Stress Can Be a Factor When Choosing Concrete Anchors

There are literally hundreds of different kinds of concrete anchors out there. And stress can help choose the right one for the job.

There are questions to be asked when considering and researching concrete anchors. Some of the obvious ones include “How thick is the base material?” and “How dense is the base material?” Age and the condition of the anchored material can both contribute to different weak points for each anchor.

Concrete Anchors

Avery important question to be considered is stress-related. And stress determined. Different stresses on different material can affect a concrete anchor’s stability. Vertical tension, as with ceiling or wall-mounted anchors, will deal with pulling tension. Shear tension is similar, but mostly from a ninety-degree angle, the weight or impact tending to shear the fastener off. Direct and repetitive impact causes an anchor to stress more than with normal tension and shear stress. Long-term vibration from machines or vehicles can stress both the anchor and the material it is fastened into. Even persistent wind can cause vibration. In some cases, the stress level on concrete anchors comes from a combination of directions, creating double the amount of potential weakness.

Two different kinds of concrete anchors play a part in the decision of which to use. Mechanical fasteners are best used for hollow core materials. They open at the rear end to increase holding power. They are best suited for drywall or plaster. Expansion anchors are better suited for solid core materials, expanding inside the hole, resisting give pressure in materials like brick, stone and cinderblock.

When choosing from the wide array of concrete anchors, consider the stress factor.