In building construction, machinery installation, and various structural reinforcements, anchor bolts serve as crucial connecting components, and their installation quality directly impacts the safety and stability of the entire structure. However, anchor bolts may exhibit various failure modes during use. Understanding these failure modes and implementing effective preventative measures is essential for ensuring project quality and safety.

I. Common Failure Modes

Anchoring Agent Related Failures

- Anchoring Agent Breakage: In hard surrounding rock, if the anchoring agent's strength is insufficient to withstand high stress, it may break, leading to anchor bolt failure.

- Insufficient Bond Strength: Incomplete cleaning of the hole or uneven mixing of the anchoring agent can result in insufficient bond strength between the anchoring agent and the concrete or substrate, reducing the anchor bolt's load-bearing capacity.

Anchor Bolt Intrinsic Strength Issues

- Insufficient Anchor Bolt Strength: Insufficient anchor bolt material strength or incorrect selection may prevent it from withstanding the design load, potentially leading to tensile or shear failure.

- Fatigue Failure: Under dynamic loads, fatigue cracks may develop in the anchor bolt or its bond with concrete, leading to early failure.

Installation Process Issues

- Improper Installation Angle and Depth: Excessive deviation in the anchor bolt installation angle or insufficient depth can affect the bond between the anchor bolt and the substrate, reducing anchoring force.

- Loose Nuts or Suspended Anchor Plates: Loose nuts or insufficient contact between the anchor plate and the substrate during installation can cause the anchor bolt to loosen under stress. 

Environmental Factors

- Corrosion: In humid, chemically corrosive, or marine environments, anchor materials may corrode, leading to a decrease in strength.

- Temperature Effects: Applying chemical anchors at low temperatures may affect the curing effect of the anchoring agent.

To ensure the safety and reliability of anchor bolts, three key aspects must be addressed:

Careful Design and Selection

Accurate Load Calculation: Fully consider static, dynamic, and accidental loads.

Strict Substrate Verification: Assess concrete strength, cracking, and edge distance.

Scientific Product Selection: Choose certified and suitable anchor bolts based on the application scenario (e.g., cracked concrete, damp environment).

Standardized Construction Operation

Precise Drilling: Use appropriate drilling tools to ensure hole depth and diameter meet design requirements.

Thorough Hole Cleaning: Use a specialized air pump and brush to thoroughly remove dust and debris from the hole.

Correct Installation: Strictly follow the product instructions for applying adhesive or tightening, using a calibrated torque wrench, and ensuring sufficient curing/maintenance time.

Strictly implement inspection procedures.

Conduct necessary on-site pull-out tests to verify anchoring performance.

Maintain accurate installation records for anchors in critical areas to ensure quality traceability.

Anchor bolt failure can pose serious safety hazards, therefore it must be given high priority during installation and use. By understanding failure modes and taking effective preventative measures, the reliability of anchor bolts can be significantly improved, ensuring the safety and stability of the structure.