Ask the Expert

ASTM A325 Anchor Bolts

Question: Joseph D. asks, “Can ASTM A325 grade be used as anchor bolts?”

Answer: Joseph, great question and one we frequently hear. We often sell A325 heavy hex bolts as anchor bolts, but technically they are supposed to be used for structural steel connections only. Part of the problem is that the A325 specification is very specific as to the application and thread length. Because A325 bolts are typically used in structural steel connections, they have very short thread lengths. Often this thread length restriction is too short when the bolts are used as anchor bolts. The A325 specification recommends switching to A449 when being used as an anchor bolt. ASTM A449 is virtually identical in chemistry and strength, but can have longer thread length and is not restricted by the application. When engineers do specify A325 heavy hex bolts to be used as anchor bolts, we will typically extend the thread length (in agreement with the customer) beyond what the specification calls for. We also frequently see bent anchor bolts and straight anchor rods with anchor plates ordered to the ASTM A325 specification. Since the A325 specification is restricted to heavy hex structural bolts only, once again ASTM A449 should be considered in lieu of A325. AISC also discusses what ASTM specifications should be used as anchor bolts.

Posted on Monday, October 8th, 2007. Filed under Anchor Bolts. Comments may be followed using the RSS 2.0 feed.

---

4 Responses to “ASTM A325 Anchor Bolts”

1. billy noyan says:

   what is the tensile strength difference for A325 and A36 anchor bolts. thank you

   March 27, 2009 at 8:30 am
2. Ashfaque says:

   In my opinion for anchor bolt we should restrict ourselves upto either ASTM A 307 or A36. Philosophy for this is bolt failure should occur prior to concret failure. Higher strength bolt will require quite stringent tensile requirement of concrete in effective concret cone (resistant against pull out, cone) which depends upon embedment depth, edge distance, center to center of bolt.

   January 31, 2009 at 8:36 pm
3. Greg Lindsay says:

   @Dave ASTM A449 does not have any advantages or disadvantages versus F1554 as an anchor bolt specification….it simply has different characteristics. There are three grades of F1554 anchor bolts. Grade 36 is manufactured from mild steel and has a minimum yield strength of 36ksi. Grade 55 is a modified mild steel that has a 55 ksi minimum yield requirement. Grade 105 is a medium carbon alloy (often 4140) that undergoes a heat treating process and requires a minimum yield strength of 105 ksi.

   Whereas F1554 is applicable only to anchor bolts, A449 is not specific to anchor bolts but can certainly be used as an anchor bolt specification (whereas A325 cannot). A449 differs in chemistry and strength from any of the F1554 grades. A449 bolts are manufactured from a medium carbon steel (often 1045) and heat treated to develop its strength characteristics which lie between F1554 Grade 55 and F1554 Grade 105. A comparison of the specifications can be found on our bolt strength by grade chart.

   Therefore, depending on what combination of strength and ductility an engineer is looking for out of an anchor bolt for a specific application, any of the three grade of F1554 or A449 can be specified.

   January 29, 2009 at 2:39 pm
4. Engineer Dave R says:

   What is the advantage of ASTM A449 over ASTM F1554, pertaining to the above discussion?

   January 29, 2009 at 11:13 am