What is a concrete wedge anchor?
3 min read
Asked by: Patricia Jenkins
Concrete wedge anchors’ design allows them to anchor fixtures into concrete. Concrete wedge anchors work by inserting them into a hole drilled into concrete. The concrete wedge anchor is then expanded, wedging itself securely in the concrete.
What are wedge anchors used for?
A wedge anchor is a mechanical type expansion anchor that consists of four parts: the threaded anchor body, the expansion clip, a nut, and a washer. It is designed for use in solid concrete only. These anchors provide the highest and most consistent holding values of any mechanical type expansion anchor.
What is the difference between a sleeve anchor and a wedge anchor?
The wedge anchor, drop-in anchor and concrete strike anchor can only be used in solid concrete and have the highest & most consistent holding values in concrete. Concrete sleeve anchors can be used in concrete, brick or block but their holding values are less in terms of shear and pullout values.
How deep should wedge anchor be in concrete?
A 5/8” concrete wedge anchor requires a 5/8” hole to be drilled into the concrete. The hole in the concrete needs to be drilled a minimum of 1/2” deeper than the concrete wedge anchor will penetrate into the concrete.
Can wedge anchors crack concrete?
Drop-in anchors and wedge-type anchors, for example, are now “unqualified” for cracked concrete. In addition, most adhesive anchors are not acceptable for use in cracked concrete. To address the changing landscape of requirements, manufacturers have developed products that meet the new requirements.
Are Tapcons better than wedge anchors?
Tapcon and wedge anchors are pre-installed mechanical anchors that attach structural objects to concrete structures. However, the wedge anchor suits heavier-duty applications, vs the Tapcon anchor that typically serve lighter deployments. Another difference between them is in their fastening method.
How much weight can wedge anchors hold?
Technical Specifications for Wedge Anchors
| Size | Minimum Embedment | Shear (lbs.) |
|---|---|---|
| 3/4” | 3-1/4” | 9378 |
| 7/8” | 3-7/8” | 13687 |
| 1” | 4-1/2” | 17712 |
| 1-1/4” | 5-1/2” | 24206 |
How strong are concrete wedge anchors?
Wedge Anchor Holding Values
The holding power of the wedge anchor, as with any anchor, is always dependent on the quality of the concrete. As a rule of thumb, a safety factor of 4:1 or 25%, is generally accepted as a safe working load.
When should you use a concrete anchor?
Concrete anchors allow you to join concrete to wood, stone, metal, plastic, and much more, including more concrete. In this article, we’ll go over the many type of concrete anchors, there common uses, the best kinds for each application and help you decide what kind may be best for your project.
What are the strongest concrete anchors?
Wedge anchors are typically the strongest anchors, but not every application requires a heavy-duty anchor. Some will do just fine with a plastic wall anchor or a nail-in version.
Can wedge anchors be removed?
There are only two ways to eliminate the wedge anchor from sticking above the concrete, which are: Using a cutoff saw or grinding wheel, cut the wedge anchor off at the surface of the concrete. Before installing the wedge anchor, drill the hole two times the length of the wedge anchor being installed.
How do you use a wedge anchor in concrete?
Take the wedge anchor. And place the nut on the threaded end so as to protect the threads when hammering it into the hole. Next place the anchor through the fixture. And into the hole tapping.
