How to Read an Anchor Pull-Out Test Result – kN Reading, Pass or Fail Explained Malaysia

How to Read an Anchor Pull-Out Test Result – kN Reading, Pass or Fail Explained Malaysia

How Do You Interpret an Anchor Pull-Out Test Result?

An anchor pull-out tester may display a force reading such as:

45.2kN

82.5kN

120.0kN

or

150.8kN

But what does that number actually mean?

The most important point is:

A force reading by itself does not automatically tell you whether an anchor has passed or failed.

To interpret an anchor pull-out test correctly, the measured force must be compared with the approved test requirement and acceptance criteria for the project.

For professional field testing, instruments such as the Langry APT200 Anchor Pull-Out Tester can measure tensile force up to 200kN for suitable applications.

What Does kN Mean?

Anchor pull-out test force is commonly expressed in:

kN – kilonewtons

One kilonewton equals:

1,000 newtons

Kilonewtons are units of force, not mass.

This distinction is important when reading engineering test results.

Is kN the Same as kg?

No.

kN measures force.

kg measures mass.

They should not be treated as the same unit.

For approximate comparison under standard gravity:

1kN ≈ 102kgf

Therefore:

10kN ≈ 1.02 tonnes-force

100kN ≈ 10.2 tonnes-force

200kN ≈ 20.4 tonnes-force

For engineering documentation, it is generally better to retain the specified force unit, such as kN.

Example 1 – Required Load 50kN

Suppose the approved project requirement states:

Proof Load: 50kN

The tester reaches:

50.4kN

Has the anchor passed?

Possibly—but the force reading alone is not enough.

You must also check the project's other acceptance criteria.

For example:

Was the load held for the required time?

Was movement within the permitted limit?

Was there any visible failure?

Was the approved procedure followed?

Only then can the result be assessed correctly.

Example 2 – Required Load 80kN

Suppose:

Required Proof Load: 80kN

but the anchor begins to pull out at:

62kN

The anchor did not reach the required test load.

This would normally require action according to the project's approved failure procedure.

The operator should record:

Maximum achieved load

Anchor behaviour

Failure mode

Test location

Photographs

Other required observations

Example 3 – Anchor Reaches the Load but Moves Excessively

Suppose the required load is:

100kN

The tester reaches:

100kN

but the anchor experiences movement beyond an acceptance limit defined by the project.

The anchor should not automatically be marked PASS merely because the force reached 100kN.

Acceptance must consider all specified criteria.

Example 4 – 200kN Tester Used for a 60kN Test

Suppose you are using a:

Langry APT200 – Maximum Measurement Range 200kN

but the project requires:

60kN Proof Load

The relevant target remains:

60kN

Do not continue loading to 200kN simply because the tester can measure that force.

Tester Capacity Is Not the Pass Requirement

This is one of the most common misunderstandings.

If the equipment specification says:

Maximum Range: 200kN

this means the tester's measurement range extends to 200kN.

It does not mean:

Every anchor must withstand 200kN.

The test requirement comes from the project.

Where Does the Required Test Load Come From?

Depending on the project, the required load may be defined by:

Structural engineer

Façade engineer

Consultant

Approved method statement

Project specification

Approved anchor design

Applicable test procedure

The test operator should know this value before testing starts.

What Is a Proof Load?

A proof load is a specified test force applied according to an approved procedure to verify an installed anchor.

For example:

Specified Proof Load: 75kN

The operator loads the anchor according to the approved procedure up to the specified value.

The test may then require the force to be maintained for a defined period.

The anchor is assessed against the approved acceptance criteria.

What Is Maximum Applied Load?

The maximum applied load is the highest measured force reached during the test.

For example:

Required Proof Load: 75kN

Maximum Applied Load: 75.6kN

These two numbers describe different things.

The first is the requirement.

The second is the measured test result.

What Is Failure Load?

For a destructive or ultimate test, the report may record the load associated with the defined failure condition.

For example:

Maximum / Failure Load: 126.4kN

However, the force value should ideally be accompanied by a description of the observed failure mode.

Why Failure Mode Matters

Suppose two anchors both fail at approximately 120kN.

Anchor A experiences a bond-related failure.

Anchor B experiences concrete breakout.

The maximum forces may be similar, but the physical behaviour is different.

Therefore, a professional result should not consist of only:

120kN

It should also document what happened.

Common Anchor Failure Behaviours

Possible observations include:

Anchor Pull-Out

The anchoring component is extracted from the base material.

Bond-Related Failure

Failure occurs along the bonded anchorage.

Concrete Breakout

A section of concrete fails around the anchor.

Concrete Cracking or Splitting

Cracking develops around the test area.

Steel Failure

The steel component itself fails.

Connection Failure

The testing adapter or connection fails before the anchor can be properly evaluated.

These observations can be important during engineering review.

What Does “PASS” Mean?

A PASS result should mean that the anchor satisfied the defined acceptance criteria for that test.

Depending on the approved procedure, this may involve:

Required force achieved

Required holding period completed

Movement within limits

No unacceptable failure

Other specified conditions

The word PASS should not simply mean:

“The anchor did not come out.”

What Does “FAIL” Mean?

A FAIL result means the anchor did not satisfy one or more of the defined acceptance criteria.

Examples may include:

Did not reach required load

Excessive movement

Anchor pull-out

Concrete failure

Other unacceptable behaviour

The report should identify the actual reason.

Do Not Invent Pass/Fail Criteria at Site

The test operator should not decide:

“Looks strong enough, so PASS.”

Likewise, a contractor should not change the requirement after seeing the test result.

Acceptance criteria should be established before testing.

What Is Holding Time?

Some proof-test procedures require the specified load to be maintained for a defined period.

If the project specifies a holding time, the report may need to record:

Target load

Holding duration

Force behaviour

Anchor movement where required

Reaching the target force momentarily may not satisfy a procedure that requires the load to be held.

Why Anchor Movement Can Matter

Some test procedures may require displacement or movement to be monitored.

An anchor can reach the specified force while still exhibiting behaviour that requires evaluation.

Where displacement criteria apply, appropriate measurement equipment and procedures should be used.

Example Anchor Pull-Out Test Result Table

A project report might use a format such as:

Anchor IDRequired LoadMaximum Applied LoadObservationResultA0150kN50.3kNNo abnormal observationAssess per criteriaA0250kN50.5kNNo abnormal observationAssess per criteriaA0350kN38.6kNAnchor movement observedReview / Fail per criteria

The actual report format should follow the project's requirements.

Why Anchor ID Is Essential

A reading without a location is of limited value.

For example:

Test Result: 82.6kN

Which anchor?

Which floor?

Which grid?

Which bracket?

A good report connects the reading to a specific physical anchor.

Recommended Location Information

Depending on the project, record:

Tower

Block

Floor

Grid

Elevation

Zone

Bracket number

Anchor ID

This creates traceability.

Why Photographs Help Interpret Results

Photographs can provide context that a force reading cannot.

Useful photographs include:

Anchor before testing

Test setup

Tester reading

Anchor after testing

Concrete condition

Any observed failure

The photograph should be linked to the correct anchor ID.

Equipment Information Should Be Recorded

For professional testing, the report may also identify:

Manufacturer

Model

Serial number

Measurement range

Calibration information where required

This helps establish which instrument produced the measurement.

Why Calibration Matters When Reading Results

Suppose a report states:

Maximum Applied Load: 150.2kN

The usefulness of that measurement depends partly on confidence in the measurement equipment.

Depending on project requirements, calibration documentation may therefore form part of the testing records.

Langry APT200 for Force Measurement

For suitable anchor pull-out testing applications, the Langry APT200 provides:

Measurement Range: 0–200kN

approximately:

20-ton class capacity

The system also supports storage of up to 500 measurement records.

This can be useful when multiple anchors are being tested on a project.

Stored Readings Still Need Context

Suppose the instrument contains:

48.6kN

51.2kN

50.8kN

49.9kN

Without proper project records, you may not know which reading belongs to which anchor.

Therefore:

Digital Reading + Anchor ID + Location + Test Requirement + Observation

is much more useful than a force number alone.

How to Review a Pull-Out Test Report

When reviewing a report, check:

Is the project identified?

Are the test locations clear?

Are anchor IDs provided?

Is the required load stated?

Is the applied load recorded?

Is holding time recorded where required?

Is movement recorded where required?

Are observations included?

Is pass/fail based on defined criteria?

Is the equipment identified?

Is calibration information provided where required?

Are photographs traceable to test points?

If several of these are missing, clarification may be needed.

What If the Result Is Very Close to the Required Load?

Do not create your own tolerance.

For example:

Required: 100kN

Measured: 99.5kN

Whether that is acceptable depends on the approved procedure, measurement considerations and project acceptance criteria.

The operator should not simply round the number up to 100kN and declare PASS.

What If the Reading Drops During Holding?

A falling reading may require investigation depending on the test procedure and equipment behaviour.

Possible factors could include:

Anchor movement

Test setup behaviour

Hydraulic system behaviour

Connection movement

Other mechanical effects

Record what happened and assess it according to the approved procedure rather than hiding the change.

What Should Happen After a Failed Result?

A professional process may include:

Stop and secure the test

Record the maximum force

Record the observed failure behaviour

Photograph the anchor

Identify the test location

Inform the responsible project team

Follow the approved failure procedure

Perform additional testing only where instructed

Do not delete or ignore a failed reading.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the kN reading on an anchor pull-out tester mean?

It represents the measured tensile force applied during the test.

Does reaching the specified kN automatically mean PASS?

Not necessarily. Other acceptance criteria such as holding time, movement or visible behaviour may also apply.

What does 100kN equal in tons?

100kN is approximately 10.2 metric tonnes-force.

What does 200kN equal in tons?

200kN is approximately 20.4 metric tonnes-force.

Is tester capacity the same as required test load?

No. Tester capacity is the equipment's measurement range. The required test load comes from the project requirements.

Who determines pass or fail?

Pass/fail should be assessed against the approved acceptance criteria.

Should a report include the failure mode?

Where failure occurs, documenting the observed failure behaviour provides important information.

Should the tester serial number be recorded?

For professional traceability, equipment identification can be important and may be required by the project.

Is Langry APT200 suitable for professional anchor testing?

It can be suitable for applications where the required force and test configuration fall within its 200kN measurement range.

Anchor Pull-Out Test Equipment Malaysia

MTM Precision supplies professional construction and civil engineering testing equipment for:

Contractors

QA/QC teams

Façade contractors

Structural contractors

Testing companies

Inspection laboratories

For equipment selection, send:

Anchor Type + Anchor Diameter + Required Test Load + Application

This helps determine whether the Langry APT100, APT200 or APT300 is appropriate for the required testing range.

Contact MTM Precision

MTM Precision Sdn. Bhd.

Showroom & Service Centre

No. 29-1 & 29-2, Jalan Bandar 18,

Pusat Bandar Puchong,

47160 Puchong, Selangor, Malaysia

🌐 Website: www.mtmpre.com.my

📧 Email: mtmpre@yahoo.com

📱 WhatsApp: +6016-660 7346

For Langry APT200 Anchor Pull-Out Tester Malaysia, current quotation, model selection and professional construction testing equipment enquiries, contact MTM Precision.