Tapcon anchors Vs Wedge Anchors 2

[StruteK]

Hi,

Is there a reason for the wedge anchor to be more commonly used than the "Tapcon" for example:

LDT (large diameter tapcon) by RED HEAD with 5/8" diameter and 3.5" embedment has an ultimate cap. of 7972 Lbs on tension and 10224 Lbs on Shear.

Vs

Trubolt (Wedge Anchor) by RED HHEAD with 5/8" diameter and 5-1/8" embedment(note that it is 1-5/6" more) has a ultimate capacity of 6580 Lbs. in Tension and 9600 Lbs. in shear.

Both are on 2000 psi concrete

Comparing the two I question why is the wedge anchor still being used if tapcons are easier to install? Where would you install a wedge anchor instead of a tapcon?

Please comment..

 

[Ron]

Yes, Tapcons are easier to install...they are also easier to screw up so that you get a false sense of confidence in their pullout resistance.

For direct shear, either is fine. For tension, the capacity depends greatly on the skill of the installer. For a large diameter Tapcon, a lot of torque is required to install the fastener. Once the fastener engages at the head for clamping, it is quite easy to overtorque the fastener and end up with little or no tension capacity.

 

[MiketheEngineer]

We use Tapcons all the time. Our field guys love them.

My guess is that they may not be as "reliable" as wedge anchors with years of history behind them. But that seems to be a perception??!!

Also - a bit harder to install - you definitely need an impact drive to get them in.

 

[hokie66]

Agree with Ron. Perfectly installed, Tapcons are good. Overdriven, they are useless in tension. Trubolts are still used because people like me specify them.

 

[JennyNakamura]

LDT's, the Large Diameter Tapcons don't have ICC-ES evaluation reports and can therefore be interpreted as being non-compliant with IBC (2006) Section 104.11. Not worth arguing with the Building Dept over that and are too heavily dependent on proper installation for reliable use in tension.

 

[jgailla]

I spent some time in construction before I went into engineering and installed a bunch of Tapcons and wedge anchors.
This experience would make me nervous specifying Tapcons for significant tension forces for the reason Ron and Hokie state.
Tapcons are often not installed correctly.
Large diameter Tapcons are also pretty hard to install using typical field equipment.

 

[shobroco]

Screw-ups are pretty common with any anchor installation; epoxy ones probably most common which is why I rarely spec them,especially in tension. Wedge anchors are pretty reliable & easy to install, if you stay well above the manufacturers' edge distances. Tapcons are also easy to install & reliable. If the hole size is right, I doubt that you will overdrive many because the shaft will fail before the threads will strip. If you are torquing them out of the holes, the holes are too big. Yes, I have worked in an office and in construction too since before tapcons were invented.