Shallow Podium Anchorage Design Example
Anchorage Calculation Using Anchor Reinforcement
This example presents the anchorage solution in tension for a cast-in-place anchor bolt in cracked concrete under seismic loading conditions in a reinforced concrete podium slab using anchor reinforcement. It is based on test results using flat bearing plates in which the full bearing surface is situated at the effective embedment depth. Other bearing surface geometries are not compatible with these test results. The calculation follows ACI 318-14 for the design of an anchor in tension, with AISC 360-16 used for the anchor allowable tensile steel strength. The witnessed testing conducted by Simpson Strong-Tie was used to validate ACI 318-14, Chapter 17 design concepts for anchor reinforcement and the need to design the structural slab to meet amplified 17.2.3.4.3 (a) anchor forces for use in SDC C–F. The design strength is based upon the ACI 318-14, Chapter 17 failure modes of tensile steel strength, concrete breakout strength, anchor pullout, concrete side-face blowout and anchor reinforcement strength. Additional failure modes observed in the testing validated greater capacities when anchor reinforcement is used, and those empirical findings are considered for that limit state. Find detailed calculations for all solutions shown on Simpson Strong-Tie design tables.
Code Information
2015 International Building Code® (IBC)
ACI 318-14, Chapter 17 (Tension)
AISC 360-6
SDC C through F, seismic
Material Properties

Dimensions
Slab thickness: t = 12 in.
Initial anchor: hef = 9.39 in.
hef x 1.5 = 14.09 in.
where hef is based on Simpson Strong-Tie ABL height, heavy hex nut height and plate thickness.
Anchor reinforcement
Bottom cover: 0.75 in.
Per ACI 318-14, 17.4.2.8:
Project the failure surface, c, outward 1.5hef from the effective perimeter of the plate.


Tension Design Calculations (ACI 318-14) — Used for 17.2.3.4.3 "Ductility" Tensile Requirements for SDC C–F
17.4.1 — Steel Strength for Anchor in Tension

17.4.2 — Concrete Breakout Strength of Anchor Only in Tension

17.4.3 — Anchor Pullout Strength (Initial Abrg for Plate Bearing for Pullout)

17.4.4 — Concrete Side-Face Blowout Strength

17.2.3.4.3(a) — Ductility Check (Required for SDC C–F)

Anchor Reinforcement Estimate by Applying Sections 17.3.2.1 and 17.4.2.9

Determine Anchorage System Capacity When Anchor Reinforcement Is Added
Testing performed by Simpson Strong-Tie indicates that when anchor reinforcement (A.R.) is added to these shallow slabs, ultimate capacity is a combination of A.R. resistance acting simultaneously with concrete breakout resistance.
Design Approach Using Empirical Data per Test Output
Using the test results, the % contribution to the measured peak capacity of both the inner concrete cone and the Anchor Reinforcement (A.R.) were determined. Both of these contributions are dependent on slab thickness.
-
Inner Concrete Cone Contribution:
For inner concrete cone, that percentage contribution is based on a comparison of the Normalized Breakout Capacity vs. the Calculated Uncracked Breakout Capacity. -
Anchor Reinforcement Contribution:
For anchor reinforcement contribution, that percentage is based on a comparison of the Maximum Possible A.R. Contribution vs. Measured A.R. Contribution.
Determine Design Limit for Anchor Reinforcement (A.R.) + Inner Concrete Cone
-
Inner Concrete Cone Contribution:
Based on testing, 41% of the contribution is coming from the inner concrete cone. -
Anchor Reinforcement Contribution:
Based on testing, 100% of the anchor reinforcement is contributing.

Vertical Block Shear Limit State Consideration for Shallow Slabs
Testing indicates that an additional failure mode is possible with a shallow embedment when resisting the breakout area with anchor reinforcement. A vertical “block shear” can form at the outer edges of the bearing plate. This “block shear” is separate from pullout and is dependent on embedment depth, bearing surface area and concrete strength. Size bearing plate so that “block shear” is not the design limit state.

LRFD Design Strength Capacity Summary

LRFD Limit

LRFD limits 1–5 consider ACI 318 strength level values
Governing LRFD capacity = 54,517 lb. 1. Anchor tension controls at LRFD
Anchor Reinforcement Layout Summary


Anchor Reinforcement Detail: 2/SA1

For specifying a Shallow Podium Anchor solution, go to strongtie/srs and follow the below:
- The designer should determine
- Uplift demand loads from the light frame superstructure
- Project concrete strength
- Slab thickness
- Anticipated anchor diameter and strength
- Anchor load locations shown on a key plan
- Is it wind or seismic restraint?
- Select the calculation that matches the variables that have been established in Step 1
- On the strongtie/srs, ATS Shallow Podium Anchor landing page, scroll to “Anchorage Calculations”
- Choose either Seismic or Wind Calculations
- Based on the designer variables noted in Step 1, choose the appropriate calculation
- Print the pdf of the calculation for your use
- Select the Proper Anchor Solution
- On the strongtie/srs, ATS Shallow Podium Anchor landing page, scroll to the “Design Tables”
- Based on Wind or Seismic and concrete thickness, choose the necessary design table
- Select the table that resembles the design condition (i.e., midslab, near edge or 13″ near edge)
- For Seismic Designs
- Within the Design Tables, the ductile anchor steel element must govern the design, so base solutions on anchor diameter and strength, then match the project anchor diameter to the proper detail under the load table column “Detail on Sheet SA1“
- Go to detail sheet SA1 and find the proper anchor reinforcement detail as called out in the table
- For Wind Designs
- Match the project demand loads with the tabulated Anchor Tension Capacity to select the appropriate Shallow Podium Anchor callout, then choose the proper detail under the load table column “Detail on
Sheet SA1“ - Details on Sheet SA1
- Download the details to then include in the construction documents
- Coordinate, then specify the Shallow Podium Anchor callout on the construction documents