Hilti Solution for Fastenings (SOFA)

Yujie Li, Global Technical Marketing Manager, Business Anchors, Hilti AG

Dr. Jakob Kunz, Key expert, Cooperate Research and technology, Hilti AG

1. The basis of Hilti SOFA

The basis for anchor design in Europe is the design approach given in Annex C of ETAG 001 for
mechanical anchors, EOTA Technical Report TR 029 for adhesive anchors, and Annex E for
seismic condition. However, there are many cases where solutions cannot be found by using
design approach in those codes and regulations. Hilti SOFA is aiming to provide anchor design
solutions for such cases through internal stringent research program and assessment from Hilti
Fastening Design Board.

There are two premises of Hilti SOFA:

a. The gap between fixture and anchors shall be filled for many cases when applying
Hilti SOFA

The design methods in Annex C of ETAG 001 for mechanical anchors and EOTA Technical
Report TR 029 for adhesive anchors are based on the assumption of existence of annual gap.
Many of the limitations in those codes are relevant for this. Through Hilti internal research,
filling the annual gap between fixture and anchors can change the behavior of anchor
performance, such as load distribution can be assured always predictable, higher resistance
when anchor group close to edge or under combined tension and shear load compares to
normal case without filling the annual gap.

b. It can only apply to anchors which are embedded in Hilti Profis Anchor when
choosing SOFA design method

As all the internal research done by Hilti were using Hilti anchors, and the gap between fixture
anchor anchors is filled with Hilti mortar by using Hilti dynamic/seismic filling set.

It has also been verified that the gap cannot just be filled by directly injecting mortar towards
the gap, as shown in Fig.2.

Fig.1 Comparison of filling gap using Hilti Dynamic Set and Traditional Method

Hilti Corporation
9494 Schaan
Liechtenstein

Feldkircherstrasse 100 I P.O. Box 333

T +423-234 2111 I F +423-234 3332
www.hilti.com

Rechtsform: Aktiengesellschaft I Sitz: 9494 Schaan

HR-Nr.: FL-1.011.557-0 I MWST-Nr.: 50 555
There are also several level for going beyond current anchor design guidelines for Hilti SOFA. In
Hilti PROFIS anchor current version, they are reported as” Extended ETAG”, ”SOFA”, and
”SOFA+fib”, they are not conflicting to each other, just based on different supporting material for
different applications. Those design methods intend to provides solutions where current code
cannot as Fig.2 shows. More details are available upon requirement.

Fig.2 Comparison of filling gap using Hilti Dynamic Set and Traditional Method

2. Hilti SOFA explanation

2.1. Anchor configurations

2.1.1. Limitations of anchor configuration in current codes and regulations

Because all formulas provided in these guidelines are based on the assumption that the loads
can be distributed to the individual anchors in a predictable way, anchor configurations covered
by these guidelines are limited as shown in Fig.3. When anchor close to edge, the allowed
configuration is even limited up to 4 anchors in one anchor group, this is mainly due to the
existence of annular gap in the fixture, it can be assumed that in general not all anchors are
loaded equally when a shear load acts on the fixture.

Hilti Corporation
9494 Schaan
Liechtenstein

Feldkircherstrasse 100 I P.O. Box 333

T +423-234 2111 I F +423-234 3332
www.hilti.com

Rechtsform: Aktiengesellschaft I Sitz: 9494 Schaan

HR-Nr.: FL-1.011.557-0 I MWST-Nr.: 50 555
 Fig.3 Anchor configuration covered by ETAG 001 Annex C and EOTA Technical Report TR 029

2.1.2. Verification method of anchor configuration covered in Hilti SOFA

To extend current design method to anchor configuration with more anchors or irregular
arrangement, the resistance of anchor group with such configuration was compared with the
theoretical design method provided in current codes and regulations.

This resistance has several dimensions, it covers the resistance under crack concrete, residual
capacity after crack cycling result from live load change, or a seismic event. It also includes
both tension and shear resistance. Therefore, the conducted test programs were the same as
how a single anchor being qualified for getting European Technical Assessment. Moreover, the
criteria not only require the resistance comply with the design method, but also all parameters
for qualifying single anchors. As shown in Fig.4, C2.5 test was conducted for a base plate with
8 anchors in a group.

Fig.4 Comparison of filling gap using Hilti Dynamic Set and Traditional Method

It was verified that the resistance calculated by current design method can always deliver more
conservative results than the testing results. Besides, for static condition, Hilti numerical study
shows more anchors in one anchor configuration delivers relatively more conservative results.
Hilti Corporation
9494 Schaan
Liechtenstein

Feldkircherstrasse 100 I P.O. Box 333

T +423-234 2111 I F +423-234 3332
www.hilti.com

Rechtsform: Aktiengesellschaft I Sitz: 9494 Schaan

HR-Nr.: FL-1.011.557-0 I MWST-Nr.: 50 555
2.1.3. Anchor configurations scope covered by Hilti SOFA

a. Static condition

There is no limitation on anchor arrangement up to 99 anchors, even for the irregular

configuration, as shown in Fig.5.

Fig.5 Anchor configuration scope covered by Hilti SOFA under static condition

b. Seismic condition

Due to the uncertainty of seismic, and capability to verify the design method for anchors more
than 8 anchors, Hilti SOFA covers the following configuration even when anchor placed close
to the edge for all load direction, as shown in Fig.6.

Fig.6 Anchor configuration scope covered by Hilti SOFA under static condition

2.2. Hilti SOFA for higher concrete edge resistance via taking consideration of the
second or third rows of anchors in an anchor group

2.2.1. The first row close to the edge governs the resistance of concrete edge failure for
an anchor group according to current code and regulations

In the case of anchor groups, due to the annular gap in the fixture it can be assumed that in
general not all anchors are loaded equally when a shear load acts on the fixture. For anchors
placed far away from the edge either pry-out failure of the whole anchor group can occur or
steel failure of the anchors. For pry-out failure tension loads are induced and therefore the
annular gap does not affect the failure load. Due to the ductility of the steel, deformation of
some anchors under shear loads can occur, until all anchors bear the load. In both cases, pry-
out failure and steel failure, the load applied on the fixture is transferred to all anchors in an
anchor group.
Hilti Corporation
9494 Schaan
Liechtenstein

Feldkircherstrasse 100 I P.O. Box 333

T +423-234 2111 I F +423-234 3332
www.hilti.com

Rechtsform: Aktiengesellschaft I Sitz: 9494 Schaan

HR-Nr.: FL-1.011.557-0 I MWST-Nr.: 50 555
The situation is different for anchor groups placed close to an edge. As an additional failure
mode concrete edge failure has to be considered when a shear load is applied. In the case of
e.g. a 2 x 2 anchor group it is possible that the anchor row close to the edge is loaded first or
the anchor row far from the edge. This depends on the position of the anchors in the fixture,
which cannot be determined exactly. The worst case is that the anchor row close to the edge is
loaded first. Since concrete is not as ductile as steel, the load will not be transferred to the back
anchor row. Therefore, in the design according Annex C and TR 029 for shear loads acting on
an anchor group close to the edge, only the anchor row closest to the edge is considered for
the resistance to concrete edge failure. The reinforcement in the concrete structure (if there is
any) would limit the crack width to 0,3 mm for cracked concrete design. However, this is only
valid far away from the edge. Close to the edge in general this cannot be guaranteed, even if
there is additional edge reinforcement.

2.2.2. Hilti SOFA concrete edge resistance design method

Hilti SOFA design method for concrete edge resistance refers to the design method described
in Fib bulletin 58: Design of anchorage in concrete for determining concrete edge resistance.

All anchors are loaded equally – for 2 rows of anchors, the anchor row closest to the edge is
loaded with 1/2 of the full load, for 3 rows 1/3. In addition, it is checked whether the resistance
of the whole anchor group to concrete edge failure (full load on last anchor row) is smaller than
the resistance of the first anchor row with 1/2 (1/3) of the load. If three rows of anchors are in
the fixture the calculation is also done for the second row with 2/3 of the full load. The smallest
value is decisive, as shown in Fig. 7.

Fig.7 Anchor configuration scope covered by Hilti SOFA under static condition

Design load can be up to twice or three times the design load according Annex C / TR 029
design, depending on the anchor row which is decisive for concrete edge resistance.

To be noticed, this only applies to static condition, whether this can be applied to seismic
condition is not verified for the time being.

2.3. Hilti SOFA for higher resistance for conditions with combined tension and shear
load

2.3.1. Interaction diagram for static and seismic for combined tension and shear
according to ETAG001 Annex C

Hilti Corporation
9494 Schaan
Liechtenstein

Feldkircherstrasse 100 I P.O. Box 333

T +423-234 2111 I F +423-234 3332
www.hilti.com

Rechtsform: Aktiengesellschaft I Sitz: 9494 Schaan

HR-Nr.: FL-1.011.557-0 I MWST-Nr.: 50 555
According to the Annex C of ETAG001, the ratio β between the load and resistance of tension
and shear respectively shall (βN)α + (βV) α < 1, where exponent =2.0, if both tension and shear
is governed by steel failure, otherwise, =1.5. The interaction diagram is shown as Fig.8.

The following equation must be satisfied for combined tension and shear loads:

(Eq. 1) (N)1,5 + (V)1,5 ≤ 1

Where N (V) is the ratio between the design value of action and resistance for tension (shear)

According to ETAG 001, Annex C, the following simplified equation may be applied:

(Eq. 2) N + V ≤ 1,2 and N ≤ 1, V ≤ 1

N

1,2
(Eq. 1)
1
(Eq. 2)
0,8

0,6

0,4
0,2

0 V
0 0,2 0,4 0,6 0,8 1 1,2

Fig.8 Anchor configuration scope covered by ETAG 001

2.4. Hilti SOFA interaction diagram for static and seismic for combined tension and
shear

Hilti SOFA design method for combined tension and shear resistance also refers to Fib bulletin
58: Design of anchorage in concrete. The difference of this approach is between tension and
shear comes when one is governed by steel failure mode while the other is governed by
concrete failure mode. In this case, Eq.1 with α = 1.5 shall be used according to the ETAG 001
Annex C. However, this is very conservative according to Fib bulletin 58, as the interaction
effect can only be taken into account for the same failure mode, therefore a separate analyze
for steel relevant failure mode and concrete relevant failure mode is used in Hilti SOFA, as
shown in Fig.9.

Hilti Corporation
9494 Schaan
Liechtenstein

Feldkircherstrasse 100 I P.O. Box 333

T +423-234 2111 I F +423-234 3332
www.hilti.com

Rechtsform: Aktiengesellschaft I Sitz: 9494 Schaan

HR-Nr.: FL-1.011.557-0 I MWST-Nr.: 50 555
 NRd Eq.1(only use the steel failure
mode resistance) with α= 2.0
NRd,s

NRd,c Eq.1(only use the concrete failure

mode resistance) with α= 1.5

Eq.1with α= 1.5
VRd,s VRd,c VRd

Fig.9 Anchor configuration scope covered by ETAG 001

To be noticed, this approach only applies to static condition, whether similar approach can be
applied to seismic condition is not verified for the time being.

3. Implementation of Hilti SOFA and relationship with Hilti PROFIS Anchor software

As anchor applications can be quite diverse, the explanation or each single method in this
paper may not apply simultaneously for all cases. However, in Hilti PRFOSI anchor, it has been
automatically considered which detail method within SOFA can be implemented based on the
input.

4. Conclusion

Hilti SOFA is a design method which goes beyond current codes and regulations to give
solutions or provide more economical options to various tough engineering applications. It is
based on state-of-art public research results, Hilti internal research results and engineering
know-how. It does not tend to serve as a code and regulation, neither bond with legal
responsibilities for any consequence of it.

Hilti Corporation
9494 Schaan
Liechtenstein

Feldkircherstrasse 100 I P.O. Box 333

T +423-234 2111 I F +423-234 3332
www.hilti.com

Rechtsform: Aktiengesellschaft I Sitz: 9494 Schaan

HR-Nr.: FL-1.011.557-0 I MWST-Nr.: 50 555