A hook anchor is a metal anchor with a hooked end that grips behind, around or into a structural element and so transfers tensile forces. The hook provides a mechanical anchorage: the anchor cannot simply pull out because it catches behind an edge, bar or void.
How it works and its form
A hook anchor consists of a bar, strip or wire with a bent-over hook at the end. This hook grips, for example:
- Behind a section or edge — such as behind the flange of a steel beam or behind a batten
- Around a reinforcing bar — to introduce the force into the concrete
- Into a recess or joint — such as an open perpend joint in masonry
Because the force is transferred through the hook, no adhesive or chemical is needed; the anchorage is purely mechanical.
Application
Hook anchors are used in various situations:
- Masonry — anchoring an outer leaf, or tying walls to a load-bearing structure
- Cladding — hanging facade panels and natural stone from the backing structure
- Concrete reinforcement — hooks at the ends of reinforcing bars and stirrups to shorten the anchorage length
- Fixing — hanging objects from an edge or section
It is important that the anchor and fixing are chosen for the expected tensile force, and that the material resists corrosion, especially in a facade or outdoors (for example stainless steel).
Related terms
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