Cadweld vs. Bar-lock
Cadweld vs. Bar-lock
(OP)
We have recently designed an expansion of an existing concrete water treatment tank. One of our details calls for the reinforcing steel at the edge of the existing base slab to be partially exposed and cleaned, and then mechanically spliced to new rebar that will be in the base slab of the new portion of the tank. Our details call for Cadweld to be used for the splice, but the Contractor wishes to substitute Bar-lock Couplers by Dayton Superior instead of the Cadweld.
Based on the literature for the two products, it seems that Cadweld would be the more reliable system, but we have little experience with either Cadweld or Bar-lock.
Does anyone have any experience with or opinions about these two systems? What are the pros and cons for each?
Thank you very much for your help.
Tony
Based on the literature for the two products, it seems that Cadweld would be the more reliable system, but we have little experience with either Cadweld or Bar-lock.
Does anyone have any experience with or opinions about these two systems? What are the pros and cons for each?
Thank you very much for your help.
Tony






RE: Cadweld vs. Bar-lock
RE: Cadweld vs. Bar-lock
For the Bar-lock, there are screws that have to be tightened to clamp the sleeve to the rebar, and to me that seems similar to a slip-critical bolted connection. I'd be concerned that the rebar in the Bar-lock connection is more susceptible to slipping, especially if the workers don't do an adequate job tightening the screws. Or perhaps, over time, with reversal of loading, the screws may loosen. I'm not sure how likely that is because it will be encased in concrete, but that is something that wouldn't happen with the Cadweld system.
But, perhaps my fears about the Bar-lock are unfounded, and are simply a result of my ingorance about them.
RE: Cadweld vs. Bar-lock
It couldn't hurt to look into their installation process, inspection, etc.
RE: Cadweld vs. Bar-lock
I wasn't aware of the Cadweld system until this post. Had I known about it, that's what I would have specified.
RE: Cadweld vs. Bar-lock
RE: Cadweld vs. Bar-lock
Found that contractors can pretty well mess anything up. I dont think you can check to see if they did Cadweld correctly.
RE: Cadweld vs. Bar-lock
Any mechanical spice method must develop 125% of the bar strength. Any or all systems are as good as the installation practices.