The redesigned Erector Connector eliminates seismic tension fatigue and cracking with only weld Patent Number: US 7619 3
Traditional slug and flange connections often require multiple slugs to bridge the gap. Three to four welds later, super-heated concrete begins to crack, and connections distort. The Problem After only a few months in service, many joints crack, leak and need costly repair. There have been many precast systems developed to connect double tees and wall panels. Most systems are cast into the edge of the flanges or face of slabs and are bridged with welded slugs or plates. These connections often take three to four welds per joint or sometimes only. The intense heat of the multiple welds often compromises the concrete around these connections. The photos above show the most common problems facing precasters and owners; multiple welds, cracks and leaking joints. This labor-intensive process and associated problems can reoccur hundreds of times in the course of a project. The typical precast double tee connector does not address the problem that is causing the failures. The problem starts the minute welds are made, when the slugs and concrete start to cool and contract. The stress is immediately evident with the bowing of the connector face plate. It normally gets worse, as the connector is required to withstand the cyclic loading for the working life of the structure. The Problem: Continue to make the flange-to-flange connections in the same manner and you can expect the same poor results requiring the same costly repairs. No traditional connector system can make the connection with the flexibility required without cracking the concrete.
The Solution The redesigned Erector Connector set solves all of these issues with just weld Standard Compnts: Connectors w & w/o Weld Plate Standard Plastic Face Plate: Zero and 3.6º Weld Plate Connector with Weld Plate Pull String Connector w/o Weld Plate MB Erector Connector System features a Connector with Weld Plate and Connector without Weld Plate Connector. Redesigned Connector with Weld Plate Piece Sealed Box To connect, pull the end of the extraction tie until the integral weld plate contacts the Connector without Weld Plate Connector. Weld Plate Connector Face Plate One weld completes the connection. Combined with a properly sealed joint, the Erector Connector creates a crack and leak free joint. The Solution: The redesigned Erector Connector creates a stressfree connection with true flexibility. Bridging the Gap: The Erector Connector with Weld Plate can have a joint width that varies from zero inches to over inch. There is no need for plates, slugs or multiple slugs. To connect the Erector Connector, simply pull the pull string, sliding the weld plate until it contacts the adjacent Connector, and make a single 3" long x 1/" fillet weld. One weld, joint! The Resulting Connection: One weld, no slugs, no tension cracks, no repairs translates into significant savings in time, material and my. 3
Vertical and Horizontal Applications: Flange-to-Flange Flange-to-Wall Wall-to-Wall Joint widths can vary from 0" to more than 1", and are compensated with standard Connector wtih Weld Plate and Connector without Weld Plate. Connector with Weld Plate + Connector without Weld Plate Joint Width 0" One Weld* With Weld Plate Connector with Weld Plate + Connector without Weld Plate Joint Width 1"+ One Weld Without Weld Plate How to Relieve Stress How it Works: The Erector Connector with Weld Plate eliminates 100% of the tension loads to the connection, while maintaining a high resistance capacity to horizontal and vertical shear. To complete the connection, pull on the string and slide the weld plate until it is flush against the adjacent Connector without Weld Plate Erector Connector, then simply make a single 3" x 1/" fillet weld. Meadow Burke s Erector Connector with weld plate is a uniquely engineered system designed to effectively connect adjoining concrete double tees and/or concrete wall panels. The system is comprised of a Connector with Weld Plate and Connector without Weld Plate and faceplate. The following tables summarize the results of the load testing. Tests were conducted in standard thicknesses of ", " and 3.5" AltusGroup configuration, using C-Grid in place of WWF. A complete copy of the final report is available upon request. The Weld Plate width was increased to reduce movement noted in the original tests.
Traditional Erector Connector without Weld Plates Erector Connector with Weld Plates Add welds to increase strength Erector Connector with Weld Plates Erector Connector with Weld Plates Panel/Flange Erector Connector Thickness Configuration Design Load Number of Welds 99% (lb) Typical Joint Type Tension w/o Shear - Monotonic & Cyclic 3.5 3.5 3.5 3.5 3.5 3.5 3.5 3.5 In-Plane Tension - Monotonic In-Plane Tension - Cyclic In-Plane Shear w/o Tension - Monotonic In-Plane Shear w/o Tension - Cyclic Out-of-Plane Shear - Monotonic In-Plane Shear w/o Tension - Monotonic In-Plane Shear w/o Tension - Cyclic In-Plane Shear with Tension - Monotonic In-Plane Shear - Tension - Cyclic without Plate + Wall Plate** without Plate + Wall Plate** without Plate + Wall Plate** ( w/ stitch plate) ( w/ stitch plate) ( w/ stitch plate) ( w/ stitch plate) ( w/ stitch plate) ( w/ stitch plate) ( w/ stitch plate) * The Connector with Weld Plate + Connector without Weld Plate configuration is installed using only weld. This design eliminates all tension stresses through the use of the sliding weld plate. The weld plate is attached to the Connector without Weld Plate side only, allowing the plate to slide in and out of the Connector with Weld Plate side without loading either side in tension. This eliminates all tension loads and cracking normally associated with the expansion/contraction of these joints. This Connector with Weld Plate + Connector without Weld Plate configuration is capable of resisting all applied In-Plane and Out-of-Plane loads listed above. **Typical Weld Plate Connection. 5 Zero Load* Zero Load* Zero Load*,100 6,500 7,090 3,600 3,300 6,600 13,600 15,900 1,00 11,900 16,500 19,00,00,00,80,80,530,530,80,80 6,810 6,810 16,900 10,700 3,00 9,600 9,500 17,600 17,600 15,00 15,00 11,500 10,0,000 6,100 10,000 15,100 1,610 1,610 1,0 1,0 3,930 3,930 3,60 3,60 5,60 5,60 7,500 7,700 9,900 6,900
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