Wedge anchor

01

Check the approval, concrete and load types

ICC-ES evaluation report ESR-3037 (reissued August 2026) evaluates a wedge anchor for the 2012 to 2024 International Building Code and International Residential Code. The 1/4-inch anchor is recognised for static, wind and seismic tension and shear in uncracked normal-weight and lightweight concrete of 2,500 to 8,500 psi (17.2–58.6 MPa); the 3/8- to 1-inch sizes are recognised in both cracked and uncracked concrete, and some sizes in the soffit or topside of concrete-filled steel deck. Design must follow ACI 318-19 Chapter 17 with the report's parameters. [1]

The report describes the anchor as a torque-controlled mechanical expansion anchor made of an anchor body with a tapered mandrel, a three-segment expansion clip, a nut and a washer; torquing the nut draws the mandrel into the clip, which engages the hole and transfers load to the concrete. Carbon steel bodies are zinc plated to ASTM B633 SC1 Type III, with ASTM A563 Grade A nuts and ASTM F844 washers; stainless versions use Type 304 or 316 throughout. [1]

Editorial note: an evaluation report covers only the named product, sizes and conditions in it. For a quoted anchor, ask for its own report or European Technical Assessment and check that it lists cracked concrete if the member can crack.

Give the supplier the design basis (report or assessment required), concrete type and strength, cracked or uncracked, seismic category, anchor diameter and length, embedment, fixture thickness, material and coating, edge distance and spacing available, member thickness, and quantity.

02

Set embedment, installation torque, edge distance and spacing

ESR-3037 requires holes drilled with carbide-tipped bits to ANSI B212.15 with the nominal bit diameter equal to the anchor diameter, cleaned of dust and debris with compressed air; the nut is set flush with the top of the anchor, the anchor hammered to embedment, and the nut tightened to the tabulated installation torque. [1]

For the carbon steel anchors the report lists installation torques of 4, 30, 60, 90, 150 and 230 ft-lbf (5.4 to 311.9 N·m) for the 1/4-, 3/8-, 1/2-, 5/8-, 3/4- and 1-inch sizes, clearance holes from 5/16 to 1-1/8 in, one nominal embedment depth for the 1/4-inch size and two for each of the larger sizes (for example 2-3/4 and 3-7/8 in for the 1/2-inch anchor), and minimum hole depth, overall length, critical and minimum edge distance, minimum spacing and minimum concrete thickness for each. [1]

Linked suppliers list wedge anchors from 1/4 to 1 in (M6–M24) in zinc plated, hot-dip galvanized and 316 stainless steel [3], 304 stainless wedge anchors M6–M24 [2], and carbon and stainless steel wedge anchor bolts. [5] [4]

Editorial note: tighten to the installation torque in the anchor's own report or instructions, not to a general bolt torque table. [1]

03

Compare what suppliers offer

Suppliers linked to this page list wedge anchors; each card links to the page reviewed.

The listings reviewed offer carbon steel wedge anchors in zinc plated and hot-dip galvanized finishes and 304 and 316 stainless versions in inch and metric sizes. Sinsun says seismic-rated wedge anchors with ICC-ES and ETA certification for cracked concrete are available, with reports supplied on request, but its page names no report number; the other listings reviewed do not cite one. Ask each for the report or assessment number and the installation data it was tested to. [3] [2] [4] [5]

04

Trace what each part of the anchor does

This is a functional reference built from the sources cited; it is not one maker's specification.

05

Fill the specification fields with values for your connection

A wedge anchor quotation needs values for your connection. The table explains each field, gives published values where a reviewed source states them, and says what to obtain from the supplier.

06

Send the concrete, approval and install data together

Paste it into your enquiry below or into an email to a maker, then replace every bracket.

Approval: [report or ETA required]
Concrete: [f'c; cracked/uncracked; deck]
Loads: [static; wind; seismic]
Anchor: [diameter; length; embedment]
Fixture: [thickness; clearance hole]
Edges: [edge distance; spacing; member thickness]
Material: [zinc; HDG; 304; 316]
Quantity: [pieces]

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