

(1) Stud-type anchor: where the stud will stick out from the wall. There are four options available that can be used in concrete block: Lastly, the type of fastener required for the application must be determined. (3) Is the load going to be placed where a shock load could occur? Determine the type of anchor required (1) How heavy is the item that is being fastened to the block wall? Example: a dock bumper where a truck will back up to the dock and hit the bumper.There are three questions that will help determine the type of load each application produces: Shock load:An application where a load will be added and taken away. Example: a sign posted on a block wall outside in the wind. Vibratory load:An application that has constant movement. The next step in the process is to ascertain the type of load that is going to be anchored. Determine the type of load being fastened to

(3) The fastener must not penetrate the wall into the cavity itself. (2) When inserting an anchor into this area, whether it's a fastener that exerts pressure or a concrete screw that taps threads into the base material, the holding values will be diminished or become non-existent. This leads to a cone shaped space, with the point of the cone closest to the surface of the block. (1) When drilling into the block with a hammer drill, the block will spall. When fastening into the hollow section of a block, there are a few considerations to keep in mind: The hollow section of the block is the least desirable section of the block in which to fasten but sometimes can not be avoided. This will depend on the distance of the fastener to the unsupported edge of the cavity and the quality of the material from which the block is made. The solid sections of the block usually offer the best quality fastening. Fastening into the mortar joint can be an excellent option depending on the quality and quantity of the mortar used to set the block in place. An anchor exerting this pressure against an unsupported edge decreases the anchor’s holding values.Įach section has unique advantages and disadvantages. Will the fastener be placed in (a) the mortar joint, (b) the solid section of the block or (c) the hollow section of the concrete block? Some applications may allow each fastener to be placed in the same part of the block while other installations require that each anchor is placed in different sections of the block.Īll anchors except for concrete screws exert an outward force. Determine where in the block the anchor should be placedīefore choosing the correct anchor for an application, it is necessary to consider where in the block the fastener should be positioned. These blocks are then layered and stacked vertically to form a wall and are held together using concrete mortar.

Lower density blocks, more commonly known as cinder blocks, may be produced using cinders as aggregate. The aggregate used for high-density blocks is usually sand and/or fine gravel. Concrete blocks are made from precast concrete, i.e. What is a concrete block?Ī concrete block, cement block, foundation block or concrete masonry unit (CMU), is a large rectangular block used primarily in the construction of walls. These include what part of the block to drill into as well as which type of anchor would work the best for the specific application. When fastening to concrete blocks, a number of specific considerations must be taken into account.

When installing these concrete anchors, special care must be taken to ensure safe and proper fastening. In many construction applications, concrete anchors must be fastened to a concrete block to hold a fixture or item of some kind.
