Repair Systems — 03 — Facade & External Envelope
Wedge expansion mechanical wall tie
Supplier reference for wedge expansion mechanical remedial cavity wall ties for solid masonry facades on Class 2 strata buildings. No grout or resin required — immediate load transfer on installation. Solid masonry substrates only. Compares Helifix, Ancon, and Simpson Strong-Tie by mechanism, load data, and distribution.
Wedge expansion mechanical wall ties
Wedge expansion cavity wall ties are installed by drilling, inserting, and torquing to a specified value — the wedge expands against the masonry bore hole walls to create a mechanical lock without resin or grout. Immediate load transfer is the key advantage over chemical anchor systems. Wedge expansion ties are only suitable for solid, dense masonry — never for hollow, perforated, or soft brick. Structural engineer confirmation is required.
Supplier reference
3 of 3 suppliersHelifix CemTie Mechanical Expansion Tie
Stainless steel wedge expansion tie for solid masonry — no grout or resin required
Helifix CemTie (or equivalent mechanical expansion tie) uses a wedge expansion mechanism — the tie is driven into a pre-drilled hole and tightened by torque to expand against the hole walls, creating a mechanical lock without resin or grout.
Ancon Mechanical Expansion Remedial Wall Tie
316 stainless mechanical expansion cavity tie for solid masonry — torque-set installation
Ancon mechanical expansion remedial wall tie uses a wedge or sleeve expansion anchor principle — installed by drilling, inserting, and torquing to a specified value to achieve load-bearing mechanical engagement.
Simpson Strong-Tie Wedge-All / Titen HD Masonry Anchor
Stainless steel wedge expansion anchor for structural masonry anchoring and cavity tie installation
Simpson Strong-Tie Wedge-All and Titen HD are mechanical expansion anchors widely used for structural masonry anchoring including remedial cavity wall tie installation in solid masonry.
| Supplier | Product | Mechanism | Grade | Resin | Distribution | Load Data | Primary Use |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Helifix Australia | CemTie Mechanical Expansion | Wedge expansion | 316 SS | None | National (authorised) | Helifix published | Solid masonry remedial tie |
| Ancon Building Products | Ancon Mechanical Tie | Wedge/sleeve expansion | 316 SS | None | National (specialist) | Ancon published | Solid masonry — engineer-specified |
| Simpson Strong-Tie | Wedge-All / Titen HD | Wedge expansion | 316 SS | None | National (broad) | ETA + PROFIS | Structural masonry anchoring |
Do not confuse wedge expansion ties with:
- Sleeve torque-control ties — sleeve anchors installed by tightening a bolt to expand a metal sleeve — similar principle but different geometry and load path — listed on the sleeve torque-control tie page
- Undercut expansion ties — higher-load Hilti or Fischer undercut anchors that lock into an undercut profile drilled in the masonry — highest load capacity mechanical anchor — listed on the undercut expansion tie page
- Chemical resin anchor ties — vinylester or epoxy resin-anchored ties with higher load capacity in weaker substrates — listed on the cavity ties — resin anchor page
- Helical grout-in ties — grouted helical ties — suitable for softer masonry where wedge expansion would cause spalling — listed on the cavity ties — helical page
- Concrete mechanical anchors — general-purpose mechanical anchors designed for concrete are not automatically suitable for masonry cavity tie installation — confirm masonry suitability with supplier
Disclaimer
This page provides general technical information only. Wedge expansion ties are only suitable for solid, dense masonry. Tie type, diameter, embedment, and spacing must be confirmed by a structural engineer against project-specific masonry conditions and AS 3700. Do not use wedge expansion ties in hollow, perforated, or soft masonry.