Often architect plans won’t be detailed enough.
Get started early on design and engineering. This gives you leeway to spot any conflicts or problems with the original architect’s version of the plans.
Architects may not design it in the most cost effective way to put it together.
Whenever possible the architects should design the system to where the cables can be accessed from at least one side with the tensioning machine. This allows for use of the most robust cable terminations.
The most important part of a barrier cable project are the embeds & getting them correctly in place.
Engineering errors prevent you from being able to weld on the manifold to support the cables. The manifold is usually an angle iron or a 4×4 metal tube that attaches the cable to the column.
Having the embeds set up correctly creates more options for the best design of the project.
Considerations:
- Number and type of embed bolts.
- The thickness and dimensions of embed plate.
You only have one shot to do it right the first time.
If they aren’t right the system will never do what it’s supposed to do.
The barrier cable contractor must work very closely, step-by-step with the general contractors and cement contractors. Otherwise a multitude of problems can arise during the pouring of the cement.
Electrical cables or water pipes or rain gutters can be right where the cables are supposed to go.
Engineers must be aware of the stresses that cables have.
There is a minimum of 10,000 lbs of stress on each embed in its static state. If a vehicle hits it there is additional stress to absorb. Each cable’s breaking strength is 40,000 lbs.
Remediating Errors is Expensive.
You have to drill into the column which can create other issues such as hitting rebar. Might have to X-ray the column.
