Anchors
Remediating Misplaced or Damaged Cast-In Hold-Down Bolts on Site
Practical engineering solutions when cast-in structural steel starter bolts are poured out of tolerance, bent, or clash with reinforcement on site.
Builders, fabricators and architects often run into anchor problems and get vague answers. Anchorage to concrete is our specialist field, backed by research and Australian Standards work, so you get a clear answer and a design that complies.
Where this applies
- Steel column base plates and holding-down bolts
- Facade brackets, canopies and balustrades
- Overhead services, plant and machinery
- Crane rails, racking and equipment
- Misplaced, damaged or failed cast-in anchors
What we check
- Whether the concrete should be treated as cracked
- Concrete cone, pull-out, splitting, edge breakout and pry-out failure
- Edge distance, spacing and member thickness
- Combined tension and shear, including earthquake actions where they apply
- That the anchor product has an assessment that covers the use
- Installation details such as hole cleaning, embedment depth and tightening torque
Remedial anchors
When cast-in bolts are poured out of position, damaged or clash with reinforcement, we design a post-installed anchor retrofit, check the base plate, and certify the fix for your building surveyor.
Common questions about anchorage and fastening design
What is AS 5216 and when does it apply?
AS 5216 covers the design of post-installed and cast-in fastenings in concrete. The National Construction Code references it, so safety-critical anchors need to be designed and checked to it. That includes concrete cone breakout, edge distance, pull-out, pry-out and the effect of cracked concrete.
Can you fix misplaced or failed cast-in anchors?
Yes. When cast-in bolts are misplaced, damaged or clash with reinforcement, we design certified post-installed chemical or mechanical anchors to replace them, check any base plate changes and issue Regulation 126 or Section 40 certification.
What is a safety-critical anchor?
An anchor whose failure could cause a collapse, put people at risk or cause significant damage. Anchors holding balustrades, overhead services and facade elements are common examples.