Squared U rebar; what is it?

[MikeHalloran]

A local expert has proposed building 'rails' atop an existing slab to support a big engine, said rails comprising a number of rebars bent into a squared U shape and epoxied into paired holes drilled in the slab, surrounded by epoxy grout poured into a plywood form.

He calls the formed rebars 'wickets'.

The shape and orientation does suggest croquet wickets, but I thought rebar formed like that was called 'stirrups'.

... but I know next to nothing about concrete.

So, what's the right word?


Mike Halloran
Pembroke Pines, FL, USA

 

[cvg]

it sounds like his own invention and he can call them wickets if he wants. These are definitely not stirrups.

 

[Ron]

They are certainly in the shape of wickets....and if they are epoxied, wouldn't that make them "sticky wickets"?

Sorry Mike...couldn't resist.

I'm not sure I see what he's trying to accomplish with this configuration. More often we would use an isolation frame, mounted to the slab with vibration isolators to reduce the amount of vibration transmitted to the slab. The proposed method seems to create a bunch of isolated load points with no vibration mitigation.

 

[MikeHalloran]

The current plan is to use rock drills to make many holes in the slab for the wickets, plus another bunch of holes for long anchor bolts that are to be set in the concrete between the rows of wickets, sleeved to avoid sticking to the epoxy grout, and extend upward to pick up the vibration isolators that are bolted to the bottom of the fuel tank, which is under the engine and generator.

I've never seen a masonry contractor even come close to that kind of precision, but my limited experience is old; maybe they've gotten better, and it's not my problem.

... not until the bolts come out in the wrong place and they need a spacer frame with top and bottom holes precisely misaligned. BTDT.



Mike Halloran
Pembroke Pines, FL, USA

 

[Ron]

Mike,
You are exactly right...they'll screw that up. System needs to be simplified so that it has a chance of getting properly implemented.

 

[Debaser]

Mike,

It does seem there is precedent to use the term and system although this is in a different context than yours.

http://www.rlrowan.com/PDF Information/Grouting Problems.pdf

(BTW I didn't think Americans below the 49th would know what wickets were, although it's not spelt croquet, it's cricket)

 

[Zambo]

I would call these links after all they are just bent rebar.

In the UK croquet hoops are called hoops, in the US they are wickets.

I would expect that the drilling and epoxying method should give a fair chance of achieving accuracy. Certainly better than trying to cast in place with the slab.

But the overall system I don't understand without a drawing.

 

[MikeHalloran]

Okay, wickets they are. I feel a little better now.

Thanks.

Mike Halloran
Pembroke Pines, FL, USA

 

[hokie66]

Those wickets made out of rebar are going to be rough on the balls.

 

[Ron]

hokie66....agreed...in more ways than one!!