Outdoor benches are frequently anchored to the ground for several crucial reasons: safety, security, and durability. This practice is standard in public spaces, parks, commercial properties, and transit areas to prevent theft, vandalism, and unauthorized movement, ensuring the benches remain stable and safe for public use.
The method of anchoring depends on the bench's design, location, and the surface it's installed on. Here are the most common techniques:
1. Concrete Footings and Anchor Bolts: This is the most permanent and robust method. For benches installed on soil or grass, holes are dug, and concrete is poured to form footings. J-bolts or other anchor bolts are embedded into the wet concrete. The bench's legs or base plates are then placed over the bolts and secured with nuts, locking the bench firmly into the ground.
2. Surface-Mounted Anchors: For hard surfaces like concrete pavers, asphalt, or existing concrete slabs, surface mounts are used. This involves drilling holes into the hard surface. The bench is positioned, and bolts (often concrete anchors or wedge anchors) are driven through the bench's base plates into the pre-drilled holes, expanding and gripping the material from within.
3. Ground Sleeves: This system offers flexibility for seasonal removal. A metal sleeve is first set into a concrete footing. The bench leg is designed with a matching stub that slides perfectly into the sleeve. A locking pin is often used to secure it in place. This allows the bench to be removed for maintenance or storage while the sleeve remains flush with the ground.
4. Direct Concrete Embedment: Sometimes, the legs of metal or heavy-duty benches are placed directly into the concrete footing while it is still wet. The concrete cures around the legs, creating an extremely strong, monolithic structure that is nearly impossible to remove without destructive force.
In summary, outdoor benches are indeed anchored using methods like concrete footings with bolts, surface mounts on hardscapes, or ground sleeve systems. The primary goal is to create a fixed, secure, and long-lasting installation that protects public property and ensures user safety.