Hobson technical article
Options in ETAG Certifications and What They Mean for Concrete Anchors
A four-page Hobson article that explains European anchor approvals: what an ETAG and an ETA are, why ETAs test anchors under set "options", what the common options mean, and how ETAs are created. It also notes that AS 5216 adopted ETAG 001.
What this covers
- ETAGs and ETAs
- Factors that affect anchors
- Assessment options
- Concrete strength classes
- Multiple use anchors
- How an ETA is created
- AS 5216
Applies to Chemical Anchor Gun & Accessory, Chemical Anchors (Chemset-Style), Anchor Hole Cleaning, Chemical Anchor Studs & Sleeves, Drop-In Anchor, Drop-In Anchor Setting Tool, Hammer-In / Nail Anchor, HDS Safety Anchor, Concrete Screws (Screw Anchors), Wedge Anchor and Foam Dispenser Gun.
Key things to remember
The essentials from this document in plain words. Check the full document before you rely on a figure.
- An ETAG (from EOTA, the European Organisation for Technical Assessment) sets the rules; an ETA is a product-specific document that verifies what that product can do, such as pull-out capacities at given embedments and concrete strengths.
- Anchor behaviour depends on many factors: anchor type, embedment and hole size, load direction, cracked or non-cracked concrete, concrete strength, and spacing and edge distances. An ETA only covers the conditions it was tested for.
- Options are the sets of service conditions an anchor is tested to. Option 1: safety-critical anchors in cracked or non-cracked concrete, for example in ceilings. Option 7: non-cracked concrete, for example a vertical wall. Every ETA has at least one option.
- Concrete classes are written cylinder/cube strength: C20/25 means 20MPa in Australian terms.
- ETAG 001 Part 6 covers multiple anchors for non-structural use, where if one anchor slips or fails the load passes to its neighbours.
- Australia adopted ETAG 001 as AS 5216:2018, Design of post-installed and cast-in fastenings in concrete; the options appear in its Appendix A.
Who it helps: Builders, engineers and staff reading an anchor's ETA or choosing an anchor for cracked concrete.
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