Quick Type 1 Type 2 rebar coupler question

[AaronMcD]

According to ACI, only Type 2 couplers may be used in seismic connections - hinge regions, base of wall.

Would you allow type 1 couplers where there is a lot of excess strength?

I have a very long concrete wall - much longer than required for my SDC D seismic loads. It is supporting a single story, mostly wood framed structure. It is primarily an architectural feature - I have about 35 linear feet of concrete wall and didn't even check the capacity. I probably need like 2 feet, but is also "technically" a special shear wall. My contractor wants to use formsaver dowels for about 8 ft of the vertical dowels so he can drive equipment over it. I told him to find Type 2 Form Saver dowels, or similar Type 2 product, but he seems unsure if he can find them.

Would you say one could, by code, allow Type 1 dowels by arguing that those particular 8 feet of wall is not a seismic system?

http://www.hellodwell.design

 

[phamENG]

I'm not a seismic expert by any means, but don't special reinforced concrete shear wall require boundary elements? As long as it falls outside of your boundary elements you may have a leg to stand on. If it's between them, then I'd say no - it needs to meet the prescriptive detailing criteria.

 

[AaronMcD]

For such a long lightly loaded wall, boundary elements aren't even needed. The only reason they are "special" is because they have to be.

Turns out he either found some, or discovered the ones he had were type 2. Which would make sense in California.

http://www.hellodwell.design

 

[phamENG]

Always nice when the easy answer is the one you want.