For the guided waves in anchor bolt detection applications, the propagation characteristics of the longitudinal guided wave in the anchor bolt are investigated. The dispersion equation of longitudinal guided wave is constructed and solved by Matlab. The propagation characteristics of L(0,1) mode guided waves at different frequencies in anchor bolt are simulated by the finite element numerical method, and the response signal at the top of the bolt is analyzed. Through the comparison of theoretical analysis and numerical simulation, the feasibility of numerical simulation method is verified. The engineering application of guided waves in detection of anchor bolt needs appropriate frequency guided waves, and the corresponding propagation characteristics of the waves should be combined to get reliable results. Finally the responses at the top of the bolt caused by symmetric and asymmetric incentive are analyzed.