Slab Joint Plate Baskets?

[StructuralEd]

Looking to see if anyone has experience with the use of flat plate "baskets" (i.e. PD Basket) as a substitute for smooth dowels at heavy slab construction / control joints.

If so, please share your experiences and knowledge of the method and products.

 

[rowingengineer]

never heard of the term basket before in relation to slab joints, maybe they go by a different name here, can you describe?

Arguing with an engineer is like wrestling with a pig in mud. After a while you realize that they like it

 

[StructuralEd]

Some info here:

http://www.pna-inc.com/products/pd3_basket/

 

[RacingAZ]

I've used this before, the one by PNA. Both plate basket and diamond dowel. You'll definitely get a better performance compared with the typical round bar but there is a very considerable premium involved.

 

[rowingengineer]

I get it now Basket is called the cradle in my local tongue.

This all depends on what you call a heavy slab, to me a heavy slab is dealing with crane type forklifts ect, so we would use large square dowels in baskets for this application.

The plate dowels in baskets are good for medium loaded slabs, give you some benefits in relation to movement longitudinally and transversely at the joints.

Arguing with an engineer is like wrestling with a pig in mud. After a while you realize that they like it

 

[OHIOMatt]

I have designed numerous (more than 100) slabs employing the use of load plate baskets (typically provided by PNA). They work very well. The typical fork lift that we see is a 10,000 lbs capacity with pneumatic tires. The joints, when filled with a semi-rigid epoxy joint filler (you do not want a flexible filler such as ploy urea) hold up very well. Long term, the owner will see a payback as slab maintenance costs will be lower.

The PNA baskets went through a design change about two years ago, and since then we have had few problems with the installation. The previuos design incorpoted the use of plastic sleeves that would provide a limited tolerence in relationship to the saw cut joint.

The new baskets use a tapered section, thus providing a larger tolerence in placement.

No matter what manufacturer is used, I reccomend that the baskets be pinned in place to prevent movement during the concrete placement. If you are using a vapor barrier, the pins may not be an option, and you will have to rely on the general contractor taking care to make sure that they do not move.

 

[ToadJones]

OHIOMatt-
Where are you in Ohio?

 

[OHIOMatt]

I am in Zanesville