Selecting the appropriate anchor channel involves balancing capacity, cost, material, and practical considerations. This guide helps you make informed choices.
Selection Criteria
When choosing an anchor channel, consider:
- Load capacity — Must exceed design demands
- Material compatibility — Match exposure conditions
- Geometric fit — Profile must suit member thickness
- Availability — Product accessible in your region
- Cost efficiency — Appropriate for application
Step 1: Determine Required Capacity
Review Your Design Loads
From your structural analysis:
- NEd — Design tension (kN)
- VEd — Design shear (kN)
- MEd — Design moment (kNm)
Account for All Load Cases
Different load combinations may govern:
- Dead + live
- Dead + wind
- Seismic combinations
- Accidental cases
Enter all relevant load cases in Clariti. The tool identifies which
case governs for each failure mode.
Target Utilization
Aim for utilization between 60-85%:
| Utilization | Assessment |
|---|
| < 50% | Potentially oversized |
| 50-70% | Good margin, robust design |
| 70-85% | Efficient, adequate margin |
| 85-95% | Tight, verify carefully |
| > 95% | Reconsider, limited margin |
Step 2: Match Material to Environment
Exposure Classes
| EN 206 Class | Environment | Recommended Material |
|---|
| XC1 | Dry interior | HDG steel |
| XC2 | Wet, rarely dry | HDG steel or stainless |
| XC3 | Moderate humidity | Stainless steel |
| XC4 | Cyclic wet/dry | Stainless steel |
| XD/XS | Deicing/marine | High-grade stainless |
Material Options
Hot-Dip Galvanized (HDG):
- Most economical
- Good for internal dry conditions
- Limited corrosion resistance
Stainless Steel 1.4301 (304):
- Good general corrosion resistance
- Suitable for most exterior applications
- Moderate cost premium
Stainless Steel 1.4404 (316):
- Superior corrosion resistance
- Required for marine/chloride exposure
- Higher cost premium
Don’t mix materials in a connection. Galvanic corrosion occurs when
dissimilar metals contact in the presence of moisture.
Step 3: Check Geometric Compatibility
Member Thickness
The concrete member must be thick enough for:
- Full embedment depth (hef)
- Cover to reinforcement
- Fire protection requirements
Required thickness ≥ hef + cover + margin
Channel Profile Selection
| Profile Series | Typical hef | Suitable Thickness |
|---|
| 28/15 | 32 mm | ≥ 80 mm |
| 38/23 | 47 mm | ≥ 100 mm |
| 52/34 | 47 mm | ≥ 100 mm |
| 72/48 | 63 mm | ≥ 120 mm |
Edge Distance Check
Compare your edge distances to critical values:
If c ≥ ccr,N = 1.5 × hef → No reduction
If c < ccr,N → Capacity reduced
Step 4: Compare Options
Use Clariti’s Product List
After entering your requirements, Clariti displays all compatible products ranked by utilization.
Comparison Factors
| Factor | Consideration |
|---|
| Utilization | Lower is more robust |
| Governing mode | Concrete vs steel limitation |
| Material | Match to exposure |
| Cost | Per channel basis |
| Availability | Lead time in your region |
Decision Matrix Example
| Product | Utilization | Material | Cost Index | Selection |
|---|
| ATA 38/23 HDG | 78% | HDG | 1.0 | Interior only |
| ATA 38/23 SS | 78% | 1.4301 | 1.8 | Good exterior |
| CPRO 38/23 SS | 65% | 1.4404 | 2.2 | Premium |
| CPRO 52/34 SS | 52% | 1.4404 | 2.8 | Oversized |
Step 5: Verify Selection
Check All Failure Modes
Don’t just look at overall utilization. Review each mode:
- Is one mode much higher than others?
- Are edge-related modes critical?
- Is steel or concrete governing?
Review Warnings
Clariti flags potential issues:
- Close edge distances
- Spacing interactions
- Member thickness concerns
- Material recommendations
Consider Constructability
- Can the channel be placed accurately?
- Is there reinforcement conflict?
- Can the T-bolt be accessed for tightening?
- Is the channel length practical?
Special Situations
High Tension, Low Shear
Focus on:
- Concrete cone capacity
- Embedment depth (larger hef helps)
- Supplementary reinforcement possibility
Consider deeper profile channels.
High Shear Toward Edge
Focus on:
- Concrete edge capacity
- Edge distance (increase if possible)
- Edge reinforcement
Consider moving channel away from edge or adding reinforcement.
Combined Loading
Focus on:
- Interaction equation
- Both tension and shear modes
- Multiple T-bolts to distribute load
Consider larger channels or multiple fixings.
Limited Member Depth
Focus on:
- Shallow profile channels
- Splitting capacity
- Blow-out potential
ATA 28/15 or similar shallow profiles may be necessary.
Clariti’s AI Recommendation
Click Optimize to let Clariti suggest:
What AI Considers
- Utilization target (70-85%)
- Material suitability for exposure
- Common specifications for similar applications
- Cost efficiency
When to Override AI
- Standardization needs (use same product throughout)
- Client/contractor preferences
- Specific manufacturer requirements
- Special performance needs
Summary Checklist
Before finalizing your selection:
