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- fischer supplies FZP anchors for 99 Hudson Street
For Jersey City, the construction of the 99 Hudson skyscraper means one thing above all: a further step out of the shadow of New York. New buildings like this not only offer more space and exclusive living space for commuters - the aim of the architectural firm responsible, Perkins Eastman, was also to raise the entire cityscape to a new level with the presence of the skyscraper.
Over 20,000 natural stone slabs made of Bavarian Jura limestone - also known as Jura marble - adorn the building envelope of the 79-storey skyscraper, which are held in place by around 110,000 fischer FZP II undercut anchors. Thanks to the close partnership with the international companies involved, fischer was able to deliver a customised special solution for the high demands of this major project. Constantin Wiegert, Head of Façade and Fire Protection Systems at fischer SystemTec, supervised the construction project, which started in 2016, together with other fischer experts until its completion.
Construction projects in city centres often pose a challenge due to the limited space available. "This was one of the reasons why we opted for a unitised façade, which allowed us to achieve an extremely high degree of prefabrication. This is very possible with our systems," explains Wiegert. As the fastening solution is a complete system, the respective components and work steps were distributed across different locations. "We supplied the special drilling machines and drills to the natural stone supplier Jura Marble Suppliers in Bavaria, where the slabs were directly provided with the undercut holes. The anchors were sent via our importer PROBE Rainscreen Facade Systems to the facade builder Gamma in Miami. There, the components were assembled in the factory and delivered to the construction site ready for installation." This made it possible to achieve maximum efficiency both logistically and economically, which also saved operating costs and time on site.
No construction project is immune to unforeseen events or changing conditions. In the case of 99 Hudson, new simulations of the wind loads required a rapid response and adaptation of the fastening solution. "In many areas, the wind loads were higher than initially assumed," recalls Constantin Wiegert. Up to 5000 newtons per square metre act on the building envelope. "With the natural stone slabs installed, this is easily equivalent to the weight of a mid-range car per slab. Such forces are no problem for our anchors, but at some point the stone gives way and breaks out in a cone shape around the anchor." Finding a solution quickly was the top priority. New calculations and tests finally led to the goal: a double fastening. "Thanks to the expansion pressure-free FZP II anchors, it was possible to drill two holes five centimetres apart so that tensile, compressive and dead weight forces could be safely transferred without creating additional stresses in the material."
With the company's own test facility at the Tumlingen research and development centre, fischer is able to carry out tests for every project very quickly and in compliance with the prescribed test procedures. This not only applies to applications in a European context. The fischer test centre is also equipped for testing in accordance with international standards. "For the 99 Hudson, the parameters were specified by the ASTM International Standard, C1354. It differs, for example, in that the stones have to be stored in water for several days before testing. And the methodology is also different," explains Constantin Wiegert. "However, thanks to the flexibility and solution-orientated approach of our testing laboratory, it was no problem to reproduce the American standards with our machines and testing equipment. One major advantage is that we can react very economically and quickly to circumstances."
Around 110,000 fischer Zykon 13x30 M8/SO/13 AL panel anchors are used to fix the Jura limestone façade of the tallest skyscraper in Jersey City. The anchors ensure a form-fit and therefore completely expansion pressure-free fastening, which is not even visible from the building side in the joint pattern. Unlike edge fixings, the undercut technique enables the realisation of a unitised façade and factory prefabrication. The result is a permanently securely fastened, prestigious building elevation.
The levelling undercut anchor made of stainless steel for natural stone
The invisible spacer installation solution for heavy façade panels made of natural stone. The fixing point is not visible from the outside and ensures a visually appealing and continuous façade surface. The spacer installation automatically compensates for tile thickness tolerances - this makes the fischer undercut anchor unique. The customised shape of the undercut anchor ensures a form-fit and therefore expansion pressure-free fixing in the conically undercut drill hole.
"I joined the fischer group of companies in 2012 as a dual student in civil engineering. After graduating, I took up my first job as an application engineer in 2015, where I advised and supported fischer customers on a wide range of application issues. During this time, I developed an interest in the United States and the market there. As we are now very active there and implement projects in all neighbourhoods of New York, among others, the opportunity arose in 2016 to take over responsibility for the 99 Hudson Street project. I am delighted that fischer is also recognised as a reliable partner for major façade projects in the USA. There, as in Europe, we are working to not only inspire our customers, but to exceed their expectations."
