Fence & Guardrail Block Reference Manual ReCon Series 50 esthetics You Want Performance You Need!
Copyright 2011 ReCon Wall Systems, Inc. www.reconwalls.com
Introduction t ReCon, we are proud of our tradition of offering a product line that adds value for our customers, and for our wall design and wall contractor partners. Whether the ReCon application focuses on the scale and aesthetics of the ReCon Block, the durability of the wet-cast, air-entrained concrete, the considerable gravity wall heights that can be achieved, or the construction efficiencies associated with our product, it is our intention to solve site specific challenges and add value. t ReCon, we offer not just our retaining wall product, but also a Fence Block and a Guardrail Block to compliment our traditional retaining wall system. The ReCon Fence Block is an excellent option when a pedestrian railing is desired, but instead of the usual wrought iron or aluminum railing, the designer wants to continue the look and aesthetic of a natural stone wall. This is an excellent time to add two courses of ReCon Fence Block and a ReCon Capstone to create a 38 inch tall barrier that is both structurally sound and very attractive. Or maybe a freestanding fence wall is needed that provides privacy and again the look of natural stone. The freestanding ReCon Fence Block can generally be stacked to 6 8 in above grade height. lternatively, the ReCon Guardrail Block can be used as a vehicle guardrail on top of a ReCon retaining wall. This guardrail application can be designed to meet the International Building Code (IBC 2000) standard for parking lots and residential or side streets where low vehicle speeds would be typical. This manual is intended to provide wall designers, wall installers and others with information that will be helpful in the design and the construction of the ReCon wall that incorporates the ReCon Fence and Guardrail Block. Page 3
Table Of Contents ReCon Fence Block Shapes Data... 5 Free-Standing Wall... 7 Fence Blocks on Top of Retaining Wall Blocks... 8 Curved Walls - Fence Block... 9 Curved Walls - Fence Block... 10 Curved Walls - Full High Cap... 11 Fence Block Wall Layout with 9 Corners... 12 Full High Cap Units... 13 ReCon Guardrail Block as Vehicle Barrier... 14 Curved Wall-Guardrail Block... 15 Warranty... 16 Page 4
Shapes ReCon Fence Block Shapes Data ReCon Fence Block units are available in a variety of shapes. These shapes are designed to enhance the aesthetic appearance of a finished retaining wall. In addition, the large selection provides for ease and simplicity in the installation process without adding undue complexity for designers, installers and manufacturers alike. The shapes shown are representative of the most common ReCon Fence Block shapes. ctual block shapes and texture options vary by region. Check with your local supplier to determine availability. Because ReCon Fence Block are manufactured from wet-cast, air-entrained concrete, they lend themselves to a varying degree of customization. Many existing shapes and face textures were originally developed to accommodate the needs of an owner, designer or installer. If some unique shape or texture is required it may be possible to develop products not already available. Given a reasonable amount of time, ReCon manufacturers should be able to determine the viability and cost estimate of such a request. Name Full-High Cap Middle Block FHCPM Weight 1447 Dimensions 9.98 10.66 Name Full High Cap Middle Fitting Block FHCMFB Weight 1327 Dimensions 9.15 10.66 Name Full Fence Middle Block FFM Weight 1448 Dimensions 9.99 10.66 Name Full Fence Base Flat End Block FFBEB Weight 1454 Dimensions 10.03 13.33 Name Full-High Cap End Block FHCPE Weight 1457 Dimensions 10.05 13.33 Name Full Fence Base Block FFB Weight 1547 Dimensions 10.67 10.66 Name Full Fence Base End Block FFBE Weight 1575 Dimensions 10.67 13.33 Name Full Fence Middle Flat End Block FFMEB Weight 1370 Dimensions 9.40 13.33 Page 5
Name FFME 10.18 13.33 Name HFM 4.90 5.33 Name HFME 5.15 8.00 Name FGE 9.66 13.33 Full Fence Middle End Block Weight Dimensions 1476 Half Fence Middle Block Weight Dimensions 710 16 in. x 24 in. x 24 in. Half Fence Middle End Block Weight Dimensions 746 16 in. x 24 in. x 24 in. Full Guardrail End Block Weight Dimensions 1400 Name HFB 5.24 5.33 Name HFBE 5.43 8.00 Name FGM 9.47 10.66 Name HGM 4.64 5.33 Half Fence Base Block Weight Dimensions 760 16 in. x 24 in. x 24 in. Half Fence Base End Block Weight Dimensions 787 16 in. x 24 in. x 24 in. Full Guardrail Middle Block Weight Dimensions 1373 Half Guardrail Middle Block Weight Dimensions 673 16 in. x 24 in. x 24 in. Name HGME 4.89 8.00 Half Guardrail Middle End Block Weight Dimensions 709 16 in. x 24 in. x 24 in. Page 6
Free-Standing Wall 6 1/2 Cap Full High Cap 6 6 1/2 6 8 8 Leveling Pad 6 Leveling Pad 6 Foundation Soil - Subcut as required & replace with suitable compacted structural fill to achieve the required bearing capacity as directed by the site geotechnical engineer. 6 8 high free-standing wall, constructed of ReCon Fence Blocks (24 wide blocks) plus a ReCon Cap Block, was analyzed with respect to the following loads: 1. continuous pedestrian load of 50 pounds/lineal foot, applied horizontally at a height of 42 inches, per International Building Code 2000 (IBC) 1607.7.1. 2. single pedestrian load of 200 pounds, applied at any point, per IBC 1607.7.1.1. 3. wind pressure of 15 pounds/sq. ft., per IBC 1609.1.2. The critical load combination was determined to be the 50 PLF continuous load acting with 80% of the prescribed wind pressure. 6 6 1/2 high wall (shown above) was found to have a factor-of-safety of 3.6 against overturning. Walls of a lesser height will have a greater factor-of-safety against overturning. See Ericksen Roed & ssociates report dated December 2,2005 for complete structural analysis (available upon request from ReCon Wall Systems). Page 7
Fence Blocks on Top of Retaining Wall Blocks B C D E F G H I J K Retaining Wall Base Retaining Wall Middle Full Fence Base Flat End Full High Cap End Full Fence Middle Full Fence Middle Flat End Full Fence Middle End Full High Cap Middle Half Fence Base End 6.5 End Capstone - Cut 6.5 End Capstone Showing Varying Setback between: Retaining Wall Block to Retaining Wall Block Retaining Wall Block to Fence Block Fence Block to Fence Block Setback = 0.00 Setback = 1.50 Setback = 1.00 L 6.5 Capstone L J K F G E B B E E H B F E D C I Page 8
Curved Walls - Fence Block Introducing a curve into a fence wall, especially when the wall product is 24 thick, can create some challenges. The design and configuration of the ReCon Fence Block was intended to balance versatility with ease of construction and with great aesthetics. The end to end tongue and groove design of the ReCon Fence Block allows the contractor to construct curved walls without miter cutting each block along the curve. On the outside curve side of the wall, there will be a small opening between the adjacent block face textures. The tighter the radius, the greater the opening. However, because the tongue end of the ReCon Fence Block, the opening will not appear as a crack or gap in the wall that is visible from one side of the wall to the other. If, however, the customer wants to close this small opening, then the installer can simply cut one of the wings on the inside curve side of the wall to eliminate or reduce the opening on the outside curve portion of the wall. Cutting a wing which is just 4 thick (combined with trimming a small portion of the tongue) to close this opening is much easier and quicker than miter cutting through an entire fence block that is 24 thick. The photos show the opening that results on the outside curve side of the wall if the wing is not trimmed on the inside curve side of the wall. The drawings on the following page show the size of the opening given a 15 and a 25 radius. These drawings also show the approximate amount of trimming that would be required if it is desired to close the opening. Page 9
Curved Walls - Fence Block 15 Radius Option 1 Leave Opening Option 2 Trim Wing & Close Opening Cut approximately 3 off tongue to complete closure of gap 5 gap Cut approximately 5 off wing to close gap on outside curve side of wall Option 1 Leave Opening 25 Radius Option 2 Trim Wing & Close Opening Cut approximately 2 off tongue to complete closure of gap 4 gap Cut approximately 4 off wing to close gap on outside curve side of wall Page 10
Curved Walls - Full High Cap The top of a ReCon Fence Wall can be finished using the ReCon Capstone (6 1/2 high) or the ReCon Full High Cap (16 high). When this wall is curved, the caps at the top of the wall will need to be miter cut in the field if the opening between the blocks is to be eliminated. Cutting the ReCon Full High Cap can require a good amount of time on the chop saw given that it is a solid piece of concrete 24 thick and 16 in height. In order to reduce the time and effort required to complete this cut, ReCon offers a Full High Cap Middle FITTING Block. This block is precast with a recess on one end of the block that is 6 deep and leaves about 4 of concrete around the top, the front side, and the back side of the block. Thus, the time required to make a miter cut is significantly reduced. Top-Down Plan View - Blocks shown as Transparent 15 Radius 25 Radius pproximately a 5 3/4 cut needed to complete the closure of the gap pproximately a 5 3/4 gap pproximately a 3 1/2 cut needed to complete the closure of the gap pproximately a 3 1/2 gap Full High Cap Middle Fitting Block Page 11
Fence Block Wall Layout with 9 Corners B B C B B B E C D - Full Fence Middle End Block B - Full Fence Middle Flat End Block C- Half Fence Middle End Block D - Full Fence Base End Block E - Full Fence Base Flat End Block Page 12
Full High Cap Units ReCon Full High Cap Units can be used when some freeboard above top grade is expected at the top of a retaining wall. This solution can be useful when the wall involves numerous step-ups at the top of the finished wall and a finished appearance is desired for all exposed block above grade. Back Side of Wall Full High Cap Middle Blocks Full High Cap End Blocks Full Middle Retaining Wall Block Full Base Retaining Wall Block Page 13
ReCon Guardrail Block as Vehicle Barrier 6 1/2 Reinforcing Bar Parking Lot Surface ReCon barrier wall was analyzed with respect to vehicle impact. Two cases were checked. The basic configuration of the barrier wall consists of two 24-inch deep blocks, with a cap block, placed upon two 45- inch deep retaining wall blocks, with vertical reinforcing in the block cores. The cap blocks should be bonded to the barrier wall with adhesive, to prevent them from dislodging during a vehicle impact. The vehicle barrier is assumed to be installed on a retaining wall constructed of 45-inch deep ReCon Block. Geogrid 45 45 5 4 Case 1 The structure was analyzed with respect to the standard for Vehicle Barriers set forth in the International Building Code (IBC 1607.7.3), which is intended to apply to parking structures or vehicle barriers protecting building elements. The standard is also generally accepted for parking lots, residential side streets or private drives where low vehicle speeds would be typical. The IBC standard specifies resistance to a single load of 6000 pounds applied horizontally in any direction to the barrier system...at a height of 18 inches. It must be pointed out that the prescribed load is an arbitrary static load intended to provide nominal restraint to a slow moving vehicle, I.E., at the edge of parking decks. It is not intended to resist the impact from any specific combination of vehicle mass and velocity. #4 bars in each core of the barrier wall (24-inches on-center) will resist the prescribed load and provide an approximate factor-of-safety of 1.8 with respect to allowable stresses. Geogrid or other tie-back system providing a minimum lateral resistance of 100 lbs. per linear foot, is required to resist sliding and overturning with a minimum factor-of-safety of 1.5. Case 2 The structure was also analyzed with respect to impact from moving vehicles. #5 bars in each block core of the barrier wall will provide an approximate factor-of-safety of 1.5, with respect to allowable steel stresses, due to a 90-degree impact from a mid-sized sedan weighing 3500 lb. and traveling at 15-mph. Minor cracking and dislocation of blocks may occur, but the wall will stop the vehicle and remain essentially intact. Geogrid or other tie-back system providing a minimum lateral resistance of 1200 lbs. per linear foot is required to resist sliding and overturning with a minimum factor-of-safety of 1.5. Higher velocity impacts can be resisted as the angle of incidence decreases. 20-mph impact at 25-degrees or a 30-mph impact at 15-degrees are nominally equivalent to the 15-mph impact at 90-degrees. Supporting Calculations can be found in the Ericksen Roed & ssociates report dated Dec. 2, 2005 (available upon request from ReCon Wall Systems). Page 14
Curved Wall-Guardrail Block When constructing a ReCon Guardrail Wall that is curved, it is important that the 6 diameter holes that are cast into the Guardrail Blocks (two courses) and into the ReCon (45 deep) Retaining Wall Blocks (two courses) continue to line up so that the reinforcing rebar can be inserted through the four courses of block and a concrete grout then applied to fill these holes. s the radius of the curve becomes tighter, alignment becomes more of a challenge. If the wall being built has an inside curve, the radius should never be any tighter than 35 if one is to avoid cutting of block to maintain alignment. If the wall being built has an outside curve, the radius can be as tight as 40, but this will require cutting off 2 from the inside wing of the Guardrail Block (on both courses). Given the variability of block spacing that can occur in the field, it would be advisable to keep the radius to no less than 50 to avoid some unexpected alignment issues. Minimum Turning Radius, Inside Curve 35 Minimum Turning Radius, Outside Curve 40 40 Radius with 2 cut/removed from inside wing of Guardrail in field Page 15
Warranty Each Block will have a 28 day compressive strength of at least 4000 PSI for 15 years after proper installation. If a Block does not meet this warranty standard, please notify the manufacturer in writing. If after it has been determined that the Block has not met the specifications, the manufacturer will have shipped to you, replacement Blocks which shall be the manufacturer s sole remedy for breach of this warranty. However, neither the manufacturer nor ReCon Wall Systems, Inc. shall have any obligation to install such replacement Blocks. This warranty shall not apply to any Block which is damaged, defective or fails to meet the warranty standard due to improper installation of the Block, chemical contact, structural design of the wall, or excessive and unforeseen site conditions beyond the manufacturer s or ReCon Wall Systems, Inc. s control. The above warranty is the exclusive limited product warranty. LL OTHER WRRNTIES, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING WRRNTIES OF MERCHNTBILITY OR FITNESS FOR PRTICULR PURPOSE, RE DISCLIMED. Page 16
ReCon Wall Systems, Inc. 7600 West 27th Street Suite 229 St. Louis Park, MN 55426 (952) 922-0027 (952) 922-0028 (Fax Line) sales@reconwalls.com www.reconwalls.com Distributed By: November 2011