Print this page The Checkerboard Building System
Ruben A. Gomez, P.E.
Course Outline
As this planet’s population exceeds the seven billion mark and with more than 60% of its inhabitants living in caves, cardboard boxes or substandard housing. Concomitantly and in contrast with what is happening to the many, the largest recession of the last 80 years has affected most of the industrialized countries, thus creating an apparent housing surplus. That is the paradox of our times.
In this course we describe a building system easy to understand for its uncanny simplicity.This course includes a multiple-choice quiz at the end, which is designed to enhance the understanding of the course materials.
Learning Objective
After completing this course, the user must have attained the following benefits:
- Have a full understanding regarding one of the best building systems ever conceived;
- How the checkerboard system works for a maximum use of concrete modules;
- The principle of how to combine damping joints and post-tensioning in the creation of flexible systems; and
- How the grouting process could take place in an effective and foolproof manner.
Intended Audience
This course is mainly of interest for practicing engineers and general contractors.
Benefit for Attendee
All attendees to this course will be able to have a good understanding of prefabrication at its best and be challenged to use such acquired knowledge to devise systems and ideas of their own.
Course Introduction
In the 1960’s when the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) decided to implement its Operation Breakthrough, the Checkerboard Building System was selected as one of the twenty-two winners and under that program the system had the opportunity to get built in Jersey City, New Jersey and Rio Piedras, Puerto Rico. It was a golden opportunity to excel in the housing market, however, for some unknown reason the country was not ready yet for the challenge posed by the prefabrication idea. In this course we present the story as it evolved and fizzled out back into obscurity. Yet, by the author’s account, it is the best building system ever conceived on our side of the world.
Course Content
The course content is contained in the following PDF file:
The Checkerboard Building System
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Course Summary
As part of this course we have included notions related to the global housing needs and have enclosed a detailed description of a building system very advanced for its time. We have also included useful details on post-tensioning hardware, methodology and grouting procedures.
Related Links and References
For additional supplemental technical information related to this subject, please read another two of our courses titled:
“Prefabrication: An Unfulfilled Promise"
“Unconventional Construction Methods”
Quiz
Once you finish studying the above course content, you need to take a quiz to obtain the PDH credits.
DISCLAIMER: The materials contained in the online course are not intended as a representation or warranty on the part of PDH Center or any other person/organization named herein. The materials are for general information only. They are not a substitute for competent professional advice. Application of this information to a specific project should be reviewed by a registered architect and/or professional engineer/surveyor. Anyone making use of the information set forth herein does so at their own risk and assumes any and all resulting liability arising therefrom.
