Velocity Constants for Ultrasonic Stress Measurement in Prestressing Tendons

Abstract

There is currently widespread use of high-strength steel tendons for prestressing and post-tensioning of concrete structures and as suspension cables for long-span bridges. Tendons normally consist of one or more seven-wire, helically wound steel strands or solid rods. There are more than 130,000 prestressed bridges in the United States that contain these tendons, and approximately 3,000 new bridges are constructed each year. The prestressing tendons are critical structural elements because the forces in the tendons counteract tensile stresses in the concrete that result from loads acting on a bridge. The tendons are frequently inaccessible for visual inspections and there is currently no accepted nondestructive evaluation technique to assess the condition of these tendons. The goal of this research is to examine ultrasonic stress measurement techniques for the condition assessment of prestressing tendons. This information could be used to compare the actual force in the tendon with its design values to determine if the tendon is performing below expectations. The focus of this paper is the characterization of the relationship between ultrasonic wave velocity and stress level in prestressing tendons. Measurements were made to determine constants that relate the change in ultrasonic velocity to the change in stress. The effects of dispersion in prestressing tendons, which act as circular waveguides for ultrasonic waves, are evaluated.     

Factors affecting the external prestressing stress in externally strengthened prestressed concrete beams

The wide use of external prestressing system to strengthen reinforced and prestressed concrete members requires the full understanding of the behaviour of the strengthened members. At ultimate the stress in the external prestressing tendons need to be known in order to calculate the ultimate strength of the strengthened member. Several factors that can influence the increase in the ultimate stress in steel external prestressing tendons have been studied and well understood while the effect of these factors on tendons made from fibre reinforced plastics needs more research.

This research was carried out to study the effect of several factors on the increase in the ultimate stress in external Parafil ropes as well as external steel tendons. These factors were related to the external prestressing system, internal prestressed and ordinary bonded steel, beam geometry and material properties. Also, the accuracy of equations proposed by the Eurocode (EC2), ACI318 and BS8110 to calculate the ultimate stress in external steel and FRP prestressing tendons was examined.

The experimental and the analytical results showed that the studied factors have the same effect on both steel (up to yield) and Parafil ropes though this effect is greater in case of steel tendons. Also, factors such as tendon profile (straight or deviated), high strength of the concrete, effective tendon depth, number of deviators should be taken into consideration when calculating the ultimate stress in the external tendons.     

大跨度曲线预应力桥梁预应力钢束的张拉控制研究

预应力在大跨度曲线桥梁中的使用,给预应力的分析研究以及张拉施工提出了新的问题,尤其是施工中的一些问题亟待解决,如摩擦系数、曲率等的改变,都会给预应力的分布带来不利的影响。现有的力学模型又无法满足解决这些问题的需求,建立一种适用于大跨度曲线预应力桥梁预应力钢束张拉施工的新模型是必要的。本文给出了预应力钢束张拉的控制模型,并在施工中得以验证,取得了令人满意的效果。该模型不仅可以解决一些诸如摩擦系数这类可确定因素的变化问题,亦可处理一些不确定因素给施工所带来的影响。按照这一模型所规定的方式进行施工,大大改善了预应力在钢束中的分布情况,提高预应力的使用效果是显著的。     

预应力简支工字钢梁自振频率变化规律研究

为研究预应力简支工字钢梁固有频率在不同工况下的变化规律及其变化的原因。采用分级施加预应力的方式进行2组体外预应力简支工字钢梁的动力试验,以预应力简支工字钢梁的试验研究结果为基础,建立简支工字钢梁和预应力简支工字钢梁有限元分析模型。试验结果与有限元对比分析表明:预应力筋张拉力、偏心距和预应力筋线型布置对预应力简支工字钢梁固有频率有影响,偏心距和预应力筋的线型布置对预应力钢梁固有频率影响较大,预应力筋张拉力影响较小。     

预应力混凝土桥梁徐变分析的全量形式自动递进法

首先将预应力混凝土桥梁中考虑收缩、徐变影响的任意时刻混凝土应力、应变关系在持荷时段内写成代数形式,引入内力平衡方程及变形协调条件后,提出了计入截面上钢筋位置、配筋率、预应力钢筋松弛、混凝土弹性模量随时间变化等影响的徐变效应分析的全量形式自动递进法,并建立了计算式,适用于任何形式的收缩、徐变特性表达式;基于建立的全量形式公式,可方便地求解任意时刻混凝土、钢筋的应力与应变和梁体竖向变形。理论分析与试验结果比较表明,公式可方便地控制计算精度,直至给出满意的结果。将计算式编程后极易与目前桥梁设计中常用的杆系有限元软件接口,进行可靠的徐变分析。     

预应力型钢混凝土梁-钢管混凝土叠合柱框架中节点受剪性能分析

基于ABAQUS平台,建立了预应力型钢混凝土梁-钢管混凝土叠合柱框架中节点精细化数值有限元模型,计算得到了柱顶水平荷载-位移滞回和单调加载曲线。在对比计算单调加载和实测滞回曲线基础上,研究了节点在柱顶水平荷载下的破坏全过程,细致考察了框架中节点的混凝土、型钢骨架、钢筋骨架以及预应力筋的应力状态,探讨了此类框架节点的破坏机理;基于参数分析结果,研究了轴压比、预应力度、核心区钢管配钢率和配箍率对节点柱顶水平荷载-位移曲线和核心区剪力-剪切变形的影响,提出了节点核心区受剪承载力计算公式。研究结果表明,当节点试件水平荷载达到峰值点时,核心区钢管、箍筋及预应力筋均达到屈服,核心区混凝土被压碎,此时可作为节点核心区抗剪承载力计算的标志;提出的节点核心区的抗剪承载力计算公式,可供工程设计参考。     

体外预应力纤维增强树脂基复合材料筋混凝土结构研究进展

本文从纤维增强树脂基复合材料(FRP)筋、关键技术和构件三个主要方面综述了体外预应力FRP筋混凝土结构的研究成果。首先,介绍了预应力FRP筋拉伸性能和长期性能,给出了面向设计的FRP筋蠕变断裂应力值、松弛率及疲劳最大应力和应力幅限值。阐述了预应力FRP筋三种主要锚固技术的优缺点和减小锚固端应力集中的方法,重点介绍了近年来新开发的复合材料夹片锚具,其锚固效率系数高于90%;同时,基于转向FRP筋力学性能试验结果,建议转向半径不宜小于FRP筋半径的200倍,转向角度不宜大于5°。梳理了体外预应力FRP筋混凝土构件的试验研究结果(单调加载、长期持荷和循环加载),介绍了国内外规范中的设计方法,并基于既有文献中42根梁的试验结果评价了规范中计算方法的精度,验证了我国规范GB 50608—2020中体外预应力FRP筋混凝土结构设计计算方法的准确性。本综述将对体外预应力FRP筋混凝土结构的推广应用起积极推动作用。      

Evaluation of prestressed basalt fiber and hybrid fiber reinforced polymer tendons under marine environment

This paper studies the degradation of the tensile properties of prestressed basalt fiber-reinforced polymer (BFRP) and hybrid FRP tendons in a marine environment. Two levels of prestressing toward typical prestressing applications were applied in the experiment. The variations of tensile strength, elastic modulus and the relevant coefficient of variation (CV) were first investigated. The effect of prestressing on tensile property degradation was discussed. The characteristics of prestressed hybrid FRP tendons in a marine environment simulated by a salt solution were clarified. Moreover, a prediction model of BFRP tendons with different levels of prestressing in a marine environment was proposed. The results show that the BFRP tendons’ superior resistance to salt corrosion and the degradation rate of their tensile strength is nonlinearly proportional to the prestressing ratios, whereas the elastic modulus remains constant regardless the prestressing ratio and aging duration. Although prestressing on BFRP tendons accelerates degradation, it can still lower the variation of the strength of the BFRP tendon. Hybridization can lower the degradation rate of basalt and carbon FRP (B/CFRP) without prestressing, whereas basalt and steel-wire FRP (B/SFRP) exhibit much faster degradation due to the internal corrosive steel wires. The model regression by the Napierian logarithm equation well represents the degradation trend of BFRP tendons under different levels of prestressing.     

Determination of transfer stress from ruptured pre-load galvanised tendons in tanks and bund walls

Circular concrete tanks and containment bunds constructed by the pre-load method involves pre-stressing the concrete by repeatedly wrapping layers of highly tensioned tendons. Each layer is covered with gunite. Corrosion may lead to rupture and an explosive type failure is avoided if the gunite is able to absorb the transfer stress. Zinc galvanizing is used to increase the tendons resistance to corrosion but its smoothness can influence bond characteristics, as can corrosion if extensive. This paper investigates the pre-stress transfer of ruptured pre-load tendons in gunite, both in the uncorroded and corroded state. Laboratory testing was conducted where tendons were pre-loaded in custom-built stressing moulds (to 1000 MPa) and simulated gunite applied. Different degrees of accelerated corrosion were applied to the tendons (0–10%). The bond stress at transfer was determined by measuring the contraction of the tendon during release of the pre-stress (replicating a broken tendon). The results show that a low bond stress was found either as a result of the smooth zinc coating (uncorroded tendons) or due to higher levels of corrosion. These results were compared to design equations from Eurocode 2 and recommendations are made for reducing the bond coefficient \( \upeta_{p1} \), the coefficient that takes into account the type of tendon and the bond situation. Analysis is subsequently conducted to determine the transfer stress in the gunite by modelling single and double tendon ruptures and establishing the magnitude of compressive stress which, if excessive, may lead to an explosive type failure of the gunite.     

配置核心钢管的钢筋混凝土柱-钢骨混凝土梁组合框架力学性能非线性分析

基于两榀配置核心钢管的钢筋混凝土柱-钢骨混凝土梁组合框架试件在水平低周往复荷载作用下的试验结果,分别采用三维实体单元和纤维梁柱单元建立了试验框架数值模型,并开展力学性能和滞回全过程分析。考察了试验框架的破坏形态和内置钢骨架、钢筋骨架及预应力筋的应力状态。对组合框架开展滞回性能参数分析,考察了柱长细比、轴压比、梁柱内型钢截面抵抗矩和配筋率、柱内钢管的含钢率、钢管约束系数和径厚比、混凝土强度和预应力度的影响,并在大量参数分析的基础上建立了单层单跨组合框架的恢复力模型。结果表明:基于三维实体单元的数值模型可较为直观的反应试件的破坏形态;计算所得组合框架滞回曲线较为饱满,具有良好的耗能能力,当轴压比超过0.6以后,组合框架的位移延性才有所变小,变形能力变差;建立的滞回模型可对组合框架在水平荷载下的滞回性能进行可靠的预测。     

Bond modelling of prestressed concrete during the prestressing force release

This paper presents an analytical model for simulating the bond between steel and concrete, in precast prestressed concrete elements, during the prestressing force release. The model establishes a relationship between bond stress, steel and concrete stress and slip in such concrete structures. This relationship allows us to evaluate the bond stress in the transmission zone, where bond stress is not constant, along the whole prestressing force release process. The model is validated with the results of a series of tests, considering different steel indentation depths and concrete covers and is extended to evaluate the transmission length. This capability has been checked by comparing the transmission length predicted by the model and one measured experimentally in two series of tests.     

Experimental and analytical studies of innovative prestressed concrete box-girder bridges

This paper presents experimental and analytical results of four scaled prestressed concrete box-girder bridges with corrugated steel webs. The location of prestressing strands at both ends of the specimens and the thickness of end diaphragms are the two major parameters. Based on the experimental results of all four specimens, their seismic behavior is critically examined, including hysteretic loops, ductility factor, dissipated energy, and failure mode, etc. It was found that both the thickness of end diaphragms and the location of prestressing strands at both ends of the specimens are insignificant when the specimens failed at the mid-span due to concrete crushing, and the proposed analytical model can be used to predict the load-displacement relationship of such bridges.     

Reliability of high performance fibre composites

Over the last decade, reinforcement made of fibre reinforced plastics has emerged as an alternative to steel reinforcement in concrete subject to aggressive environments. The high rupture strengths of these new materials allied with other attractive properties make them particularly interesting as prestressing tendons. In such applications the reliability has to be satisfactory not only in the prestressing operation but during actual use. This makes it necessary to have a material characterization where both the short term and the long term material responses are considered.     

Modeling of magnetic and magnetoelastic behavior of prestressingsteel near saturation

For the design of a magnetoelastic device for force measurements in tendons of prestressed concrete structures, magnetic and magnetoelastic measurement data of the BH-normal induction curve were determined for three prestressing steel specimens using a NPL-permeameter. These data were compared to three saturation models known from the literature: the linear (LSL), the quadratic (QSL) and the square-root (RSL) saturation law. The LSL, which was found to be the most suitable of them, is magnetoelastically generalized to the extended linear saturation law (ELSL). The magnetoelastic magnetization data of three selected prestressing steel specimens agree well with the ELSL-model equation. Model parameters, mechanical data and chemical composition of the three specimens are given     

Computer Aided Modeling of Magnetic Behavior of Embedded Prestressing Strand for Corrosion Estimation

This work presents a novel computer model which simulates the main magnetic flux (MMF) signal of prestressing strand subjected to a magnetic field. Magnetic inspection techniques have been shown to be effective in detecting hidden corrosion in embedded prestressing steel strand. However, such systems are not yet ready for field application. The development of computational models is a key step in making the technology practical. Magnetic behavior of prestressing steel strand is a feature that can be used to determine loss of mass or other defects in the strand. The magnitude of the MMF induced in the strand can be used to estimate the cross-sectional area of healthy steel in the strand. Thus, magnetic properties can be utilized to measure the amount of hidden corrosion in the strands embedded in prestressed bridges and, hence, be used to determine the capacity of the bridge. An MMF electromagnet-based sensor system was recently developed for corrosion detection using the same principle. 2D and 3D models of this sensor are developed using commercially available magnetic field simulation software. The models are validated using laboratory results from tests with prestressing strands using the MMF electromagnet-sensor system. A number of factors including diameter of the strand, thickness of the concrete cover, reluctance in the magnetic circuit and variations due to temperature rise that affect the magnitude of the induced magnetic field are considered. Accuracy of the model is compared with laboratory and theoretical values. The computational model can be used to estimate corrosion from field test results and advance the development of the MMF electromagnet-sensor system.     

轴压荷载下钢管钢筋混凝土损伤状态超声检测研究

在轴压荷载下分别对素混凝土、钢筋混凝土、钢管混凝土和钢管钢筋混凝土的损伤状态进行超声检测,得到不同荷载下超声通过柱的中截面的波形图,定义波形图均方根振幅和均方根振幅比,并分析混凝土裂隙的变化过程。通过对波形图进行快速傅里叶变换得到频谱图,基于固体介质裂化吸收高频声波能量,使超声主频向低频移动的原理,应用频谱图的第一主频及其幅值变化分析钢管内混凝土和钢筋混凝土的损伤演变过程。结果表明:声波波形均方根振幅、均方根振幅比和第一主频及其幅值可以有效反映钢管内混凝土和钢筋混凝土的裂隙变化情况。轴压荷载作用下钢管内钢筋混凝土的损伤呈五段式变化,分别为核心混凝土裂缝产生并发展、混凝土在钢管约束作用下逐步密实、混凝土裂缝迅速扩展、钢管套箍作用加强段和钢管屈曲后构件丧失承载力。通过钢管外壁的应变分析,表明钢管对核心混凝土的约束作用阶段与超声检测判定的混凝土损伤演化过程一致。超声波技术可以准确检测轴压荷载作用下钢管内钢筋混凝土的损伤状态并确定钢管对混凝土套箍作用的发挥阶段。     

悬臂施工连续梁桥顶板预应力束平弯段径向力效应

平面杆系模型无法考虑预应力束平弯效应的影响,三维实体模型的建立又过于复杂。针对此问题,该文以悬臂施工连续箱梁顶板为研究对象,推导了顶板中轴线处平弯束径向力效应引起的拉应力的弹性力学解。基于拉应力最大值往往是设计控制点,提出了等效宽度的概念,对弹性力学解进行进一步简化。最后,借助ANSYS软件进行算例验证。结果表明,随着平弯半径的增大,曲率逐渐减小,级数解推导过程中由平弯束“以直代曲”造成的误差逐渐减小,增加修正项以考虑平弯束斜率改变的影响后,数值解与公式解趋于一致,即简化后的公式是行之有效的。     

Constitutive modeling of reinforced concrete and prestressed concrete structures strengthened by fiber-reinforced plastics

A batch of constitutive models for steel reinforcing bar, prestressing tendon, concrete and fiber-reinforced plastic are proposed for the nonlinear finite element analysis of reinforced concrete structures, prestressed concrete structures, reinforced concrete structures strengthened by fiber-reinforced plastics and prestressed concrete structures strengthened by fiber-reinforced plastics. These material models have been tested against series of experimental data and good agreements have been obtained, which justifies the validity and the usefulness of the proposed nonlinear constitutive models.     

Fissuration des structures en béton précontraint: Modélisation, validation et interprétation

This paper discusses the influence of minimum rein-forcement on the cracking behaviour of prestressed concrete structures. It deals with modelling of the reclosing of cracks induced by a permanent compressive stress due to prestressing. Concrete, reinforcement and bond are described by a set of constitutive laws for loading and unloading taking into account the softening of cracked concrete and creep of the bond between steel and surrounding concrete. The computerised model allows to determine steel-to-concrete slip, bond stress, concrete stress and steel stress along the transmission length. It is also able to calculate the transmission length between the crack and the homogeneous section (state I). Good agreement was observed between the analytical model and the results of 11 large scale tests of RC &; PC tie elements performed at Swiss Federal Institute of Technology at Lausanne. This paper also presents some applications and conclusions of a large parametric study performed using the analytical model.     

CFRP筋-高强钢筋/高强混凝土柱的抗震性能

为了研究高强钢筋和碳纤维增强树脂复合材料(CFRP)混合配筋/高强混凝土柱的抗震性能,对CFRP筋-高强钢筋混合配筋的高强混凝土柱进行了低周反复荷载试验和有限元分析,研究了CFRP筋的粘结条件、不同轴压比以及高强混凝土种类等参数对其抗震性能的影响。结果表明:所有的高强混合配筋高强混凝土柱均发生延性破坏;在相同条件下,高强混合配筋混凝土中分别添加了钢纤维活性粉末和钢纤维后,表现出更好的耗能能力和延性;有粘结CFRP筋混合配筋高强混凝土柱比无粘结CFRP筋混合配筋柱的变形能力和承载力分别提高了9.6%和17.1%,但是延性系数降低了22.5%;在延性破坏的条件下,随着轴压比的增加,CFRP筋-高强钢筋混合配筋柱的屈服强度和极限强度明显增大,极限位移和耗能能力也逐渐减小;高强钢筋和CFRP筋配筋率越高,高强混合配筋柱的极限承载力和变形能力越大。