Structural integrity reinforcing steel in joints of hollowcore plank
Structural integrity reinforcing steel in joints of hollowcore plank
(OP)
We are designing a precast hollowcore plank and bearing wall building. ACI 318-11 Section 16.5 requires structural integrity reinforcing in the floor framing. One of the structural integrity requirements is to provide perimeter ties. The ties must be within 4 feet of the edge of the plank. The plank is 4’ wide - so we will be put a continuous bar in the first plank joint. The bars will be lap spliced and will be located inside the wedge-shaped joint between planks. I suspect that the workers placing the steel will just drop them into the joint before grouting the joint solid. This makes me concerned that we will not have a complete bond between the bar and grout because grout will not be able to flow around all sides of the bar. I am further concerned that a standard class “B” lap splice will not properly transfer the tension force between the lapped bars because grout will not flow around the perimeter of both bars. I hesitate to require the bars to be pushed into the fresh grout when the grout is placed. That would require the inspector to observe the bars being placed simultaneous to the grout being placed and the bars being set. Has anyone ever considered this? Any suggestions?





