News
European full-scale tests for the American market
More than 1,300 tests have been conducted on two versions of a new post-installed expansion anchor by the CSTB (Scientific and Technical Center for Building) and other European test laboratories.
The evaluation of this product for the U.S. market is the first practical application of an agreement signed in December 2003 between CSTB and ICC Evaluation Service, Inc. (ICC-ES), and reflects close cooperation between the manufacturer and CSTB.
Over 1,000 tests, including those required for qualification of the anchor for earthquake loading, have been carried out by the CSTB laboratories in Marne-la-Vallée, France; other tests were conducted in Austria and the U.S. All of the tests were carried out according to ACI 355.2, as incorporated in ICC-ES acceptance criteria AC193. CSTB was tasked with analyzing and interpreting the test results in accordance with the criteria. CSTB presented the test results and their analysis to ICC-ES experts earlier this year.
Preliminary comparisons between U.S. and European technical references led to a recognition protocol for CSTB test reports. In addition, the Comité Francais d'Accreditation test section accreditation is consistent with American standards and ICC-ES acceptance criteria. Implementation of ISO 17025, General Requirements for the Competence of Testing and Calibration Laboratories, reinforced confidence in the ability of CSTB to fulfill U.S. requirements. This exemplary cooperation made it possible to achieve the product evaluation under optimal conditions for the manufacturer.
ICC-ES and CSTB have agreed to extend their cooperation through to 2006 and to apply it to other fastening systems, particularly adhesive anchors, within the framework of the ICC-ES acceptance criteria AC308. Accreditation of CSTB by International Accreditation Service, Inc., is in progress, and ICC-ES and CSTB are considering additional types of construction products for inclusion in their agreement.
Contact
CSTB: Bruno Mesureur, mesureur@cstb.fr
ICC Evaluation Service: Kurt Stochlia, kstochlia@icc-es.org
