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"U" bolt Anchor in Concrete

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BS2

BS2

Structural
Feb 10, 2012
65
I am analyzing the anchors for an AASHTO pedestrian fence according to the following detail. This configuration was provided to me and I typically use an alternate anchoring detail. However, for this project, the detail was specified by another engineer and I am tasked with checking it. I have reviewed the ACI 318 but have found little direct information about this configuration.

U-Bolt_Anchors_ye2x1j.jpg


The fence is mounted to this concrete barrier:

Concrete_Barrier_cpgrfo.jpg


My question is: How should this be analyzed? Do the "U" bolts get checked for development? Or do I use the anchoring to concrete provisions with some sort of modification?

Thanks for any help!
 
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One approach might be to treat the U-bolts as two separate J-bolts. I'm sure that the U-bolt configuration has more capacity than this method will indicate but I don't know of a way to demonstrate that additional capacity.
 
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Tack welding galvanized "U" to the rebar?
That sounds a bit iffy.

= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =
P.E. Metallurgy, consulting work welcomed
 
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With that detailing, this isn't going to be a pullout mechanism so I'm less concerned about whether it's a J-bolt or something like that. I'd likely start by just looking at the concrete breakout modes and see whether it works. If it does, I'd play around with the rest of the mechanisms to make sure there isn't a real problem, but wouldn't be all that concerned. You can do some breakout capacity increases based on it being a moment loading on the bolt group, as well.

I agree that the welding of the rebar is a bit weird, but I'd consider that just a fitup helper so they are one unit for placement. They've basically set the dimensions as a template with the rebar being welded like that and the use of the u-bolts.
 
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Go through all that trouble to get a fancy custom galv U-bolt....then lets grind off the galv and weld a black bar to it.

Why not just use wire tires. Cut plywood templates of the post holes to hold the tops during casting.

 
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By welding the bars to it you have a rigid cage which can be tied more easily. The black bar is embedded below the corrosion zone.
 
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I would superimpose the U-bolts and the #4 x 18" bars (to scale and in position) on the barrier section. Then you'll be able to see whether the U-bolt will fit between the longitudinal bars in the top of the barrier, and assuming they do fit, I think you'll be able to tell that the U-bolts will be anchored into the barrier such that the capacity is controlled by the tensile strength of the #5 stirrups/ties in the barrier.
 
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Why wouldn't you weld the #4 to the U-bolt, then HDG the assembly?

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So strange to see the singularity approaching while the entire planet is rapidly turning into a hellscape. -John Coates

-Dik
 
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Why wouldn't you weld the #4 to the U-bolt, then HDG the assembly?
Click to expand...

Because it's a waste of galvanizing. Only the exposed portions of the u-bolts, and maybe an inch or so of the embedded portions, need protection.
 
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I would think the galvanizing would be useful in the concrete, if it cracks, water gets in, it would offer protection, isnt galvanized similar to epoxy coated for protection?
 
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Galvanizing is more robust. Even if you have small areas without coating the remaining zinc will act sacrificially and still provide a degree of corrosion protection to the uncoated area.
 
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That looks like a detail from a highway department standard detail.

If in USA, then what state are you in?

Every now and then we have to do a manual back check of a TxDOT standard detail......and they all fail miserably.
 
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JoelTXCive said:
Every now and then we have to do a manual back check of a TxDOT standard detail......and they all fail miserably.
Click to expand...

What type of details are you checking?
 
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@Bridgesmith - I deal mostly with the TxDOT headwalls, wingwalls & retaining walls.

The TxDOT retaining wall standards are pretty scary if you put them into retaining wall software. The new standards are better than the old ones, but in my experience, they all slide or have other issues with the footings in the software.

The TxDOT headwall standard will let you go 16ft tall with an 8" wall. A guy in our office built a Staad model with their geometry and loading assumptions. He couldn't get it to work.
 
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But does Texas have problems with performance of headwalls?
 
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Interesting, Joel. I thought maybe you were checking the bridge railing, which, like ours, fails miserably 'by the numbers', but held up fine in the full-scale crash testing.
 
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Hokie - No, I would say Texas does not have problems with headwalls. I'm aware of a couple problems with cantilevered walls, but for the volume of these walls that are installed each year; I would still say the walls are good.

I think they are empirically good walls, and am comfortable using them on most jobs. On TxDOT specific jobs, there really isn't any decision to be made since the state is only going to build one of their standard walls. And there is plenty of money available to change out the back fill if needed.

 
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All DOT railings in my area (pedestrian or highway traffic) are standard dwgs from the DOT. We only design the anchorage to the deck.

 
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Our old railings and our new (MASH) railings utilize the crash tested configuration for everything, including the anchorage and deck reinforcing, because none of it is adequate per analysis.

Anyway, back to the subject.

BS2, have you superimposed the fence anchorage on the barrier with the reinforcing, with everything drawn to scale (including bend radii) to see if/how everything fits? If my assumptions about the U-bolt dimensions are correct, the analysis may be very much simplified. Read on.

If the continuous longitudinal bars in the top of the barrier are going to have to go through the U-bolts, then breakout of the U-bolts is pretty much impossible, and the tensile strength of the U-bolt is the limiting capacity. I would say the same would be true if at least a couple of the #5 stirrups/ties encompass the #4 by 18" bars that go through the U-bolts.

 
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BridgeSmith said:
Because it's a waste of galvanizing. Only the exposed portions of the u-bolts, and maybe an inch or so of the embedded portions, need protection.
Click to expand...

I'm not sure I follow. Corrosion is a massive issue with reinforced concrete. So much so that many DOTs in salt regions are going to 100% galvanized rebar in all parts of their bridges. Galvanizing anchors is hardly unprecedented or even unusual. I would do exactly what dik said; fabricate the u-bolt/rebar assembly first and then dip the whole thing.
 
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