HAPAS approves reinforcing bar couplers 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 independent assurance of the product’s suitability for infrastructure work.

Ancon MBT ET-type couplers have been independently proven to have 100% strength of the bars being joined and exceed ‘Class D’ fatigue strength requirements (BS 5400-10C:1999).

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.

MBT-ET 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. They are available in sizes from 10mm to 40mm and join 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.

The MBT-ET range has 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.