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Rail attachment to retaining wall

bearmon | Posted in Construction Techniques on August 4, 2006 03:27am

I need to attach 12′ of rail on top of a wall we built with precast blocks (Unilock Roman PISA).  These blocks are 6″ thick with coping that is 3″.

I plan to use aluminum decorative fence that has 2″ sq. posts (hollow).  My thought is to drill through the coping and into the block, maybe 6″ total, and then use re-bar or galv. pipe in the holes.  The posts would go over the re-bar and be packed with mortar.

I think it would be sturdy and look good with no brackets or bolts showing.  Any thoughts?  Should the pipe be epoxied into the block, or would mortar work for that?

Northern climate – Buffalo.

Thanks in advance.

 

Bear

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Replies

  1. User avater
    DaveMason2 | Aug 04, 2006 03:32am | #1

     I would use epoxy. I think the mortar would break up after a while 

  2. Danusan11 | Aug 04, 2006 03:43am | #2

    epoxy

  3. kgregor4 | Aug 04, 2006 03:52am | #3

    OK, with a total depth of 6", you're through the 3" coping and embedded another 3" into the top 6" block.

    If anyone could ever lean against the railing my concern would be how is each course of block affixed to the course beneath it?

    Wouldn't do any good at all to have the railing remain fast to the top block and coping if they fell over with it when someone leaned upon it.

    1. bearmon | Aug 04, 2006 02:58pm | #6

      These blocks have a groove on the bottom and ridge on the top which are offset an inch to create batter.  We also used construction adhesive on every course.  They are pretty hard to get apart.Bear

  4. fredsmart | Aug 04, 2006 04:43am | #4

    aluminum + concrete+ time = bad news.   if I remember right

  5. User avater
    IMERC | Aug 04, 2006 06:31am | #5

    CC and AL do not get along with each other....

    use a membrain to isolate the AL from the CC...

    Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming

    WOW!!! What a Ride!

    Forget the primal scream, just ROAR!!!

    1. bearmon | Aug 04, 2006 02:59pm | #7

      Didn't know about the concrete - Al interaction. Thanks.Bear

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