I don’t think anyone can provide concrete evidence of what the upcoming year will look like. But here is Don Weavers thoughts: “Since we’re on the infrastructure and the funding coming through, for concrete paving, “the next five years looks promising,” says Don Weaver, president of Weaver-Bailey Contractors Inc. and incoming chair of the American Concrete Pavement Association Board of Directors. Yet, he holds a realistic level of confidence as compared to what he thought a couple of years ago. “I don’t know that the confidence I would have had in the middle of 2023 on the perspectives for the second half of the 20’s remains – I have seen a lot of fluctuation in confidence. Companies are plenty busy but margins are down and backlogs not as great. There is ample work out there but greater strain on the entire project schedule from permitting through notice to proceed that comes from additional restrictions in workforce for building departments, inspections and more.” https://www.forconstructionpros.com/concrete/article/22921278/concrete-industry-outlook-2025
CONFAST® Screws
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Products Features
BIT INCLUDED IN EACH BOX: Using the correct bit will give you better-holding values
Concrete wears, Durex protects. Your concrete plant and trucks take a lot of abuse. Our liners and wear parts are built to take that abuse and protect your investment for the long term. https://durexproducts.com/products/concrete-products/
There’s only one place you’ll find the heavy hitters of concrete and masonry this January: Vegas, baby — at World of Concrete 2025, the largest and only annual international event dedicated to your business. Get your hands on the latest technologies revolutionizing safety, performance and speed and learn what it takes to not only claim a piece of our industry’s massive projected growth but dominate the field. Join the power players of concrete and masonry.
2025 Show Dates & Hours: Exhibits: January 21-23, 2025 • 9:30 am – 5:00 pm Education: January 20-23, 2025 • 8:00 am – 5:00 pm
5 Key Applications for Using Wedge Anchors in Concrete Fastening
Wedge anchors are among the most reliable and versatile concrete fasteners available, offering superior holding power in solid concrete. Due to their strength and ease of installation, they are the go-to choice for various heavy-duty applications across different industries. Wedge anchors are designed to perform in challenging environments, ensuring stability and security where it matters most. It is also essential when choosing a wedge anchor for your application that you make sure that they meet the specifications for the environment and use case such as:
Chamfered top designed to prevent mushrooming during installation
Qualified for static and seismic loading conditions (seismic design categories A through F)
Suitable for horizontal, vertical and overhead applications
Standard (ANSI) fractional sizes fit standard fixtures and installs with common drill bit and tool sizes
Tested per ACI355.2 and AC193
Below are five key applications where wedge anchors provide unparalleled support in concrete fastening.
1. Securing Structural Steel Beams
One of the most common uses for wedge anchors is in securing structural steel beams to concrete foundations. In construction projects, stability is crucial, and wedge anchors offer the necessary strength to securely fasten heavy steel to concrete. By embedding the wedge anchor deep into the concrete, it expands as the nut is tightened, locking the beam in place. This application is essential for high-rise buildings, bridges, and other infrastructure that requires a solid foundation. Be sure to look for these key features to ensure successful installation.
2. Installing Heavy Machinery
Wedge anchors are ideal for anchoring heavy industrial machinery to concrete floors. In manufacturing plants and factories, large machines such as presses, lathes, and mills generate significant vibrations, which can loosen fasteners over time. Wedge anchors provide exceptional resistance to vibrations, ensuring that machinery remains securely fastened even under heavy operational loads. This not only improves safety but also reduces downtime caused by shifting or misalignment.
3. Mounting Handrails and Safety Barriers
Safety is a top priority in many commercial and industrial settings, and wedge anchors play a crucial role in securely fastening handrails and safety barriers to concrete surfaces. Whether it’s in a public stairwell, a factory floor, or a parking structure, wedge anchors ensure that handrails and barriers remain firmly in place to prevent accidents. Their high load capacity makes them suitable for areas where handrails are frequently used or where barriers are exposed to heavy impact.
4. Attaching Shelving and Storage Systems
Warehouses, distribution centers, and retail spaces often require robust shelving and storage systems that can handle large loads. Wedge anchors are perfect for anchoring these systems to concrete floors and walls, providing the necessary support to hold heavy items securely. Whether it’s pallet racks in a warehouse or storage units in a commercial setting, wedge anchors ensure that shelving systems remain stable and safe, even under heavy use.
5. Fastening Outdoor Structures
Wedge anchors are also frequently used in outdoor applications, such as railroad crossing gates, fences, and signage to concrete surfaces. These anchors offer excellent corrosion resistance, especially when made from stainless steel, making them suitable for long-term use in outdoor environments. Whether you’re securing a fence post to a concrete patio or installing a heavy-duty sign at an industrial site, wedge anchors provide reliable holding power in any weather condition.
Conclusion
Wedge anchors are indispensable for a wide variety of heavy-duty applications in both commercial and industrial settings. Their ability to securely fasten materials to concrete surfaces makes them a preferred choice for projects ranging from construction and machinery installation to safety and storage solutions. CONFAST offers a comprehensive range of Simpson Strong Tie wedge anchors to meet the specific needs of any project, ensuring durability, strength, and reliability in every application. Whether you’re building a skyscraper, installing machinery, or setting up storage racks, CONFAST selection of wedge anchors included Simpson Strong-Tie wedge anchors provide the holding power and security you can trust. Buy Wedge Anchors online 24/7: https://www.confast.com/products-wedge/
Top economist for cement and concrete industries reveals 2025 construction forecast. Ed Sullivan, the Chief Economist and Sr. Vice President of Market Intelligence for the Portland Cement Association (PCA) — which represents America’s cement manufacturers — says the Federal Reserve’s recent move to lower interest rates coupled with easing inflation signals a significant retreat in interest rate levels by the end of next year … all to the benefit of construction activity. https://www.worldcement.com/the-americas/15102024/top-economist-for-cement-and-concrete-industries-reveals-2025-construction-forecast/
Ready-Mix Equipment Liners from Durex Products: We offer a number of wear-resistant urethane, and rubber liner solutions that provide long-term protection in concrete plants and concrete trucks.
Our urethane liners will combat impact, abrasion, noise, and sticking. Based on your needs, our liners can be installed by welding, bolting, or with high-strength magnets. We have developed our standard liners to fit plants and trucks from most major manufacturers.
Custom liners can be designed to suit any application. Just give us a call to discuss your needs: 715-483-9611 or email us: cs@durexproducts.com.
CONFAST Now Carries the Code-Listed Simpson Strong-Bolt 2 Anchor
We’re thrilled to announce that CONFAST now offers the Simpson Strong-Tie® Strong-Bolt 2 wedge-type expansion anchor—an ideal solution for high-performance anchoring in both cracked and uncracked concrete as well as masonry applications.
Engineered to excel under tough conditions, the Strong-Bolt 2 is code-listed for seismic and high-wind environments. With dual undercutting embossments on each clip segment, this anchor provides secondary expansion if a crack intersects the anchor location, ensuring load stability even if the hole expands.
Available in carbon steel and Type 304 and Type 316 stainless steel, the Strong-Bolt 2 is built for reliability and strength in any application. Trust CONFAST for your most demanding anchoring needs! Purchase today: https://www.confast.com/mfg-simpson/
For anyone that has known me for years knows I have tried to support the skate community. This program fits right in with my appreciation of concrete and skateboarding. This video explains what the program is all about: https://www.skate4concrete.com.
Tesla Semi factory to get massive amounts of concrete, update shows
Tesla has been building a dedicated Semi plant at its Gigafactory Nevada this year, and a recent construction update shows preparations for a massive amount of concrete yet to be laid.
In an update this week from Zanegler, a Giga Nevada observer and self-proclaimed Tesla Semi advocate, footage from the site shows tons of recent progress, including action shots of truss rods going up on the now-many steel beams at the site, and the various footings that will reportedly utilize a huge volume of concrete. https://www.teslarati.com/tesla-semi-factory-concrete-update/
Keegan Nelson spent nearly 10 years of his career in various roles with Martin Marietta, joining Durex Products in 2024. Nelson, who now serves Durex Products as vice president of sales, recently shared his experience related to screening with P&Q.
CONFAST Expands Product Offerings: CONFAST’s drywall anchors are fasteners that are best used for mounting items on surfaces such as drywall, sheetrock, gypsum, dry wall, wallboard, or plasterboard. Use them to keep items securely in place such as pictures, curtain rods, clocks, towel racks, light fixtures, hooks, hanging planters, TVs, wall mounted storage bins and more.
Walmart validates 3D-printed concrete on store addition’s 20-ft. wall Alquist 3D recently dispatched a concrete/mortar ink printer and crew to place a 20-ft. high enclosure for an 8,000-sq.-ft. addition to the Walmart Supercenter in Athens, Tenn. An articulating robot with 48-in. long, 1-in. diameter nozzle shuttled around each wall section perimeter, efficiently printing twin inner and outer layers with precision. The new facility will support the Walmart Online Pickup & Delivery program. https://concreteproducts.com/index.php/2024/09/13/walmart-validates-3d-printed-concrete-on-store-additions-20-ft-wall/
Nuclear power, direct-to-chip liquid cooling, and data centers as learning destinations are among the emerging design trends in the data center sector.
Your concrete plant and trucks take a lot of abuse. Durex Products’ urethane, rubber, and rubber-ceramic liners are built to take that abuse and protect your investment for the long term.
Liners and wear parts are designed to fit common wear areas in most plant brands including: central mix drum liners and blade liners, turnhead liners, cement pipe liners, hopper and bin liners, scale liners, and dump chute liners. Learn more: https://durexproducts.com/products/concrete-products/ready-mix-equipment-liners/
