BRC Special Products recently provided a Value Engineered solution for the new RNLI Inshore Lifeboat Station in Cowes, Isle of Wight.

The Value Engineering methodology offered by BRC Special Products enabled the design engineers to meet all the structural requirements on the masonry panels by optimising material performance, whilst saving cost and ensuring maximum value for money for the client.

The use of Brickforce® structural bed joint reinforcement significantly simplified the design solution and provided best value. This is because it increases the lateral load capacity of masonry panels, whilst also enabling longer spans and slimmer walls between the supports.

Modelling indicated that the ‘live’ loads on the walls would be greater than normal, because the lifeboats are hoisted to the upper levels of the building to allow work on the underside of the hull. The large 10m wide doors also meant that wind pressures inside the building would be greater than normal. As a result, the designers at BRC Special Products were required to calculate the optimum combination of Brickforce® bed joint reinforcement set against the higher value windposts, which were still required to address the live load issues. Ultimately the optimum Value Engineered solution reduced the number of windposts to only three.

Mark Prior, Marketing Manager at BRC Special Products, explains: “Using Brickforce®, in combination with our bespoke windposts, significantly reduced the amount of stainless steel material that would ordinarily be required in this situation. Windposts use a relatively large amount of stainless steel and are therefore high cost items. Especially in the current economic climate, we are finding that an increasing number of clients are interested in our Value Engineered solutions, where we look to reduce the amount of reinforcement material required where possible; whilst ensuring a structurally sound solution. We are encouraging all engineers to find out how Brickforce®, when used with our other masonry fixing components, can provide Value Engineered benefits.”

Traditionally, masonry walls have been built to meet structural requirements without considering how this could still be achieved whilst saving cost. Using Brickforce® to save on the number of windposts proved an excellent example of Value Engineering at its best.

Adam Jeffery, Design Engineer at Cowan Consultancy Ltd, explains: “The internal wall on the RNLI building consisted of a single leaf concrete block construction above the ground floor, along with cladding to the external leaf. The Value Engineering solution offered by BRC Special Products enabled us to meet the demanding performance requirements on the walls, whilst offering significant cost savings to the client.”

The new centre, which is 32 x 45m in size, is due to be completed next year and will house the equipment and staff needed to carry out the new build and refit of Atlantic 75/85 lifeboats. This is one of the new generation of RNLI B-class Atlantic inshore lifeboats.Email: