SHEET PILING TIE BARS

Macalloy 17MHS
Macalloy 500
Macalloy Waling Bolts
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Experience Innovation Quality

Introduction
Macalloy Ltd has been the leader in the design, manufacture and
supply of threaded bar systems since the 1940’s. Offering various
grades of threaded bar, its products go into applications as diverse
as post tensioning and ground engineering, steelwork structures
and glass facades.
Macalloy’s manufacturing facility is in Sheffield, England, where it
employs state of the art machinery to provide quality products time
and time again. Since developing the world’s first post tensioning
bar system in 1948, it has used its unique skills in threading
technology to lead the world in the development of new systems and
place enables it to offer two prime systems from stock into
this market.
The first is the Macalloy 17MHS system, an end threaded bar system
with a minimum yield stress of 460 N/mm2.
The second is a fully threaded bar system called Macalloy 500 which,
as the name suggests, has a minimum yield stress of 500 N/mm2.
Naturally Macalloy can offer other grades of steel on request,
including a grade 690 N/mm2 system and roll the same or similar
thread onto the bar as our standard bar systems. Such special bar

in the introduction of new technology in this field. systems have been supplied on many occasions to meet the specific
requirements of the engineer on a particular project and often mean
Tie bars for use in sheet piling and other general threading cost savings to the client. Our technical team are always happy to
applications are no exception. It’s unique position in the market meet you to discuss individual requirements.

Quality
As you would expect from a company as experienced as Macalloy, all
our products and systems follow strict quality guidelines. We
adhere to procedures as laid down in BS EN ISO 9001:2000 and have
specific quality approvals for all our systems.
Macalloy has its own in house testing facility and our quality
department is always happy to show you around the facilities and
explain the testing and inspection carried out as standard. Macalloy
is proud of its quality and is a company with systems you can trust.

We do not just rely on test certificates as given to us by material

suppliers; we also carry out extensive anchorage testing on the bar
and threaded connections to ensure that the system meets your
load requirements.
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M a c a l l o y 17 M H S
Table 1: Macalloy 17MHS Load Properties
Thread Diameter Units M42 M48 M56 M64 M76 M85 M90 M100 M105

Nominal Bar Diameter mm 39 45 52 60 72 82 87 97 102

Yield Load kN 501 660 912 1204 1756 2239 2533 3172 3519

Ultimate Load kN 665 875 1209 1596 2329 2969 3358 4206 4667

Permanent Working Load 0.5 Py kN 251 330 456 602 878 1120 1267 1586 1759

Temporary Working Load 0.65 Py kN 313 412 570 752 1098 1399 1583 1982 2199

Tension Resistance according to EC3 kN 426 590 774 1022 1492 1901 2150 2693 2985

Tension Resistance according to EAU 2004 kN 454 604 807 1074 1547 2007 2259 2809 3106

Weight per metre kg/m 9.4 12.5 16.7 22.2 32 41.5 46.7 58 64.1

Macalloy 17MHS is the system that engineers most often specify for Safe Working Loads
their sheet piling tie requirements. Available up to diameter M105, it
Standard practice in the UK is to determine the safe working load by
has a yield stress of 460 N/mm2. This makes the system
applying a factor of safety of 0.5 to the yield strength of the bar for
approximately 30% stronger than the more common S355 grade
permanent works and 0.625 for temporary works.
steel, allowing smaller diameters to take the same load.
Designing in accordance with Eurocode 3, Part 5 is based on limit
state design rather than the factor of safety method. Therefore the
Bar
tension resistance of the tie bar must be considered. In the case of
Macalloy 17MHS bar has the following mechanical properties:
Eurocode 3, the tension resistance is determined by the tension
Minimum yield stress: 460 N/mm2 resistance of the thread of the bar.
Minimum break stress: 610 N/mm2
The EAU recommendations in Germany take the same approach to
Minimum Elongation: 19%
the design of tie bars as Eurocode 3 but use different safety factors.
Young’s Modulus: 205 kN/mm2
The tension resistance this time is determined by the tension
The maximum standard bar length is 12.000m. resistance of the shaft of the bar

Macalloy 17MHS may be considered a weldable steel. The maximum The various load cases are all given in table 1
carbon equivalent is 0.55%, although typically the carbon
equivalent of the steel comes in at less than 0.47%. Arc welding may
be carried out using standard techniques and low hydrogen rods.

Stress Corrosion
Independent tests have been carried out at the Prufinstitut in
Darmstadt, comparing the stress corrosion of standard Grade 355
with that of the Macalloy 17MHS. In these tests it has shown that
Macalloy 17MHS performs better under stress corrosion than Grade
355. The full test report is available from our quality department.
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M a c a l l o y 17 M H S
Threads
All 17MHS bars are supplied with standard metric threads to Washers and Plates
BS3643. All threads are cold rolled giving a better quality and
Taper washers or spherical seats are used when the axis of the bar
stronger thread as compared with a cut thread. It is usual to supply
is not perpendicular to its seating. Angular misalignments of up to
300mm of thread although end threads are available up to 600mm
+/-5° will not significantly reduce the tensile strength of the
long.
anchorage. If the misalignment is larger than this then a tapered
washer or spherical seat should be used. Profiled anchor blocks can
be used where it is necessary for the tie bar to exit the pile at an
Threaded Components
angle, for example to tie together the corner of a wall.
A wide range of compatible end connections have been developed to
complement the bars, all of which are designed to match the bar
capacity.

For normal use, tie bar assemblies are provided with a nut, washer
and plate to suit the bearing conditions at each end.

Plates are needed to transmit the load imposed on sheet piling to

Turnbuckle joints can be provided with left hand, right hand threads
to give length adjustment and to remove sag from a bar. If
adjustment is not necessary, then a full strength coupler may be
used to allow longer tendons.
Articulated or pin joints are available to counter the effect of tie bar
sag and forced deflection due to settlement fill. These factors may
significantly increase the tensile stress in the tie bar locally and
shear stresses may be induced as the tie bar is displaced when the
fill settles. Positioning the articulated joint as close to the pile as
possible will help prevent this.
the tie bars and from the tie bars to the anchorages. Washer plates
are used when the tie bars are anchored within the pan of the sheet
pile and bearing plates are used when the load is transmitted
through the walings.
When the load is taken to a concrete wall, anchor plates should be
used to distribute the load to the concrete.
Suggested dimensions for each type of plate are given in table 2.
Dimensions of washer plates are governed by the type of sheet
piling used. Details here are for the Larssen sections. As a general
rule, the plate length is approximately 80% of the pan width and its
thickness is between 40% and 50% of the thread diameter.

Macalloy Waling Bolts

Macalloy can supply end threaded waling bolts to complement its tie
bars in various grades. The most cost effective bolt is to use the
standard 460 grade material.
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M a c a l l o y 17 M H S
Table 2: Macalloy 17MHS Component Dimensions
Thread Diameter Units M42 M48 M56 M64 M76 M85 M90 M100 M105

Nut Ref. NM42 NM48 NM56 NM64 NM76 NM85 NM90 NM100 NM105

A/F mm 65 75 85 95 110 120 130 145 150

L mm 34 38 45 51 61 68 72 80 85

Washer Ref. WM42 WM48 WM56 WM64 WM76 WM85 WM90 WM100 WM105

O/D mm 78 92 105 115 135 145 160 175 180

T mm 7 8 9 9 10 12 12 14 15

Coupler Ref. mm CE42 CE48 CE56 CE64 CE76 CE85 CE90 CE100 CE105

O/D mm 63 71 80 95 112 125 132 148 148

L mm 89 101 117 133 157 175 185 205 215

Turnbuckle Ref. TE42 TE48 TE56 TE64 TE76 TE85 TE90 TE100 TE105

O/D mm 63 71 80 95 112 125 132 148 148

L mm 184 196 212 228 252 270 280 300 310

K mm 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100

Bearing Plate Ref. mm BP42 BP48 BP56 BP64 BP76 BP85 BP90 BP100 BP105

Width x Length mm 180x180 180x180 180x180 180x180 200x200 200x200 250x250 250x250 250x250

T mm 30 30 30 30 40 40 40 40 40

Anchor Plate Ref. AP42 AP48 AP56 AP64 AP76 AP85 AP90 AP100 AP105

Width x Length mm 225x225 275x275 300x300 350x350 425x425 500x500 525x525 575x575 600x600

T mm 25 25 25 30 40 40 50 50 50

Washer Plate Ref. (Larssen Piles) WP42 WP48 WP56 WP64 WP76 WP85 WP90 WP100 WP105

Width x Length (LX8) mm 200x200 200x200 200x200 200x200 200x200 200x200 200x200 200x200 200x200

Width x Length (LX12) mm 310x310 310x310 310x310 310x310 310x310 310x310 310x310 310x310 310x310

Width x Length (LX16) mm 300x300 300x300 300x300 300x300 300x300 300x300 300x300 300x300 300x300

Width x Length (LX20/25/32/38) mm 270x270 270x270 270x270 270x270 270x270 270x270 270x270 270x270 270x270

T mm 25 25 25 30 30 35 35 40 40

Fork Ref. FA42 FA48 FA56 FA64 FA76 FA85 FA90 FA100 FA105

L mm 232 266 314 348 410 459 489 555 555

G (min.) mm 39 44 49 59 76 78 86 91 91

C Dia. mm 60 69 80 91 108 121 129 143 143

D Dia. mm 43.5 49.5 57.5 65.5 78.5 91.5 96.5 111.5 111.5

E mm 70 81 97 111 132 153 162 188 188

Y mm 75 87 97 115 146 154 169 174 174

H mm 109 123 147 169 201 236 248 289 289

Spade Ref. SA42 SA48 SA56 SA64 SA76 SA85 SA90 SA100 SA105

B mm 284 321 364 408 471 524 555 625 625

T (min.) mm 35 40 45 55 70 72 80 85 85

C Dia. mm 60 68 80 91 108 121 129 143 143

D Dia. mm 43.5 49.5 57.5 65.5 78.5 91.5 96.5 111.5 111.5

E mm 71 81 97 111 132 153 162 189 189

H mm 109 123 147 169 201 236 248 289 289

Pin Ref. PA42 PA48 PA56 PA64 PA76 PA85 PA90 PA100 PA105

P Dia. mm 41 47 55 63 76 90 93 108 108

L mm 78 91 100 120 151 155 175 180 180

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Macalloy 500
Table 3: Macalloy 500 Load Properties
Nominal Bar Diameter Units 32 40 50 63.5 75

Yield Load kN 402 628 981 1758 2130

Ultimate Load kN 443 691 1080 2217 3000

Permanent Working Load 0.5 Py kN 201 314 490 613 1065

Temporary Working Load 0.65 Py kN 251 393 613 1099 1331

Weight per metre kg/m 6.31 9.87 15.4 24.5 34.7

Macalloy 500 is a high strength steel bar system with a coarse
pitch thread along the full length of the bar. The system carries a
yield stress of 500 N/mm2 and is often used for temporary sheet
piling ties.
Bar
Macalloy 500 bar has the following mechanical properties:
Threads
Diameters 32mm to 50mm have an intermittent course pitch thread,
which is rolled on to the bar during the hot rolling process.
Diameters 63.5mm and 75mm have a cold rolled course pitch thread.
This thread may be supplied either fully threaded or just end
threaded. Both threads comply with type 2 bond characteristics.

Minimum yield stress: 500 N/mm2* Threaded Components and Plates

Minimum break stress: 550 N/mm2* The Macalloy 500 has a simple range of threaded components and
Minimum Elongation: 19% plates available from stock, including nuts and couplers. Other
Young’s Modulus: 205 kN/mm2 special threaded components can be supplied as appropriate.

* 63mm has a min yield of 565 N/mm2, a min break stress of 710 N/mm2 and a modulus
All components are designed to take the full strength of the bar.
of 170 kN/mm2
Couplers can be provided with or without a stop in the middle.

The maximum standard bar length is 12.000m.

Macalloy 500 is a fully weldable steel with a maximum carbon

equivalent is 0.45%.

Table 4: Macalloy 500 Component Dimensions

Nominal Bar Diameter (mm) Units 32 40 50 63.5 75

Nut Ref. M5N32 M5N40 M5N50 M5N63 M5N75

A/F mm 50 60 80 105 125

L mm 63 80 100 70 90

Washer Ref. WM36 WM42 WM56 WM64 WM76

O/D mm 60 78 92 115 135

T mm 6 7 8 9 10

Coupler Ref. M5C32 M5C40 M5C50 M5C63 M5C75

A/F (Diameter for 63 & 75mm) mm 53 64 80 105 102

L mm 112 144 180 145 175

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Corrosion Protection
Steel sheet piling is used in many aggressive environments and Alternatively, if design calculations are completed using stress levels
consequently factors effecting the life of the tie bar must be appropriate to BS EN 10025 S355JR, by using the higher grade
considered. Macalloy 17MHS, it is permissible to allow sacrificial corrosion to
take place because of the superior mechanical properties of the
Several options are available, including painting and galvanising,
steel.
but the most common form is to wrap the bar with a protective
barrier containing oxygen scavengers, such as the Denso range of
products.

Tape Systems
The following table provides recommended levels of tape protection
for a given environment

Table 5: Recommended Levels of Tape Protection for a given Environment

Type of Protection Recommended Application

Denso tape with 15mm overlap For non tidal area or to debond in concrete

Denso tape with 55% overlap For marine environment

Denso tape with 55% overlap & pvc overwrap For marine environment; also provides for handling. For medium life structures

Denso tape with 55% overlap & Densotherm overwrap For aggressive and marine environments, exposed to wave action. For medium to long

life structures

Macalloy tape system For aggressive and marine environments, especially for long life structures

Paint Systems Protection of the Anchor Head

Any paint system needs to withstand the demanding environment of Adequate protection should also be provided to the anchor head
the construction site. The best option to withstand site abuse is to detail. The drawing on page 4 shows a recommended detail.
provide a coating such as a PC2 High Build Epoxy. If applied
correctly, this can provide up to 20 years protection.

Galvanising
Galvanising of tie bars correctly to the Euro Norm BS EN ISO
1461:1999 is a very expensive option because of the need to double
dip the bar and the requirement to brush the threaded ends. Also,
when the thread is brushed the zinc protection is reduced in this
area so further protection is still required on completion of the
installation.
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Macalloy Sheet Piling Tie Bars

Macalloy Ltd Local Representative:

July 2006

This publication provides the technical details currently used by Macalloy Ltd in the manufacture of its components. The company reserves the right to amend details as and where
necessary in line with its policy of continuous development.

Macalloy, Caxton Way, Dinnington, Sheffield S25 3QE, U.K. Tel: +44 1909 519200. Fax: +44 1909 519201
Website: www.macalloy.com E-mail: sales@macalloy.com
is a registered trade mark of Macalloy Ltd.
is a trading name of Macalloy Ltd.