How to Install Concrete Anchors and Fasteners

Oct. 07, 2024

How to Install Concrete Anchors and Fasteners

When it comes to fastening objects to concrete surfaces, such as walls or floors, the process requires special techniques and materials. Unlike wood or drywall, concrete poses unique challenges due to its density and hardness. To ensure a secure and professional installation, it is crucial to understand the correct methods for installing concrete anchors and fasteners.

In this comprehensive guide, we will walk you through the step-by-step process of installing concrete anchors and fasteners. From selecting the right tools and materials to drilling the holes and securing the fasteners, we will cover everything you need to know to successfully complete your project.

Section 1: Choosing the Right Tools and Materials

Before you begin the installation process, it is essential to gather the necessary tools and materials. Here are the items you will need:

Tools

Materials

It is crucial to use high-quality tools and materials to ensure a successful installation. Cheap or older drill machinery may not be powerful enough to penetrate concrete effectively. Additionally, using the wrong size or type of concrete anchors can compromise the integrity of the installation.

Section 2: Understanding Concrete Anchors

Concrete anchors come in various types and sizes, each designed for specific applications. Here are the three most common types of concrete anchors:

Wedge Anchors: These anchors are exclusively designed for concrete walls and floors. They require a wrench key for installation and come in different sizes to suit your needs.
Sleeve Anchors: Sleeve anchors are widely used for fastening objects to concrete surfaces. To install them, you need to drill a hole with the same diameter as the anchor, tap the sleeve anchor into the hole, and use a wrench to secure the bolt.
Drop-In Anchors: Drop-in anchors are available in metal variations. Metal drop-in anchors are suitable for concrete and brick. To secure an object, you need to use the corresponding bolt or screw, which expands the anchor and locks it into place.

Understanding the different types of concrete anchors will help you choose the most appropriate anchor for your specific project.

Section 3: Preparing for Installation

Before drilling the holes and installing the anchors, it is essential to mark the exact locations where you want to fasten your objects. Use a carpentry pencil to make highly visible marks on the concrete wall or floor. Using a spirit level or laser level can help ensure accuracy and alignment.

Section 4: Drilling the Holes

To drill the holes in the marked locations, you will need a drill machinery with torque control and masonry drill bits. It is crucial to use the hammering function on your drill machinery to penetrate the concrete effectively.

When selecting the drill bit size, refer to the anchor label to ensure the proper fit. Drilling a hole that is too large or too small can prevent the secure insertion of the anchors.

Hold the drill machinery firmly while drilling, using low speeds initially until you reach a depth of approximately 1/2 inch. Then, switch to higher speeds to continue drilling.

Section 5: Inserting the Anchors

After drilling the holes, it&#;s time to insert the concrete anchors. Begin by cleaning the holes thoroughly with a vacuum cleaner to remove any debris or dust. This step is crucial for proper anchor insertion.

Gently drop the metal anchors into the holes, ensuring they are inserted plumb. Avoid applying excessive force to prevent damaging the anchors or the concrete surface.

Section 6: Securing the Fasteners

Once the anchors are in place, use a rubber hammer to tap them gently, aligning the top of the anchors with the surface of the concrete wall or floor. This alignment is vital for secure and stable fastening.

Finally, tighten the anchor with a torque wrench by applying the required installation torque, Tinst. Note: The threaded stud will draw up during the tightening of the nut; the expansion wedge (clip) remains in its original position

Section 7: Troubleshooting and Tips

If you encounter any difficulties during the installation process, here are some troubleshooting tips:

If you are having trouble driving the screws all the way, ensure the holes are deep enough. Clean out any grit or debris from the holes before attempting again.
If the screws spin without gripping, the material you are fastening to may be too soft or crumbly. Consider using a longer screw or using a concrete anchor that expands as you tighten the fastener.

Remember the following tips for a successful installation:

Stick duct tape on the drill bit to control the depth of the hole.
Use safety gloves, glasses, and ear protection to protect yourself during the installation process.

Section 8: Conclusion

Installing concrete anchors and fasteners requires careful planning, the right tools, and proper techniques. By following the step-by-step process outlined in this guide, you can confidently fasten objects to concrete surfaces, ensuring stability and durability.

Remember to choose the appropriate type and size of concrete anchors for your project, and use high-quality tools to achieve the best results. With patience and attention to detail, you can achieve professional and secure installations every time.

Now, armed with the knowledge and techniques provided in this guide, you are ready to tackle your next concrete anchoring project with confidence and skill.

Additional Information

It is essential to consider the weight and load-bearing capacity of the concrete anchors when selecting them for your project. Consult the manufacturer&#;s specifications and guidelines for proper anchor selection.
Always follow safety precautions and wear the appropriate protective gear when working with power tools and concrete materials.
If you are unsure about any aspect of the installation process, consult a professional or seek expert advice to ensure a successful outcome.

How to select a suitable anchor fixing

Anchor bolts are used extensively in concrete, brick and block masonry and cavities to make structural attachments and connections. To date, a limited amount of information has been available to aid designers and users in the selection and design of anchor bolts in various types of substrates.

In new masonry construction, anchor bolts were commonly embedded in walls and columns to support beams, plates and ledgers. However, for flexibility and ease of construction, the use of post-installed anchors is increasing.

Post-installed anchor bolt systems

In prefabricated panel construction, anchor bolts are used to facilitate connections to the structural frame.

Renovation and rehabilitation of existing masonry structures usually require that anchor bolts be used to attach stair risers, elevator tracks and various frame assemblages for equipment installation.

This is only a fraction of the possible uses of anchor bolts in masonry construction and with the increase of new, innovative architectural masonry designs, the uses of anchor bolts in masonry construction are likely to increase.

Anchors can be divided into two generic categories: Expansion-type anchors and Adhesive or Chemical-type anchors.

Expansion Anchors

(a) Torque-controlled expansion anchors

Sleeve anchors develop their strength by the expansion of a cylindrical metal sleeve or shield into the base material as the bolt is tightened.

The expansion of the sleeve along the length of the anchor provides a larger bearing surface than the wedge anchor, and is recommended for use in brick masonry

Wedge anchors develop their hold by means of a wedge or wedges that are forced into the base material when the bolt is tightened.

The wedges create large point bearing stresses within the hole

Drop in Anchors are produced to allow shallow embedment depths and are expanded or set by an impact setting tool.

These are extremely suitable for installations into roof slabs. As the combination of shallow embedment and high stresses imparted by the expansion tend to cause cracking or splitting in masonry, they are not recommended for use in brick.

View our range of Concrete Anchors.

(b) Concrete screw

Concrete screws are screwed into pre-drilled holes by a special screwdriver &#; TORX DRIVE

The threads will cut into the concrete and create mechanical interlock between screw and concrete. This is an expansion free fixing.

View our range of Concrete Screws.

(c) Nylon based Anchors and Fixings

Wallplugs &#; Nylon wallplugs are placed in pre-drilled holes and screws are tightened into the plug creating the expansion.

These are available in many sizes and are very versatile useful for Brick, Block and concrete. Used for light loads.

Nylon Frame Fixings &#; A hole is drilled through the frame and into the masonry. The whole fixing is inserted through the frame into the masonry and the screw tightened.

These fixings are available in various head styles and plug designs to make them suitable for multiple applications in Brick, Block, Concrete, Aerated concrete, hollow bricks etc.

Suitable for fixing of facades, doors, windows, gates, cable trays, metal bracket etc.

View our range of Nylon Anchors and Fixings.

(d) CAVITY Fixings

These are used where objects need to be fixed onto plasterboard and other wall and ceiling cavities.

Expandet Rosett® is the strongest fastening solution in plasterboards, gypsum fibre boards, chipboards, and other cavity walls.

No special Tools are required.

Designed for heavy loads.

PLASTERPLUG Nylon Cavity Anchor

Used with screw is effective in most of the quick and light solutions in both 1 and 2 layer of plasterboard or other materials as chipboards, gypsum fiber boards and other walls with cavities.

Are you interested in learning more about anchor bolt installation? Contact us today to secure an expert consultation!

This is a very popular design.

JET-Drive Metal anchor

This can be used without a predrill in most cases making it a fast and easy fixing.

Useful for light fixings without the mess of drilling.

Metal Cavity Anchor

Suitable for fixing cable trays, brackets, piping, and boards, etc .

Can be used with all metric threaded screws in plasterboards with cavity. Installation with special installing tool.

Spring Toggle Anchor

Extremely useful for fixing or hanging objects on a false ceiling.

Suitable for light duty fixings in ceilings and provides the possibility for bridging thick walls.

Especially suitable for fixing of suspended ceilings, brackets, cable trays, pipings etc.

View our range of Cavity Fixings.

Adhesive Anchors

Instead of the anchor holding itself against the surface, a chemical resin cures around the anchor and keeps it held in place.

Read more on our page for Chemical Anchors.

When to use Chemical Resin Anchors

If you need to fix something close to the edge of a brick or stone because you intend to hang a gate or add a small fixing, anchors that expand can cause strength-ruining splits and cracks in the masonry. If the structure is subject to dynamic loads, vibration or wind, then chemical anchoring is preferable over mechanical anchoring.

Using anchors and fixings is all about getting the most secure fitting possible and sometimes the only way to ensure the surface stays intact is to using chemical resin.

Because it doesn&#;t expand or risk splitting/cracking, chemical resin anchors can also be used in weaker masonry that might crumble under the expansion of sleeve anchors and screw threads.

There are lots of benefits of using chemical resin anchors as they are more than capable of holding massive loads and their application can be fairly quick. However, correct preparation for fitting chemical resin anchors is essential.

How to use Chemical Resin Anchors

To use chemical resin and anchors together, ensure that you make an appropriate hole as recommended by the manufacturer&#;s catalogue in terms of diameter, depth and spacing.

If your drilled holes are likely to have voids (frequent in hollow blocks or bricks), you&#;ll need resin injection anchor sleeves to control the flow of resin and provide a secure fix to the substrate.

resin hole brush to do this.
Remove any loose material from the hole to get the best hold against a debris-free surface. Use ato dothis.
Also use a tube to blow air into the hole to get rid of more debris.
Using an applicator gun, inject the resin into the hole.
Using an, inject the resin into the hole.

It is important to make sure it&#;s mixing properly before you inject it into the holes. It&#;s advised to let some out first to allow it to mix.

Always ensure that the nozzle width and length are correct, and make sure to slowly withdraw the nozzle, so trapped air pockets don&#;t happen.

For deeper holes use a resin nozzle extension tube on the end of a mixer nozzle.

In general filling about 70% of the hole will suffice to get complete coverage.
It also pushes the resin into any voids in the hole.
As you push the stud in the hole, twist it a few times to break any air bubbles up.It also pushes the resin into any voids in the hole.

If the stud keeps pushing itself back out it may need a few more twists. All the threads should have an even covering.

Once all the studs are in, you&#;ll have to leave them alone. How long this takes will depend on the brand of resin as well as the temperature. Resin tubes will have a guide on the label: a gel time and full cure time. Don&#;t load the studs until the full cure time.

The adhesive bond strength is reduced at elevated temperatures and may also be adversely affected by some chemicals.

ANCHOR BOLT DESIGN

Anchor bolts are used as a means of tying structural elements together in construction and therefore, provide continuity in the overall structure. In virtually all applications, anchor bolts are required to resist a combination of tension and shear loads acting simultaneously due to combinations of imposed dead loads, live loads, wind loads, seismic loads, thermal loads and impact loads. For this reason, and also to insure safety, anchor bolt details should receive the same design considerations as would any other structural connection.

This very useful free anchor design application can be downloaded from the below link.

Expandet Calculation Program

Considerations for Brick Masonry

There are several considerations that should be examined when contemplating the use of expansion-type anchors in brick masonry. These are:

1) Expansion anchors should not be used to resist vibratory loads. Vibratory loads tend to loosen expansion anchors.

2) Specific torques are required to set expansion anchors. Excessive torque can reduce anchor strength or may lead to failure as excessive torque is applied.

3) Expansion anchors require solid, hard embedment material to develop their maximum capacities. Some brick construction may not provide a good embedment material due to voids formed by brick cores and partially filled mortar joints.

Considerations for Torque controlled anchors

Expansion anchors must be torqued per the values provided in the Manufacturer&#;s Printed Installation Instructions (MPII) to properly expand the wedges and clamp the fixture. Under-torquing results in under-expansion of the wedges, which reduces the amount of clamping developed. Once pre-load/clamping is removed from an under-torqued expansion anchor subjected to tensile loading, the anchor will displace, resulting in follow-up wedge expansion and lift-off of the fixture.