Load plate baskets

The latest revision of ACI 360 states
"Rectangular dowels cushioned on the vertical sides by a compressible material also permit movement parallel and perpendicular to the joint. This type of load transfer device is useful in slabs with two directional doweling".

Unlike round dowel baskets the Load Plate Basket is also forgiving of lateral misalignment and will not lock joints or cause restraint to the normal shrinkage of concrete.

PNA manufactures fully assembled Load Plate Basket assemblies to meet any specifications and achieve the best load transfer at contraction joints without causing restraint by locking joints. An isometric view of PNA's Load Plate Basket can be seen here and in the latest revision to ACI 360. Table 2 shows the increased spacing of Load Plates to offer equivalent load transfer capacity to conventional round dowels. This optimization of the steel and the increased spacing makes Load Plate Baskets more cost effective than conventional round dowel baskets.

Example Specification Load Plates will be saw cut from hot rolled plate per ASTM A36 to within 3/16" of specified length (normally 12"). Side frame supports will be fabricated from 1/4" diameter cold drawn wire per ASTM A108 grade 1010-1020. Load Plates will be welded (on one end only) into the side frames, with the welds alternating along the length of the assembly. Specially designed plastic clips with compressible side material will be fitted to the free end of the Load Plate and should extend to within plus or minus 3/16" of 2/3 the bar length. Eight gauge wires will be welded across the side frames at approximately 3" o/c to keep the assembly stable during shipping and installation. The finished assembly will hold the Load Plates to within plus or minus 1/8" of 1/2 the slab depth. The assemblies will be manufactured so that they stack on top of each other for transportation and remain stable under concrete placement. All Load Plate Baskets will be supplied by PNA Construction Technologies Inc. 1800 542 0214.