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1-5 of 5 messages
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Are Stabilizer Plates Really Needed?
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by KB9WIS on October 25, 2009
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I have earth screw in anchors, but since my ground/soil is very soft, I may shell out the extra cash and get the J-shaped concrete anchors (I'm not sure if the screw-in anchors also work in concrete). Now I'm being told that I have to use an equalize plate with the concrete anchors.. I am having a hard time seeing why this is absolutely necessary, can anyone verify if or if not you need them if using 2 guy wires on the same anchor? If you are both tightened correclty, what damage is caused by not using a equalizer plate? Is it truly necessary? I'm starting to feel like a free standing tower would of been about the same price, as all these extra accessories are starting to add up.
Well, I already have the screw in anchors, is it safe to place the screw in type in concrete, or perhaps screw in the first 2 feet in earth, then place a foot or 2 of concrete on top? Or must you use the "J-shaped" concrete anchors as well? Has anyone installed one of these without a equalizer plate, or is this mandatory?
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RE: Are Stabilizer Plates Really Needed?
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by K9KJM on October 25, 2009
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I much prefer to use the equalizer plates, Works simpler with an "eye-jaw" type turnbuckle. Otherwise you would have to use a "loop" of guy wire from a power company type anchor rod to an "eye-eye" turnbuckle? Along with extra clamps, etc.
IF you have the Rohn screw in anchor rods with the welded "loop" those are actually made for a bolt through set of equalizer plates.
I would not hesitate to use the screw in type anchor rods with a poured concrete base. Just make sure you run some 1/2" or heavier re bar just above the screw part as the concrete is being poured so the entire width of the concrete has the rebar through it.
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RE: Are Stabilizer Plates Really Needed?
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by AA4PB on October 26, 2009
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I think the main issue is whether you can get the two turnbuckles on to the guy anchor and still have enough space to be able to turn them. I had no problem with two sets of guys on the Rohn screw-in anchors but you surely could not add a third.
I don't see any issue with putting the screw-in anchors into concrete as long as you follow the Rohn procedure for rebar across the leading edges of the concrete. It's the same process as with the L anchors.
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RE: Are Stabilizer Plates Really Needed?
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by AA4PB on October 26, 2009
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It also depends on the tower height and guy points which affect the angle at which the guy wires leave the anchor. If the angles are too close then you will have an interferrence problem.
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RE: Are Stabilizer Plates Really Needed?
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by W8JI on October 26, 2009
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No, you do not need an equalizing plate if you can properly fit the hardware. I almost never use them.
You especially NEVER want to plug the upper part of anchor hole with concrete. It will weaken the holding power. The holding power is NOT by weight or friction, it is by displacing soil.
We stabilize screw-in anchors here in water saturated areas of clay, like near creek beds, by drilling a large vertical hole at right angles to the anchor rod angle. We screw the anchor in to the hole (at full depth) and throw some re-bar in the hole against the anchor on the load side. We then plug the hole. The result is the blade has to drag a very large plug sideways through undisturbed soil.
We can jack ten tons on an anchor like that without any lifting movement.
In my normal soil we can jack 10 tons just on a smaller single blade screw in anchor that is about 54 inches deep.
I can tell if the anchor is going to be a problem by how it threads in. If it threads in easy or does not suck itself down into the ground it will be a problem.
They key for a really strong anchor is to NOT disturb the soil. Have the anchor pull into fully undisturbed soil. If you try to bore a hole at the rod angle and throw an anchor in it, and then backfill the hole around the rod with concrete or rocks or even dirt, it will be much weaker than just screwing the anchor into the dirt.
Check with your local utility company and see what they use in your area.
Tom
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