stainless steel structural tie rod system, U.S. manufacture? 2

[HgTX]

I'm looking for a US-made hanger system that meets the following requirements:

-stainless steel
-approx. 2" diameter
-architecturally clean details (the lower connections will be easily visible up close by pedestrians)
-good fatigue characteristics (stress range is not large, but this is a bridge application)

As an example of the kind of thing that might otherwise fit the bill if not for the foreign manufacture, the designer has found this:

http://www.macalloy.com/products-and-services/macalloy-s460

Does anyone have any leads?

Thanks!

Hg


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[desertfox]

Hi HgTX

How about these people,but they are metric tie rods upto M39

http://www.s3i.co.uk/sbs450.php

desertfox

 

[HgTX]

The problem is that we are subject to Buy America restrictions, so we're looking for a U.S. manufacturer. We found a few in the UK.

Hg

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[desertfox]

Sorry HgTX I thought they were in the USA as I put that into my search.

desertfox

 

[HgTX]

Also found Canada, NZ, Australia...the Commonwealth seems to be quite fond of these systems.

Hg

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[desertfox]

Hi HgTX

Try these:-

http://www.secosouth.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Store_Code=SECO&Category_Code=TieBarSystems

desertfox

 

[HgTX]

Thanks; that's a start. (And they do look pretty.) The available diameters are probably too small, though. It's the larger diameters we're having trouble finding in domestic SS.

Hg

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[unclesyd]

The largest diameter I've seen state side is 1"

Just a thought.
Are you looking for an internally swagged end or threaded connection?

If you can use non-domestic threaded connectors you could use someone like Keystone to thread the ends.

http://www.keystonethreaded.com/home.htm

You might call Williams and ask who might make large SS structural tie rods in the US. They should know of anyone makes same.

http://www.williamsform.com/

 

[HgTX]

It's the connector more than the bar that we're having trouble finding, and every stage of manufacturing from initial melting through final finishing has to be domestic.

Either that or we convince FHWA that foreign SS really does serve the public better than a lifetime of maintenance painting of domestic CS. But first I have to show that I really can't find the SS here.

I'll call Williams on Monday.

Hg

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[hokie66]

Don't expect any of us foreigners to help you with your trade restrictions.

 

[TXStructural]

The following may be able to help you find what you need:

TMR Stainless
Pittsburgh, PA
Ph: (412) 369-0377

Salit Specialty Rebar
Niagara Falls, NY
Ph: (716) 299-1990

 

[Zambo]

I like Dextra which is a Thai company

http://www.dextragroup.com/products_stressing_architec_page1.htm

They have US contact details but I don't know if they can get passed the US trade restrictions

Dextra America Inc
P.O. Box 28306 Bellingham, WA USA 98228-0306
E-mail : america@dextragroup.com
Tel : (1) 360-527-0800
Fax : (1) 360-527-0801

 

[unclesyd]

HgTX,

I talked to my fastener buddy today about your quest and received the following answer. He has supplied many a CS structural tie rods for things like lattice type water towers but no SS. He has supplied a lot tie rods for machinery but as with the structural variety not many SS ones. The SS rods would be no problem it is the terminal tackle that is the problem. The CS rods were terminated at fabricated braces by plain nuts with few castellated one thrown in for good measure.

He is going to ask around.

 

[HgTX]

Yeah, we're finding the same thing. Rods aren't the issue, it's the large-diameter connectors.

We're pursuing the leads given in this thread. (Thanks, everybody!) Even if we get a federal waiver, we'll need to have done this homework.

Hg

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[unclesyd]

Portland Bolt says they can make large SS terminal fittings.

http://www.portlandbolt.com/projectresume/bridgeprojects.html

Cleveland City makes some big stuff but I don't see SS.

http://clevelandcityforge.thomasnet.com/product/all-categories/clevises-2?

 

[unclesyd]

A little bit at the time. One thing about this you will end up with some good contacts.

http://www.dysoncorp.com/constructionaccessories.html

 

[HgTX]

unclesyd, how are you finding these? Clearly your SS threaded fixture kung fu is far superior to mine.

Hg

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[unclesyd]

No, it's just being old and recalled information piecemeal along with a little help from my friends, in this case Mike at Ameribolt.
I'm very fortunate in that I still have a very good memory and still able to recall a few items. If I get a lead I also am considered to a fast reader, #2 at Monsanto at one time, so I can pickup on things to drill a little deeper. When I was gainfully employed, debated, I had over 2000 contacts with everyone of them being beyond the front desk and most of the time it was easier and faster than the Internet to get leads on information.

It is very depressing to checkout some companies you know that could do this and they aren't here anymore. At one time I had a friend at ARMCO that could have told me in a second who could do the job and then give a telephone number.

Are you making any progress in your quest.

 

[HgTX]

The designer thinks some of your suggestions are likely to work. I pass on to you the pats on the head I received. (I did tell them I was asking people online, but half of my value around here is knowing who to ask.)

Their latest thing (not that I'm really soliciting advice here; y'all have done enough, and besides I'm not providing enough info) is figuring out how to tension the rods without using a turnbuckle accessible to pedestrians, but still have the rods be replaceable (so can't bury the connection in a concrete deck, for instance).

Hg

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[desertfox]

Hi HgTX

Try this one:-

http://ronstan.thomasnet.com/category/structural-rod-systems

desertfox