Anchor Sizing 2

[ToadJones]

What are most using these days to size Anchor Rods?
There are several approaches including ACI 318 App D & AISC.
I was just curious what folks are using.

 

[SteveGregory]

Does anyone use the Simpson Anchor software? It is set up to use headed anchor bolts and hooked anchor bolts as well as their own post-installed anchors. It is a free download.

 

[steellion]

Download HILTI Profis software. It's free, extremely easy to use, and current with all Appendix D requirements.

 

[ron9876]

Had to design a heavy connection to existing concrete columns with epoxy anchors this weekend. What a pain. Hilti has the values for the ACI calculations but I couldn't use the PCI method because it doesn't cover epoxy. Since ACI 05 doesn't require their method for epoxy I used the old method (which has worked for years and years)to design the connection.

It has seemed to me for a while that the folks that write the codes are out of touch with the real world where calculations need to be done in real time. Am I starting to sound like an old fart yet? But, at least to me, after you go to construction sites and see how the work is really performed this level of complexity in calculations isn't justified.

 

[ToadJones]

Ron-
I am not even very old and I agree with you.
There are a lot of academic types in the code world. You know, the types the go to school when they are 18 and stay there for life, never having touched a wrench or a calc pad.
I think a lot of this stuff comes from these gusy thinking the codes are neat science projects

 

[slickdeals]

I think Appendix D is a joke. I really believe that PCI should take it by the horns and rewrite it or make it more engineer friendly.

 

[ToadJones]

It is TERRIBLE IMHO.
I was doing some more side blow out and tension pullout calc's yesterday....i have done these many times but I can never get over what a convoluted mess APP D is

 

[ron9876]

slickdeals like I said above PCI 6th edition has a procedure that is much easier to follow it just doesn't address post installed anchors. I tried to use the Hilti program and it seemed that you were limited in what you could do. Maybe didn't spend enough time to understand what it was saying. Plan to go back and review when time allows.

 

[slickdeals]

Ron, I agree. But is the PCI method code accepted? As in would it fly by a plan reviewer?

 

[ron9876]

The PCI manual says that ACI allows alternate methods and that their method meets the ACI criteria.

 

[sandman21]

ACI 318-08 Section D4.2 covers the acceptance of other design models. Does PCI method meet the requirements of this section? Honestly, Appex. D is not that hard to do, the calculations take only a few minutes more than the UBC equations. Appex. D comes out of an extensive testing program to test the performance of anchor bolts in plain concrete, so the equations are based on tested data. Do not know anything more “wrench” then actual test data. My issue with Appex. D is when you add the effects of reinforcement, I feel they grossly underestimate the additional strength provided by the reinforcement and place unreasonable limits on the reinforcement that can be used to transfer the load into the concrete.

 

[Bobber1]

I use through-bolts to avoid Appendix D altogether. If through-bolts are not appropriate, I chain the anchor to an equivalent "deadman" in the concrete to avoid Appendix D.

 

[ToadJones]

Through bolts ?

 

[slickdeals]

I have used through bolts myself when I have hanging load from a slab. In that case all I check is for punching shear around the base plate at the top of the slab. Not always the best choice because Mr. Architect will have issues with it.

You can use through-bolts to attach bollards to slabs as well, probably the only way you can get a bollard to work on 6 or 8 inch slabs.

 

[asixth]

The Hilti catalogue is based on Eurocode.

 

[mmillerpe]

slickdeals:

Not sure how code compliant it is, but PNA has a cast in product for bollard bases. More info at:

http://www.pna-inc.com/products/bollard_base/

Back to Appendix D: Powers Fasteners also has a program for designing to Appendix D with the option to use cast in bolts.