EZdowel load transfer system meets new 2010 ACI 360 guidelines


Wednesday, July 21, 2010 / 0 Comments »
The 2010 ACI 360 Guide to Design of Slabs on Ground has been released and, as in EZdowel provides superior strength and perfect alignmentthe past, the guide becomes the primary design and product specification tool for architects, designers, owners and contractors. Making sure that your project meets the new guidelines is critical - especially from a liability standpoint. When issues occur on a concrete floor or pavement, and litigation is the means to settle differences, the ACI 360 document becomes very important, as it will be the standard that legal consul and expert witnesses refer to. What if your project does not meet the new guidelines? How much liability you can afford to assume?

In chapter 6 on Joints, you’ll find new criteria for slab-on-ground construction to limit vertical defection of joints in concrete floors. Chapter 6 also includes criteria for defining the acceptable limits on joint deflection plus providing the designer with performance guidelines on specifying load transfer devices in areas of the slab subjected to wheeled traffic, heavy loads or both. The new guidelines offer key language that provides direction for designers to specify methods and materials to the contractor during a construction project.

EZdowel provides superior plate dowel strengthAbout EZdowel load transfer system
The patent pending EZdowel is part of the EZ Form® system designed for construction and contraction joints. EZdowel provides superior load transfer while saving time and labor during the installation process. Each plate dowel is coated to create a bond break with the slab, and compressible edge banding on both sides to allow the slab to move laterally.

The EZdowel system, manufactured by McTech Group and distributed exclusively by Universal Forest Products, will help your flooring or pavement design achieve top performance, and provide you with the confidence that you're meeting the latest ACI design criteria.

Since the EZdowel is a “direct contact” dowel, there are no plastic pocket formers which remain in the slab (common in other brands). Plastic could possibly crack, or compress under load, which could allow deflection. Direct Contact: “Load transfer devices in direct contact with the concrete will be the most effective load transfer mechanism for controlling vertical joint deflection”. - ACI 360 (6.1.2) EZdowel is the only plate dowel on the market that has 100% direct contact with the concrete on top and bottom of the dowel. EZdowel has 100% more direct steel surface to concrete contact than any other competitor.