HAPAS-approved reinforcing bar couplers are another first from Ancon

Ancon is pleased to announce its MBT mechanically-bolted couplers are the first reinforcing bar splicing system to be approved by HAPAS, the Highway Authorities Product Approval Scheme. This approval provides additional independent assurance of the product’s suitability for infrastructure developments.

HAPAS approvals are issued by the British Board of Agrément and supported by Highways England, acting on behalf of the Department for Transport, Transport Scotland, the Welsh Assembly Government and the Department for Regional Development Northern Ireland.

MBT-ET type couplers have been rigorously assessed to a pre-agreed national approval arrangement that removes the need for individual UK highway authorities to carry out their own assessment of the product.

The in-depth approval process involved laboratory testing, performance trials, material assessments and audits of Ancon’s manufacturing processes and quality controls.

100% Bar strength and Class D performance

Ancon MBT-ET type couplers have been independently proven to provide 100% strength of the bars being joined and exceed the fatigue strength required for use as a ‘Class D’ detail (design curve given in BS 5400-10C:1999), which complies with the stringent performance specification of Highways England, formerly the Highways Agency.

The HAPAS certificate confirms MBT-ET type couplers meet the necessary requirements for proprietary mechanical joints in reinforcing bars given in the Manual of Contract Documents for Highways Works (MCHW)(1), Volume 1 Specification for Highways Works (SHW), Series 1700 Structural Concrete and Standard BD 24/92, operated by all UK infrastructure authorities.

Benefits of MBT mechanical joints

Unlike lapped rebar joints which are dependent upon the concrete for load transfer, the strength of a mechanical splice is independent of the concrete in which it is located and will retain its strength despite loss of cover as a result of impact damage.

The HAPAS-approved MBT-ET type coupler is available in seven sizes from 10mm to 40mm and joins straight deformed high-yield carbon steel bars (grade 500) of the same diameter.

The two bar ends are supported within the coupler on two serrated saddles and are locked in place by a series of special lockshear bolts, the heads of which shear off when the predetermined tightening torque is reached to provide a visual check of correct installation.

These bolted couplers are ideal for use when cutting out and replacing corroded reinforcement as part of a highway maintenance contract, where bar end threading or rotation would be impossible.

Approved products

As part of the HAPAS scheme, the BBA conducts at least two surveillance visits a year and a full review after three years to ensure that the product specification and performance are maintained.

The CARES TA1-A approval also covers couplers offering Class D fatigue requirements; an approval which is held by the Ancon Bartec-Plus threaded rebar coupler system.

Only HAPAS-approved and TA1-A CARES-approved products have undergone the necessary rigorous assessment for fatigue to provide independent evidence that they are ‘fit for purpose’ in highways work, whether new-build or maintenance contracts; unapproved products provide an unnecessary risk which can easily be avoided by correct specification and selection.

Contact Ancon with details of your individual project requirements.