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oncrete Capacity Design (CCD) the results with the survey responses (see sidebar,
has been a code methodology for Example Problems, page 21). All of the appli-
anchor design since it was intro- cations typically provided the same results for

Technology
duced directly into section 1913 of anchor groups subjected to concentrically applied
the 2000 International Building Code (IBC). It tension, but results varied for anchor groups sub-
was initially a strength design option and was jected to a bending moment or to shear.
limited to cast-in-place anchors only. The CCD
method provided better predictions of concrete
information and updates on
breakout strengths than the previously common
Shear in Anchor Rod for
the impact of technology on 45-degree cone method. The new provisions also Base Plates with Grout Pad
structural engineering clearly identified specific limit states, which may
not have been apparent in older design tables.
or Stand-Off
The scope of the provisions expanded when they If anchors rods are used to resist shear forces
appeared in Appendix D of ACI 318-02, which from a base plate, they may also be subject to
standardized the analysis methodology for post- flexure. Because of this, shear lugs, embedded
installed anchors. columns, or other®alternatives are likely better

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Improved accuracy came at a cost. One of the options for transferring shear unless the loads
advantages of the CCD method was that it used a are small. Where shear is transferred through

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simpler rectangular area, rather than overlapping the anchor rods in lightly loaded connections,
circular cone areas. Unfortunately, over the past oversized holes to accommodate erection toler-

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decade, a few paragraphsrighoft text and an allow- ances prevent predictable shear transfer through

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y
Copable stress design table the anchors. In this case, shear can be transferred
have turned into the 48 to the anchor rods via plate washers welded to the
Using Software to Control
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pages of provisions and top of the base plate. This will result in a moment

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commentary that now arm at least as long as the base plate thickness.
Anchor Design reside in Appendix D of
n Furthermore, some flexure could be induced into
i
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ACI 318-11. the anchor rods for any base plates with a stand-
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Fortunately, there are off condition, with or without grout.
By Marshall P. Carman, P.E., S.E. a
several software applications that can assist with
g
ACI 318 Appendix D does not explicitly con-

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the heavy lifting of anchor design. However, each tain provisions for considering flexural forces in
a
application has its own default set of assumptions, anchor rods. Any reduction in capacity due to
m
features, and limitations. It is incumbent upon the
designer to be aware of these and work within the
stand-off is limited to the provisions in section
D.6.1.3, which require that the shear capacity of
capabilities of each software application. Different the anchor rods be multiplied by 0.8 when used
applications can provide significantly different with a built-up grout pad.
results for what may appear to be the same input Other publications, which are not referenced by
parameters. the IBC, have a more thorough treatment of this
Seven different software applications are dis- condition. AISC Steel Design Guide 1, Base Plate
cussed below (see table), and are broken into the and Anchor Rod Design, Second Edition, provides
Marshall P. Carman, P.E., S.E. following three categories. a design example in section 4.11 considering flex-
(mpc@ssastructural.com), is a 1) Proprietary Anchor Manufacturer Software ure in anchor rods for base plates with oversized
project manager at Steven Schaefer a. Hilti PROFIS Anchor (Version 2.3.3) holes. Section 4.2.2.4 of Annex C of ETAG 001,
Associates, Inc., Consulting Structural b. Powers Design Assist® (Version Guideline for European Technical Approval of Metal
Engineers in Cincinnati, Ohio. 2.1.4762.17678) Anchors for Use in Concrete, provides more detailed
c. Simpson Strong-Tie® Anchor Selector™ requirements for considering flexure in anchor
(Version 4.11.0.0) rods for base plates with grout or a clear stand-off.
2) Third-Party Anchor Software None of the software applications currently
a. Quick Anchor by SK Ghosh Associates use the AISC methodology. Most of them only
(Version 2.0.4) consider the 0.8 reduction factor as required by
b. DS Anchor by Dimensional Solutions ACI 318 Appendix D. Hilti PROFIS Anchor and
(Version 5.0.0) Powers Design Assist consider the ETAG meth-
3) Integrated Base Plate Design Software odology by default. This results in a significant
a. RISABase by RISA Technologies difference in anchor shear capacities between
(Version 2.1) software applications, especially where small-
b. RAM Connection V8i Standalone by diameter anchors or thick grout pads are used. In
Bentley® Systems (Version 8.0) Example Problem #1, the capacity differed by a
Each vendor filled out a survey describing the factor greater than five between applications that
assumptions and analysis methodology that its considered flexure and those that did not. The
software used for various limit states, and iden- detailed output in both Hilti PROFIS Anchor
tified its software’s features. In addition to the and Powers Design Assist provides a capacity that
survey, example problems were run comparing does not consider flexure due to the stand-off or

18 April 2013
 Where anchors are located near a narrow sec-
tion of a slab or wall, the provisions of section
D.6.2.4 of ACI 318 may result in a significant
Cay2

HSS 4x4x1/4 COLUMN reduction in the allowable breakout area in the

perpendicular direction, such that the paral-

Vy
lel breakout case no long controls. Software
Vx applications that allow the user to enter an
0' - 8"

infinite edge distance will apply this provision

1/2" x 12" x 12" BASE PLATE ON differently than applications that consider a
1 1/2" GROUT PAD w/ (4) 1/2" large but finite edge distance. In Example
DIAMETER ANCHOR
RODS (F1554 GR 36 w STD HEX Problem #1a, concrete breakout shear capaci-
HED), EMBED = 6". ties differed by a factor greater than three.
Cay1

48" x ??" x 12"

CONCRETE FOOTING
Consideration of Base Plate
(3000 PSI NWC)
and Distribution
® of Axial

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Cax1 0' - 8" Cax2 Forces to Anchors

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When an anchor group is subject to an eccen-
tric tension load or applied moment, how

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grout pad, but that value is not included in the designer to select a check box to “Apply
ght front row for breakout” the software models or considers the base
the final interaction equations or the typical entire shear load yriat

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Cop plate will affect the resulting tension force
results shown on the screen. in order to force the use of Case 3. The stated
in the anchors.

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rationale for this is that, due to the potential
DS Anchor and Quick Anchor do not con-
Concrete Breakout in annular space between the rod and the base-
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sider a base plate at all. In DS Anchor, if a
plate, it is possible that the baseplate will
Shear for Loads Perpendicular engage only the front row of anchors and
i n moment is applied to an anchor group, the

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software will distribute tension and compres-
to an Edge
z
transfer the entire shear load to it prior to

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sion loads to the anchors based upon the
Commentary section RD.6.2.1 of ACI
g a
making contact with the rear row. Both Hilti
section modulus of the bolt group. In Quick

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PROFIS Anchor and Powers Design Assist
318-11 describes three potential cases for Anchor, the anchor bolts are not assumed to
evaluating concrete breakout perpendicular a
allow the designer to select from anchor group
take any compression, so the designer has to
to an edge for a group of anchors with mul-
tiple rows. Case 1 assumes that the critical m
templates that have slotted holes to prevent
the application of shear to specific anchors.
DS Anchor allows the designer to select which
model only the anchors subject to tension
and determine the resultant tension force
breakout is based upon the front anchors and on the anchor group outside of the software.
specific anchors take shear or tension.
their projected area, and evaluates it against Generally, the force distribution assumed
the shear load proportional to that row. Case by DS Anchor will be conservative, but if
2 permits the breakout area to be based upon Concrete Breakout in Shear the designer is concerned that the difference
the rear anchors, but evaluates the capacity between the base plate bearing method and
against the total shear on the anchor group.
for Loads Parallel to an Edge the anchor rod section modulus method is
Case 3 assumes that the breakout area is Per section 6.2.1.c of ACI 318 Appendix D, significant, then the approach required by
based upon the front anchors and evaluates the breakout capacity for a shear load parallel Quick Anchor could be applied to a DS
the capacity against the total shear on the to an edge is equal to two times the capacity Anchor model as well.
anchor group. Case 3 could conservatively of a fictitious load perpendicular to the edge. The other software applications consider
be applied to all situations, but is only ref- While the commentary provides potential base plate bearing to resist compression and
erenced for specific anchor spacing and edge breakout cases for loads perpendicular to an

220
distance conditions. edge, there is no corresponding commentary
Since this information is in the commentary, regarding concrete breakout in shear for loads Structural Design ADVERTISEMENT - For Advertiser Information, visit www.STRUCTUREmag.org

it is not actually part of the code itself. It is parallel to an edge. Spreadsheets

therefore the responsibility of the designer to Powers Design Assist and Hilti PROFIS
www.Engineering-International.com
determine the appropriate breakout behav- Anchor both use the anchor row nearest to
Just input in green highlighted cells;
ior for each situation. However, the default the edge to determine the breakout area. Hilti
breakout area varies between programs. For PROFIS Anchor compares this capacity to the Accurate the spreadsheet and VBA program do
the calculations.
example, Hilti PROFIS Anchor and Powers shear demand on the entire anchor group,
Design Assist always use Case 3, which will which is consistent with how the software Each spreadsheet includes drawings
and code references; Copy/Paste results
provide a significantly lower capacity than considers shear perpendicular to an edge Helpful to AutoCAD; Quick-Link, see “What Is
applications using Case 1 or Case 2. In (Case 3). By contrast, Powers Design Assist New?” at top of website homepage.
Example Problem 2, the difference between treats shear parallel to an edge differently
these two assumptions was a factor of two. than it treats shear perpendicular to an edge, Prompt Technical Support, Software Updates
The designer has control over the breakout comparing the breakout capacity to the pro- (emailed).
areas in some of the software applications. portional shear demand on the anchor row
Coupon for Package: $120 off Code: ASCE 7-2010
Simpson Strong-Tie Anchor Selector allows nearest to the edge (Case 1).

STRUCTURE magazine 19 April 2013

distribute tension to the anchors accordingly. RAM Connection allows the user to choose Anchor, DS Anchor, and RAM Connection
However, their results differ slightly, depend- whether to consider strain compatibility, and permit custom anchor layouts. This can be
ing on how they model the base plate. Most whether compressive bearing stress is distrib- helpful when analyzing circular patterns, or
of the applications treat the base plate as uted in a rectangular or triangular pattern. asymmetric patterns subject to a moment or
rigid, but RISABase considers the stiffness Each of these choices can affect the tension eccentric load. However, analyzing a custom
of the base plate, so changing the thickness force indicated for the anchors. anchor bolt pattern may provide unexpected
will result in a different load distribution. results for shear breakout limit states.
This analysis methodology will identify the The concrete breakout cases described in
effects of prying action for thin base plates
Custom Anchor Layouts commentary section RD.6.2.1 of ACI 318
subject to uplift, which can result in a higher Most of the applications are limited to rectangu- are set up for rows or columns of anchors
tension demand. lar or preselected anchor layouts. Hilti PROFIS orthogonal to the concrete edge. Anchors that

Anchor Design Software Comparison.

Integrated Base Plate
Proprietary Anchor Manufacturer Software Third-Party Anchor Software Design Software
Simpson S.K. Ghosh ®

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Hilti Powers Strong-Tie Dimensional Associates
PROFIS Design Anchor Solutions DS Inc. Quick RAM

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Anchor Assist Selector Anchor Anchor Connection RISABase
Headed “Bolt” X X X X X X X

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CIP Anchor
L or J “Bolt” X yright X X X X

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Type
Cop
Welded Headed Studs X X X w

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ETAG 001 ETAG 001 ACI 318 ACI 318 ACI 318 ACI 318 ACI 318
Grout Bed Flexure in Rod
Annex C Annex C D6.3.1 D6.3.1 D6.3.1 D6.3.1 D6.3.1
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ACI 318-02 X
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Governing ACI 318-05 X X X X X

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Code ACI 318-08 X X X X X X X

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ACI 318-11 X* X X X

Adhesive Hilti a
Powers +
X
Custom
Custom N/A N/A

Undercut Hilti
m Custom
Powers +
X
Database
Custom
Custom N/A N/A
Post-Installed Custom Database
Anchor Type Powers + Custom
Expansion Hilti X Custom N/A N/A
Custom Database
Powers + Custom
Concrete Screw Hilti X Custom N/A N/A
Custom Database
Rectangular/Predefined X X X X X X X
Anchor Patterns
Custom/Asymmetric X X X **
Perpendicular – Rigid Case 2 N/A N/A Case 2 Case 2 Cases 1&2 Case 2
Parallel – Rigid Case 2 N/A N/A Case 2 Case 1 Cases 1&2 Case 2
Breakout Edge
Distance Cases 1&2
Perpendicular Case 3 Case 3 Cases 1&2 Cases 1&2 Cases 1&2 Cases 1&2
or 3
Parallel Case 3 Case 1 Case 1 Cases 1&2 Case 1 Cases 1&2 Cases 1&2
Standard Hex Nut X X X X X X
Heavy Hex Nut X X X X X X
Pullout Bearing Square Nut X X X X
Area
Heavy Square Nut X X
Custom Input / Plate PAB
X X
Washer Anchors
ACI 318-11 Custom/
Lightweight Concrete X*** X X N/A X
Miscellaneous Only User Input
Features Multiple Load
X X X
Combinations
* Post-installed mechanical anchors only
** Does not evaluate anchor groups with asymmetric layout
*** Sand-lightweight concrete only

STRUCTURE magazine 20 April 2013

are not perfectly equidistant from an edge are
considered different rows.
Example Problems
Anchor software that assumes Case 3 for Code: ACI 318-08
breakout behavior, such as Hilti PROFIS Concrete Strength: 3,000 psi, Normal Weight
Anchor, provides the unexpected result of Cracked Concrete: Yes
significantly decreasing the shear breakout Concrete Thickness: 12 inches
capacity of an anchor group when a single Grout Pad: 1½ inches
anchor is moved away from the row nearest Anchor Type: ½-inch Dia ASTM F 1554 Gr 36 (Std Hex Head),
the edge. With one less anchor in this row, the Embed = 6 inches
breakout area of the row nearest to the edge is Anchor Spacing: 8 inches in square pattern, unless noted otherwise
reduced, but the software still assumes the full Anchors Welded: No
shear on the anchor group is resisted by this Ductility: Assumed No Ductility in Connection
row, so the demand/capacity ratio increases. Supplemental Reinf: No
Anchor software that assumes Case 1 or Anchor Reinf: No
Case 2 behavior, such as RAM Connection, Edge Reinf: No
provides the opposite but equally unexpected Baseplate: ½ inch x 12 inches x 1 foot 0 inches ®

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result. If a single anchor is moved slightly Column Profile: HSS 4x4x1/4
towards the edge, the group breakout capac-

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ity may actually increase. Similar to the above Example Problem 1: Shear Parallel to Edge with Grout Pad/Small Edge Distance
example, the breakout area of the front row Edge Distance: Cax1 = 5 inches, Cax2 = 35 inches, Cay1 = 20 inches,

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is still reduced, but the shear demand on ht Cay2 = 20 inches
yrig

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this anchor may be reduced even more. The Cop
Applied Load: Vy = 3,000 pounds, T = 3,000 pounds, All Seismic Load (SDC C+)
software is no longer subtracting the overlap-

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ping breakout areas of individual anchors, Example Problem 1a: Shear Parallel to Edge with Grout Pad/Large Edge Distance

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because they are not technically located in Edge Distance: Cax1 = 5 inches, Cax2 = 35 inches, Cay1 = 300 inches
the same row.
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(or infinite), Cay2 = 300 inches (or infinite)
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Applied Load: Vy = 3,000 pounds, T = 3,000 pounds, All Seismic Load (SDC C+)
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T a
Analysis of Third-Party or Example Problem 2: Shear Perpendicular to Edge with Grout Pad/Symmetric
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Generic Anchors Edge Distance: Cax1 = 5 inches, Cax2 = 35 inches Cay1 = 20inches,
a Cay2 = 20 inches, C
An engineer may design for a specific post-
installed anchor, but a contractor may submit
a request for substitution to use an alternate
m
Applied Load: Vx = -1,500 pounds, T = 3,000 pounds, All Seismic Load
(SDC C+)
product. If the designer uses software from
Example Problem 3: Shear Perpendicular to Edge with Grout Pad/Asymmetric
a different vendor to analyze the substitute
Anchor Spacing: 1 anchor moved ¼ inch out of near row
anchor, it may be difficult to determine if
Edge Distance: Cax1 = 5 inches, Cax2 = 35 inches Cay1 = 20 inches,
the results are different because the anchors
Cay2 = 20 inches, C
are different, or simply because the software’s
Applied Load: Vx = -1,500 pounds, T = 3,000 pounds, All Seismic Load
assumptions are different.
(SDC C+)
Powers Design Assist and Quick Anchor
both allow the designer to enter parameters
for a generic or third-party post-installed are limited to a single load case. Some do when switching between applications, results
anchor. While this requires manually enter- not include reduction factors for lightweight may vary – even though both may very well
ing anchor properties each time, it allows concrete, while others do. Some incorpo- be correct.▪
for comparison between anchor products rate baseplate design, include headed
while keeping all other modeling assump- studs for embed plate design, or permit
tions the same. DS Anchor allows the custom bearing areas for cast-in-place
ADVERTISEMENT - For Advertiser Information, visit www.STRUCTUREmag.org

user to create a database of post installed anchors with plate washers. If an appli-
anchors, which can be referenced from any cation is missing a feature, some hand
subsequent model. The engineer is respon- calculations in the margins can usually The easiest to use software for calculating
sible for maintaining the third-party anchor fill in the missing information. In addi- wind, seismic, snow and other loadings for
data and ensuring that it is being applied tion, the software vendors are constantly IBC, ASCE7, and all state codes based on
appropriately, in accordance with the cor- updating and improving their software. these codes ($195.00).
responding Evaluation Report. What may seem like a missing feature
Tilt-up Concrete Wall Panels ($95.00).
in one application today may be added
in the near future. Floor Vibration for Steel Beams and Joists
Other Features In conclusion, it is very important to ($100.00).
The applications have several other different be aware of the assumptions that are Concrete beams with torsion ($45.00).
features and limitations. Some can handle being made by the software, be familiar
multiple load combinations, while others with the output, and recognize that Demos at: www.struware.com

STRUCTURE magazine 21 April 2013