Influence of grouting condition on crack and load-carrying capacity of post-tensioned concrete beam due to chloride-induced corrosion

Chloride-induced corrosions of a sheath and a prestressing tendon in post-tensioned concrete (PC) beams are investigated under different grouting conditions. Two series PC beams were tested by the electrically accelerated corrosion. The first series of accelerated corrosion tests were performed to determine the influence of grouted ratios in a straight sheath on the corrosion of the sheath and the prestressing tendon. In the second series of tests, the influence of the length of grout filling was investigated in a curved sheath on the corrosion process. After the accelerated corrosion tests, the mechanical behavior of the deteriorated PC beams was investigated under flexural loading. The results of the experiments show that corrosion of the sheath and the prestressing tendon significantly decreases the load-carrying capacity of PC beams. As the grouted ratios in the straight sheath and the length of grout filling in the curved sheath increase, the cracks due to corrosion of the sheath propagate earlier along the prestressing tendon and the width of the cracks increases. From the view point of load-carrying capacity, it is verified that proper grouting can protect a prestressing tendon from corrosion despite the wider cracks due to corrosion of the sheath. The presence of water inside the sheath leads to increased corrosion of both the sheath and the prestressing tendon, resulting in the decrease in the load-carrying capacity of the PC beam.