Anchor Fastening into Landscape Blocks

[bigmig]

I was wondering if anyone has come across the design problem of installing either epoxy or mechanical anchors into landscaping blocks (16"x8" CMU units).
The blocks dry stack and interlock with fiberglass pins.....so no mortar. The blocks are virtually solid, with the exception of a single circular void (2" diameter)
at mid point, and the fiberglass pin socket holes, which are 1/4" diameter.

The bolt tables I refer to ask for mortar strength, and grouted/ungrouted condition. I'm just wondering if anyone has seen a bolt strength table for this type of application.

Thanks.

 

[EngineeringEric]

I don't think you can have a structural connection to a non-structural body/wall. You can probably assume some design value, but there will not be any engineering design value in the book. I am guessing if this connection fails there is no Life Safety issue...

 

[thaidavid40]

Have you by chance looked at the Versa-Lok website? They have loads of details for handrail attachment, and the like.

Thaidavid

 

[msquared48]

If this is for a handrail attachment, I doubt there will be enough dead load generated even if you could attach to the block.

Mike McCann, PE, SE (WA)

 

[bigmig]

The blocks have aligned voids that you can run a pc. of rebar down and grout solid, stitching things together. They build some pretty big walls out of this stuff when combined with geo grid, so it is very much on the side of "structural element". The dead loads, combined with friction and this fiberglass pin really lock things together....not like a solid concrete wall, but nonetheless, locked.

As Mike pointed out, a concentrated tension load on a single block could spell problems.

I will check out the versa-lok site.