New standard for concrete anchoring

A new standard for concrete anchoring has been developed by the construction industry in consultation with the Australian Engineered Fasteners and Anchors Council (AEFAC).

The new standard, SA TS 101:2015 Design of post-installed and cast-in fastenings for use in concrete, will be referenced within the next revision of the National Construction Code (NCC), due out in May.

Anchors are used to connect different structural materials including concrete to concrete, steel to concrete, timber to concrete, as well as non-structural components.

SA TS 101:2015 covers post installed chemical anchors, mechanical anchors and cast-in anchor channel used in concrete for all safety-critical applications.

Construction fastening specialist Hilti said the company has long advocated for these design principles and product assessment methods, which, when used together, can ensure an appropriate anchoring solution and a safe structure.

“The objective of having SA TS 101:2015 published has been to raise safety and quality standards in the Australian anchor industry and make the industry a safer one,” said Zoran Skoric, head of engineering, Hilti Australia.

“The NCC will herald a new beginning for the Australian anchor industry, one where the design and evaluation of anchors used in safety-critical applications will be brought into line with other fastening systems already referenced in the NCC and adopted throughout the building and construction industry.”

The standard is based on European design guidelines (ETAG) and ETA product assessment as the method of compliance under the Deemed to Satisfy (DTS) provisions of the NCC.

Designers will now have a consistent design approach and comparable product assessments to facilitate efficient and effective designs.

Professor Emad Gad, chairman of the AEFAC board, said the standard marks a significant development as industry implements international best practice.

“We now have consistent and robust means of prequalification and design of anchors for safety critical applications,” said Gad.

Hilti said its anchors have been ETA assessed and the design software PROFIS Anchor and PROFIS Channel are compliant with SA TS 101:2015.

For more information, go to www.Hilti.com.au.