Steel to Concrete Anchor Max Spacing

[swearingen]

We have a case where we are anchoring the back of a channel to a concrete wall, then attaching several steel members perpendicular to the channel.

Is there a maximum spacing between anchors that we should use? I don't like the idea of a long span of the channel not stitched to the wall. For reference, we are putting anchors near where each member will intersect but will have 6-10'+ areas where there is no intersecting member. It is these stretches where I am considering putting additional anchors.

-5^2 = -25 ;-)

 

[phamENG]

What will the load in those anchors be?

 

[swearingen]

Not a bunch. It's more for construction ease than anything else. The anchors near where the beams intersect the channel will take 99% of the load.

-5^2 = -25 ;-)

 

[WesternJeb]

I have never seen a spacing greater than 4'-0" o.c. for very lightly loaded applications.

 

[swearingen]

Any code reference for something like that?

-5^2 = -25 ;-)

 

[driftLimiter]

ASCE 7 Out of plane wall anchorage suggests that if wall anchors are spaced greater than 4' o.c. then the wall itself needs to be analyzed and designed to span between the anchors. Essentially the code is suggesting that if 4' o.c. or less then you can look at it like a UDL, if more then point loads.

If that isn't the intent of the anchor elements then perhaps it doesn't apply.

Any spacing can be okay as long as you meet required strength and stiffness. Also consider construction.