Innovation: Bolda – column connection of the future

The Bolda column shoe is a new generation of bolted connections for precast columns made by Peikko with a high load capacity. It is more lightweight, more efficient and more compact than predecessor products and has ETA assessed resistances with first-class performance.

The innovation in detail

The innovation here is the elaborate shape and the performances of the Bolda column shoes. They are more lightweight, smaller and have higher load capacities. The Bolda column shoe is optimized to a great extent and therefore more place-saving than comparable components. Thanks to the compact geometry of the Bolda column shoes, up to 24% smaller column cross-sections can be achieved in comparison to the PEC column shoe.

In addition, the column shoes are the only high-strength column shoes with CE marking available in the market. Because of their low weight and low material requirements, they help to reduce environmental emissions as well as the environmental impact of the overall building. Furthermore, they enable a faster production and improved logistics.

The product development included the use of new materials, manufacturing technologies and knowledge environments. Due to a stronger, more compact and optimized design, Bolda will meet the requirements of today‘s and future load-bearing structures made of precast concrete elements.

Constructing smaller with higher load capacity

Bolda column shoes set new standards in terms of load capacities and utilization of cross-sections in order to use concrete with higher compressive strength and to achieve columns with smaller cross-sections – even in case of high load levels.

Due to the smaller size and the special geometry, the Bolda column shoes fit into smaller cross-sections of reinforced-concrete columns, resulting in more floor space in the buildings and thus reducing the material consumption of the building. Bolda allows for columns with 24% smaller cross-sections. This reduces the material consumption and improves the space utilization inside the buildings.

Approved reliability

Bolda has also been included in the Peikko Designer calculation software, allowing a structural analysis of the column connection in accordance with Eurocode in the stage of construction, in the final state and in the event of fire.

The Bolda column shoe is the world‘s only bolted connection with an ETA verification for column connections that is suitable for high load levels. In compliance with the European Technical Assessment, Bolda column shoes are CE marked. The ETA is based on comprehensive bending and shear resistance tests as well as fire resistance tests. The high load resistance values of the Bolda column shoe and high stiffness guarantee safe column connections.