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Field Guide

Frame · By others

Foundations and anchor rods

Anchor rods and embedments are designed and furnished by others. Square the slab with a tape or a transit. Elevation of the base plate ±⅛″.

anchor
template
diagonal
transit
shim
base plate

Squaring the foundation

With either method, use a transit to set the top elevation of all batter boards.

  1. 1Diagonal methodAdjust the foundation layout lines until diagonals A and B are equal in length, ±¼″. Then check building length and width to the drawings, ±¼″.
  2. 2Transit methodLocate the transit exactly over a corner intersection point of the string line. Sight along one building line. Rotate 90° to establish the adjacent line. The transit must be level and calibrated. Recheck length and width.
Plywood template nailed to forms · protect threads while you pourFOR CONSTRUCTION anchor-rod plan only
Nail the plywood template to the form boards. Protect rod threads while you pour.

Setting rods

  • Place anchor rods from the FOR CONSTRUCTION anchor-rod plan only. Do not pour from any other drawing.
  • Rod diameter and setting dimensions are on the detailed anchor-rod layout.
  • Mark the form for template location before pouring. Set rods and attach templates after screeding.
  • Protect rod threads during the pour.
  • Projection of the rod above the concrete is determined by the anchor-rod setting plan.
  • Bottom of base plate is typically 1½″ above concrete — see the drawings for shimming.

Anchor-rod tolerances (prior to pour)

DimensionTolerance
X / Y (plan)±⅛″
Z (elevation) prior to pouring±¼″
Accumulated Z variation≤ ¼″ per 100 ft, not to exceed 1″
Bottom of base-plate elevation±⅛″ from specified
Building length and width±¼″
Diagonals A and Bequal ±¼″

Thread engagement

Top of the anchor rod must be at least flush with the top of the nut. Additional rod length may be required when grout is used. Threads of the nut must be fully engaged. The rod must be flush with the washer.

Column base shimming

Shim column bases to take up concrete, erection, and fabrication tolerance, and to plumb and level the frame. Level pinned-base columns with steel shims under the base plate. The erector supplies rectangular shim plates; packs may be stacked. Shimming between multiple rows of anchor rods is not required — place packs from the edge of the base plate to the rod. Shim plates are the same width as the base plate.

Packs from the edge of the plate to the rod. Same width as the plate. Rod at least flush with the nut.

Base angle at the slab

Attach a base angle or base member to the floor with ¼″-diameter power-actuated (or other approved) anchors, spaced as shown. Keep the fastener as far from the outside edge of the slab as is reasonable to prevent concrete spalling.

AGS-032.1 — 3×3 base angle, ¼″ drive anchors at 4′-0″ o.c., first hole 5″ from the end.