Do you have embed plates on your project? Had a rough go with embed plates in the past? Here are some of our most frequently asked questions and what you can do to help embed plate installation go smoother on your next project.
First off, what is an embed plate?
Embed plates are a high capacity anchor that can also provide a little flexibility when installing hold downs. An embed plate is cast in the concrete during the pour phase and then a coupling nut or threaded rod is welded to the plate later. It is the placement of the coupler or threaded rod that gives some flexibility because it can be welded to any location on the surface of the embed plate.
However, the time and cost to fabricate, plan, and layout embed plates is higher. For this reason, general contractors tend to avoid using embed plates when possible. Additionally, embed plate locations can be miscalculated or not make it into the forms prior to the concrete being poured. These field fixes are not easily managed and can delay construction and add costs to the project.
So how do you know where they go?
The engineer of record may call for different types of embed plates to go with different shear wall hold downs. In this case, CLP can provide a layout showing locations where the embed plates should be placed.
Do they have to be galvanized?
This will be determined by the engineer of record, but we typically see that galvanization is not required because embed plates are not usually exposed to the elements. It is also easier to weld connecting rod parts to a non-galvanized embed plate.
Can a cast-in-place anchor replace any of the embed plates called out?
Maybe. In this case, our engineers will look at the anchors and determine if this is possible.
CLP is dedicated to having a fast turnaround on any of the issues you may have to keep you on track.
The bottom line is, anchors are vital to the success of your project timeline and to the structural integrity of buildings. Start off on the right path with anchor design and your entire job will go much smoother.
At CLP Systems, we understand anchoring can cause delays and add cost. That’s why our engineers customize solutions per project by offering multiple anchoring options and solutions. To learn more about how CLP Systems can help you design easier, manage better, and install quicker, call us today at 800-214-7673 to see how CLP can guide you to having your most successful project yet!
