U Bolt: Installation and Usage

An U Bolt is commonly a type of fastener used in business construction to append any threaded rod or bolt accessory to concrete. After installing it, you will now be left with female threads in the binding material, featuring either threaded rod or bolts.

U Bolt

These pieces are available in various sizes ranging from 1/4″ to 5/8″ diameters with 3/8″ being the most common. This above mentioned anchor is mostly used in poured gluing applications excluding the ankle deep version of the fastener.

There are various types of drop-in anchors available in the market. The most common type features a lip, so as to enable the grapnel flush with the surface; another type is the lip less, which is used for setting below the surface and there’s also a shallow form, which is used in pre-cast plank and post tension binding material. The last but not the least type is the coil thread type.

However, among all these types, the most frequently used fastener is the lipped type U Bolt and one of the biggest manufacturing and selling brands is the Mutual Screw & Supply.

Here’s a short preface on the shallow type. Many a times, we look out for pre-cast and post tension binding material for good reasons. If we accidentally hit a post tension cord while drilling, chances are there we can lurch the cord thereby causing injury or even worse. So these fasteners are created to penetrate at 3/4th of an inch. In addition to, for further safety you can even go for stop bit, which features a shoulder on the bit to ensure proper drilling without causing any damage.

How to install an U Bolt?

The installation procedure is quite simple for this particular fastener. All you need is to penetrate a basic 3/8″ version in poured binding material and for this, you’ll have to drill a 1/2″ hole to the proper depth. The hole’s size will vary depending upon the anchor’s diameter. Use required pressurized air to clean the hole; you can even go for a blow bulb to clean it. Now install the anchor with the help of a correct tool. Please keep a note that a correct set tool is relevant. Now pound on the tool till you hit the shoulder on the tool, where you’ll hear a solid thud sound when the whole thing is set.