Anchor-Bolts-for-Concrete
                     Anchor Bolts for Concrete
Essential Guide to Design and Application
What Are Anchor Bolts?
Steel Fasteners Load Transfer
Robust steel components Transfer critical loads 
embedded directly into including tension, shear, 
concrete to secure and uplift forces from 
structural elements and attached components to 
ensure permanent concrete foundations.
attachment.
Safety Critical
Essential for structural safety in buildings, bridges, and 
infrastructure projects worldwide.
Types of Anchor Bolts
Cast-in-Place Bolts Post-Installed Anchors
Embedded during concrete pouring, these anchors form an integral bond with the concrete as it Installed after concrete has fully cured, offering flexibility for retrofit applications. Types include 
cures. Common configurations include J-bolts with hooked ends and L-bolts with 90-degree bends mechanical expansion anchors, chemical adhesive anchors, and precision undercut anchors.
for maximum pullout resistance.
Key Standards Governing Anchor Bolts
1 2 3
ASTM F1554 ACI 318 (Appendix D) International Building 
Code
Covers anchor bolts with grades Provides comprehensive design 
36, 55, and 105, defining methodology for anchors in both Specifies design requirements 
minimum yield strengths, tensile cracked and uncracked and load factors, clearly 
properties, and mechanical concrete, including capacity distinguishing between "code 
characteristics for structural calculations and safety factors. anchors" and "alternative 
applications. materials" for regulatory 
compliance.
Design Requirements: 
Embedment and Edge 
DisMtinaimnumc Eemsbedment Depth
7 inches (178 mm) for typical anchors as specified by UpCodes, ensuring 
adequate pullout resistance and load capacity.
Edge Distance Parallel to Sill
Minimum 1¾ inches (45 mm) parallel to wood sill plate to prevent 
concrete edge failure and splitting.
Edge Distance Perpendicular
Minimum 15 anchor diameters perpendicular to track length, preventing 
premature concrete breakout under load.
General Embedment Rule
Embedment length must be at least 4 times bolt diameter or 2 inches 
minimum, whichever provides greater security.
Material and Strength Specifications
36 55 105
Grade 36 ksi Grade 55 ksi Grade 105 ksi
Yield strength 248 MPa for general Yield strength 379 MPa for Yield strength 724 MPa for high-
structural applications moderate-load connections strength critical applications
Corrosion Protection Headed Anchor Standards
Carbon steel bolts typically hot-dip galvanised per Headed anchors must meet ASTM A307 Grade A or 
ASTM A153 or mechanically galvanised per F2329 for equivalent specifications, ensuring consistent bearing 
long-term corrosion resistance in harsh environments. area and load distribution.
Installation Considerations
01
Proper Hole Diameter
Hole diameter must precisely match anchor diameter to ensure correct expansion 
behaviour and optimal load transfer to concrete.
02
Threading Configuration
Fully threaded designs are common for post-installed anchors, providing secure fixture 
fastening throughout the embedded length.
03
Seismic Zone Approvals
Anchors in earthquake-prone areas require seismic approvals such as ICC-ES ESR 2427 for 
proven performance under cyclic loading.
04
Enhanced Hardware
Anti-rotation washers and serrated washers significantly improve installation reliability and 
prevent loosening under vibration.
Failure Modes and Safety Factors
Concrete Breakout Steel Failure
Cone-shaped concrete failure around anchor, influenced by Tensile rupture of anchor steel when loads exceed material 
edge distance and embedment depth. Most common failure capacity. Prevented through proper grade selection and 
mode requiring careful design consideration. capacity calculations.
Pullout Failure Pryout Failure
Anchor pulls out of concrete without steel failure or concrete Concrete failure due to shear loads causing prying action. 
breakout. Critical in shallow embedments and weak concrete. Requires verification of shear capacity and edge distances.
Safety Margins: Allowable stress design limits loads to 20% of tested strength, whilst strength design uses nominal 
strengths limited to 65% of average tested capacity for enhanced reliability.
Real-World Applications & Case Studies
Light-Frame Construction Structural Steel Connections
Anchor bolts secure wood sill plates to Steel columns and base plates anchored to 
concrete foundations, with minimum concrete foundations using high-strength 
embedment and edge distances preventing bolts, providing moment resistance and 
concrete cracking whilst ensuring reliable lateral stability.
load transfer.
Equipment Mounting
Machinery bases and façade elements secured with precision-installed anchors, absorbing 
vibration and dynamic loads in industrial environments.
Retrofit Applications Seismic Performance
Post-installed anchors enable structural Seismic wedge anchors extensively tested for 
retrofits and repairs without major demolition, high ductility and performance in California 
saving time and costs whilst maintaining and Japan, demonstrating reliability during 
building occupancy. major earthquakes.
Best Practices for Anchor Bolt 
Selection and Design
Specify to Standards
Always specify anchors per latest ASTM, ACI, and IBC standards to ensure code 
compliance and structural integrity.
Verify Dimensions
Confirm embedment depth and edge distances to avoid premature failure modes 
and ensure full capacity.
Choose Appropriately
Select cast-in-place for new construction efficiency; use post-installed for retrofit 
flexibility and precision.
Ensure Protection
Verify corrosion protection and seismic compliance for long-term durability and life safety.
Proper design and installation of anchor bolts safeguard structural integrity and public safety 
for the lifetime of the structure.