Why has AISC initiated a change in nomenclature with the term anchor rod?
AISC has changed its terminology to anchor “rod” to eliminate confusion between structural bolting applications, such as those covered by the AISC and RCSC Specifications, and anchorage applications between steel members and concrete elements. This includes such issues as installed tension, slip resistance, and hole sizes, which do not apply in anchor-rod applications as they are covered for all-steel bolting applications. Anchor rods may be configured to provide anchorage into concrete by means of a head, threading with a nut on the end, a hook, or by swaging. The term anchor bolt, when used with ASTM A307 grade C, A325, or A490 material, however, only describes the first option for the following reasons: • These specifications include heading requirements. • ASTM A325 and A490 include defined threaded lengths. • Bolts meeting these specifications are generally only available in lengths up to about 8 in., except by special order.
