7 Steel Service supply advanced mechanical rebar splicing systems to suit a wide range of applications to suit rebar diameters from 10mm to 50mm.

Advanced mechanical rebar splicing systems come with a wealth of support and real-world experience in problem solving related to fixing rebar along with the value they bring to modern methods of construction (MMC)

Dextra is a global supplier of mechanical rebar splicing systems and headed bar systems. These include:

Griptec

The only 100% proof loaded splicing system whereby each and evert connection to the rebar is automatically and systematically proof loaded. Griptec is a high-performance system complying with the requirements of the CARES schemes TA1-A, TA1-B and TA1-C (Class A). It is used for the general construction market as well as for projects requiring high fatigue performance, such as HS2, and for nuclear new build projects, such as Hinkley Point C. The Griptec system is available as a mechanical rebar splicing system and as a headed bar system.

“At the onset of the Hinkley project, Dextra designed, built, and certified a new machine and product in record time to make on-site construction safer and faster.” – BYLOR

Rolltec

A rolled-parallel threaded mechanical splicing system designed for the general construction market. Rolltec complies with the performance requirements of the CARES scheme TA1-B and is also available as a headed bar system for the anchorage of reinforcemen

Unitec

Designed to be used on site without any prior processing of the rebar ends. It is therefore ideal for rebar repair applications or when the use of a mechanical splicing system has not been planned for. Unitec is CARES TA1-A, TA1-B and TA1-C (Class B) approved.

Groutec

Specifically is designed for the connection of precast concrete elements, and has a Rolltec compatible thread at one end, and a grouted rebar connection at the other. The grouted connection allows for both longitudinal and transverse rebar positional adjustment. Groutec is the only grouted splicing system to be CARES TA1-B certified.

Pressed Connection Headed Bars

While headed bars are available for the Griptec and Rolltec systems, Pressed Connection (PC) headed bars are specifically designed as an economic solution for small diameter rebar which have first been cut and bent to shape via an automatic rebar bending machine (sometimes called a shear link bender). It is a fully automated system with high productivity. PC headed bars are CARES TA1-B and TA1-C certified.

Key Advantages of Using Dextra Couplers

Improved Efficiency, Time & Labour Savings

  • Faster installation compared with traditional lap splicing: splicing rebar by mechanical couplers is quicker and reduces labour, especially in congested reinforcement zones.
  • Semi-automated processing of bar ends, requiring one operator only.
  • Unlike most taper thread systems, Griptec and Rolltec do not require the use of a calibrated torque wrench on site.
  • Groutec permits the fast assembly of precast elements, reducing the amount of grout used on site and the time taken to grout bars within a precast element.

Structural Integrity and Performance

  • Dextra mechanical splices and headed bars are designed to exceed the requirements of BS 8597, ISO 15698 and the various CARES performance requirements. 
  • Griptec is a high-performance mechanical splicing system:  
  • Unlike most mechanical rebar splicing systems, Griptec is designed to exceed the actual ultimate tensile strength of the rebar it is connected to, producing a bar break level of performance, with no strength reduction. It therefore has higher factors of safety associated with its tensile performance compared to most other systems. This is illustrated by its certification to CARES TA1-C (Class A), which follows the Sellafield specification for nuclear new build projects.
  • As a bar break system, there is no reduction in the ductility of the adjoining rebar.
  • Far better fatigue performance than the Eurocode 2 minimum requirement for mechanical splices, over a full range of stresses. When compared to the Eurocode minimum rebar coupler requirement of 10 million cycles at 35 MPa, and if the data is extrapolating, Griptec will achieve over 294 million cycles at 35 MPa (10 million cycles are achieved at 68.86 MPa). Griptec has CARES TA1-A approval.
  • Excellent performance in seismic loading.

Reduced Rebar Congestion & Material Savings

  • Using mechanical splices reduces or eliminates the lapping of bars, which saves on steel tonnage and can reduce CO₂ emissions because less steel is used.
  • Slimmer coupler designs / more compact couplers (or designs suited for narrow/precast elements) help in tight reinforcement zones and reduce space demands.

Versatility / Flexibility

  • Transition couplers: can connect different diameters of rebar when needed.
  • Position splices for cases where one or both bars cannot be rotated.  
  • Different types of couplers (threaded, bolted/unthreaded, grouted, swaged) allow adapting to onsite constraints (e.g. existing embedded bar ends, repair works).

Quality Control, Reliability & Certification

  • As a company Dextra holds ISO 9001, ISO 14001, ISO 19443, and ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code (BPVC), Section III, Division 2, certification.
  • Dextra is the only manufacturer of mechanical splicing systems to hold ISO 19443 certification which gives “Specific requirements for the application of the ISO 9001 standard by organizations in the supply chain of the nuclear energy sector supplying products and services important to nuclear safety.”
  • Dextra mechanical splicing and headed bar systems hold CARES approval as well as approval from certification bodies around the world.
  • Dextra design and manufacture not only the mechanical splicing systems and headed bars but also the bar end preparation equipment itself, ensuring quality control and traceability throughout the production and processing process.
  • 100% of Griptec connections to the rebar are automatically and systematically tested with the Griptec bar end processing machine in factory conditions.
  • The Dextra Griptec, Rolltec and Groutec systems use metric threads which can be gauged with standard, off the shelf, go and no-go gauges.
  • Griptec, Rolltec and Groutec use metric parallel threads which, unlike taper thread systems, have a very low risk of cross threading. 

Reduced Waste and Environmental Impact

  • Mechanical splices reduce the amount of rebar used which can lead to a CO2 reduction and other reductions in environmental impact. 
  • Environmental Product Declarations (EPD’s) are available for Dextra mechanical splices.
  • The reduction in congestion which can be achieved with the use of mechanical splices can result in smaller structural elements and an associated reduced environmental impact. 

After-Sales Support, Tools & Monitoring

  • Dextra offers after-sales service, a global support network, training, and technical assistance. 
  • The Griptec machine has smart connectivity, allowing the remote monitoring of production, time to maintenance and enabling informed, data-driven decisions to optimize output.

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