Ultimate Performance

Engineers, designers and specifiers will know there are a huge amount of parameters and conditions that must be taken into account when starting a project. Getting it wrong means backtracking, which is time and energy that could have been spent pushing a project forward. Hilti is not the only supplier of post-installed, cast-in and chemical anchor products, but what we offer goes far beyond that of our competitors. Employing our products, systems and software ensures compliance and Ultimate Performance of your concrete anchors - saving you the additional work and cost of having to re-approach your designs.

Ultimate anchors, Ultimate Performance

Designing for Ultimate Performance is absolutely necessary in safety critical applications, such as seismic, where materials are subject to fatigue. It's not as straightforward as adding additional safety measures, and good design is not something that can be bolted on later. At Hilti, we've researched and developed our product range to assist engineers in achieving Ultimate Performance, but it's about far more than just using the right equipment.

The way to achieve Ultimate Performance of both structural and non-structural anchor designs is by utilising the resources available. In addition to Hilti’s range of concrete anchors, we’ve also developed software and methodology to aid engineers in designing for seismic applications. This set of tools is your guide to Ultimate Performance. They are unmatched by any competitor and there is no faster or better way to future-proof your designs

The challenges of designing for seismic applications in Australia

Designing anchors for seismic applications in Australia is of great importance, yet there is a knowledge gap in the engineering community. It's true that there is a far greater emphasis on seismic detailing in the United States and across Europe. Australia's guidelines for seismic detailing aren't always clear, and can be difficult to follow. Ultimate Performance ensures that your designs meet every requirement, including for the often overlooked seismic application.

Because of Australia's location in the centre of the Indo-Australian tectonic plate, our country has relatively low seismicity in relation to countries situated on the plate's borders. On the surface, it seems as though Australia is in a much safer position than many neighbouring nations, however this isn't exactly accurate.

The Seismology Research Centre states that Australia experiences an earthquake exceeding magnitude seven only once every 100 years or so. It should be noted that the Newcastle earthquake of 1989, one the most destructive in living memory, was only a magnitude 5.6 on the Richter scale, yet still claimed 13 lives and managed to do $4 billion worth of damage to the city. Furthermore, research presented at the 12th World Conference of Earthquake Engineering outlines that clusters of seismic activity in Australia often crop up in locations without any recent activity. This makes it more difficult to accurately predict areas that might be affected.

The key to good design lies in covering your bases. Even in situations where there is a lack of precedent for seismic design, your approach should encompass what could potentially happen. Employing Hilti's Ultimate Performance ensures you meet compliance across the board; From SA TS 101 - the Australian technical standard for concrete anchors, and according to ICC-ES and ETA C2 approvals - best practices imported from abroad.

How can we learn from seismic applications implemented abroad?

To understand the importance of Ultimate Performance in seismic applications, let's look outside of Australia. In 1971, the Sylmar earthquake struck San Fernando in California and destroyed, among other things, two hospitals. In response, the state implemented stringent new regulations for seismic design. These new codes required a greater focus on earthquake-proofing structural elements. In 1994, the region experienced another severe earthquake, and again, several hospitals were forced out of operation due to the damage incurred.

The issue here was that while these newer hospitals had been designed in line with the new seismic compliance measures, it was the non-structural elements of the building that caused the damage. Non-structural systems such as HVAC, suspended ceilings and facade cladding were not designed to withstand seismic activity, and under the regulations of the time, were not required to. The destruction caused by these systems falling apart was enough to render hospitals in the area inoperable.

Again, the state of California upped the requirements in the building codes, this time ensuring that even non-structural elements would remain secure in a seismic event. In the interest of future-proofing designs for inevitable earthquakes, a unique and ambitious project was undertaken. A five-storey building was erected on top of a shake table. The building itself was a structural skeleton emulating a hospital, with internal and external non-structural components added upon completion. Utilising Hilti's expertise and product portfolio, virtually every non-structural element in the complex was anchored using our equipment.

The idea was to test how we could improve our solutions. Hilti's Regional Manager in California Jahida Nadi stated that "this research project provides us with a unique opportunity to test the entire system subjected to an earthquake. This is the only way to do better. Better products, better design codes, better and safer infrastructure."

It's from this test, and others like it, that Hilti has developed the Ultimate Performance platform. By testing our design methodology, installation practice and individual products in such a demanding environment, we have been able to adapt and develop systems and tools that can stand up to the most rigorous tests and ensure your design's Ultimate Performance.

Case study: the New Royal Adelaide Hospital

The New Royal Adelaide Hospital is the largest and most technologically advanced in South Australia. Encompassing 10 hectares, 800 rooms and over 100,000 cubic metres of reinforced and post-tensioned concrete, the project was simply enormous.

The key challenge for its designers was ensuring that the hospital would remain functional for 48 hours after a severe earthquake or natural disaster occurred. Both structural and non-structural fixings were required to meet an extremely high standard of performance.

Through our international seismic approvals process, Hilti engineers were able to supply high performance anchors for the project, One of the biggest challenges was finding a way to support the electrical and communications services the hospital would rely on. Hilti's contribution went beyond specifying and supplying 80,000 HSC undercutting safety anchors and 60,000 HUS screw anchors. We also supplied expertise, and our Fleet Management services provided the tools to get the job done. With support from Hilti, the job was completed safely, efficiently and to an exceptionally high standard.

Ultimate Performance solutions from Hilti

There are hundreds of products from Hilti that can help you achieve Ultimate Performance in your design, specification and installation. When it comes to safety, relevant baseplate and seismic applications, professionals can benefit from employing:

Profis is a software platform that allows you to design your anchor fastenings according to the latest design codes, here in Australia as well as those used overseas. It ensures you'll be using the best practices, whatever the application you're designing for.

Chemical anchors:

• HIT-HY 200-R: is a hybrid mortar for heavy duty chemical anchoring, and fulfills the requirements of the most demanding seismic guidelines. Coupled with Hilti SAFEset technology, it makes installation more efficient.

• HIT-RE 500 V3: A fast setting epoxy mortar for rebar connections and heavy duty anchoring. Coupled with Hilti SAFEset technology, it makes installation more efficient.

• HIT-Z rods: Anchor rods designed for use in cracked concrete in seismic applications with ETA approvals. No hole cleaning required when used in conjunction with the Safeset system - HY 200 chemical and hollow drill bits.

Mechanical anchors:

• HST3 anchors: An expansion anchor for seismic loading conditions, able to meet geometrically challenging requirements.

• HUS3 anchors: This range of Ultimate Performance screw anchors feature superior driving characteristics due to innovative geometry. Multiple sizes and configurations are available for a range of applications.

• HDA anchors: A range of undercut anchors designed for extreme performance, meeting international standards for fatigue applications. With options for both pre-fastening and through-fastening for use in dry, damp or exterior conditions.

• HSL3 anchors: Our range of heavy duty expansion anchors, developed for different conditions with a number of different head configurations.

Accessories:

• Filling washers fill the annular gap in both mechanical and chemical anchor systems, ensuring optimal load transfer.

• TE-CD / TE-YD are hollow drill bits which allow hole drilling and hole cleaning to be completed in one step.

• TE-YRT roughing tool for diamond-cored holes in concrete.

• HIT-SZ piston plugs support consistent adhesive injection without forming air voids or wasting mortar.

Systems for seismic relevant applications

Chemical: 

•  Profis + HIT-HY 200-R + HIT-Z / HIT-V 8.8 grade anchor rods + Filling washers

•  Profis + HIT-HY 500 V3 + HIT V 8.8 (standard injection anchor rod) + Filling washers

Mechanical: 

• Profis + HST3 anchors, HUS3-HF for applications requiring galvanised + Filling washers

There are many roads to ensure compliant performance from your concrete anchor designs, but the fastest and most efficient route is through Hilti. Our extensive industry knowledge and dedication to improving our products and services mean you'll get the Ultimate Performance when utilising Hilti products and methodology. For more information or to find out about our custom tailored solutions, contact us today.