Anchor Rods

Anchor rods, also referred as anchor bolts, concrete embeds or foundation bolts, are embedded in concrete foundations to support structural steel columns, light poles, traffic signals, highway sign structures, industrial equipment and many other applications.

Manufacturing
Portland Bolt has the ability to manufacture anchor rods from 1/2" - 6" diameter. Anchor rod assemblies are available in a number of ASTM specifications including: F1554 grade 36, 55 & 105, A449, A354 and many others. Anchor plates, pipe sleeves, light fabrication and welding are all performed on site to provide fast delivery at the highest quality. Rods are provided either plain steel or hot-dip galvanized. All manufacturing processes, including hot-dip galvanizing are completed in our facility. Anchor plates, both square or rectangle, are produced on site. Our ability to punch and shear up to 1" plate allows us to meet your special requirements and provide solutions to reduce the overall material cost.

Stock Anchor Rods

Portland Bolt stocks several anchor rods in varying diameters, lengths, and grades. In most cases, anchor rods are specifically designed for a given project and repetitive sizes are not used frequently enough to justify a stocking program. The anchor rods Portland Bolt inventories happen to be standard products for various Departments of Transportation throughout the country and are used for applications including light poles, traffic signal poles, and overhead sign structures. If your project requires an anchor rod with dimensions that are identical or similar to a size we stock, we have them available for immediate shipment. Please note that any variation in size or grade from the anchor rods that have been engineered into your structure should be approved by an engineer prior to ordering.

Part Number Diameter Length 18499 18500 17021 18502 1" 1" 1" 11 4" 36" 54" 60" 52"

Grade F1554 grade 105 F1554 grade 105 F1554 grade 55 F1554 grade 105

Top Thread Bottom Thread 6" 12" 8" 18" 3" 4" 8" 8"

Finish Galvanized Galvanized Galvanized Galvanized

Part Number Diameter Length 17022 18507 17972 17023 17975 17973 18508 17977 17978 11 2" 112" 134" 2" 2" 2" 2" 212" 234" 72" 60" 54" 72" 48" 54" 60" 48" 48"

Grade F1554 grade 55 F1554 grade 105 F1554 grade 55 F1554 grade 55 A307 grade C F1554 grade 55 F1554 grade 105 A307 grade C F1554 grade 36

Top Thread Bottom Thread 8" 18" 12" 10" 9" 12" 18" 10" 11" 8" 8" 512" 10" 3" 512" 8" 3" 3"

Finish Galvanized Galvanized Galvanized Galvanized Galvanized Galvanized Galvanized Galvanized Galvanized

ASTM F1554
Scope
The ASTM F1554 specification was introduced in 1994 and covers anchor bolts designed to anchor structural supports to concrete foundations. F1554 anchor bolts can take the form of either headed bolts, straight rods, or bent anchor bolts. The three grades 36, 55, and 105 designate the minimum yield strength (ksi) of the anchor bolt. The bolts can be either cut or roll threaded and a weldable grade 55 can be substituted for grade 36 at the suppliers option. Color coding on the end - 36 blue, 55 yellow, and 105 red helps facilitate easy identification in the field. Permanent manufacturer and grade marking is allowed under the S2 supplementary requirements. Applications for F1554 anchor bolts include columns in structural steel framed buildings, traffic signal and street lighting poles, and overhead highway sign structures to name just a few.

Grades
F1554 Grade 36 F1554 Grade 55 F1554 Grade 105 Low carbon, 36 ksi yield steel anchor bolts High strength, low alloy, 55 ksi yield steel anchor bolts Alloy, heat treated, high strength 105 ksi yield steel anchor bolts

Mechanical Properties
Grade Marking Size inches Tensile, ksi Yield, ksi min Yield, MPa min Elong. % min RA % min

36

4 - 4

58 - 80

36

248

23

40

1 1

4 - 2
1

75 - 95 75 - 95 75 - 95 75 - 95

55 55 55 55

380 380 380 380

21 21 21 21

30 22 20 18

55

2 4 - 2 2 234 - 3 3 4 - 4
1

105

4 - 3

125 - 150

105

724

15

45

Stamping of F1554 bolts with manufacturer's identification is a supplemental requirement (S2) Color coding is required unless the grade is stamped in accordance with supplemental requirement (S3).

When Grade 36 is specified, a weldable Grade 55 may be furnished at the supplier's option.

Recommended Nuts and Washers

Grade Size inches
1

Nuts Plain A563A Hex A563A Heavy Hex A563A Hex A563A Heavy Hex A563D Heavy Hex Galvanized A563A Hex A563A Heavy Hex A563A Heavy Hex A563A Heavy Hex A563DH Heavy Hex

Washer F436 F436 F436 F436 F436 F436

36 55 105
1. 2.

4 - 112 4 - 1 2
3 1

134 - 4
1

1 4 - 4
1

4 - 112
3

1 4 - 3

A563DH Heavy Hex A563DH Heavy Hex

A563-D rarely available, A563DH or A194-2H substituted. Per ASTM A563, A194-2H may be substituted for A563-DH.

Anchor rods are supplied in conformance with ASTM F1554 "Standard Specification for Anchor Bolts, Steel, 36, 55 and 105 Ksi Yield Strength." ASTM F1554 provides for three different grades of anchor rods: Grade 36 (painted blue on the projecting end), Grade 55 (painted yellow on the projecting end), and Grade 105 (painted red on the projecting end). The specified minimum yield strength (Fy) and specified minimum tensile strength (Fu)for each Grade are given in Table 5. Table 5 Tensile Properties for Anchor Rods
Tensile Property Minimum Yield Strength Fy, MPa (ksi) Minimum tensile Strength Fu, MPa (ksi) ASTM F1554 Rod Grade 36 248 (36) 400 (58) ASTM F1554 Rod Grade 55 380 (55) 516 (75) ASTM F1554 Rod Grade 105 720 (105) 860 (125) ASTM A706 Bars Grade 60 415 (60) 550 (80)

ASTM F1554 was passed in 1994, and is essentially the same as AASHTO M314-90, although there are some differences. ASTM F1554 Grade 36 is essentially the same as ASTM A36 or ASTM A307 Grade C, and ASTM F1554 Grade 105 is equivalent to ASTM A193 Grade B7. ASTM 1554 supercedes these specifications, and the older specifications should no longer be referenced for anchor rods. The ASTM A325 or A490 specifications should not be specified for anchor rods. The A325 and A490 bolts are intended for use in structural connections.

ASTM A193

Hex Bolts A193 All Thread Rod ASTM A194 Thread Pitch Chart

Scope
Originally approved in 1936, this specification is heavily utilized in petroleum and chemical construction applications. The ASTM standard covers alloy steel and stainless steel bolting materials for high temperature or high pressure service. This specification includes fasteners intended for use in pressure vessels, valves, flanges, and fittings. Although, this material is often available in national coarse (UNC) thread pitches, if being used in traditional applications, threads are specified 8 threads per inch (tpi) for diameters above one inch. Below is a basic summary of a few of the common grades. ASTM A193 covers a number of other standard specifications not covered in this description including B5, B6, and B16.

Grades
B7 B8 B8M B8 B8M Alloy steel, AISI 4140/4142 quenched and tempered Class 1 Stainless steel, AISI 304, carbide solution treated. Class 1 Stainless steel, AISI 316, carbide solution treated. Class 2 Stainless steel, AISI 304, carbide solution treated, strain hardened Class 2 Stainless steel, AISI 316, carbide solution treated, strain hardened

Mechanical Properties
Grade B7 B8 Class 1 B8M Class 1 Size Up to 2-1/2 2-5/8 - 4 4-1/8 - 7 All All Up to 3/4 B8 Class 2 7/8 - 1 1-1/8 - 1-1/4 1-3/8 - 1-1/2 Tensile ksi, min Yield, ksi, min Elong, %, min RA % min 125 115 100 75 75 125 115 105 100 105 95 75 30 30 100 80 65 50 16 16 18 30 30 12 15 20 28 50 50 50 50 50 35 35 35 45

Grade

Size Up to 3/4 7/8 - 1 1-1/8 - 1-1/4 1-3/8 - 1-1/2

Tensile ksi, min Yield, ksi, min Elong, %, min RA % min 110 100 95 90 95 80 65 50 15 20 25 30 45 45 45 45

B8M Class 2

Metric
Grade B7 Size Up to 2-1/2 Tensile kg/cm2, min Yield, kg/cm2, min 8788 7382

LRFD limit strength

Grade B7
= 0.75

Size Up to 2-1/2

Tensile kg/cm2, max 6591

Shear, kg/cm2, max 3955

Recommended Nuts and Washers

Bolt Grade B7 B8 Class 1 B8 Class 2 Nuts A194 Grade 2H A194 Grade 8 A194 Grade 8 Washers F436 SS304 SS316 SS304 SS316

B8M Class 1 A194 Grade 8M B8M Class 2 A194 Grade 8M

ASTM A449
Scope
ASTM A449 covers headed bolts, rods, and anchor bolts in diameters ranging from 1/4" through 3" inclusive. It is a medium strength bolt manufactured from a medium carbon or alloy steel that develops its mechanical values through a heat treating process. It is intended for general engineering applications. ASTM A449 is virtually identical in chemistry and strength to ASTM A325 and SAE J429 grade 5. However, A449 is more flexible in the sense that it covers a larger diameter range and is not restricted by a specific configuration.

TYPES
TYPE 1 TYPE 2 TYPE 3 Plain carbon steel, carbon boron steel, alloy steel, or alloy boron steel. Withdrawn 2003 Weathering steel.

MECHANICAL PROPERTIES
Size 1/4 - 1 1-1/8 - 1-1/2 1-5/8 - 3 Tensile, ksi Yield, ksi Elong. %, min RA %, min 120 min 105 min 90 min 92 min 81 min 58 min 14 14 14 35 35 35

RECOMMENDED NUTS and WASHERS

Nuts Plain 1/4 - 1-1/2 A563B Hex 1-5/8 - 3 A563A Heavy Hex Galvanized 1/4 - 3 A563DH Heavy Hex F436 Washers

Note: Nuts of other grades having proof load stresses greater than the specified grade are suitable. The ASTM A563 Nut Compatibility Chart has a complete list of specifications.

ASTM A354
Scope
The ASTM A354 specification covers the chemical and mechanical requirements of quenched and tempered alloy steel bolts, studs, and other externally threaded fasteners 4" and under in diameter. Two strength levels, grade BC and grade BD, are summarized in the chart below. This specification is unrestricted in its configuration and can be a headed bolt, bent bolt, or threaded rod.

Grades
A354 grade BD bolts are higher in strength than A354 grade BC and equal in strength to ASTM A490 bolts. Unlike ASTM A490 however, the A354 BD specification is unrestricted in its configuration. Since A490 bolts are heavy hex structural bolts and do not exceed 1-1/2" diameter, specification A354 BD should be considered for anchor bolts, threaded rods, other styles of headed bolts, and bolts larger than 1-1/2" diameter where similar mechanical A354 properties are desired. A354 grade BD does not require a magnetic particle BD test as is required by the A490 specification. Research conducted on bolts of similar material and manufacture indicates that hydrogen-stress cracking or stress cracking corrosion may occur on hotdip galvanized Grade BD bolts. For more information about this subject, please see our FAQ that addresses galvanizing of high strength bolts. A354 BC Lower in strength than grade BD.

Mechanical Properties
Grade BC BD Size 1/4 - 2-1/2 2-5/8 - 4 1/4 - 2-1/2 2-5/8 - 4 Tensile, ksi, min Yield, ksi, min Elong %, min RA %, min 125 115 150 140 109 99 130 115 16 16 14 14 50 45 40 40

Recommended Nuts and Washers

Nuts Grade BC Grade BD Washers

Plain A563C Heavy Hex

Galvanized A563DH Heavy Hex

Plain A563DH Heavy Hex F436

* Nuts of other grades load stresses greater than the specified grade are suitable. Follow the link for an ASTM A563 Nut Compatibility Chart.

Federal Highway Administration Guidelines for the Installation, Inspection, Maintenance and Repair of Structural Supports for Highway Signs, Luminaries, and Traffic Signals

6.5 Anchor Rods

6.5.1 General Anchor rods provide attachment of the structure to its foundation. They can carry large forces, particularly for cantilever structures where overturning is resisted by a moment at the base which is carried through the anchor rod group. The design and proper installation of anchor rods has traditionally received little technical guidance as it fell wholly in neither the realm of steel structures nor concrete structures. The "Specification for Steel-to-Concrete Joints Using ASTM F1554 Grades 36, 55, and 05 Smooth Anchor Rods, ASTM A615 and A706 Grade 60 Deformed Bars, and AWS D1.1 Type B Studs" is currently being developed by the Research Council on Structural Connections and may eventually be published by the RCSC. For the design strength of the concrete anchorage, this specification refers to current American Concrete Institute ACI 318 criteria. For use in highway ancillary structures, the ACI load factors and resistance factors may be modified by the State to be consistent with AASHTO design provisions. NCHRP Report 469 also provides guidance. 6.5.2 Materials Anchor rods are supplied in conformance with ASTM F1554 "Standard Specification for Anchor Bolts, Steel, 36, 55 and 105 Ksi Yield Strength." ASTM F1554 provides for three different grades of anchor rods: Grade 36 (painted blue on the projecting end), Grade 55 (painted yellow on the projecting end), and Grade 105 (painted red on the projecting end). The specified minimum yield strength (Fy) and specified minimum tensile strength (Fu)for each Grade are given in Table 5.
Table 5 Tensile Properties for Anchor Rods Tensile Property Minimum Yield Strength Fy, MPa (ksi) Minimum tensile Strength Fu, MPa (ksi) ASTM F1554 Rod Grade 36 248 (36) 400 (58) ASTM F1554 Rod Grade 55 380 (55) 516 (75) ASTM F1554 Rod Grade 105 720 (105) 860 (125) ASTM A706 Bars Grade 60 415 (60) 550 (80)

ASTM F1554 was passed in 1994, and is essentially the same as AASHTO M314-90, although there are some differences. ASTM F1554 Grade 36 is essentially the same as ASTM A36 or ASTM A307 Grade C, and ASTM F1554 Grade 105 is equivalent to ASTM A193 Grade B7. ASTM 1554 supercedes these specifications, and the older specifications should no longer be referenced for anchor rods. The ASTM A325 or A490 specifications should not be specified for anchor rods. The A325 and A490 bolts are intended for use in structural connections. Since the fatigue strength of these various grades of anchor bolts is the same, it is usually not worthwhile to use the Grade 105 anchor rods. If an existing support structure (not designed for fatigue in accordance with the 2001 Specifications) has Grade 105 anchor rods that were designed for strength only, the size of the anchor rods may be much less than would be the case if Grade 55 or Grade 36 anchor rods were used. Consequently, the stress ranges in these Grade 105 anchor rods

may be much greater, making them particularly likely to experience fatigue cracking. Grade 105 anchor rods should be especially evaluated to see if stress ranges calculated using the 2001 Specifications are large enough that fatigue would be expected to occur quickly. If so, an inspection of the rods using ultrasonic testing methods may be warranted. For similar reasons, the use of anchor rods conforming to ASTM A722 with minimum tensile strength of 150 ksi should be discouraged, but may occur in some existing structures. Where such rods have been used, an inspection using ultrasonics should be performed. Anchor rods are normally supplied in one of the following shapes: Bent anchor rods. These rods are F1554 smooth anchor rods with the embedded end bent as to form a hook (Figure 9). The anchorage to the concrete is by means of the hook. The adherence between the shank and the concrete is not reliable and should not be counted in design. Grade 105 bent rods should be avoided because they have been shown by Jirsa, et. al. to straighten before they reach any other more predictable steel or concrete mode of failure. Headed anchor rods. These rods are F1554 smooth anchor rods with a head in the embedded end (Figure 10). The anchorage to the concrete is obtained by the head. Typically, the "head" consists of one or more nuts, with either heavy washers or a plate washer. For lightly loaded anchorages, headed studs could also be utilized. Deformed bars. Concrete reinforcing bars (ASTM A 706-96, Standard Specification for Low-Alloy Steel Deformed and Plain Bars for Concrete Reinforcement may be threaded and used for anchor rods. Ordinary reinforcing bars conforming to ASTM A615-96, Standard Specification for Deformed and Plain Billet Steel Bars for Concrete Reinforcement have been used in the past. However, because of possible low toughness, ordinary reinforcing bars should not be used for non-redundant, fatigue susceptible support structures such as cantilevers and high-mast luminaries. Reinforcing bars may rely on the deformations along the bar for anchorage to the concrete, may include an ACI standard hook, or may be threaded on the embedded end and utilize nuts and a washer for anchorage. The tensile properties of common Grade 60 reinforcing bars are also given in Table 5. The A706 specification should be used if the anchor rod is to be welded or used in seismic applications. L = length of rod Lh = length of hook t= length of threads

Figure 9. Bent Anchor Rod. L = length of rod H = height of nut or head F = width across flats of head diameter t1= length of threads (exposed end) t2= length of threads (embedded end)

Figure 10. Headed Anchor Rod. The use of Uniform National Coarse (UNC) threads are recommended, especially for galvanized anchor rods, although ASTM F1554 also permits the less common 8 UN series threads. The full range of diameters (1/4 to 4 inches) of anchor rods with UNC threads can theoretically sustain the overtapping of corresponding nuts (required to allow for zinc coating from galvanizing) without stripping, while this may not be true for 8 UN threads. It should be noted however, that the Michigan Department of Transportation feels that the use of 8 UN threads is advantageous. They have not experienced any problems with thread stripping. The thread class (tolerances) of the anchor rods should also be specified, and typically Class 2A is satisfactory. Class 2A will be provided by default if class is not specified. Nuts on the embedded or projected end of the anchor rod should conform to ASTM A563 nuts. The recommended nut style, grade and finish are shown in Table 6. This table is based on the appendix of the ASTM A563 specification.
Table 6 Acceptable ASTM A563 Nut, Grade, Finish and Style And ASTM F436 Washer Type and Finish for Threaded Anchor Rods Anchor Rod F1554 Grade 36 Anchor Rod Size mm (in.)* 6-38 (1/4 - 1 1/2) Finish Plain (uncoated) Galvanized ASTM A563 Nut Style,Grade and Finish Hex: A, B, D, DH; plain Heavy Hex: A, B, DC, C3, DC, DHd, DH3: plain Hex: A, B, DC, DHd; Galvanized and lubricated Heavy Hex: A, B, CC, C3, DC, DHd, DH3; galvanized and Lubricated ASTM F436 Washer Type and Finishb 1; plain 1; galvanized

Over 38-100 (1 1/2 - 4)

Plain (uncoated) Galvanized

Heavy Hex: A, B, CC, C3, DC, DHd, DH3; plain Heavy Hex: A, B, CC, C3, DC, DHd, DH3; galvanized and Lubricated Hex: A, B, DC, DHd; plain Heavy Hex: A, B, CC, C3, DC, DHd, DH3; plain Heavy Hex: A, B, CC, C3, DC, DHd, DH3; galvanized and Lubricated Heavy Hex: A, B, CC, C3, DC, DHd, DH3; plain Heavy Hex: A, B, CC, C3, DC, DHd, DH3; galvanized and Lubricated Hex: DC, DHd; plain Heavy Hex: CC, C3, DC, DHd, DH3; plain Heavy Hex: DHd, DH3; galvanized and lubricated Heavy Hex: DHd, DH3; plain Heavy Hex: DHd, DH3; galvanized and lubricated

1; plain 1; galvanized

F1554 Grade 55

6-38 (1/4 - 1 1/2)

Plain (uncoated) Galvanized

1; plain 1; galvanized 1; plain 1; galvanized 1; plain 1; galvanized 1; plain 1; galvanized

A706 Grade Over 38-100 (1 1/2 60 - 4)

Plain (uncoated) Galvanized

F1554 Grade 105

6-38 (1/4 - 1 1/2)

Plain (uncoated) Galvanized

Over 38-100 1 1/2 - 4

Plain (uncoated) Galvanized

a b

Applicable only to F1554 Grade 55 anchor rods. Applicable only if washer is required. c ASTM A194 nuts Grade 2 or 2H are acceptable equivalents for Grades C and D nuts. d ASTM A194 nuts Grade 2H are acceptable equivalents for Grades DH nuts. *Note: Metric bolt sizes and threads are different, for soft conversion 1 inch = 25 mm

Corrosion protection is particularly important for fatigue critical anchor rods, since corrosion pitting can degrade the fatigue resistance. Anchor rods, nuts, and washers that are used outdoors are typically galvanized. ASTM F1554 permits hot dip galvanizing by ASTM A153 Class C or mechanically deposited by ASTM B695, Class 50. The purchaser should specify which of these processes should be used or state "no preference." The hot dip process provides a heavier zinc coating and longer life. Galvanized deformed bars may be used and should be specified by referencing ASTM A767. Galvanized anchor rods should always be shipped with the nuts pre-assembled to the anchor rods to ensure good fit and ability to run the nut down the threads easily. This should be specified in the purchase order because it is not required in the ASTM specifications. There are two types of washers for anchor rods: standard washers and plate washers. Standard washers are ASTM F436 washers. When "Normal Holes" are used, plate washers at least 5/16inch thick should be used. Plate washers should be structural grade steel and be galvanized to match the anchor rods. Beveled standard washers should be used when the outer face of the base plate has a slope that is greater than 1:20 with respect to a plane that is normal to the anchor axis. If an anchor bolt is incorrectly installed resulting in larger out-of-plumbness, specially fabricated washers may be needed to allow proper bearing of the connected parts.

6.6 Base Plate and Holes

Research described in NCHRP Report 412 has shown that the base plate should be at least as thick as the anchor rod diameter to provide for even distribution of the load and to minimize prying forces. The minimum distance from the center of the anchor rod hole to the edge of the base plate should be two times the nominal diameter of the anchor rod.

Base plates are normally supplied shop welded to the posts or pole. The most common pole to base plate connection is a weld socket joint, where the central portion of the base plate is cut out so the pole can slip into the opening. As a result, particularly for large diameter poles such as high mast lights, the base plate is in reality a base ring with a resulting decrease in plate bending stiffness. Field inspectors have reported observing the base plates actually flex between anchor rods for high mast lights due to normal wind loads. This tendency can be reduced by use of a larger number of anchor rods or a thicker base plate. Holes may be thermally cut in the base plates. In most cases, the anchor rod holes in the base plate should be "Shear Holes" with the dimensions shown in Table 7, as recommended in NCHRP Report 469. Research by Cook has shown that this size of hole is adequate for a correct transfer of shear forces from the base plate to the anchor rods and to allow plastic redistribution of shear forces. On the other hand, if anchor rods are not required to transfer shear, only holes labeled as "Normal Holes" in Table 7 are needed. These normal holes are the same holes recommended in the AISC Manual of Steel Construction for base plates. They are oversized to allow for an easy placement of the base plate during erection.
Table 7 Nominal Anchor Rod Hole Dimensions Nominal Anchor Rod Hole Dimensionsa, b, in.* Anchor Rod Diameter In.* 1/2 5/8 3/4 7/8 1 1 1/4 1 1/2 1 3/4
a

Shear Holes (diameter) 5/8 13/16 15/16 1 1/16 1 1/4 1 9/16 1 13/16 2 1/16

Normal Holes (diameter) 1 1/16 1 3/16 1 5/16 1 9/16 1 13/16 2 1/16 2 5/16 2 3/4

6.7 Anchor Rod Joints

>2 db + 5/16 db + 1 1/4 The upper tolerance on the tabulated nominal dimensions shall not exceed 1/16-in. b The slightly conical hole that naturally results from punching operations with properly matched punches and dies in acceptable. * Note: Metric bolt sizes and threads are different, for soft conversion 1 inch = 25 mm

There are several types of joints for the base plate to foundation connection. These have evolved within particular industries, with the so called threaded-shear-anduplift joint and double-nut-moment joint used for nearly all ancillary structures. These are cost effective and provide good performance when properly designed and installed. The threaded-shear-and-uplift joint rests directly on the concrete or on a grout pad (Figure 11). The base plate is held down by nuts atop the base plate. Single nuts are most common, but double nuts are sometimes used. For proper joint performance, the base plate must be in direct contact with the grout and not be supported by leveling nuts or shim pacts. One technique to achieve full grout support is to set the base on shim pacts to proper elevation, grout the base and then remove the shims and grout the resulting voids. Only then can the anchor rods be fully pretensioned. Use of proprietary prepackaged grout mixes, so called

"non-shrink grout" is recommended and should be carefully installed to manufacturers' recommendations. The threaded-shear-and-uplift joints can develop some resistance to bending moment as a couple between compressive bearing force on the grout and tensile forces in the anchor rods. It may be difficult to retain the pretension in the anchor rods under cyclic loads as the base plate wears the grout. For these reasons, this type of joint is not recommended by NCHRP Report 469 for large cantilevered support structures, although it is still commonly used for many luminaries and small traffic signal supports. This type of joint is suitable for bridge support structures where there are multiple posts.

Figure 11. Threaded-Shear-and-Uplift Joint. All three shapes of anchor rods will perform correctly in this type of joint. The anchor rods transmit shear and tension, while compression forces are transmitted directly by bearing of the base plate on the concrete and are not carried by the anchor rods. As a result of the compression on the concrete, friction will be developed between the base plate and the concrete. Shear friction strength should be calculated using the factored load combination that gives minimum possible compression from dead load along with the maximum uplift that is consistent with the lateral load that is being evaluated. The effect of live load should not be included when calculating the shear friction strength unless the live load causes the lateral load or uplift. If the friction strength, is greater than the factored applied shear or torsion on the joint, anchor rods are not needed for transmitting shear or torsion. In fact, if the friction is sufficient to handle the shear, and if there is no uplift, then anchor rods are, in theory, not needed at all for service loads. In this case, anchor rods must be provided for stability during erection but need not be designed for the service loads. If the anchor rods are designed only for the factored loads during erection, NCHRP Report 469 recommends including a minimum lateral shear load equal to 5.0 percent of the axial load from dead load during erection. The anchor rods must

also resist a minimum moment to account for an ironworker on the pole as required by OSHA. If, on the other hand, the factored loads exceed the friction capacity of the joint, anchor rods should be assumed to transmit the entire shear because the friction may no longer be effective at the deformation levels required to develop the shear strength of the anchor rods. The shear strength of the anchor rods may be taken as the smaller of the sum of the steel shear strengths of the contributing individual anchor rods or the concrete shear strength of the anchor group. Whenever anchor rods are needed for transmitting shear in this type of joint, the base plate should have shear holes. Also, in the same case, bearing of the anchor rod on the walls of the shear holes should be checked. As an option, normal holes can be provided in the base plate and plate washers having shear holes can be placed over the anchor rods and field welded to the base plate after the base is set. The plate washers and welds must be designed to transmit all calculated shear forces and welding must conform to applicable portions of the AWS Bridge Welding Code. In double-nut-moment joints, the base plate stands off from the concrete foundation and bears on leveling nuts (Figure 12). Thus, the base plate is attached to anchor rods through double nuts: the leveling nut and a top nut (or nuts). This type of joint may be suitable for any type of support structure and is required for cantilevered support structures designed by the 2001 Specifications. Washers should be used under both nuts, and beveled washers should be used if the misalignment exceeds 1:40 for the double-nut-moment joints. Double-nut-moment joints are easy to level and plumb and are also very reliable for transmitting moment to the foundation; therefore, they are satisfactory for non-redundant structures and seismic or fatigue-loaded structures such as highway sign, signal, and light supports.

Figure 12. Double-Nut-Moment Joint. Double-nut joints are pretensioned between the nuts only, and the pretension has no effect on strength. Research reported in NCHRP Report 412 has shown that the pretension gives slightly better fatigue resistance, but the effect is not that

significant. The anchor rod below the leveling nut is not pretensioned but will still see the full cycle of fatigue loads. More importantly, the pretension ensures that there is a good load distribution among the various anchor rods. Therefore, there are special tightening procedures for these joints. Headed rods and deformed bars are best suited for double-nut-moment joints. In double-nut-moment joints, anchor rods are designed to resist all the axial forces, moments, and shears applied to the joint, even if there is grout under the base plate. Opinions on whether or not grout should be used with double-nut-moment joints differ. As noted above, in a properly designed joint, all loads are resisted in the anchor rods. Due to the greater stiffness of the anchor rods compared to the grout, and the tendency of the grout, even for so-called "non-shrink grouts", to shrink, though perhaps imperceptibly, below the bottom of the base plate, little load transfer to the grout is likely even if assumed so in design. Grout, if well installed, may pick up loads due to very high or unexpected load cases. Proper grout installation is difficult when base plates tend to be rings, as with large light poles. A means must be provided to restrict grout flow inside the base ring while fully filling beneath it. For these reasons, and several listed below, grouting of double-nutmoment joints is generally not recommended: It may crack, retain moisture, and then promote corrosion. It makes it impossible to inspect and retighten bottom nuts if necessary. In order to place the grout after the base plate is in place, the standoff distance between the top of concrete and the bottom of the leveling nut may exceed the recommended distance equal to the anchor rod diameter. Where base plates are not grouted, a stainless steel wire mesh should be placed around the base plate to eliminate debris from accumulating beneath the base plate and keep animals out and protect electrical wires if present. There is an unfortunate trend toward using fewer very large anchor rods. It is always better to use more, smaller anchor rods than fewer, bigger anchor rods. Especially if the failure mode is fatigue and the structure is non-redundant, it is essential to have at least eight anchor rods in the anchor rod group. In the event of one anchor rod failure from fatigue, the increase in the load on the neighboring anchor rods is tolerable for the case of an eight-bolt group, and there will be weeks or months typically before a second anchor rod fails and total collapse occurs. This gives the joint some measure of redundancy, even if the structure is nonredundant. The fatigue failure of one anchor rod from a six-or four-bolt group, however, may lead to immediate collapse. If the embedded head of an ASTM F1554 anchor rod is a nut or is fastened with nuts, the head nut or the nuts fastening the head should be prevented from rotating while the anchor rod is tightened. Two methods have been shown to prevent rotation: Tack weld the nut to the anchor rod on the unstressed (bottom) side of the nut if the ASTM F1554 rod is a grade 36 rod or a grade 55 rod. Jam another nut on the head nut for any grade of ASTM F1554 rod. Neither the tack weld nor the jam nut will affect the ultimate or fatigue strength of the rod.

6.8 Installation of Anchor Rods

Proper installation of the anchor rods is the responsibility of the foundation contractor, and inspection and testing is to be performed by the foundation contractor. Records should be kept of the dates and results of testing and

inspection, and these records should be available for the Engineer of Record or their representative to review. The Engineer of Record may require that their representative witness the inspection and testing. Prior to placing the anchor rods in the concrete, an anchor rod rotation capacity test should be run with at least one anchor rod from every lot. This test may be run in a Skidmore-Wilhelm device or in a mockup of the base plate using a small piece of plate with one hole of equivalent grade, thickness, and finish. The test consists of Steps 2 through 14 of the tightening procedure (presented later), adapted as necessary because there is no post or crane, and there is only one anchor rod. NCHRP Report 469 recommends that the nut be rotated at least to the required rotation given in Table 8. After the test, the nuts should be removed and inspected for damage to their threads. Then the anchor rod is removed from the test plate and restrained while the nuts are turned onto the bolts well past the location of the leveling nut and top nut in the test and backed off by one worker using an ordinary wrench (without a cheater bar). The threads are considered damaged if more than minimal effort is required to turn the nut. If there is no damage to the anchor rod or nut during this test, they may be used in the foundation. If there is damage to the threads or an inability to attain at least the verification torque, the lot of anchor rods should be rejected. Though this testing may not be practical on small projects, it is recommended where economically justifiable on larger projects.
Table 8 Nut Rotation for Turn-Of-Nut Pretensioning Nut Rotation from Snug-Tight Condition a, b, c Anchor Rod Diameter, in*. <1 1/2 F1554 Grade 36 1/6 Turn F1554 Grades 55 and 105 A615 and A706 Grade 60 1/3 Turn

>1 1/2 1/12 Turn 1/6 Turn a. Nut rotation is relative to anchor rod. The tolerance is plus 20 degrees. b. Applicable only to double-nut-moment joints. c. Beveled washer should be used if: a) the nut is not in firm contact with the base plate; or b) the outer face of the base plate is sloped more than 1:40.

The recommended procedure for installing anchor rods in the foundation is as follows: 1. Anchor rods should be installed as a group and should be secured against relative movement and misalignment, such as with a template set composed of rings with nuts on both sides at two locations along the length of the anchor rods. One of the plates or rings is usually above the top of concrete and is reused as a template, see Figures 13 and 14. 2. The template set (or other device) with anchor rods should be secured in its correct position in accordance with the drawings. 3. The concrete should be placed and cured.

Figure 13. Four Anchor Rod Group in a Template. Note Top is Galvanized.

4. 5. 6.

7.

Figure 14. Template Secured to the Forms to Ensure Proper Alignment. Note Anchor Rod Threads Taped to Prevent Contamination by Concrete. If a top template is above the concrete surface, it may be removed 24 hours after placing the concrete. The exposed part of the anchor rods should be cleaned with a wire brush or equivalent and lubricated with beeswax or toilet-ring wax. After at least 24 hours, the anchor rods should be inspected visually to verify that there is no visible damage to the threads and that their position, elevation, and projected length is within the tolerances of the AISC Code of Standard Practice for Steel Buildings and Bridges; and that the misalignment from vertical is no more than 1:40. It is good practice to use a steel or wood template with the hole pattern to check the base of the post and the anchor rods. The nuts should be turned onto the rods well past the elevation of the bottom of the leveling nut and backed off by one worker using an ordinary wrench without a cheater bar. Once the concrete has reached sufficient strength, anchor rods are ready to be subjected to erection loads.

6.9 Procedure for Anchor Rod Tightening and Follow-Up Retightening

Anchor rod joints require some level of pretensioning. Only installation of doublenut-moment joints is covered in this section since single-nut joints are generally not recommended for large cantilevered structures. Requirements for fatigueloaded, threaded-shear-and-uplift joints may be derived from the installation requirements of double-nut-moment joints. The "turn-of-the-nut" method is primarily relied upon to achieve a certain pretension between the double nuts of the anchor rods. Although torque is a poor way to install bolts and anchor rods, it is the only alternative for defining snug-tight conditions, inspection, and retightening. Lubrication of the threads of the anchor rod, the threads of the nut, and the bearing surface of the nut is required for proper installation. Beeswax and toilet-ring wax have been shown to provide good lubrication. In this document, the snug-tight condition for anchor rods is defined as nuts tightened to a torque between 20 and 30 percent of the verification torque computed using the following equation: Tv = 0.12dbFI Where Tv = verification torque (inch-kips or kN-mm) db = nominal body diameter of the anchor rod (inches or mm) FI = installation pretension (kips or kN) equal to 50 percent of the specified minimum tensile strength of F1554 Grade 36 rods, and 60 percent for the rest of threaded fasteners. Research by Till and Lefke has shown that a value of 0.12 in this relationship is adequate for common sizes and coatings of anchor rods. (Note: the torque in "inkips" can be multiplied by 83.3 to get ft-lb and the torque in kN-mm can be multiplied by 0.73 to get ft-lb). Very large torque may be required to properly tighten anchor rods greater than 24 mm (1 inch) in diameter. A "cheater bar" such as a pipe or extension handle as much as 3 meters (10 feet) long may be required for the torque wrench. For snugging the leveling nuts, an open-end wrench with a 3 meter (10 feet) long pipe or extension handle will typically suffice. Tightening the top nuts for anchor rods greater than 1 inch in diameter may require either of the following: A hydraulic torque wrench (Figure 15) or A box end "slug" or "knocker" wrench with a 3 meter (10-ft), long pipe or extension handle.

Figure 15. A Hydraulic Torque Wrench Tightening Anchor Rod Nuts to Achieve Needed Rotation.

The box end wrench may be moved by impact with a sledgehammer or by the efforts of several workers. Inadequately tightened bolts can lead to fatigue failures and further loosening of the nuts under cyclic loading. A less likely outcome of failure to follow the tightening procedure is over-tightened rods and associated plastic deformation and stripping of the threads, which may require removal and replacement. The following steps provide a recommended anchor bolt installation and tightening procedure: 1. The proper position of the anchor rods and the proper hole pattern on the post are verified (preferably with a template). 2. It should be verified that the nuts can be turned onto the rods well past the elevation of the bottom of the leveling nut and backed off by one worker using an ordinary wrench without a cheater bar. 3. If threads of anchor rods were lubricated more than 24 hours before placing the leveling nut or have been wet since they were lubricated, the exposed threads of the anchor rod should be relubricated. Leveling nuts should be cleaned, threads and bearing surfaces lubricated. 4. The leveling nuts are placed on the anchor rods and made level. 5. Leveling nut washers should be placed. 6. Next, the post or end frame is brought in and positioned with a crane. 7. The post or end frame is plumbed or the base plate leveled (as shown on the erection drawings) and the anchor rods are tightened. The following is the installation sequence for double-nut-moment joints using the "turn-of-thenut" method of pretensioning. 8. Top nut washers should be placed. 9. Threads and bearing surfaces of the top nuts should be lubricated, placed, and tightened to the snug-tight condition in a star pattern. 10. Leveling nuts should be tightened to the snug-tight condition in a star pattern. 11. At this point, the installation crew should verify if beveled washers are necessary. Beveled washers may be necessary under the leveling or top nut if any face of the base plate has a slope greater than 1:20 and/or any nut could not be brought into firm contact with the base plate. If any beveled washer is required, the installation crew should disassemble the joint as necessary, add the beveled washer(s) and retighten (in a star pattern) to the snug condition top and leveling nuts. 12. Before turning, the reference position of the top nut in the snug-tight condition should be marked with a suitable marking on one flat with a corresponding reference mark on the base plate at each bolt. Top nuts should be turned in increments in a star pattern (at least two full tightening cycles) to the nut rotation specified in Table 8. After tightening, the nut rotation should be verified. 13. The load may be released from the crane. 14. A torque wrench should be used to verify that a torque at least equal to the computed verification torque, Tv, is required to additionally tighten the leveling nuts and the top nuts. An inability to achieve this torque should be interpreted to indicate that the threads have stripped and should be reported to the Engineer of Record. 15. After at least 48 hours, the torque wrench should be used to verify that a torque at least equal to 110 percent of the verification torque, Tv, is

required to additionally tighten the leveling nuts and the top nuts on the anchor rods. An inability to achieve this torque shall be interpreted to indicate that the threads have stripped and should be reported to the Engineer of Record. 16. The nuts on the anchor rods should be prevented from loosening unless a maintenance plan is in place to verify at least every 4 years that a torque equal to at least 110 percent of the verification torque, Tv, is required to additionally tighten the leveling nuts and the top nuts. Jam nuts or other locking devices may be used to prevent nut loosening. Tack welding the nut to the anchor rod on the unstressed (top) side of the top nut has been used successfully to prevent loosening or to prevent theft of the nuts, although this would not be allowed under AWS D1.1 and therefore cannot be recommended. If it is used, only ASTM Fl554 Grade 36 or Grade 55 rod, or Grade A 706 reinforcing bar should be tack welded. Under no circumstance should any nut be tack welded to the washer or the base plate nor should the leveling nut be tack welded. Thesis U.Texas:
5.2 Standard recommendation The data collected for the current study suggests a minimum tightening standard of 1/12 turn-ofthe-nut to achieve sufficient fatigue performance. This value is supported by both laboratory and finite element results. An increase in minimum degree of tightness to 1/6 turn-of-the-nut past a snug tight condition, or refusal of the connection to further tightening is recommended. This increase provides for an easier reference point on the nut as well as a factor of safety. Refusal should only be accepted as a limit if the degree of tightness is at least 1/12 turn-of-the-nut. This standard is recommended for UNC bolts from 1 to 2-1/4 inches, and 8UN bolts from 1 to 2 inches.