 In 2001 SISMO was the first company in the construction sector that received the European Technical Approval (ETA 01/0001). Over the years, several tests at universities and building authorities in different countries have proven the SISMO Building Technology’s exceptional capacities. A selection of test reports can be found in the download section of this website. All reports can be supplied upon request.  The SISMO building system is a cost efficient building method for all parties involved in the building process. For the contractor the system is easy to install. The need for specialised labour is heavily reduced. The industrialized process allows efficient planning and an accelerated construction time. There is no need for investing in expensive formwork as the modules arrive on site with the window and door openings already pre-located and every special shape or form already included. The SISMO modules are lightweight (± 4,5 kg per m² depending on the type of module), therefore there is no need for heavy machinery on site. The light weight also makes the SISMO modules safer to work with then other heavy prefabricated systems resulting in fewer jobsite injuries. Building with SISMO shortens the building time, allowing a faster delivery and quicker usage of the building resulting in a lower pre-financing costs for the developer and for the owner of the project. The final user of a SISMO building will be astonished by his low energy bill as building with SISMO guarantees a complete and permanent insulation which produces energy savings in cold as well as in hot climates. More then any kind of building system SISMO give enormous economies of scale, in larger projects with a certain repetitive aspect all the advantages of the SISMO building technology will show up even stronger.  The SISMO building technology is compatible with virtually any other method of construction. The SISMO module can be used for entire buildings. Depending on local available products or customs the SISMO system can be integrated in the construction process in combination with any type of floor, partition, roof… material or system. More information can be found in the technical section of this website under the architectural details. For specific questions please do not hesitate to contact us.  DURABLE The superior design of the SISMO module provides maximum strength during concrete placement. Once complete, SISMO structures reach an incredible structural integrity. Tests and experience have shown that the strength of a SISMO structure is far greater then a comparable traditional structure, the structural properties of the concrete material contained in the SISMO module are optimized. Insulated framework improves the concrete cure quality. A test carried out on a finished SISMO wall with a diameter of only 20cm, with two times four centimetres of insulation and a concrete core of 10cm (S20 4PS x 4PS) have shown that the wall can bear loads up to 3000KN.If correctly placed concrete and polystyrene will not rot or decay, making a SISMO structure virtually maintenance free for many years to come.  Thinking Green is becoming more and more important in the construction industry as contractors, developers and home builders look for materials that are eco-friendly. The SISMO Building Technology is addressing these environmental concerns on several levels. The production process is non polluting. Recycled materials can be used for the infill panels and using concrete walls instead of wood products helps cut down on the significant problem of deforestation. Using the SISMO Building Technology significantly reduces jobsite waste. The building constructed will be energy efficient thanks to the highly insulating characteristics of the SISMO building technology and as such, will have a minimal impact on the environment.  Our experiences, in different countries, with different kinds of labour have shown that the time required to realize buildings using the SISMO building technology is significantly shorter then any conventional building method. The key word for SISMO is the industrial character of the system where speed and efficiency are central. SISMO is quick to put into action; in emergencies a SISMO Production Station can be operational in a matter of a few weeks. The rationalised concept allows precise planning and prevents unnecessary delays. A very fast construction process completes the efficiency of the SISMO concept.  The assembled SISMO system is a continuous monolithic concrete system, thus without fire leakage through the assembled system (horizontally, vertically...). This is also specified in the European Technical Approval. The polystyrene used is self extinguishing in compliance with the DIN 4102 rules, where necessary the SISMO building technology allows the use of alternative infill materials, for example; fibre cement board is used on the inside of a lift shaft.
Fire resistant tests carried out on different types of SISMO modules have given very satisfactory results.
 SISMO buildings, built in areas at high risk of cyclones, have throughout the years demonstrated their ability to withstand the most devastating weather conditions, thus empirically confirming the results already obtained by calculation. A SISMO building is extremely resistant to the complex strains and thrusts due to the force emitted by cyclones.  As insulation requirements worldwide are becoming more stricter, ‘Energy efficient building’ has become a priority in the building industry. Good insulation lowers the energy bill and is beneficial to the environment. Good insulation makes an enormous difference in cold as well as in hot climates. SISMO gives the builder the opportunity to choose between a variety of materials to use as infill materials. Most generally EPS or Expanded Polystyrene is used in the SISMO building technology. EPS is not just foam insulation but is an innovative cost-effective insulation material that has been researched for over 30 years. With insulating infill panels, the SISMO buildings are completely and permanently insulated. There are no thermal bridges. The insulation material can be placed on the outside, on the inside or on both sides of the building module. The type and width of the insulation material can be chosen by the builder as well as the width of the concrete and the type of finish. The SISMO building technology also guarantees efficient acoustic insulation. Building with SISMO results in a continuous monolithic structure which forms an effective sound barrier. For specific applications, the SISMO module can be tailored to satisfy all acoustic requirements.  The SISMO modules present a remarkable easiness in handling, transport and assembly thanks to a very low weight that permits their use in any condition. Depending on the type of SISMO module the weight will be between 2 kg and 7 kg. As a reference; an S25 4PS x 4PS, one of the most commonly used SISMO modules weighs 3,9 kg per square meter. Thanks to the lightness of the modules no heavy or expensive site materials are needed. Modules can easily be handled and assembled manually by one or two workers.  Calculations and reports made by the University of Leuven (Belgium) according to the Mexican standard and the Istanbul Kültür University (Turkey) have shown that a SISMO structure is very resistant to earthquakes. These results represent the scientific evidence of what experience has shown. SISMO buildings in countries such as South Korea and Turkey have, over the years shown their anti-seismic characteristics.  SISMO is universally applicable and not culture bound. The SISMO building technology can be adapted to every project, from foundations and cellars up to the roof structure. It’s high productivity, it’s brilliant simplicity and modest demand of materials and labour make the SISMO concept suitable for every socio-economic environment. It increases productivity in industrialized countries and generates a new evolution in economy and industry. To developing countries, the SISMO concept offers unlimited possibilities for the optimal use of local skills, labour and raw materials.  The infinite variability of the SISMO concept provides a construction method with virtually unlimited possibilities. The SISMO module can be used for the construction of load bearing vertical elements, partitions, curtain walls, floors and roofs. In all cases different geometrical shapes can easily be obtained both plain and curved, in the module surface as well as in the pre-located window and door openings. The SISMO building system is suitable for all kinds of projects, whether it’s a house or a village, apartments, offices or industrial buildings, high- or low-rise. SISMO gives unlimited design possibilities. The shape, the type of infill panels and finishing materials can be chosen freely. However simple or fantastic the design, however traditional or daring, any project can be realised with the SISMO Building Technology. |
Why SISMO? |