Final answer:
To achieve a torque of 50 ft-lb on an anchor bolt, use a torque wrench while applying the force at a perpendicular angle to the lever arm. Calculate the torque by multiplying the force by the distance from the center of the bolt, then convert to ft-lb using the conversion factor if necessary.
Step-by-step explanation:
To tighten nuts on anchor bolts to a specified torque, such as 50 ft-lb, you typically use a torque wrench. Torque is a measure of the turning force applied to an object and is calculated as the product of the force applied perpendicular to the wrench and the distance from the center of the bolt (the lever arm). To convert from newton-meters to foot-pounds, you can use the conversion factor of 1 ft-lb = 1.35581795 N·m.
In the example provided where you push perpendicularly on a wrench with a force of 165 N at a distance of 0.140 m from the center of the bolt, the torque (in newton-meters) can be found by multiplying the force by the distance (torque = force x distance). To convert this torque to foot-pounds (ft-lb), simply multiply the result by the aforementioned conversion factor.
The torque exerted can also be affected by the angle at which the force is applied. For maximum efficiency and torque, the force should be applied perpendicularly (90 degrees) to the lever arm. When applying the force at an angle, the effective distance from the center of the bolt decreases, effectively reducing the torque.