Foundation Bolts Setting – The Process. Foundation bolts are mostly used to set machines on concrete floorings. Types of Foundation Bolts. Eye Foundation Bolt. L/J Foundation Bolt. Bent Foundation Bolt. Rag Foundation Bolt. Lewis Foundation Bolt. Cotter Foundation Bolt. Foundation bolts are coupled with hex nuts and plate washers to secure the joint. Foundation bolts are often used in bent profile such as J and L. Foundation bolts are also known as anchor bolts or bent bolts. Foundation bolt comes in many types, sizes and external coatings, depeding upon its application.
An anchor bolt diameter ranges from 3/8 inch to 1 inch or more and the length runs from roughly 6 inches to greater than 3 feet. While sizing requirements vary according to local code, 1/2 inch diameter, embedded at least 7 inches, is usually the minimum. Anchor bolts are designed to attach structural elements to concrete. In our industry, anchor bolts are typically used to attach steel to concrete. One end is embedded into the concrete, while the opposite end is threaded to attach structural support.
If hot-dip galvanizing is required, engineers sometimes specify that only the exposed, projecting end of an anchor bolt should be galvanized, while the rest of the anchor bolt that gets embedded into concrete is plain finish. Typically we see this partial galvanizing requirement on long anchor bolts. The minimum embedded depth is 7 inches (178 mm) and the minimum diameter required is 1/2″ (12.7 mm). These are minimum requirements, however, which is why designers often will decrease the spacing requirement or increase the diameter of the bolt in order to allow for a margin of error.
