Anchor Bolt Pull Test Inspection

To test the anchors or to perform an anchor pull test, the bolt is pulled with a hydraulic manifold and the displacement of the head of the bolt is measured concurrently.

Pull out test on anchor bolt

The purpose of the test is to apply a specific tensile load to an anchor bolt in order that the bolt can sustain such test condition for a period of time. Deformation of the anchor tested can also be measured to understand the relationship between force and displacement during testing.

General Test Procedures

• Apply a tensile load (at least 1.5 times the recommended load specified by the anchor manufacturers) onto the anchor to be tested.
• For the test without deformation measurement, maintain the load for at least 2 minutes upon the specified load is reached.
• For the test with deformation measurement, maintain the load for at least 1 hour with recordings of load and deformation at the beginning and the end of the loading period, as well as after removal of the test load.
• Inspect the anchor with the surrounding visually after testing.

Test Frequency

Under General Requirements of Hong Kong Building Department (PN AP 59)

• For Skylight, Metal Roof, Glass Balustrade and Pavilion Cladding Works, the anchor bolt pull off test shall be carried out at 1% or 10 numbers, whichever is more, of each type and size of the anchors installed.
• For Structure Steel Cantilevered Canopy Works, the anchor bolt pull off test with deformation measurement shall be carried out at 5% or 5 numbers, whichever is more, of each type and size of the anchor installed.

Acceptance Limit

Under General Requirements of Hong Kong Building Department (PN AP 59)

• At 1.5 times the recommended tensile load as specified by the anchor manufacturers, the tested anchor shall not only sustain the specified loading, but also show no signs of separation, plastic deformation or deleterious effect during the test.

Under British Standard (BS5080)

• For the test with deformation measurement, the specified load shall be maintained for at least one hour and the recovery of the deformation after removal of all load shall be at least 80% of the total deformation at the maximum test load condition and the anchor shall show no signs of separation, plastic deformation or deleterious effect during the test.