Anchoring Methods Ext/Interior Wall to Concrete?

[karoc]

In past years I would use a Hilti gun to drive pin type anchors into wall bottom plate into concrete which was a normal method back in those days. Today I don't think that would pass inspection which I do not have to get inspection but I want to build as if it was going to be inspected. I'm in Tx so no earthquakes but we do get Hurricane ever so often, so I would like to try keep walls in place. Since this is a new construction small shop/home my plan was just to use 1/2 wedge type anchors about 5" long. But while doing a search I see that there are now other methods but which one is better or what did you use? I still have that Hilti gun and I also have a good rotor hammer, so all I need is correct size bit. So which one is your perferred method, and why? Looks like Simpson, Tapcon, Wedge type

 

[rustyjames]

For interior walls powder actuated is fine, no real need for over killing them. Exterior walls are typically fastened to the foundation with J anchors which are the optimum, in my opinion. But there are alternatives such as epoxy or wedge type anchoring.

 

[PoorUB]

Interior I would use Tapcons. I never like how the power actuated guns can fracture the concrete. Outer walls, anchor bolts set in the concrete or drill in wedge bolts, but closer to the inside of the wall, stay away from the edge of the concrete.

 

[mcbane]

Compared to the typical wedge anchor or j-bolt, tapcons are very brittle. You will also have a problem with the head pulling through the sill if any significant uplift forces are present. So go with j-bolts or hex head bolts that are cast in place and have bearing plates under the nut. Hex head has better pullout strength than j-bolt but typically costs more and is really only needed in earthquake country.

 

[karoc]

Thanks for ideal, concrete is poured. I will have to drill for the anchors, looks like the wedge anchors may fit my needs. I have used them in past during my construction days, but like was pointed out the Tapcons are brittle never gave that thought. But I do like them but for exterior walls maybe wedge type would be better. The Simpson type I see that on several Youtubes people use them to fasten ext walls to slabs. Thanks guys

 

[matt_i]

Dependng on how thick your wall is poured, the wedge anchors can cause issues. They do put outward forces on the concrete as the wedge tightens. Not a big deal in the center of a slab with a lot of compressive strength. But when you get into a thin section or near a saw cut the game changes and you rely on the tensile strength of the concrete which is fairly low.

Your best practice imo is to epoxy threaded studs into drilled, brushed, and blown-out holes.

Its important for uplift in a stud-wall building where the connection is what keeps the building together in strong winds.

I used large HDG washers for 5/8" bolts to increase bearing on the wood but an economical choice for 1/2" and smaller is 1-3/4" square washers used in (uni) strut systems all over. They aren't HDG typically but a slice of LDPE milk jug washer would create the isolation to the treated lumber.

 

[sandersd]

Please don't use wedge anchors. Use galvanized threaded rod with epoxy or use Hilti HIT-Z anchors. You can get the epoxy adhesive at HD or use the Hilti HY-200 system. I used Sika from HD and either threaded rods or Hilti HAS rods, I can't remember which. The advantage of the HIT-Z anchors is you don't have to clean out the hole like you do with other systems.