-lattice framing, spires, sunshades, etc. is provided

• Requires increased computing power and time to conduct flow fields

Today’s intrepid architects task the façade and roofing industry with unique aesthetic designs, but often such creativity results in building components that garner as much ice and snow as artistic acclaim in certain environments. With our CFD computer approach and façade expertise, CDC is poised to address the most challenging façade designs in all types of geographical locations and winter conditions.

Icing Formation Analysis

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CDC uses a Retrotec™ blower door with variable frequency drive (VFD) to pressurize large volume spaces or buildings to test for enclosure integrity against air and water penetration. With this equipment CDC can:

• Check the building envelope against airtightness standards using ASTM E779 procedures

• Simulate wind-driven rain penetration on hard to reach areas, such as large skylights, high walls, and other locations without building a special chamber normally required for this type of testing (ASTM E1105)

• Measure assembly air leakage and water penetration on large or complex on-site pre-construction mock-ups using ASTM and AAMA procedures

• Conduct more effective infrared (IR) imaging surveys by inducing air flow into or out of the exterior envelope (ASTM E1186). Smoke can also be used to visually show the transfer of air in and out of a building envelope

Blower Door Capability

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