Post-installed anchoring systems are very common, cost effective methods for attaching both structural and non-structural elements to concrete base materials. Non-structural elements, such as fire sprinkler pipes, electrical conduit and cable trays, and heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) equipment and ductwork, are especially suited for post-installed anchor fastening.

Many non-structural elements are hung from a concrete ceiling. Many concrete ceiling/floor systems consist of post-tension slabs or hollow core concrete. These concrete ceiling/floor systems can have prestressing steel cables that have 3/4-inch cover from the underside of the concrete surface. This makes it difficult to attach items to the ceiling with a post-installed anchor due to the inability of the installer to locate the cables when drilling.

ICC Evaluation Service’s (ICC-ES) Acceptance Criteria for Mechanical Anchors in Concrete Elements (AC 193) did not permit testing and design of post-installed anchors with an embedment depth, hef, less than 1-1/2-inches, until a recent modification in 2017. Now, AC 193 includes provisions to allow embedment depths from 3/4-inch to 1-1/2-inch with some minor modifications to the evaluation and design parameters. The following article in Structure Magazine discussed in detail the revisions that were made in AC193 and how this would apply to a shallow anchorage.

Check out the full Structure Mag article.

Hilti has created the Hilti HDI-P TZ flush anchor specifically to meet the requirements of these additional AC193 provisions. Hilti has obtained ICC-ES ESR-4236, and there is a technical supplement with the product technical data and ordering information, as well as sprinkler pipe certifications with FM and UL. These documents can also be found on the Hilti Online product page, and the product video can be seen on YouTube.  As can be seen in the video, Hilti has created an auto-setting tool, which facilitates faster installation of these HDI-P TZ flush anchors.

To assist you in designing solution for shallow anchorage, Hilti offers best-in-class design software, PROFIS Engineering. Hilti PROFIS Engineering is comprehensive design software for anchor design in concrete, masonry, and concrete-over-metal-deck base materials and includes a versatile load engine and various options for base plate analysis. PROFIS Engineering includes the Anchoring to Concrete provisions of the ACI 318 Building Code and the ACI 349 Nuclear Code and the Anchorage provisions of CSA A23.3 Annex D.

Included within PROFIS Engineering software are a number of powerful features, exclusive to Hilti, that greatly enhance the user's choice and efficiency. Users can design with Hilti mechanical and adhesive anchor systems as well as cast-in-place headed studs and headed bolts. Tutorials explain how to navigate within PROFIS Engineering. The PROFIS Engineering Design Guide is an innovative, interactive tool that explains ACI 318 Chapter 17 strength design calculations and PROFIS Engineering design assumptions.