GRIP-TWIST - Alcor SA

® 

ALCOR S.A. 

Sánchez de Bustamante 1818 9°D (1425) 

Buenos Aires - Tel. / Fax: 4821 0500 

email: info@alcor.com.ar 

Web: www.alcor.com.ar 

PRODUCTS INC. 

SUBSIDIARY OF FC INDUSTRIES, INC.

GRIP-TWIST ® –– Type 2 Mechanical Splices and 

Anchorage for Reinforcing Bars 

GOOD REASONS FOR TAPER THREADED 

GRIP-TWIST ® ON YOUR PROJECT… 

1. Saves time –– pre-installed by cold swaging. 

INTERNAL STOPS FOR EASY POSITIONING 

Minimal detailing –– more design flexibility. 

2. No special bar preparation –– avoids roughing 

and thread cutting operation on rebars. 

No chasers, oils or cutting fluids. 

3. Self-location –– quick assembly –– eases bar 

placement. NO SPECIAL TORQUE. Position 

Couplers for bent bars. 

4. No chemistry restrictions –– compatible with 

ASTM A 615, A 706 and equivalent bars. 

5. Thread Protection –– color coded plastic plugs 

and caps match the color of swaging dies. 

6. High strength –– TYPE 2 performance and true 

structural continuity, with load transfer independent 

of concrete. ROLLED EXTERNAL THREADS 

INHERENTLY HAVE HIGH FATIGUE STRENGTH. 

7. Full rebar cross-sectional area –– no 

undercutting of rebar or heat affected zones. 

8. In-situ installation–– although normally preinstalled, 

components can be swaged to existing 

bars, if needed; using BPI-Grip field presses. 

MECHANICAL ANCHORAGE is quickly and 

conveniently achieved using the GRIP-TWIST Taper 

Threaded DoughNUT. Congestion problems 

brought about by hook bars are alleviated. 

GRIP-TWIST ® is a Swaged Splicing and anchorage system 

that incorporates the use of self-locating taper threaded ends on 

components for expeditious field assembly. Because parts are swaged 

to the bars and the threads are formed on the couplers instead of the 

reinforcing bars, there is no loss of cross-sectional area and the full 

ultimate design strength of the reinforcing system is maintained. 

Reinforcing bar sizes No. 3 – 18 (Ø10 – 57 mm) can be spliced 

& anchored by Grip-Twist ® . Swaging in advance means important 

time and cost savings for your project. Under fabrication shop conditions, 

with suitable equipment, just one or two pressings per coupler-half 

are all that is needed to install parts onto most bar sizes. Bars of 

different sizes may be connected using Transition Grip-Twist ® . 

In the field it is only necessary to rotate one of the two bars until the 

threads of male and female couplers are fully assembled…no 

specialized equipment or torque wrench is needed for this operation 

––only a simple pipe wrench may be needed to overcome bar weight 

in accordance with assembly instructions. For locations where rebars 

have a bend or offset and cannot be rotated, Grip-Twist ® Position 

Couplers may be used. 

Grip-Twist ® is superior to rebar laps –– because 

as a mechanical splice it does not rely on the surrounding 

concrete to transfer forces between bars. 

Strength requirements for mechanical splices established 

in ACI 318 are significantly higher than those for lap splices. 

Taper Threaded Grip-Twist has been qualified by in-air tests 

and protocols like AC-133 to sustain inelastic reinforcing bar 

strain excursions such as those that might be brought about by 

overload due to seismic activity – whereas the use of rebar laps 

in seismic zones is generally disallowed. The use of #14 and 

#18 lap splices is prohibited on all projects. 

If spalling of concrete cover occurs around a lap bar by fire, 

corrosion or by another mechanism, the effectiveness of the 

rebar lap is severely compromised because its performance is 

100% dependent upon the concrete that surrounds it. 

Clearly GRIP-TWIST ® mechanical splices supplant 

all classes of lap splice including A, B and C

GRIP-TWIST ® –– Versatile modular splice and anchorage system 

STANDARD 

FEMALE 

TRANSITION 

FEMALE 

STANDARD 

FEMALE 

FEMALE 

with FLANGE 

+ 

+ 

+ 

+ 

STANDARD 

MALE 

STANDARD 

MALE 

TPA 

(Taper Position Assembly) 

STANDARD 

MALE 

TAPER THREADED GRIP-TWIST 

COLD-SWAGED STEEL COUPLER WITH TAPER THREADED ENDS 

l TYPE 2 SPLICE – ACI 318 Chapter 21 Seismic Design and International Building Code. Develops 

specified tensile strength of black deformed bars ASTM A 706 or A 615. Exceeds TYPE 1 requirements. 

l CALTRANS SERVICE and CALTRANS ULTIMATE – Meets slip test 670 and capable of 

developing the actual ultimate strength of black deformed bars ASTM A 706. 

l SEISMIC LOADING – Tested to withstand plastic strain excursions to 5 x rebar yield strain value 

and stress reversals in accordance with ICC Acceptance Criteria AC-133. 

l NUCLEAR APPLICATIONS – Swaged splices with a tensile strength = 90,000 psi (150% x specified 

yield) used with ASTM A 615 Grade 60. 

l COMMERCIAL APPLICATIONS – In accordance with Building Code Requirements for Structural 

Concrete, ACI 318 Chapter 12, used in columns, beams, walls, mats, tanks, parking garages. 

l DOT PROJECTS and COATED BARS – Exceeds 125% fy Grade 60 when swaged directly over 

epoxy coated ASTM A 775 bars or galvanized ASTM A 767 bars without coating removal or shielding. 

TRANSITION GRIP-TWIST 

TRANSITION COLD-SWAGED COUPLER WITH TAPER THREADED ENDS 

l APPLICATIONS – Anywhere a change of bar size is required, in accordance with Building Code 

Requirements for Structural Concrete, ACI 318 Chapter 12, typically in columns, walls, parking garages. 

l CONVENIENCE – Components are color coded to match appropriate swaging dies. Standard MALE 

couplers are used on smaller bar. Thread protection is included. 

l VERSATILE – Connect any size bar to any other by this method; typically 1, 2, 3 or 4 bar size 

changes. 

l TRANSITION-POSITIONS – Can be achieved using a standard TPA (see below) on the small side 

and unwinding the pre-assembled stud into the adjoining Transition Female Grip-Twist. 

l TYPE 2 SPLICE – ACI 318 Chapter 21 Seismic Design and International Building Code. Develops 

specified tensile strength of the smaller bar ASTM A 706 or A 615. Exceeds TYPE 1 requirements. 

l SEISMIC LOADING – Tested to withstand plastic strain excursions to 5 x rebar yield strain value 

and stress reversals in accordance with ICC Acceptance Criteria AC-133. 

GRIP-TWIST POSITION COUPLER 

COLD-SWAGED POSITION COUPLER WITH THREADED STUD 

l APPLICATIONS – Where bars are bent and cannot be rotated to engage the threads, or when bar 

lengths are long and impractical to rotate. 

l NO ROTATION OF BARS – Assembly is completed in the field by unwinding a pre-assembled stud 

from a ‘TPA’ (Taper Position Assembly) into an adjoining standard Taper Threaded Female Grip-Twist. 

l FOR STANDARD REINFORCING BARS – ASTM A 706, ASTM A 615, ASTM A 996 and equal 

black deformed bars – exceeds specified ultimate tensile strength of Grades 40, 50 60 and 75. 

l CONVENIENCE – Each TPA includes a parallel threaded coupler sleeve and a pre-installed stud 

that projects from one end. Each stud has an externally rolled thread with an axial taper. 

l COATED BARS and DOT PROJECTS– Exceeds 125% fy Grade 60 when swaged directly over 

epoxy coated ASTM A 775 bars or galvanized ASTM A 767 bars without removal or shielding. 

l TYPE 1 and TYPE 2 SPLICE – ACI 318 Chapter 21 Develops both 1.25 fy and the specified tensile 

strength of black deformed bars ASTM A 706 or A 615. 

GRIP-TWIST FLANGED COUPLER 

COLD-SWAGED FLANGED COUPLER WITH TAPER THREADED ENDS 

l FOR STANDARD REINFORCING BARS – ASTM A 706, ASTM A 615, ASTM A 996 and equal 

black deformed bars – capable of exceeding specified ultimate strength of Grades 40, 50 60 and 75. 

l CONVENIENCE – Flanged couplers have holes that permit nailing them to formwork. They can be 

fully embedded in concrete thereby relieving certain constructability problems and potential injuries. 

l NO DRILLING HOLES THROUGH FORMS – No protruding rebar when concrete is poured. 

Continuity across construction joint is established when rebar with male coupler is engaged. 

l DOWEL BAR SPLICE– Ideally suited for dowel bar replacement applications because fabricating 

shops can utilize their own bars at their own location, including drops. 

l TYPE 1 and TYPE 2 SPLICE – ACI 318 Chapter 21 Develops both 1.25 fy and the specified tensile 

strength of black deformed bars ASTM A 706 or A 615. 

l COATED BARS and DOT PROJECTS– Exceeds 125% fy Grade 60 when swaged directly over 

epoxy coated ASTM A 775 bars or galvanized ASTM A 767 bars without removal or shielding.

GRIP-TWIST ® –– For rebar mechanical anchorage and choices 

BAR-TO-BAR 

BAR-TO-HEAD 

STANDARD 

MALE 

STANDARD 

MALE 

BAR-TO-STRUCTURAL 

STEEL 

+ 

+ 

DoughNUT 

HEAD 

(5Ab or 10Ab) 

STRUCTURAL 

CONNECTOR 

Taper Threaded Grip-Twist ® 

TAPER THREADED DOUGHNUT TM 

and/or Grip-Twist ® Position Couplers 

by BarSplice Products, Inc., Dayton OH 

Taper Threaded DoughNUT TM 


Grip-Twist ® Structural Connectors 

and/or Grip-Twist ® Structural Position 

Connectors 


Grip-Twist ® cold-swaged mechanical splice and anchorage components 

are made from high quality seamless steel that meets the chemistry and grade requirements 

of ASTM A 519, A 576 or A 970 as applicable. 

Powerful hydraulically actuated presses with color-coded octagonal die sets are 

utilized in fabricating shops for the most efficient swaging operation. Swaging pressure 

is factory preset and equipment is automated to release after each swaging ‘bite’ or 

pressing. When components have been compressed onto the reinforcing bar by coldswaging 

they become mechanically interlocked with the rebar deformation 

COLD-SWAGED HEADED ANCHORAGE WITH TAPER THREADS 

l 5Ab HEAD – TDS series for transmitting bond force from the reinforcing bar to concrete by a 

combination of head bearing and development length.* A ‘standard’ head size for most applications. 

l 10Ab HEAD – TDX series has larger area to transmit full force in bar by head bearing alone. Generally 

used in sections that may be required to withstand higher forces. CALTRANS APPROVED. 

l SHOP or FIELD INSTALLATION – Attaches directly to standard MALE Taper Threaded Grip-Twist 

that is swaged to the reinforcing bar – no thread cutting required. Shop-installed or swaged in-situ. 

l HIGH STRENGTH – Connections to bar exceed the specified yield strength of the bar, fy, as required 

by ACI 318 section 12.6. Confirming in-air tensile tests develop 1.5 fy, or more, Gr. 60. 

l REPLACES HOOKS – No special bend direction – alleviates congestion – for beam-column joints, 

knee joints, pile caps, column roof slab connections; replaces stirrup bars used as confinement steel. 

l KEY ADVANTAGES – Avoids lengthy hook extensions / complex stress patterns. No heat, welding 

or hot forging – no special chemistry or rebar grade requirements, no bending or cracking of rebars. 

* A b = area of reinforcement. Minimum recommended anchorage length = 12 db where db = bar dia; ref: “Headed 

Reinforcement A Viable Option” John W. Wallace. 

STRUCTURAL CONNECTOR 

COLD-SWAGED TAPER THREADED WELDABLE CONNECTOR 

l CONVENIENCE – Cold swage standard MALE couplers to black ASTM A 615 or epoxy coated ASTM 

A 775 Grade 60 or galvanized ASTM A 767 Grade 60. Assemblies have capacity to exceed 1.25 fy. 

l NUCLEAR STRENGTH CAPACITY– ASME Section III, Division 2 = minimum joint strength 75,000 

psi with average tensile strength 90,000 psi (150% x specified yield) used with ASTM A 615 Grade 60.* 

l APPLICATIONS – For attachment of rebars to liner plates, structural steel shapes or for creating 

headed anchorage. Structural-Positions can be achieved by using a standard TPA instead of a Male. 

l CERTIFIED LOW CARBON STEEL – Weldable component conforms to CC-2310(c) material 

requirements of ASME Section III, Division 2. Meets chemistry AISI Grade 1018 and ASTM A 36. 

l BEVELED FOR WELDING – For full penetration, provided for greater strength, convenience and 

quality assurance. Suited to E7018 electrode. 

l BETTER THAN DIRECT BUTT WELD – The outside diameter of the structural connector is larger 

than the reinforcing bar so the weld area is disposed over greater length. This means LESS weld stress. 

*Welder qualification, weld procedure, integrity and strength are the responsibility of others. 

** HOW TO SPECIFY GRIP-TWIST ® SPLICES and ANCHORAGE 

By Name: By Generic Description: 

Mechanical Splices shall be the tension-compression cold-swaged taper-threaded 

type, comprising male/female couplers, and/or position couplers, which shall be 

assembled by rotating the reinforcing bar and/or position coupler stud. 

Mechanical Reinforcing Bar Anchorages shall be the cold-swaged taper-threaded 

coupler type, which shall be assembled with 5Ab or 10Ab Heads (Specify Head Size) 

Bar-to-structural steel connections shall be the cold-swaged taper-threaded weldable 

connector type with weld bevels inclined 30-degrees to the rebar axis and comprising 

male couplers, and/or positional components, which shall be assembled to the welded 

connectors by rotating the reinforcing bar and/or positional coupler stud. 

** Include flange requirements, if any, bar size(s), bar type and grade. Include statement: “Parts shall be manufactured to the quality requirements of ISO 9001.” 

Cold swaging technology for mechanical splicing of reinforcing bars is one of the most established, developed, and refined splicing methods worldwide. 

Key to cold swaging success is its simplicity, low cost and adaptability. There is no loss of reinforcing bar cross-sectional area at the splice location 

so the system is a natural choice when considering the objectives of seismic design and safety related applications. BPI-Grip swaging equipment is 

easy to use and may be leased or purchased. Splicing manuals provided with equipment explain step-by-step installation and safety information. 

While the information contained in this document is believed to be accurate at the time of publication, BPI reserves the right to make changes, design modifications, 

corrections and other revisions as it sees fit, without notice. All products described herein are supplied in accordance with BPI’s standard Terms and Conditions of Sale. This 

document is of a promotional nature only. Aspects of structural design, evaluation of product fitness for use, suitability or similar attributes are the responsibility of others. 

En Argentina: 

ALCOR S.A. 

Sánchez de Bustamante 1818 9°D (1425) Bs. As. Tel. / Fax: 4821 0500 

email: info@alcor.com.ar - Web: www.alcor.com.ar 

BarSplice Products, Inc., 4900 Webster Street, Dayton OH 45414, USA 

lTel: (937) 275-8700 lFax: (937) 275-9566 lE-mail: bar@barsplice.com 

CRSI® 

MEMBER MEMBER 

REV.B 3/8/07

GRIP-TWIST - Alcor SA

You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles

Delete template?

Save as template?