[RE-wrenches] crumbling ballast blocks
cwarfel
cwarfel at entech-engineering.com
Sat Jun 30 19:49:19 EDT 2018
Back to the original post. A commercial system doesn't mean they used
paving blocks. I have seen many that did not. Fly ash is also a product
of coal combustion that can be used to make a stronger concrete, though
it won't necessarily help in this case, as it is lighter.
On 6/30/2018 7:05 PM, Ken Schaal wrote:
> Regular cement blocks absorb water, freeze thaw cycle destroys them.
>
> Paving blocks are made with silica fume, denser than cement,dont
> absorb water, don't suffer freeze thaw damage. They are designed for
> walkways and driveways.
> There are cement looking pavers , 12x12 x 2" ,also made with fume.
> Any block plant should be able to make balast blocks to the needed
> specs. Silica fume is a waste product of coal combustion
> ..ie cheap, but effective.
> Ken schaal
>
> On Jun 30, 2018 6:29 PM, "cwarfel" <cwarfel at entech-engineering.com
> <mailto:cwarfel at entech-engineering.com>> wrote:
>
> I am pretty sure it is the freeze-thaw cycle that the blocks are
> exposed to. I have inspected hundreds of system in the Northeast
> and this is a recurringproblem. It has to be part of the
> maintenance protocols or there will be insufficient weight to
> resist thewind uplift forces. Chris
>
>
> On 6/30/2018 6:17 PM, Chris Schaefer wrote:
>> Kirk,
>>
>> Had the same thing happen to me on a commercial ballasted system
>> installed back in 2004. Had to be moved around to allow
>> installation of a new roof system. Replaced all the ballast in
>> 2017. I'm located in Western NY, thus the same weather you see.
>> The blocks were on a stainless steel pan of which the array was
>> attached to. I've plenty of ideas as to why they broke down but
>> no real evidence. I expect it to happen again. Does make me
>> wonder about the new ballast systems that still call out for the
>> blocks as ballast. Perhaps poly sand bags?
>>
>> Christopher
>>
>> On Wed, Jun 27, 2018 at 4:20 PM, Kirk Herander
>> <vtsolar at icloud.com <mailto:vtsolar at icloud.com>> wrote:
>>
>> All,
>>
>> I have a 6 year old ballasted roof system in which about 50%
>> of the solid cap blocks(16”L x 8”w x 4”D) are cracked and
>> crumbing, some are close to rubble. I assume it was a bad
>> batch, but has anyone seen this before? What might be the
>> preventive remedy in the future? A coating of some sort?
>>
>> *Kirk Herander*
>>
>> *Owner|Principal, VT Solar, LLC *
>>
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> --
>
> Christopher Warfel, PE
> ENTECH Engineering, Inc.
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