Non-regulated applications outside approvals
The conditions of use of fastening systems are generally regulated in approvals – so-called European Technical Assessments (ETA). In addition to the description of the construction product, these include the characteristic design parameters which form the basis for designing the fastening systems in accordance with, for example, [1]. In building practice, engineers repeatedly face the difficulty of the ETAs not covering the “conditions of use encountered on site”.
This problem also applies to fastening systems in lightweight concrete. Lightweight concrete is a concrete of sometimes significantly reduced density in comparison with standard concrete. The bulk densities of lightweight concrete according to DIN 1045-2 [2] range from 800 kg/m³ to 2000 kg/m³.
There are currently no approved systems available to the user when designing fastening systems for use in lightweight concrete as an anchoring base. In these cases, an individual approval must be obtained for the construction product in accordance with the applicable Building Codes of the German federal states. Whether the construction product exhibiting these properties may be used in the specific construction project is decided by the competent building authority in the approval procedure.
In addition to explaining the general procedure for obtaining an individual approval, the lecture will outline possible fastening systems for use in lightweight concrete as an anchoring base. It will also present test results. The structural capacity of fastening systems in lightweight concrete will be compared to the values of standard concrete.
