Supporters of a high-rise lateral-load resisting system of tied dual-plate wall modules field-filled with concrete—dubbed SpeedCore for its potential to slash superstructure construction time compared to steel frames with reinforced concrete cores—have reason to celebrate. The New York City Dept. of Buildings has granted permission to use the system in New York City.
The city's acceptance is the second piece of positive news for the American Institute of Steel Construction (AISC), which filed for the New York City approval, and for the Lego-like system’s mastermind, structural engineer Ron Klemencic, chairman and CEO of Magnusson Klemencic Associates (MKA). Recent fire tests showed the steel-plate walls do not need costly fire protection, known to slow construction.