Evaluation of Standard Right-of-Way Fence Post Anchors Versus Drive Anchors


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CAIT project no.: FHWA NJ 2000 007

Fiscal Year: 1996/1997

Status: Final

Rutgers-CAIT Author(s): Patrick J. Szary, Judson Wible, Ali Maher

External Author(s): Raj Chawla

Sponsor(s): NJDOT, FHWA-USDOT

Summary:

Right-of-way fence installation has not received a great deal of attention in literature during past years, because traditionally common construction practice used concrete for the fencing footings.1 In hard to access areas like wetlands, steep roadway cuts, and wooded terrain commonly associated with locations that need right-of-way fencing, alternative simple system footings are sometimes used. Recent roadside field installations have demonstrated a potential for satisfactory performance of the simple systems. The main objective of this research is to compare the viability of these simple systems to concrete foundations. Field testing was conducted to evaluate the deflection performance of the posts installed in “concrete” versus “drive anchors.” A static load was applied to each post system at two feet above grade. Also, an FEM analysis was conducted to simulate actual site testing conditions. Based on this research, the drive anchors and the concrete systems both performed within tolerable limits established in this study. It was also determined that in areas where only manual means of installation could be used there was a significant cost savings in favor of the drive anchors. In summary, the results indicate that the drive anchor and the concrete systems can be used interchangeably.