How to select the right flat head sleeve anchor

CLEVELAND - Feb. 12, 2018 - PRLog -- Bob Carlisle, President of Concrete Fasteners, Inc., describes the decision-making process involved in the purchase of a concrete sleeve anchor as a series of decisions. "Before installing concrete sleeve anchors it is important to consider a number of technical specifications. First, consider the four head styles: acorn, hex, flat and round. The flat head is also commonly referred to as a post nut. Ultimate holding values, anchor length, and minimum embedment will determine the size and type of sleeve anchor needed for a specific application," he said. "Then an examination of the base material must be done. A sleeve anchor can be installed in solid concrete, brick or block."

"The Flat Head Sleeve Anchor is available in two types in order to meet the requirements for different application environments," further explained Carlisle. "Zinc plated is most commonly used in dry, indoor applications. The 304 stainless steel is used in wet, outdoor applications where rust resistance is important."

Other important considerations for choosing the Flat Head Sleeve Anchor:

- Head of the sleeve anchor cannot protrude above the surface of the material being fastened

- Head is counter sunk, and will sit flush with the surface of the item being attached when installed

- 1/4" and 5/16" diameter Flat Head Sleeve Anchor is available with a slotted head

- 3/8" diameters are available with a Phillips drive

Product Sizes
- Available in three diameters: 1/4", 5/16" and 3/8"

- Not manufactured in 1/2", 5/8" and 3/4"

- Not every size is available in stainless steel

Length: To determine the length of sleeve anchor required, add the thickness of the material to be fastened, plus minimum embedment, plus the thickness of the nut and washer. The sum of these three items equals the minimum sleeve anchor length. The Sleeve anchor requires no maximum hole depth. The depth of the hole in the base material should be at least the length of the sleeve anchor minus the thickness of the material being fastened. This will provide some extra depth to accommodate a minor amount of concrete cuttings which may not be able to be cleaned out of the hole.

Spacing: The forces on a Sleeve Anchor are transferred to the material in which it is installed. If the anchors are installed too close together, it can cause an interaction of the forces, thus reducing the holding power of the anchor. As a rule of thumb, the expansion anchor industry has established a minimum standard of ten (10) anchor diameters for spacing between anchors and five (5) anchor diameters from an unsupported edge. When vibration or sudden impact are part of the load conditions, the spacing should be increased.

Concrete Fastening Systems, Inc. has been selling concrete fasteners for 30 years from a fully stocked warehouse in Cleveland, Ohio.  www.concretefasteners.com