10 Types of Concrete Anchors & Their Uses

What Do Concrete Anchors Do?

A concrete anchor is a device that is used to secure objects to concrete surfaces. It is typically made of metal and is inserted into a drilled hole in the concrete. The anchor is then expanded or tightened to hold the object in place.

Concrete anchors are used in a variety of applications, including construction, engineering, and home improvement projects.

They are commonly used to secure fixtures such as shelves, cabinets, and heavy machinery. Concrete anchors come in different types, including wedge anchors, sleeve anchors, and drop-in anchors, and the type of anchor used depends on the weight and type of object being secured, as well as the thickness of the concrete.

Concrete anchors are designed to be strong and durable, making them an ideal solution for securing heavy objects to concrete surfaces. They are easy to install and can be done by anyone with basic DIY skills and tools.

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Types of Concrete Anchors

The several types of concrete anchors are given below,

1. Wedge Concrete Anchors
2. Concrete Sleeve Anchors
3. Split Drive Concrete Anchors
4. Stud Concrete Anchors
5. Lag Shield Concrete Anchors
6. Self Drilling Concrete Anchors
7. Drop-In Concrete Anchor
8. Machine Screw Anchors
9. Strike Anchors

The following are the 10 best anchors for concrete,

Wedge Concrete Anchors

A Wedge concrete anchor is named after the wedges that open and expand up to 1/16” at the anchor’s base .when the bolt is tightened.

 This is a male concrete anchor which is used for fastening to the base of concrete with the use of a nut and washer.

Also, wedge concrete anchors are widely used because it is easy to insert, corrosion-resistant, and among the strongest concrete anchors.

It is actually a stud constructed of two adjoined pieces one piece is threaded at the top end and the other end consists of a process that includes a wedge and clip that is expanded between the stud and the wall of the hole in the concrete.

The wedge concrete anchors are generally a good option for a heavy shear application and for heavy load. Also, heavier-duty seismic wedge anchors are used in areas frequented by seismic activities.

A couple of things are to keep in mind regarding wedge anchors:

The holes drilled into the concrete for a wedge anchor should be equal to the diameter of the anchor.

Also, it is used for solid concrete only not for stone, mortar, brick, etc.

Concrete Sleeve Anchor

Concrete Sleeve Anchors are male fasteners and  It consists of a threaded bolt enveloped by an expander sleeve at the top end and a washer and nut at the other end.

The Sleeves anchors are threaded through the fixture and into the pre-drilled hole in the concrete, stone, brick, and mortar.

The action of turning the bolt on the nut pulls the bolt up through the sleeves causing the sleeve to flare out up to 1/8”

Split Drive Concrete Anchors

These Split drive Concrete Anchors are got their holding power from the source of the resilient composition of the piece of one anchor itself.

Also, this anchor is a male fastener with a split expanded base. Generally, it is suitable for light-duty tasks and suitable for block, concrete, brick, and stones base.

The most important things to keep in your mind when you install split drive, concrete anchors,

The diameter of the anchor base is similar to the size of the drilled-out hole.

Stud Concrete Anchor

The sleeve concrete and wedge anchors are used as a tightened nut so that the anchors expand a lot against the hole or sides of the walls. The stud anchor also expands.

But when you expand a stud anchor then you need hammering on the top portion of the anchor.

The expansion anchors are threading on the top end portion and the bottom end at that time drill holes have consisted of a vertical slit.

At the bottom end of the stud anchor, there is a hole that sits on the tapered-shaped steel plug.

When you apply a hammer to the top portion of the stud then the bottom part of the steel stud will e forced to e set over the tapered steel.

This makes the stud expand against the side or wall of the hole.

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Lag Shield Concrete Anchors

Lag concrete anchors are female types of anchors and they have a sleeve that is tapered and ribbed in shape and texture.

The lag concrete anchor sleeves are made of a zinc alloy material and the sleeves are plain in nature.

These sleeves are placed into the pre-making drill hole base that could be mortar, concrete, brick, stone, etc.

These lag screws are goes inside and expand that zinc material sleeve, and then cut the threaded portion of the anchor.

That lag concrete anchors are pressed inside the exterior wall of the base materials. Depending upon the diameter of a bolt that is supposed to go inside the screw then the lag concrete anchor is designed according to their embedded length.

Generally, the longer lag anchors are having a stronger and adequate grip that holds the base material.

Another side the lag concrete anchor is short then it is dense and hard.

Self Drilling Concrete Anchor

A self-drilling concrete anchor is a name suggested as the anchor itself has its own teeth which means it is cutting holes into the concrete base by itself.

The top end of this anchor has internal threading and tapered-shaped steel plugs too. So that bolt can easily be screwed into it.

When you drill the shell on the tapered steel plug with the help of hammering, the bottom end of the shell will end up expanding while bearing the walls or side of the hole.

Drop-In Concrete Anchor

Sometimes confused with wedge anchors because they expand similarly, drop-in anchors are female anchors that are placed in a pre-drilled hole.

The expander plug at the anchor’s base is set using a setting tool which is essentially a steel rod with one end necked down.

The necked-down portion of the tool is inserted into the drop-in anchor and tapped with a hammer until the lip of the anchor meets the lip of the setting tool.

Like the wedge anchor, drop-in anchors are intended for solid concrete only and can’t be used effectively in brick, block, mortar, or stone.

Machine Screw Anchor

A machine Screw Anchor is a female anchor this type of fastener consists of a cylindrical base inserted into a pre-drilled hole in brick, mortar, stone, and concrete.

These anchor screws are threaded through the fixture and into the base and hole, and the setting tools are used for turning the screw.

As the screw turns down into the base, it is expanding the base for securing the anchor in the hole, thereby fastening the fixture to the surface of the concrete.

Each machine screw anchors have specific setting tools these are determined by the diameter of the machine screw anchor being used.

The anchors are properly set when the lip of the setting tools meets the lip of the anchor.

But the main point is a, for machine screw anchors, the hole size required is larger than the anchor size being used.

Strike Anchors

Strike anchors are male fasteners and it is used to join lightweight fixtures such as shelf brackets, conduit, and electrical boxes to solid concrete.

The strike anchors are an impact expansion fastener consisting of a tabular body capped by a drive pin that is expanded from the tubular casing.

When the strike anchors are inserted into the pre-drilled hole then the head of its pins is driven further into the tube via hammer strikes, expanding the tube and creating the necessary hold within the hole.

The hole diameter to be drilled for the strike anchors are the same diameter as that of the anchor to be used.

Strike anchors enable long runs of fixtures to be quickly installed but once placed they are not removable.

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Installation of concrete anchors

The following steps are used for installing concrete Anchor

Choose the right size of Concrete Anchor:

Concrete anchors come in different sizes, so you’ll need to choose the right size for your project. Take into account the thickness of the concrete and the size of the object being secured when selecting the size of the anchor.

Mark the placement of Anchoring:

Using a pencil or marker, mark the placement of the anchor on the concrete surface. Make sure the marks are level and spaced correctly.

Drilling Holes:

Using a hammer drill and masonry bit, drill a hole into the concrete where you marked it. The size of the hole should match the size of the anchor being used.

Clean the Anchoring Holes:

Use a brush or vacuum to remove any dust or debris from the hole.

Insert the anchor:

Place the anchor into the hole, making sure it’s level and securely in place.

Secure the object:

Place the object you want to secure onto the anchor and tighten the nut or screw to secure it in place.

Maintenance of Concrete Anchoring

Here are some tips for maintaining concrete anchors:

Regular inspection:

Regularly inspect concrete anchors to ensure they are in good condition and functioning properly. Check for any signs of wear and tear, rust, or corrosion, and replace the anchors if necessary.

Tighten loose connections:

If you notice that the connections between the object being secured and the anchor are becoming loose, tighten them to prevent the object from shifting.

Clean the anchors:

Dirt and debris can accumulate on concrete anchors over time, so it’s important to clean them regularly. Use a wire brush to remove any rust or debris, and then clean the anchors with mild detergent to keep them looking new.

Protect from the elements:

If the concrete anchors are located in an area that is exposed to the elements, consider protecting them with a coating of rust inhibitor or other protective material.

Proper storage:

When not in use, store concrete anchors in a dry, protected place to prevent rust and corrosion.

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