Ensuring best fixings practice

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CFA Guidance Note:

Undercut Anchors
1. INTRODUCTION 2 ANCHOR INTRODUCTION
Central to the demanding requirements of
All anchors must be selected, designed and installed European Technical Approvals[1,2] for metal anchors
correctly. When this does not happen, the consequences used in safety related applications is the recognition of
the likelihood of concrete being cracked. Anchors must
can be serious in terms of damage to structures and demonstrate their ability to function correctly in cracks up
human injury or even death. to .5mm wide. This has lead to the development of many
To achieve safe anchorages, best practice should be innovative solutions, some based on existing anchor
followed at all times. configurations, as well as the birth of a totally new type –
BS8539:2012 “Code of Practice for the selection and the Undercut system.
installation of post-installed anchors in concrete and
masonry”1 sets out to achieve this best practice through This Guidance Note describes the operating principles of
identifying the roles and responsibilities for all current designs and outlines aspects of selection and
installation which should be taken into account.
stakeholders in the process.
Complying fully with the Code and using only ETA The pace of development of anchoring systems is such
approved anchors will provide a safe installation. that new designs are likely to be introduced which are not
covered here. Resin Bonded Undercut anchors for
CONTENTS instance are dealt with in the Guidance Note: Bonded
anchors. The general principles will still apply but, in
1. Introduction common with all anchor types, each must be specified and
2. Anchor introduction installed strictly according to the manufacturer’s
3. Anchor description instructions relating to that product.
3.1. Operating principles
3 ANCHOR DESCRIPTION
3.2. Visual inspection checks
3.3. Ranges available Undercut anchors are designed specifically for use
3.4. Configurations in concrete although some may be used in dense stone.
4. Typical applications Common to all undercut anchors is the principle of
5. Selection establishing a positive mechanical interlock within the
5.1. Base Material suitability concrete. This is achieved by opening segments of the
5.2. Anchor positioning anchor shell over a tapered part of the shank and into an
undercut shape formed in the concrete either by a separate
5.3. European technical assessments and selection drilling technique or by the anchor itself during installation.
software
5.4. Changing specifications This interlock ensures that, unlike some types of expansion
5.5. Embedment depths anchor, the mode of failure is always by a concrete cone
6. Basic Installation Procedures generated from the base of the anchor. This means the
6.1. Hole forming anchor is as strong as the concrete will allow and that the
anchor will work even when set in a crack which opens
6.2. Setting the anchor
after the anchor is installed.

SUMMARY

 Approved for use in cracked concrete

Setting free of expansion stresses
 Visual indication of correct setting
3 attachment configurations available
 Carbon and stainless steel versions
 Special versions for use in thin stone panels
 Specifiable via software or data sheets Undercut principle gives stress free setting
 Some types suitable for use in dense stone
 Good resistance to dynamic loads

UNDERCUT ANCHORS 1 AUGUST 2017

CFA Guidance Note:
Undercut Anchors

3.1 OPERATING PRINCIPLE

and finishes, make them one of the most versatile
As undercut anchors fail by concrete cone failure their types of anchor.
load capacity is directly related to embedment depth
which may therefore be shallower for undercut anchors
than for other anchor types offering similar strength. Suitable applications include the
[Internal thread versions (see below) may need high following:
tensile bolts to match anchorage strength in non-
cracked concrete.]
- Structural connections including shockproof
3.2 VISUAL SETTING CHECKS connections in earth-quake zones. Steel
fabrications such as staircases and ladders.
Undercut anchors have different systems to give a - Dynamic loadings including motors, fans,
visual cradle runways, gates, roller shutter
indication that the anchor is correctly set. One is shown doors, holding down machinery, signs and
below. In others hammering the sleeve down over the lighting columns, guard rails.
taper leaves visible marks in the top of the sleeve. - Cladding elements to edge beams, curtain
walling.
- Fixing services of all types especially to
ceiling and deck undersides.

5 SELECTION

Undercut anchors are expected to be selected in

accordance with Design Methods as outlined
in the Guideline for European Technical
Approvals (ETAG) [1] Annex C.
3.3 RANGES AVAILABLE This Design Method, known as the Concrete
Capacity (CC) method, is relatively complex so most
Anchor diameters are available from M6 to M20 in zinc plated
manufacturers are expected to make selection easy
carbon steel and A4 stainless steel versions.
by providing proprietary software for design of
3.4 CONFIGURATIONS anchors and anchor groups . Factors which will be
taken into account in this process are as discussed
Most undercut anchors are made in three attachment in the Association Guidance Note “Anchor
configurations as shown below selection”. They include concrete strength and
condition (i.e. cracked or non-cracked), anchor
spacings, edge distances, structural thickness, the
nature of the applied load, fixture thickness, finish in
Through Sleeve relation to corrosion conditions etc. Manufacturers
also offer technical advice services who will check
selections against the relevant parameters or make
the selection for you.

Deciding whether or not an area of concrete is

Projecting Stud cracked or non-cracked can be done in one of two
ways. In the UK National Guidance has been
determined to help engineers decide, without
calculation, which areas of structures may be
considered cracked or non-cracked[3] . This
document may be downloaded from the BBA
website. Otherwise detailed stress calculations must
Internal Thread be carried out. Choosing an anchor with an approval
for cracked concrete obviates the need to check
concrete status but if no such check is carried out
then the load values for cracked concrete must be
4 TYPICAL APPLICATIONS assumed (they are lower than for non-cracked) and
a cost penalty may be incurred.
Undercut anchors’ abilities to work in cracked or non-
cracked concrete, together with good dynamic
resistance and the variety of attachment configurations

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CFA Guidance Note:
Undercut Anchors

Once an anchor is specified then an alternative anchor 6.2 SETTING THE ANCHOR
should not be allowed unless all relevant performance
parameters are checked and found to be at least Most current undercut anchors are set by the shell
equivalent to the specified anchor. being displaced over an outwardly tapered cone.
Usually this is done by hammering via a special
6 INSTALLATION adaptor.
Correct setting can be checked visually see section
The installation of undercut anchors is always different
from conventional anchors and must be carried out in Different setting methods may involve different
accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions using clearance requirements around the anchor at the
the prescribed equipment which should be maintained point of installation.
in good condition. On no account should setting
equipment from one type be used to install anchors of
another.

There are two phases to installing undercut

ancho
 Forming the hole with its undercut
shape and
 Setting the anchor

6.1 HOLE FORMING

Undercut designs currently employ three different

techniques to form the undercut shape.
Pre – drilling
Within this category there are two
techniques. a) A special drill forms the
cylindrical hole and is
then manipulated to form the undercut.
b) A “Stop” or “Collar” drill (a conventional
hammer drill bit with an integral collar to
limit hole depth) is used to drill a cylindrical
hole and a special drill is then used to References
establish the undercut.
[1] ETAG 001 Guideline for European Technical
Some specialised types for deep installations Approval of Metal Anchors for use in concrete.
use diamond drilling for initial hole forming. European organisation for Technical Approvals
(EOTA) 1997.
Self undercutting - rotary British Board of Agrément, PO Box 195,
A stop drill is used to establish the cylindrical Bucknalls Lane, Garston, Herts. Tel 01923
hole shape. The anchor is mounted on a 665300
[2] CFA Guidance Note: European Technical
special adaptor and spun into the hole using Approvals for Construction Fixings.
a hammer drill; special teeth on the anchor [3] Use of anchors with ETAs – UK Guidance –
itself form the undercut shape. Distinction between cracked and non-cracked
concrete. Download from BBA website (pdf format) :
Self undercutting - percussion www.bbacerts.co.uk
A stop drill is used to establish the cylindrical
hole shape. The anchor is then hammered
into the hole using a special adaptor and
sharp edges on the shell form the undercut as
it is driven over the tapered shank.

“Stop”/ “Collar” b i t s used in many types of undercut

UNDERCUT ANCHORS 3 August 2017