Well-designed and correctly installed anchors are critical for creating secure structures. This article will look at the design, installation and verification stages of using anchors, the potential hazards involved, and some innovative products and approaches to ensuring construction safety. 




There are three important stages to safely implementing anchors.

1. The design phase

The design phase is the one in which specifiers have traditionally had the most influence, but even at this early stage crucial mistakes can be made. Here are some of the most common:

• Calculation mistakes - The use of outdated handbooks when calculating load-bearing capabilities for anchors can lead to errors. A simple solution is to use software that complies with the standard, and reduce the room for error.

• Specification text deficiencies - Specifiers who draw up texts for those installing the anchors don't always supply consistent levels of detail. Being sure to include exact specifications on products and processes limits mistake-causing ambiguity.

2. The installation phase

One of the most problematic areas of the installation phase comes with cleaning the hole prior to anchor insertion. This is particularly prevalent with chemical anchors, as the concrete dust and flakes created by drilling into the hole can prevent the chemical from bonding with the steel element - causing the anchor to pull out and fail.

Hilti has developed an advanced solution to this problem in the form of a hollow drill bit. This tool works by connecting a vacuum to the drill which sucks concrete dust and flakes out as the hole is being created. As well as significantly speeding up the process, the mechanisation of cleaning gives you assurance that this vital stage is completed correctly, and to a high standard.  As a designer, you control the level of the specification text on your designs and you can ensure that systems such as the hollow drill bit are included as part of your design.


Hilti has a specifically made hollow drill bit which allows dust to be sucked out of the hole as drilling takes place.

3. The verification phase 

This step is your opportunity to ensure that all previous steps have been correctly undertaken. To verify the safety of your anchor, recommendations include;

• On-site testing - This involves applying a load to the product that has been installed to confirm it's capable of bearing the minimum required. load.

• Anchor and rebar training - Comprehensive training for site installers can combine theoretical and practical. Training helps educate installers not only on how to handle products and tools safely, but also on how to install anchors correctly and efficiently.

• Designated products - Technical innovations such as Hilti's HSL-3-B expansion anchor allow you to test the product while applying the load to torque up the anchor. Here coloured indicators will show if the anchor has been installed to the correct torque. Using these checks ensures you have the right torque every time, and that the product is performing to its maximum capacity. 

As a specifier, you can influence all of the stages of concrete anchor use, from design through to installation and verification. For more information on the processes and products that can help you do this safely, get in touch with the team at Hilti Australia today.