Unknown brackets at column base-Please identify

[cworld]

This condition only happens in certain concrete encased columns in buildings basement, ( Can someone identify what this is and what purpose it serves?

has me lost might need an older Sruct guy to Identify.See attached photo)

 

[jayrod12]

There is not enough information here for anyone to take a stab at this.

What size steel column? What is it connecting to? Why concrete encased?

honestly, think about the questions you would have if someone came to you and provide as much of that information as possible. One picture, close up, is not enough information for us to guess.

 

[cworld]

Its a steel columns in 8 story building. These appear to be connected to steel column but only happen at about dozen locations. They are not anchor bolts it is a condition I have never seen. I dont have more info then photo at encased column base. I thought someone here could take a stab at it as it has us perplexed what it is and why. FYI it also was encased in concrete which I removed. Sorry for lack of Info I thought an old timer may look at it and have answer. In 50 years of construction I never saw this before

 

[r13]

I don't know what I am looking at. If you can zoom out a little then take a photo, that could tell more, such as its relationship with those structures it tied/embedded to. Also, is this an industry building?

 

[phamENG]

...looks like a hex nut on an anchor bolt if it's vertical. Or maybe a hex nut on a structural bolt if it's horizontal. Of course, I have no idea what the orientation is or what I'm looking at besides "steel encased in concrete."

Why are you trying to identify it?

 

[cworld]

Federal building, yes i will take picture further away, but these brackets appear at different orientations in relation to column bottoms. almost look like vibration isolators but no spring ( look like stacked washers)and encased in concrete.

 

[cworld]

No nut or visable threads, another project calls for boxing in columns and finished walls, we were under impression these small concrete bumps were just concrete and could be knocked off but as you see its looks structural. We can frame around but driving me crazy nobody knows what the intent of these things are?

 

[phamENG]

There are threads clearly visible in the picture you took, and there is a clear hexagonal form at their base.

In any case, it sounds like you're the contractor. Best bet is to have the EOR come out and assess the situation in person.

 

[cworld]

Yea they look like threads but what you are looking at is 2.5 inches across and appear to be big flat washers stacked on a hexagonal plate on bottom. Heavy corrosian so they look fused together. If it was a bolt it would be biggest anchor bolts i have ever seen.no logical reason for this and A&E has not given any answer either. I can ignore and move forward but its a mystery why these are here in multiple locations

 

[hokie66]

I think they are most likely anchor bolts. The corrosion makes the threads look like washers. That size anchor bolt is not surprising for an 8 story building.

 

[oldestguy]

This white stuff looks like the typical efflorescence from concrete. Check for water sources that feed the concrete below and this stuff comes along with evaporating water from the concrete.

 

[Agent666]

look like stacked washers

Maybe Belleville washers/springs?

 

[cworld]

Further away view, as you can see if these were bolts the size of bolts to column size/Base plates would be enormous.

 

[cworld]

Regarding Bellview washer/springs, why would they all be encased in concrete??

 

[phamENG]

Yep. Definitely looks like anchor bolts to me. As hokie pointed out - these aren't all that big for an 8 story building.

 

[kipfoot]

Could it be that is that this area of slab has been replaced or repaired? Judging from paint line It looks like a previous slab could have been removed, but they didn't bother to chip out the concrete from around the threaded anchor.

OR

The form for the column encasement was placed in a way that allowed some concrete to leak around the anchors. The anchors are only exposed on the columns that have shallow footings.

 

[JoelTXCive]

They look like anchor bolts to me.

Are you sure they are encased in concrete and not grout or floor leveling compound? The paint line on the wall + column does not go all the way to the floor. Perhaps the anchors were covered by a topping slab or lots of floor leveling compound?

 

[cworld]

All encased, I chipped it off, this condition happens in about 12-15 locations in basement on about 20% of columns and whats funny is these encasement/Brackets are all orientation is different in relation to concrete columns. Steel column is most likely a 16-18" based on concrete encasement size.

 

[charliealphabravo]

So it looks like a duck and quacks like a duck, but it doesn't walk like a duck.

Are there anchor bolts with annular rings rather than pitched threads?