How do I interpret the technical data offered on the concrete wedge anchor?
All manufacturers provide instructions for selecting and applying their products, but they differ greatly in the presentation of technical data. This can make it difficult to compare wedge anchors from company to company. These differences give rise to misunderstandings that result in improper wedge anchor selection. Some manufacturers list an ultimate-load rating for each of their wedge anchors while others list a working-load rating. Either term is legitimate, but comparable values should be used. The industry generally recommends that working-load ratings be calculated as 25% of the anchor’s ultimate load rating. Thus, a wedge anchor having a 9,000 lb. ultimate-load rating can be assumed to have a 2,250 lb. working-load rating. Some manufacturers provide tension and shear values for each wedge anchor based on embedment to a specified depth, that depth in some cases being greater than the required minimum embedment. Other manufacturers provide tension and shear values for various emb
