A cleaner, safer, faster alternative to Pour Strips

CI/SfB (29) Et6

November 2013

Lockable Dowels
For Temporary Movement Joints
in Post-Tensioned Concrete
 Ancon Lockable Dowels

Contents
Advantages and Applications 2-3
Range of Lockable Dowels 4-5
Performance Data 6
Edge Distance and Spacings 7
Reinforcement Details 8
Dimensions 9
Ancon Lockable Dowel
Installation 10 US Patent No. 8209933
Singapore Patent No. 159760
Projects 11 South Africa Patent No. 2010/01651
New Zealand Patent No. 583887
Other Ancon Products 11 Other patents pending

Lockable Dowels
Lockable Dowels have been designed by Lockable Dowels improve site access, The Lockable Dowel is closer to a true pin-
Ancon for use at temporary movement joints, minimise formwork requirements and ended joint and, being manufactured from
most commonly found in post-tensioned accelerate the rate of construction. With a stainless steel, provides additional corrosion
concrete frames. Lockable Dowel, there is less requirement for protection over systems using carbon steel
These dowels allow initial shrinkage of the the slabs to be propped or a support corbel to reinforcement.
concrete to take place and are then locked in be constructed, as shear load is transferred by
The design capacities shown on page 6 are
position with a mechanical plate and a the dowel. The time saved by early removal of
backed by independent test data and the
controlled amount of epoxy resin. The locked slab props can be significant.
unique void former allows inspection of the
dowels continue to transfer shear, but prevent A Lockable Dowel also provides many dowel before the joint is locked.
further movement taking place. advantages over the site-assembled
Standard Ancon systems are available for use
arrangement of carbon steel reinforcing bar,
at slab joints and retaining / core walls.
Advantages galvanised or plastic ducting, vent tubes and a
The use of Lockable Dowels can save a non-specific grout, which is sometimes used
significant amount of time and materials by contractors.
over other construction methods. Concrete
shrinkage has traditionally been
In addition, engineers have found the Ancon
 Eliminate pour strips
 Reduce propping times
Lockable Dowel to be the preferred design
accommodated by leaving gaps in the slab solution for pin-ended joints. Although it is
called ‘pour strips’ or ‘closure strips’. These
strips are filled once movement has stabilised,
customary for practical reasons to use U-bars
 Reduce formwork
 Improve site access
or other rebar continuity systems at these
however until they are filled the slabs must be connections, these options do not truly act as
propped, restricting site access and delaying
site progress. Gaps in the slab also create a
hinges and so rotation of the slab under load
can induce cracking at the wall-to-slab
 Faster, safer construction
trip hazard for site workers, use additional
formwork and can leave the soffit face marked.
interface with potential integrity issues.  Proven performance

Pour Strips restrict site access, cause a The Lockable Dowel eliminates the need for Pour Strips, accelerating the speed of
trip hazard and delay progress on site construction and improving site safety

2 Tel: +44 (0) 114 275 5224 [Link]

Applications
In most cases, Ancon Lockable Dowels can be used to replace pour strips at temporary
movement joints in post-tensioned concrete frames. Standard Ancon systems are available
for use at slab joints and retaining / core walls.

By using these dowels we have saved at least four weeks per storey. This
construction method is just more efficient. Wet trades finish sooner on site and
the anticipated movement at the joints was achieved without any issues.
Ben Ume, Director, Matthew Consultants
University Campus Suffolk phase 2, Ipswich, UK

© P J Carey (Contractors) Limited

PJ Carey chose the lockable dowel system because it offered time and cost
savings, accelerating an already fast build programme.
Eamonn O’Donnell, Project Manager, PJ Carey (Contractors) Ltd
Emergency Care Centre, Aberdeen, UK

The Lockable Dowel is a very clean system. If you have encounted pour strips
before, the Lockable Dowel is a no-brainer.
Emergency Care Centre, Aberdeen
Mahmoud Farawi, Skanska USA

Slab-to-Slab

 Ancon Lockable Dowel 

Proven performance
Minimal material usage

Various site-assembled components

Unreliable performance, additional construction
materials used and support corbel or prop required

Slab-to-Slab

Additional formwork,
trip hazard and
Ancon Lockable Dowel 
Minimal formwork


Improved site access
restricted access
Reduced propping time
Slabs propped
for several weeks
Pour strip in slab

Slab-to-Wall

Restricted access


Improved site access
Slabs propped Reduced propping time
for several weeks

Pour strip at wall-to-slab junction Ancon Lockable Dowel

3
Ancon Lockable Dowel Brochure UK 2013:- 20/11/13 09:56 Page 5

Ancon Lockable Dowels

Range of Lockable Dowels

A Lockable Dowel allows initial shrinkage of the concrete to take place and then, after a pre-determined time period (generally 3-4 weeks), is locked in
position with a mechanical plate and a controlled amount of epoxy resin. The range comprises three products; ESDQ-L20, HLDQ-L30 and ESDQ-L20W.

Slab-to-Slab Lockable Dowels Locking Plate

(notches indicate Two-part Epoxy Resin
ESDQ-L20 minimum resin depth)
The dowel component is manufactured from
30mm diameter stainless steel; one end
features two fixed overlapping anchor discs
and the other has a series of grooves to
Sleeve Component featuring
accept the Locking Plate. The cylindrical void former supplied with label
sleeve which accepts the dowel component is on nailing plate
contained within a box-section to allow lateral,
longitudinal and some rotational movement.
The epoxy resin is poured into the L-shaped
void former. This product has a design Dowel Component
capacity of up to 71kN. See pages 6-9 for full ESDQ-L20
technical details. for Slab-to-Slab

Locking Plate Two-part Epoxy Resin

(notches indicate
minimum resin depth)

Sleeve Component featuring

void former supplied with label
on nailing plate

Reinforcement being located around

ESDQ-L20 Sleeves

HLDQ-L30 Dowel Component

The HLDQ-L30 is a high load Lockable Dowel
with a design capacity of up to 136kN. See
pages 6-9 for full technical details. HLDQ-L30
for Slab-to-Slab

Example Specification Clause

Delete/Amend blue text as appropriate
<Ancon ESDQ-L20 or Ancon HLDQ-L30> lockable shear load connector comprising dowel,
sleeve and locking components to be installed at the temporary movement joint between two
slabs. Product to be positioned at <insert centres>mm horizontal centres at <the centre line of
the slab or XXXmm from the top of the slab>. The dowel is to be locked in position after
<insert time period> using the locking plate and resin supplied. System should be installed in
accordance with Ancon’s instructions and engineer’s drawings.

HLDQ-L30 Sleeve nailed to formwork

4 Tel: +44 (0) 114 275 5224 [Link]

 Locking Plate
Slab-to-Wall Lockable Dowel (notches indicate Two-part Epoxy Resin
ESDQ-L20W minimum resin depth)

The dowel component is manufactured from

30mm diameter stainless steel, but is shorter
than the ESDQ-L20 dowel. One end of the
dowel is designed to fix into the stainless steel Sleeve Component featuring
Ancon SKS24 Threaded Anchor cast into the void former supplied with label
on nailing plate
face of the concrete and the other end
features a series of grooves to accept the
Locking Plate. The sleeve component is the
same as used in the ESDQ-L20. See pages
6-9 for full technical details. Dowel Component
ESDQ-L20W
for Slab-to-Wall SKS24 Threaded Anchor
supplied with a nailing plate

Sleeve pushed over dowel component at

core wall

Example Specification Clause

Delete/Amend blue text as appropriate
Ancon ESDQ-L20W lockable shear load
connector comprising dowel, sleeve,
threaded anchor and locking components Void formers shown at Slab-to-Wall joint
to be installed at the temporary movement
joint between slab and wall. Product to be
positioned at <insert centres>mm
horizontal centres at <the centre line of the
slab or XXXmm from the top of the slab>.
The dowel is to be locked in position after
<insert time period> using the locking
plate and resin supplied. System should be
installed in accordance with Ancon’s
instructions and engineer’s drawings.

Epoxy Resin
Each dowel is locked after a pre-determined
time period (generally 3-4 weeks) with a high
quality, two-part epoxy resin. The resin is
mixed and poured into the L-shaped void
former. Each dowel requires 1,500g of resin.

Scan here to watch an installation Slab-to-Wall Application

video of Ancon Lockable Dowels

5
Ancon Lockable Dowel Brochure UK 2013:- 20/11/13 10:05 Page 7

Ancon Lockable Dowels

Performance Data
Vertical load transfer
Movement between slabs

Movement +/-20.5mm

Vertical load transfer

Locked between slabs

Load transfer
between slabs

Locked

ESDQ-L20 Lockable Dowels (slab-to-slab)

Slab Tension along Vertical Design Resistance (kN) for Various Design Joint
Thickness line of dowel Widths (mm) in C30/37 Concrete
(mm) (kN) 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40
160 45 12.0 12.0 12.0 12.0 12.0 12.0 12.0 12.0
180 65 25.0 25.0 25.0 25.0 25.0 25.0 25.0 25.0
200 80 40.0 40.0 40.0 40.0 40.0 40.0 40.0 40.0
220 100 53.6 53.6 53.6 53.6 53.6 53.6 53.6 52.7
240 100 62.2 62.2 62.2 62.2 60.6 57.8 55.2 52.7
260 and above 100 71.4 69.9 66.6 63.5 60.6 57.8 55.2 52.7

ESDQ-L20W Lockable Dowels (slab-to-wall)

Slab Tension along Vertical Design Resistance (kN) for Various Design Joint
Thickness line of dowel Widths (mm) in C30/37 Concrete
(mm) (kN) 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40
160 45 12.0 12.0 12.0 12.0 12.0 12.0 12.0 12.0
180 65 25.0 25.0 25.0 25.0 25.0 25.0 25.0 25.0
200 80 40.0 40.0 40.0 40.0 40.0 40.0 40.0 40.0
220 80 53.6 53.6 53.6 53.6 53.6 53.6 53.6 52.7
240 80 62.2 62.2 62.2 62.2 60.6 57.8 55.2 52.7
260 and above 80 71.4 69.9 66.6 63.5 60.6 57.8 55.2 52.7

HLDQ-L30 Lockable Dowels (slab-to-slab)

Slab Tension along Vertical Design Resistance (kN) for Various Design Joint
Thickness line of dowel Widths (mm) in C30/37 Concrete
(mm) (kN) 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40
240 and above 100 136.0 136.0 136.0 136.0 136.0 136.0 136.0 121.9

ESDQ-L20 Example Joint Filler / Fire Protection

Slab thickness = 240mm Ancon can provide information on a suitable
Maximum width of joint = 20mm joint filler and also recommend fire resistant
Concrete strength = C30/37 material which could be used as part of an
Characteristic permanent action (dead load) = 40kN/m γG = 1.35* overall fire protection system.
Characteristic variable action (imposed load) = 50kN/m γQ = 1.5*
Design load = 1.35 x 40 + 1.5 x 50 = 129kN/m Reinforcement Details
Vertical design resistance = 62.2kN (240mm slab 20mm joint) Local reinforcement is required around each
Ancon Lockable Dowel to guarantee that the
Therefore centres for vertical load = 62.2 / 129 = 0.482m use 450mm centres
forces are transferred between the connectors
Each dowel will in addition provide a design resistance across the joint of 100kN (for slab to and the concrete. See page 8 for full details.
wall this is 80kN), therefore the total design resistance in the direction of the dowel = 100 /
0.45 = 222kN (for slab to wall 80 / 0.45 = 177kN).
If this is insufficient, the dowel centres can be reduced to a minimum of 1.5 x slab thickness
to increase the design resistance across the joint, in this example it would increase to 100 /
0.36 = 277kN (for slab to wall 80 / 0.36 = 222kN).
*The partial safety factors of 1.35 (γG) and 1.5 (γQ) are those recommended in EN 1990 Eurocode: Basis for

country concerned. For designs to BS8110, γG = 1.4 and γQ = 1.6. Other national standards may require
structural design. For designs to Eurocode 2, please refer to the national annex for the factors to be used in the

different safety factors.

6 Tel: +44 (0) 114 275 5224 [Link]

Edge Distance and Spacings
For connectors working at or near their maximum capacity, the minimum
spacing should be 1.5 times the slab thickness. Where the design load of the connector could be
used in a thinner slab, a spacing of 1.5 times the thinner slab thickness can be used. The minimum
end distance is always 0.5 times the spacing.

min. 0.75h min. 1.5h

ESDQ-L20 Minimum Edge Distance and Spacings

240mm
min.

180 min. 360 min.

HLDQ-L30 Minimum Edge Distance and Spacings

0.75h 1.5h

ESDQ-L20W Minimum Edge Distance and Spacings. h = depth of adjoining slab

ESDQ-L20 Example
Slab thickness = 300mm
Maximum width of joint = 20mm
Concrete strength = C30/37
Design resistance/connector = 63.5kN
(based on slabs 260mm and above)
Spacing for max. load 300 x 1.5 = 450mm
End distance for max. load 450 x 0.5 = 225mm
Design resistance/metre = 63.5 / 0.45 = 141.1kN/m
As an ESDQ-L20 can be used in a 220mm slab for a design resistance per connector of up
to 53.6kN, the spacing can be based on a 220mm slab. Therefore:
Reduced spacing 220 x 1.5 = 330mm
Reduced end distance 330 x 0.5 = 165mm
Design resistance/metre 53.6 / 0.33 = 162.4kN/m

7
 Ancon Lockable Dowels

Reinforcement Details
Local reinforcement is required around each Ancon Lockable Dowel to guarantee that the forces are transferred between the connectors and the
concrete. Correct detailing in accordance with appropriate design codes and the recommendations provided here will ensure the dowels attain their
full capacity. The tables show the main reinforcement required, together with details of reinforcement above and below the connectors. Although only
the sleeve components are illustrated, the same reinforcement is required around the dowel component.

Options for Main Reinforcement ESDQ-L20

Lockable Dowel No. of U-bars each side
Ref. H12 H14 H16 Longitudinal
ESDQ-L20 2 - - reinforcement
above
HLDQ-L30 4 3 3

Options for Longitudinal Reinforcement Longitudinal

reinforcement
Lockable Dowel No. of bars top and bottom below
Ref. H12 H14 H16
ESDQ-L20 2 - -
Main
HLDQ-L30 2 2 2
reinforcement
each side

Longitudinal
reinforcement
above

Main reinforcement
each side

Longitudinal
reinforcement
below

HLDQ-L30

Longitudinal
reinforcement
ESDQ-L20 above

Longitudinal
reinforcement
below

Main
reinforcement
each side

Longitudinal
reinforcement
above

Main reinforcement
each side

Longitudinal
reinforcement
HLDQ-L30 below

Threaded Anchor
Reinforcement around the Ancon Threaded Anchor should be a minimum diameter of
12mm, installed at maximum 200mm vertical and horizontal centres.

SKS24 Threaded Anchor, part of ESDQ-L20W

8 Tel: +44 (0) 114 275 5224 [Link]

HLDQ-L30 Sleeve Component

Dimensions
ESDQ-L20 Components
Dowel Component Sleeve Component

30mm 31mm Internal

Diameter 170mm Max. +/-20.5mm
lateral movement
100mm

435mm 240mm
110mm

HLDQ-L30 Components
Dowel Component Sleeve Component

31mm internal
30mm diameter 170mm Max. +/-20.5mm
lateral movement
140mm 140mm

270mm
475mm 280mm 12mm 161mm 12mm
115mm

ESDQ-L20W Components
SKS24 Threaded Anchor Dowel Component Sleeve Component
40mm
31mm internal
91mm 30mm diameter 170mm Max. +/-20.5mm
lateral movement
150mm 100mm
103mm
270mm 240mm
M30x3.5mm 110mm

9
 Ancon Lockable Dowels

Installation
Slab-to-Slab
Although installation is shown for the ESDQ-L20, the procedure is the same for the HLDQ-L30.
1 2 3

Nail the sleeve to the formwork either central in Pour the concrete, and when of sufficient Fix the local reinforcement around the dowel
the slab or for slab depths over 300mm so the strength, strike the formwork. Puncture the component and pour the concrete.
top of the void former is level with the top of the label to reveal the cylindrical sleeve only and
slab. Do not remove the label over the nailing insert the dowel until it is approximately 20mm
plate as this prevents ingress of concrete into from the back of the void former.
the sleeve. Fix the local reinforcement, as
specified on engineer’s drawings.

4 5 6

After a predetermined time period (generally 3-

4 weeks), when movement between the slabs
has stabilised and the joint between the slabs
has been filled, the dowel is ready to be
locked. Mix the two-part epoxy resin and pour into the After 24 hours the void former can be filled
void former. It is essential the resin flows along with cementitious material, level with the top of
Fit the Locking Plate on a groove in the centre the stainless steel box section towards the the slab, to complete the installation.
of the void former. The fan-shaped Locking joint and reaches the notches on the locking
Plate allows the dowel to be locked in any The locked dowel continues to transfer vertical
plate, which indicate minimum resin depth. load between the slabs, but movement can no
position.
Joint must be filled before resin is installed. longer take place.

Slab-to-Wall

1 2 3

Nail the threaded anchor to the formwork so When concrete reaches sufficient strength, Puncture the label of the sleeve to reveal the
the dowel will be central in the adjoining slab strike the formwork and remove nailing plate. cylindrical sleeve only. Push the sleeve over the
or within 150mm of the top of slabs over Screw the dowel into the anchor. dowel until it is flush with the concrete. Tie
300mm. Fix the local reinforcement as sleeve to reinforcement and pour concrete.
specified on engineer’s drawings and cast the See Steps 4 to 6 above to complete
concrete. installation.

Notes: Where deep concrete pours are proposed, the installation will require further consideration.
More robust fixing of the sleeve and dowel components will be necessary, to avoid displacement
during casting of the concrete.
Scan here to watch an
installation video of Ancon
10 Tel: +44 (0) 114 275 5224 [Link] Lockable Dowels
Project References Other Ancon Products
DSD/Q Shear Load Connectors
Ancon DSD and DSDQ double-dowel
connectors are used to transfer shear across
movement joints in suspended concrete slabs.
They are more effective at transferring load
and allowing movement than standard single
dowels and can be used to eliminate double
columns at structural movement joints in
buildings. The Q version features a rectangular
box section to allow lateral and some rotational
movement.
Plate Dowel Systems
© RMJM

Ancon MultiJoint is a plate dowel system for

use in ground bearing concrete floor slabs. It is
200 Lockable dowels were installed on the an all-in-one solution to load transfer, concrete
James Hehir Building (University Campus
Suffolk phase 2) in Ipswich, UK contraction, armoured edge protection and
‘Highly Commended’ in the 2010 formwork. Individual plate dowels are also
CONSTRUCT award for innovation and best available.
practice for its use of the Lockable Dowel.
Punching Shear Reinforcement
Ancon Shearfix is used within a slab to provide
additional reinforcement from punching shear
around columns. The system consists of
double-headed steel studs welded to flat rails
and is designed to suit the load conditions and
slab depth at each column using free
calculation software from Ancon.
Reinforcing Bar Couplers
The use of reinforcing bar couplers can
provide significant advantages over lapped
joints. Design and construction of the concrete
can be simplified and the amount of
reinforcement can be reduced. The Ancon
range includes parallel-threaded, tapered-
threaded and mechanically-bolted couplers.
Reinforcing Continuity Systems
5,000 Lockable dowels were installed on Ancon Eazistrip is approved by UK CARES
the Royal Children’s Hospital in and consists of bent bars housed in a
Melbourne, Australia galvanised steel casing. Once installed, the
protective cover is removed and the bars
straightened ready for joining. As an
alternative, Ancon Starter Bars are rebar
lengths supplied fixed to an Ancon coupler
which can be cast into the face of the
concrete.
Insulated Balcony Connections
Ancon Isolan connectors join external concrete
© P J Carey (Contractors) Limited

balconies to internal concrete floor slabs.

Used to minimise cold bridging, they provide
continuity to the thermal insulation. Standard
systems, comprising rigid CFC-free
polystyrene insulation and duplex stainless
steel shear reinforcement, suit most depths of
cantilevered and simply supported balconies.
500 Lockable dowels were installed on the Conventional reinforcing bars are used to
Emergency Care Centre in Aberdeen, UK
provide the tension and compression
reinforcement.

11
Masonry Support Systems
Lintels
Masonry Reinforcement
Windposts and Parapet Posts
Wall Ties and Restraint Fixings
Channel and Bolt Fixings
Tension and Compression Systems
Insulated Balcony Connectors
Shear Load Connectors
Punching Shear Reinforcement
Reinforcing Bar Couplers
Reinforcement Continuity Systems
Stainless Steel Fabrications
Flooring and Formed Sections
Refractory Fixings

Ancon Building Products Ancon Building Products Ancon (Schweiz) AG Ancon GmbH
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The construction applications and details provided in this literature are indicative only. In every case, project working
These products are available from:
details should be entrusted to appropriately qualified and experienced persons.

Whilst every care has been exercised in the preparation of this document to ensure that any advice, recommendations or
information is accurate, no liability or responsibility of any kind is accepted in respect of Ancon Building Products.

With a policy of continuous product development Ancon Building Products reserves the right to modify product design
and specification without due notice.

© Ancon Building Products 2013