Anchor Bolt Testing
Proof and performance testing of anchor bolts with calibrated center-hole jacks, pumps and load cells.
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WHAT IS ANCHOR BOLT TESTING?
Anchor bolt testing confirms that cast-in-place, mechanical and adhesive anchors can safely carry their design loads. A center-hole hydraulic cylinder is placed over the anchor, a test nut is threaded on, and a controlled tension load is applied while pressure and displacement are recorded. The results show whether the anchor holds the required proof load without slipping, yielding or pulling out of the concrete, giving engineers and inspectors documented evidence of capacity for equipment foundations, structural steel, bridges and retrofit work.
ANCHOR BOLT TESTING
Anchor Bolt in Concrete
ANCHOR BOLT TESTING
Supporting Steel Column
ANCHOR BOLT TESTING
Steel Plate with Anchor Bolts
ANCHOR BOLT TESTING
Prepared for Concrete
ANCHOR BOLT TESTING SPECIFICATIONS
📘 What Is Anchor Bolt Testing?
Anchor bolts connect structural and non-structural elements to concrete and transfer tension and shear forces into the foundation. Testing applies a known load to an installed anchor to confirm it performs as designed.
Most field tests are tension (pull) tests. A hollow center-hole cylinder bears on a reaction bridge or plate around the anchor, and the anchor is pulled to a specified proof load and held while movement is monitored.
Testing may be non-destructive (proof loading to a set value) or destructive (loading to failure) to establish ultimate capacity, as required by the engineer's specification.
⭐ Key Features & Benefits of Anchor Bolt Testing
Our anchor testing systems are built for accurate, repeatable results on site.
Center-hole cylinders
Hollow-plunger jacks from ½ in to 15 in center holes to suit anchors and threaded rod of many sizes.
Calibrated readings
Gauges, pumps and load cells calibrated in house with results traceable to NIST.
Load and displacement data
Digital transducers and dial indicators record load against movement for each anchor.
Portable setups
Manual, electric or cordless battery pumps for work at height, in trenches or remote sites.
Wide capacity range
Test equipment from a few tons up to 2,000 tons for large anchors and tie rods.
Custom fixtures
Reaction bridges, chairs and test nuts made to suit your anchor size and spacing.
🔧 Equipment Used for Anchor Bolt Testing
A typical anchor bolt test setup includes:
• Center-hole (hollow-plunger) hydraulic cylinder
• Manual, electric or battery-powered hydraulic pump
• Calibrated pressure gauge or pressure transducer
• Load cell with digital readout for direct load measurement
• Reaction bridge, tripod or bearing plate
• Test nuts, couplers and threaded extension rods
• Dial indicators or displacement transducers
• Hydraulic hoses and quick couplers
🏗️ Common Applications for Anchor Bolt Testing
Anchor bolt testing is commonly used for:
• Machinery and equipment foundations
• Structural steel column and base-plate anchors
• Bridge bearings, barriers and sign structures
• Post-installed mechanical and adhesive (epoxy) anchors
• Seismic and wind retrofit projects
• Façade, cladding and fall-protection anchors
• Periodic inspection of existing anchors
📈 Advantages of Anchor Bolt Testing
Testing anchors on site with the right equipment provides:
Verified capacity
Documented proof that each anchor meets the design load.
Early detection
Finds poor embedment, weak concrete or bad adhesive before failures occur.
Compliance
Supports inspection and specification requirements on public and private projects.
Accurate data
Load and displacement records give engineers defensible results.
Less downtime
Fast setup with portable pumps keeps work moving.
⚠️ Limitations to Plan For
Anchor bolt testing needs planning and care. Plan for:
• Test loads and acceptance criteria set by the engineer of record
• Clear access around each anchor for the reaction bridge and cylinder
• Enough exposed thread to engage the test nut fully
• Concrete and adhesive cure time before testing post-installed anchors
• Keeping the load axial to avoid bending the anchor
• Destructive tests only on sacrificial or extra anchors
• Trained operators and exclusion zones during loading
💡 Why Choose WB Equipment?
One supplier
Cylinders, pumps, load cells, gauges and fixtures from one source.
Engineering advice
Help selecting the right cylinder, center-hole size and capacity.
Rental or purchase
Rent anchor test kits for a single project or buy for ongoing work.
Nationwide delivery
Equipment shipped to your jobsite, with overnight options.
🏭 Industries That Use Anchor Bolt Testing
• General and structural contractors
• Bridge and highway contractors
• Special inspection and testing agencies
• Power plants, refineries and industrial facilities
• Telecom and wind tower installers
• Building owners and facility managers
• Engineering firms
🧭 How to Choose the Correct Anchor Bolt Test Equipment
Selecting the right equipment depends on:
• Anchor diameter and thread size
• Required proof or ultimate test load
• Center-hole size and cylinder stroke
• Anchor spacing and edge distance for the reaction bridge
• Access, height and power available on site
• Whether load cells and data recording are required
• Number of anchors to be tested
WB Equipment can help select the correct anchor test system for your project. Call 866-522-5464.
📋 What We Need From You
To quote or recommend equipment, please send:
• Anchor type, diameter and thread size
• Required test load and acceptance criteria
• Number of anchors to test
• Anchor spacing and access details
• Project specifications or test procedure
• Jobsite location and schedule
• Rental or purchase preference
RENTALS
WB Equipment has provided jack & cylinder rentals for over 30 years,
We offer both short- and long-term rental options. Our extensive rental fleet includes high-quality hydraulic jacks, cylinders, torque and tension tools, lifting systems, and other specialized equipment. Serving industries such as construction, infrastructure, and energy,
SALES
WB Equipment provides hydraulic equipment rentals for the whole of the USA.
WB Equipment Rentals provides reliable, high-quality machinery for construction, industrial, and commercial projects. Their inventory includes hydraulic tools, lifting equipment, and power solutions designed for efficiency and safety.
SERVICE
WB Equipment has provided hydraulic jack & cylinder sevicing for over 30 years,
WB Equipment Servicing ensures machinery reliability through preventative maintenance, expert repairs, and safety checks. It minimizes downtime, extends equipment lifespan, and supports efficient, safe operations across industrial and construction environments.
Anchor Bolt Testing
"Power Under Pressure:
The Role of Anchor Bolt Testing from WB Equipment Corp."
True Axial Load:
Custom center-hole cylinders pull straight through the fastener, avoiding side loading and off-axis error.
Measured Results:
Calibrated pumps, gauges and digital transducers record load versus displacement for every anchor.
Proof & Performance Tests:
Verify new installations, validate retrofits or assess existing anchors during periodic structural inspections.
Up to 10,000 psi:
Cylinders sized to match anchor diameters and rated for high-pressure operation.
WB Equipment Product & Services Catalog
Select Your Requirements from Popular Categories
Popular Categories
Enerpac & Simplex - Hydraulic Cylinders
Enerpac Cylinders
Low-Height Cylinders
Low-profile cylinders designed for low clearance applications
Capacity: 5 – 1,000 tons
Stroke: 0.24 – 2.44 in
Collapsed Height: 1.08 – 7.56 in
Enerpac Cylinders
Lock Nut Cylinders
Mechanically locking cylinders for safely holding a load
Capacity: 20 – 1,000 tons
Stroke: 1.77 – 11.81 in
Collapsed Height: 4.94 – 28.90 in
Enerpac Cylinders
High Tonnage Cylinders
Cylinders with the highest quality construction for enhanced durability
Capacity: 50 – 1,000 tons
Stroke: 1.97 – 11.81 in
Collapsed Height: 5.91 – 28.90 in
Enerpac Cylinders
Double-Acting Cylinders
Precise control and speed: the plunger advances and retracts hydraulically
Capacity: 4 – 1,000 tons
Stroke: 1.13 – 48 in
Collapsed Height: 7.19 – 64.75 in
Simplex Cylinders
Lock Nut Cylinders
Lock nut cylinders for extended, mechanically locked load holding
Capacity: 34 – 575 tons
Stroke: 1.77 – 11.81 in
Simplex Cylinders
High Tonnage Cylinders
Heavy-duty single- and double-acting cylinders, with lock nut options
Capacity: Up to the 1,000-ton class
Stroke: 1.77 – 11.81 in
Simplex Cylinders
Center-Hole Cylinders
Single- and double-acting cylinders with a center tube for pulling and tensioning with a rod or cable
Capacity: 12 – 646 tons
Stroke: 0.31 – 10.12 in
Simplex Cylinders
Low Height Cylinders
Compact, low height cylinders for tight spaces
Capacity: 10 – 150 tons
Stroke: 0.44 – 2.44 in
Enerpac Cylinders
Hollow Plunger Cylinders
Hollow bore cylinders for pulling and tensioning with a bar or cable
Capacity: 12 – 660 tons
Stroke: 0.31 – 10.13 in
Center Hole Diameter: 0.68 – 5.31 in
Enerpac Cylinders
Lightweight Cylinders
Durable aluminum cylinders for applications where weight is a factor
Capacity: 10 – 150 tons
Stroke: 1.97 – 9.84 in
Collapsed Height: 6.06 – 20.59 in
Enerpac Cylinders
Pull Cylinders
Cylinders designed for pulling objects together or apart
Capacity: 2.5 – 60 tons
Stroke: 5.00 – 6.02 in
Collapsed Height: 10.44 – 43.71 in
Enerpac Cylinders
Telescopic Cylinders
Multi-stage cylinders designed for extended lift heights
Capacity: 5 – 75 tons
Stroke: 0.67 – 23.62 in
Collapsed Height: 1.77 – 18.74 in
Simplex Cylinders
General Purpose Cylinders
General purpose cylinders built to ANSI/ASME B30.1, rated 10,000 psi
Capacity: 5 – 150 tons
Stroke: 0.62 – 24 in
Simplex Cylinders
Aluminum Cylinders
Lightweight aluminum cylinders, including spring return, lock nut and center hole models
Capacity: 30 – 150 tons
Stroke: 2 – 10 in
Simplex Cylinders
Pull Cylinders
Single- and double-acting pull cylinders
Capacity: 2 – 100 tons
Stroke: 5 – 6 in
Simplex Cylinders
Cylinder Tonnages
The full Simplex cylinder range, sorted by tonnage
Capacity Class: 2 – 1,000 tons
Max Pressure: 10,000 psi
Enerpac Cylinders
Production Cylinders
High cycle cylinders compatible with mounting attachments to simplify fixturing
Capacity: 4 – 25 tons
Stroke: 1.13 – 10.25 in
Collapsed Height: 7.31 – 20.69 in
Enerpac Cylinders
Long Stroke Cylinders
12 to 48 in stroke cylinders designed for extended lift heights
Capacity: 10 – 1,000 tons
Stroke: 12 – 48 in
Collapsed Height: 12.48 – 64.75 in
Enerpac Cylinders
Climbing Jacks
Designed for incremental lifting and lowering with cribbing
Capacity: 55 – 220 tons
Stroke: 5.91 – 6.34 in
Enerpac Cylinders
Single-Acting Cylinders
Simple operation: the plunger advances hydraulically in one direction
Capacity: 2.5 – 1,000 tons
Stroke: 0.24 – 23.62 in
Collapsed Height: 1.08 – 43.71 in
Enerpac Cylinders
General Purpose Cylinders
Versatile steel cylinders designed for a wide range of applications
Capacity: 5 – 500 tons
Stroke: 0.63 – 48.00 in
Collapsed Height: 1.63 – 64.75 in
Enerpac Cylinders
Cylinder Tonnage
Enerpac cylinders categorized by tonnage
Capacity: 2.5 – 1,000 tons
Stroke: 0.24 – 48.00 in
Collapsed Height: 1.08 – 64.75 in
Custom Cylinders
Center-Hole Cylinders
Center-hole cylinders designed and built by WB Equipment to your required capacity, stroke and hole size. Call our engineers to discuss your application.
VIEW PRODUCTSEnerpac Cylinders
Strand Jacks
Computer-controlled strand jacks for lifting and lowering very heavy loads
Capacity: 17 – 1,405 tons
Stroke: 9.8 – 23.6 in
Max Pressure: 5,000 psi
What Is Anchor Bolt Testing Equipment Rental?
Anchor bolt testing equipment rental lets you hire everything needed to proof-test anchors on site, without buying a full kit for one project. WB Equipment supplies complete Enerpac and Simplex test setups: center-hole hydraulic cylinders, reaction bridges and test chairs, hand, electric and cordless pumps, hoses, calibrated gauges and load cells.
Each kit is matched to your anchor diameter and test load. Every gauge and load cell is calibrated before it leaves us, so the readings you record will stand up to an engineer's or inspector's review.
Where and How Is Anchor Bolt Testing Used?
Anchor testing is carried out wherever an anchor has to be proven to hold its design load before a structure or machine relies on it. Typical jobs include:
● Equipment foundations: proof-loading cast-in and post-installed anchors before machinery, tanks or turbines are set.
● Structural steel: checking column base plate anchors and holding-down bolts on new buildings.
● Bridges and highways: verifying anchors for barriers, sign gantries, bearings and lighting columns.
● Retrofit and repair: confirming the capacity of adhesive and mechanical anchors added to existing concrete.
● Periodic inspections: re-testing existing anchors as part of a structural maintenance programme.
A typical test places the center-hole cylinder over the anchor on a reaction bridge, threads on a test nut, then applies load with the pump while pressure and movement are recorded. The kits are portable, so they work on rooftops, in trenches and on remote sites.
Your Questions Answered - Anchor Bolt Testing
What is anchor bolt testing?
Anchor bolt testing applies a controlled tension load to an installed anchor, using a center-hole hydraulic cylinder, to confirm it can carry its design load without slipping, yielding or pulling out.
What equipment is needed to test anchor bolts?
A center-hole cylinder, hydraulic pump, calibrated gauge or load cell, a reaction bridge or plate, test nuts and a way to measure displacement. WB Equipment supplies complete kits for rent or purchase.
How does an anchor pull test work?
The cylinder sits over the anchor on a reaction bridge and a test nut is threaded on above it. Pumping the cylinder pulls the anchor while the load and movement are recorded, then the load is held for the specified time.
What is the difference between proof and ultimate testing?
A proof test loads the anchor to a set value, usually above the design load, without damaging it. An ultimate test loads the anchor to failure to find its maximum capacity.
Which anchors can be tested?
Cast-in-place anchor bolts, mechanical expansion anchors, undercut anchors, adhesive or epoxy anchors, rock bolts and threaded rod can all be tested with the right fixtures.
Why use a center-hole cylinder?
The anchor passes through the hollow plunger, so the load is applied straight along the anchor axis. This gives accurate results and avoids bending the bolt.
How accurate are the readings?
All gauges, load cells and cylinders are calibrated in house with results traceable to NIST. A load cell with a digital readout gives the most direct load measurement.
Is anchor bolt testing safe?
Yes, when done by trained operators. Keep people clear of the anchor line during loading, never exceed the equipment rating and follow the approved test procedure.
How many anchors should be tested?
The number is set by the project specification or engineer, often a percentage of installed anchors plus any that look suspect.
Can you test anchors at height or in tight spaces?
Yes. Lightweight cylinders and cordless battery pumps make it possible to test on lifts, scaffolds and in confined areas.
Can I rent anchor bolt testing equipment?
Yes. WB Equipment rents complete anchor test kits for short- or long-term projects, and also sells equipment for ongoing testing programs.
Do you provide calibration certificates?
Yes. Equipment is supplied with current calibration, and we calibrate customer cylinders, gauges and load cells in house.
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