Criteria for the selection of anchors for aerated concrete

It is known that aerated concrete is a fairly lightweight building material and, moreover, porous. Lightness and porosity are considered the main and most important advantages. But still, this structure also has its drawbacks - for example, a self-tapping screw will not hold in such a block at all, it is impossible even to fix a nail. Therefore, to resolve the issue with fasteners in aerated concrete, you need to hammer an anchor.

Anchoring is made up of two main parts.

• The expansion part, that is, the one that, after installation, changes its own geometry, thus ensuring a strong fixation of the anchor directly into the thickness of the material with a porous structure. If we talk about chemical anchors, then the part that is not in a solid state, but in a liquid one, easily seeps into the pores, contributing to a fairly reliable fixation.
• The rod is inside, that is, the part that is fixed in the most spacer part.

The spacer has a border and collars to prevent the mount from falling through drilled holes. The design can be different in length - from 40 mm to 300 mm. The diameter is usually no more than 30.

Anchors used for aerated concrete, according to the fastening technique, they are divided into several separate types:

• chemical;
• mechanical.

According to the principle of fixation, each chemical element is based on the following, a binder type of substance penetrates into such a porous material as aerated concrete or aerated concrete, then this substance solidifies and forms a monolithic compound during solidification. This system is rarely used, and yet it simply cannot be done without it when the anchors need to withstand a sufficiently large load. One capsule contains polymers with organic resins.

Let's consider how to carry out a competent installation.

• To begin with, a hole is drilled in the porous aerated concrete building material. It is better to use an ordinary drill in this work.
• Ampoules are inserted into pre-drilled holes that contain specialized chemicals.
• It is necessary to break the ampoules, and then insert a metal rod into the same hole.
• Now it remains to wait for the moment of solidification of the binding element. Usually it takes several hours, and sometimes even a day.

This system has its own advantages:

• the ability to withstand a colossal load;
• dampness and moisture do not penetrate under the anchor at all;
• there will be no cold bridges at the attachment point;
• the connection is tight.

If we list the disadvantages of this design, then we can include the impossible implementation of the dismantling of the anchors. It is also worth noting that such products are quite expensive compared to other types of mounts.

Massa-Henke and HILTI are the most famous chemical fastener manufacturers. The prices of the products of world manufacturers are correspondingly higher, but here you can remain completely confident that the quality of the installation system will remain at the level.

Epoxy-based chemical anchor bolts are used during installation on the strongest base or base such as concrete.These bolts with a similar effect can support suspended structures that are attached to concrete surfaces and more, and the bolts also perfectly hold suspended structures attached to a reinforced concrete floor joist. These products are often used to mount a variety of equipment.

Epoxy type anchor bolts have their own advantages.

• It is possible to install these elements even in water or in the presence of moisture.
• Installation with these bolts can be done indoors or inside.
• In the anchorage hole, the local type of stress is minimized, so there are no cracks in the anchorage area.
• The resin does not contain styrene.
• Products are used both for fastening smooth studs and for threaded ones. This property is constantly applied when mounting a reinforcing bar.

Air, or rather its temperature, will also affect the mounting of anchors made on "epoxy". The first setting occurs within 10 minutes, and then the time can take up to 180 minutes. Complete hardening occurs after 10-48 hours. Structures can only be loaded after 24 hours.

This type is widely used for fixing various parts of a suspended facade on an aerated concrete base; it is also used to mount a translucent facade, communication network and engineering. In the form of a rod, only threaded-type studs are used, they can be metal or plastic.

To get an even stronger connection, it is recommended to use a special conical drill when drilling a hole. Polyester resins are completely styrene-free, so they can be used with confidence for fixing hanging parts in a building.

Achieve a reliable fixation when installing mechanical anchors is helped by the spacer of fasteners, which firmly holds the body of the anchor inside the porous building material. Usually such fasteners consist of a special tube that is inserted into the holes. It changes its own geometric shape as a result of screwing in or at the moment of hammering the inner rod.

Among the advantages of this fastener:

• anchors are installed in aerated concrete solid quite simply;
• it does not take a lot of time to mount the system;
• all the load will be distributed evenly in the future;
• after mounting the anchor, you can proceed to the installation of hinged elements immediately;
• the fastening system can always be dismantled when the need arises.

Installation of rods is also easy:

• first, a hole of the required diameter is drilled;
• then insert the tube inside the finished hole;
• upon completion of the work, you need to independently establish the spacer type of the rod, that is, one that can be screwed in and hammered at any time.

Most major manufacturers such as HPD, HILTI or Fisher GB claim to supply quality-assured products. Usually this type of anchors are made of sufficiently strong materials - stainless steel. And all the same, these products can undergo oxidation, and this is perhaps the most basic drawback.

Anchors are made from a basalt-plastic rod. Sand spraying on the anchor allows for the best adhesion to the cement. In addition, a flexible connection made of steel material (stainless steel) is produced by the German company Bever.

A common type of fasteners that are used when working with aerated concrete also include a butterfly anchor. The fixation of this product is carried out using segments-petals, they are firmly fixed on aerated concrete porous building material.This type of product is supplied by the manufacturer MUPRO.

Despite the existing opinion, according to which nothing can be fixed on porous concrete, the use of anchors can provide a truly reliable mounting. At the same time, chemical fastener systems can withstand rather heavy loads. But you should buy products from a trusted manufacturer, which gives a guarantee for all its products.

Further, see the overview of the Fischer FPX aerated concrete anchor - I.