The American Concrete Institute (ACI) and Concrete Reinforcing Steel Institute (CRSI) announce the launch of the new Adhesive Anchor Installer Certification program.
In the summer of 2006, a portion of the concrete ceiling of the Central Artery/Tunnel Project in Boston, Mass., also known unofficially as the “Big Dig,” collapsed, killing a motorist and injuring another. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) released its accident report soon after and made recommendations to several parties, including the American Concrete Institute. The recommendation to ACI was to use its “building codes, forums, educational materials, and publications to inform design and construction agencies of the potential for gradual deformation in anchor adhesives under sustained tensile-load applications.”
“As part of the process of adopting the design procedures into the ACI 318 Building Code, it became clear to the ACI 318 Code Committee members that a certification program was imperative for successful installation of these anchors under certain conditions,” explained Neal Anderson, CRSI Vice President of Engineering. “This connection type should be thought of as being similar to a structural weld, in that an adhesive anchorage is usually a key load carrying connection in a structure. As such, proper training and certification is crucial for its proper installation.”
As part of the overall response to the recommendations of the NTSB, ACI has partnered with the Concrete Reinforcing Steel Institute (CRSI) to develop a certification program for Adhesive Anchor Installers. Additionally, Adhesive Anchor Installer Certification is a new requirement in ACI 318-11, Building Code Requirements for Structural Concrete, for anchorages in sustained tension loading conditions and installation orientations from horizontal to vertically upward (overhead). ACI 318-11 was recently released.
To satisfy the new ACI 318-11 certification requirements, the following components of the ACI / CRSI certification program were developed by ACI Committee 601-A and its main oversight body, ACI CPC – Certification Program Committee:
• Development of a 75-question written examination – The exam covers information on adhesive concrete anchor installation in regards to preparing for installation, drilling anchor holes, cleaning anchor holes, injecting adhesive using cartridge systems, installing adhesive capsule systems, and installing anchors. The exam was developed under the direction of Professional Testing Services of Orlando, Fla., in accordance with recognized ANSI guidelines.
• Development of a performance exam – Candidates must be able to read, comprehend, and execute the generic Manufacturer’s Printed Installation Instructions (MPII) for the installation of an anchor in a vertical-down position, and the ability to inject adhesive to the proper depth into simulated holes in an overhead (vertical-up) position with both a rigid applicator tip and flexible stinger end with piston plug in a manner that produces results meeting program requirements.
The performance examination required creation of a generic MPII, representing the combined content of typical MPIIs from the various anchor manufacturers. In working with the Concrete Anchor Manufacturers Association (CAMA), a generic set of installation instructions was developed for use the performance portion of the certification program.
ACI and CRSI completed two pilot programs earlier this year with a total of 35 participants taking both the written and performance examinations. Based on the results of the pilot programs, passing score criteria were finalized for both the written and performance components of the exam.
At the present time, the ACI/CRSI Adhesive Anchor Installer Certification program is going to market in specific geographical areas. Typically, ACI Certification programs are sponsored and conducted by Local Sponsoring Groups (LSGs), which include ACI chapters and other concrete-related businesses and associations around the world. To date, more than 30 LSGs have signed on to prepare and eventually conduct this certification program. Presently, the following groups have undergone the LSG orientation class and are currently positioned to offer the Adhesive Anchor Installer Certification program: ACI Illinois Chapter, ACI Eastern Pennsylvania & Delaware Chapter, and the ACI San Diego International Chapter. Other LSGs are in the process of being oriented into the program mechanics. The phase-in period is expected to be commensurate with the adoption of ACI 318-11 into revised editions of local building codes and/or incorporation of the requirements into project construction documents by licensed design professionals.
As with many of ACI’s certification programs, a training program is currently in development for the Adhesive Anchor Installer Certification program to allow certification candidates to train and study before taking the certification tests.
The training program is expected to be ready by the end of 2011.
A directory of ACI Local Sponsoring Groups that conduct certification testing can be found by visiting the following website: http://www.concrete.org/CERTIFICATION/CERT_SPON.HTM. BD+C
Related Stories
| Jul 17, 2013
Should city parking space requirements be abolished?
Some cities are deliberately discouraging construction of new parking spaces by allowing the construction of buildings with a lower ratio of parking spaces to dwellings (as low as 0.75 spaces per residence).
| Jul 17, 2013
Retail store openings at five-year high
Analysis by RBC Capital Markets shows that U.S. retailers are planning to open 42,757 stores over the next 12 months, and some 83,700 locations over the next two years, both five-year highs.
| Jul 16, 2013
As the U.S. economy sputters back to life, contractors wait for the green light on projects [2013 Giants 300 Report]
There are enough positive indictors in the economy to justify greenlighting projects, but building owners and developers remain reluctant to pull the trigger.
| Jul 16, 2013
Robotics: A new way to demolish buildings
A robot prototype uses water jets to break up concrete structures and then sucks up the water and debris for reuse and recycling.
| Jul 15, 2013
Mergers and acquisitions transform engineering sector [2013 Giants 300 Report]
Merger and acquisition deals by MEP, commissioning, structural, and specialty engineering firms were up 14% nationwide in 2012 compared with 2011.
| Jul 15, 2013
Top Engineering/Architecture Firms [2013 Giants 300 Report]
Jacobs, AECOM, Parsons Brinckerhoff top Building Design+Construction's 2013 ranking of the largest engineering/architecture firms in the United States.
| Jul 15, 2013
Top Architecture/Engineering Firms [2013 Giants 300 Report]
Stantec, HOK, HDR top Building Design+Construction's 2013 ranking of the largest architecture/engineering firms in the United States.
| Jul 15, 2013
Top Architecture Firms [2013 Giants 300 Report]
Gensler, Perkins+Will, NBBJ top Building Design+Construction's 2013 ranking of the largest architecture firms in the United States.
| Jul 15, 2013
Zaha Hadid unveils plan for boutique condo development in New York
Related Companies taps the London-based architect for the 11-story 520 West 28th Street residential development adjacent to the High Line in Chelsea.
