Until very recently, whenever you had to attach any kind of structure to asphalt, you really only had one option available to you, which was to remove the asphalt and pour a concrete footing instead. Nowadays, technology has caught up with this situation, and some very effective asphalt anchors have been developed so as to make it possible to mount structures on asphalt. With these new anchors now available and being just as easy to install as concrete anchors, it has become convenient to mount just about anything on your asphalt structure effectively and safely.
How asphalt anchors work
Asphalt anchors are actually classified as chemical anchors, because they use some kind of grout to bond the anchor to the asphalt. The specific type of grout used can be very important, and it will generally consist of either an epoxy, a cementitious anchoring product. The reason for the importance of the grout used is that it must be known whether the grout undergoes shrinkage during the curing process, how long the curing process will take, the hardiness factor of the grout, the temperatures at which the grout can be used, its resistance to water, and the relative adhesion factor of the grout.
Most installation processes for asphalt anchors are similar, and any variations will often depend on conditions at the time of installation. If you’re using industry recommended MJC Sales & Marketing asphalt anchors, the first step would be to drill an over-sized hole in the asphalt and then fill it with whatever anchoring cement or adhesive material you’ve chosen for the project. Then it will be necessary to push the anchor into this hole, deeply enough so that it becomes flush with the surface of the asphalt.
Any anchoring cement or adhesive which gets displaced during this process will be forced into cracks and crevices in the asphalt, as well as into the gravel substrate below. This actually creates a very strong bond between the anchor and the asphalt, once the grout has cured completely. Depending on the characteristics of the grout material used, curing will take place within a certain time frame, and you’ll have a solid anchor which can then be used to mount any kind of structure on your asphalt surface.
History of asphalt anchors
Asphalt anchors have only been around since 2004, when they were first developed in response to the need which a company had for attaching parking barriers to asphalt surfaces. The anchors which were developed at that time have been considerably refined each year since then, and the anchors themselves are now able to withstand a much greater pullout-force, which is the amount of force necessary to uproot them from their anchored position.
An entire industry has grown up around asphalt anchors, because there is such great demand for mounting structures to asphalt, and because these anchors satisfy that need so effectively. There are two main types of asphalt anchors available, those being carbon steel with zinc plating, dacromet and stainless steel. The anchors themselves come in different sizes, depending on how solid an anchor is needed, which will be directly related to the anticipated pullout forces which may be in effect at the anchoring location.
Types of asphalt anchors
Asphalt anchors are frequently offered in six-packs, and that is how MJC Sales & Marketing provides them to customers, since it’s both convenient and efficient for anchoring applications. An SP10-38 six-pack is capable of withstanding 1,500 lbs. of pullout force, and are six inches in length. SP12-38 six-packs are 12 inches in length, and can withstand 2,000 lbs. of pullout force. These anchors are capable of supplying considerable resistance to sideways shear forces and remaining in place.
Even stronger asphalt anchors are available from MJC Sales & Marketing for really tough anchoring jobs, and that includes the SP18-716 style anchors. These are 12 inches in length, with a 2,500 lb. pullout force resistance, and are ideal for those applications requiring a heavy shear. SP58 asphalt anchors from MJC Sales & Marketing are the super heavy-duty anchors which are capable of resisting a whopping 5,000 lbs. of pullout force and are used in applications which require a maximum shear resistance. For all of your asphalt anchoring needs, you’ll find exactly what you require at MJC Sales & Marketing.
