Construction anchoring — getting the load path right
Anchor failures are rarely caused by a defective anchor. They are caused by the wrong anchor type for the base material, or by edge and spacing distances that were never checked. This page sets out the decision.
Choosing the anchor type
| Base material | Tension / cracked concrete | Recommended anchor | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Non-cracked concrete | Tension, static | Wedge anchor | Lowest cost per kN; verify embedment and edge distance |
| Cracked concrete | Tension, seismic | Mechanical undercut anchor or chemical anchor | Wedge anchors are not approved for cracked concrete |
| Cracked concrete, close to edge | Tension, tight spacing | Chemical anchor | Cure time depends on base temperature — do not load early |
| Solid brick / block masonry | Shear, medium load | Sleeve expansion bolt | Hole tolerance matters; do not use in cracked masonry |
| Hollow brick, drywall | Light load only | Hollow wall anchor | Capacity is limited by the panel, not the anchor |
| Thin sheet metal | Threaded insert | Rivet nut or jack nut | Match grip range to sheet thickness |
Four checks before the order is placed
Base material condition
Is the concrete cracked or non-cracked? This single question determines whether a wedge anchor is even permissible. If the answer is unknown, treat it as cracked.
Edge and spacing distance
Heavy-duty anchors need considerably more edge distance than standard ones. Undercut and chemical anchors exist precisely because they work where there is not enough edge distance for a wedge anchor.
Load direction and dynamic loading
Tension is not the same as shear, and vibrating machinery needs an anchor qualified for dynamic loading. State the load case, not just the load.
Corrosion environment
Outdoor, coastal and industrial atmospheres require hot-dip galvanizing or A4 stainless. A zinc-plated anchor specified for indoor use will fail early outdoors.
Hardware used in this application
Wedge Anchor
wedge anchor supplier China
Sleeve Expansion Bolt
sleeve expansion bolt supplier
Mechanical Undercut Anchor
mechanical undercut anchor supplier
Chemical Anchor
chemical anchor supplier China
Hollow Wall Anchor
hollow wall anchor supplier
U-Bolt
U bolt manufacturer China
T-Bolt (T-Slot Bolt)
T slot bolt supplier China
Eye Bolt DIN 580
DIN 580 eye bolt supplier
Frequently asked questions
Are your anchors tested?
We supply anchors produced to recognised designs and, where the project requires ETA-approved types, we source accordingly. Test reports and material certificates are issued per batch, and third-party testing by SGS or BV is available.
Can you supply anchor calculation support?
We do not replace your structural engineer, but we can supply the anchor manufacturer's technical data — embedment depth, edge and spacing requirements, characteristic resistances — so the design can be checked properly.
What is the lead time for anchors with approval documents?
Standard stock anchors ship in 7–15 working days. Project quantities requiring specific documents or coatings typically take 20–30 working days; allow time in the programme for document review.
Do you supply matching base plates and brackets?
Yes, as OEM items to your drawing. Anchors, base plates and brackets ordered together arrive as a matched set, which avoids the common problem of a plate whose holes do not align with the anchor positions.
Ready to source quality hardware from China?
Tell us the application, the environment and the volumes — we will propose a specification rather than just quoting a part number.