Hanging from Concrete Block

[Porkroll]

I have several 3/8" concrete anchors in block walls at various work locations.

This is of course in an industrial building, not a home built garage.
I have been hanging from these anchors with no problems for close to 10 years, and I weigh right around 300 lbs.
If you are not sure about the construction of your garage, I would play it safe.

[youdigit]

I put a hole through one of the blocks this weekend (for other reasons, sadly not hanging related) and found that there is lots or mortar in there. I'm not as concerned anymore. The idea of anchoring a board the length of the garage on the inside is a good one though. I think I'll do that in addition to the existing shelf. I'm only 160lbs, so if it comes down with that and all the anchored boards then I probably shouldn't be standing beside it now (or storing my car in it!).

[tflaris]

Block walls are designed for shear force, but not so much for lateral force.
A lot would depend on how the blocks were set and how much, if any, grout fill was done inside the blocking.
A large surface area spanned with a backer like your shelf corners should work if they are behind the pulling force and the blocks.

That's the funniest video.


Men wanted for hazardous journey. Low wages, bitter cold, long hours of complete darkness. Safe return doubtful. Honour and recognition in event of success.

[brutalguyracing]

I have several 3/8" concrete anchors in block walls at various work locations.

This is of course in an industrial building, not a home built garage.
I have been hanging from these anchors with no problems for close to 10 years, and I weigh right around 300 lbs.
If you are not sure about the construction of your garage, I would play it safe.

Would like to see a fish plate here instead of just a washer


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[oldgringo]

Would like to see a fish plate here instead of just a washer


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Bingo.........

[Porkroll]

Would like to see a fish plate here instead of just a washer


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Bingo.........

I'm using wedge anchors in the wall. This does not go completely through the block. Not sure what you mean by fish plate? A larger backing plate, instead of washer?

[Trail Runner]

Not sure what you mean by fish plate? A larger backing plate, instead of washer?

Yes, a large backing plate. Something 3"-4" in diameter, or 3" x 3'/4" x 4" square, should suffice.

[Porkroll]

Yes, a large backing plate. Something 3"-4" in diameter, or 3" x 3'/4" x 4" square, should suffice.

Gotcha. I have that setup in one location. But the pics here are just wedge anchors in concrete block.


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[FlaDave]

A couple years ago at a local boy scout camp some of the boys were hanging in a concrete block structure. Before long, one of the walls collapsed. Fortunately no one got hurt. Lesson learned. Could have been a lot worse.

[litetrek]

Don't take free advice from people who don't necessarily know what they're talking about. Block walls are designed for the loads they are meant to carry. Usually that's straight down weight from gravity. If it's a basement wall it's got a pressure load on the soil side also. A block wall may not be reinforced for a lateral load like the load a hammock will put on it. Block walls can have shear reinforcement or no shear reinforcement. They can have every cell filled with masonry and reinforced with rebar or they can have every other cell filled or every third or fourth, etc or none at all. That's what is good about a block wall, it's custom designed by an engineer to carry the loads it needs to carry. You may get away with loading up a block wall with a hammock or you may not. It depends a lot about what structure is hidden in the wall. I've got 8 years of structural engineering school and a Professional Engineering license in the same that would make me very cautious about hanging from a block wall. I know I wouldn't do it from my basement block walls. As a practical matter as a 12 year old 95 lb kid I accidentally pulled down about a 10 foot section of my neighbors brick wall in their back yard by "hanging laterally" off of it while trying to climb over it. In short, for a block wall no steel reinforcement inside means no strength except in pure compression.