Effect of Strand Indentation Types on the Development Length and Flexural Capacity of Concrete Railroad Ties Made With Different Prestressing Strands

Author(s):  
Amir Farid Momeni ◽  
Robert J. Peterman ◽  
B. Terry Beck ◽  
Chih-Hang John Wu

Pretensioned concrete prisms made with five different prestressing strand types (four 7-wire strands and one 3-wire strand) were load tested to failure to understand the effect of strand indentation types on the development length and bonding performance of these different reinforcements. The prestressing strands were denoted SA, SB, SD, SE and SF. SA was a smooth strand while the other four were indented strands. All strands utilized in manufacturing ofprisms had diameter of 3/8″ (9.52 mm). Among all types of strands, SF was the only 3-wire strand and the remaining strands were all 7-wire strands. For all types of strands, four straight strands were embedded into each concrete prism, which had a 5.5″ (139.7 mm) × 5.5″ (139.7 mm) square cross section. The strands were tensioned to 75 percent of ultimate tensile strength of strands and gradually de-tensioned when the concrete compressive strength reached 4500 psi (31.03 Mpa). A consistent concrete mixture with type III cement, water-cement ratio of 0.32 and a 6-in. slump was used for all prisms. Prisms were load tested in 3-point-bending at different embedment lengths to obtain estimations of the development length of each type of strand. Two out of three identical 69-in.-long (175.26 cm) prisms were load tested at one end and one was tested at both ends for each reinforcement type evaluated. First prisms were tested at 28-in. (71.12 cm) from the end, while second prisms were tested at 20-in. (33.02 cm) from the end. Third prisms were loaded at 16.5-in. (41.9 cm) from one end and 13-in. (33.02 cm) from the other end. Thus, a total of 20 load tests (5 strand types × 4 tests each) were conducted in this study. During each test, a concentrated load with the rate of 900 lb/min (4003 N/min) was applied at mid-span until failure occurred. Values of load, mid-span deflection, and strand endslip were continuously monitored and recorded during each test. Plots of load-vs-deflection were then compared for prisms with each strand type and span, and the maximum sustained moment was also calculated for each test. The load tests revealed that there is a large difference in the development length of the strands based on their indentation type.

Author(s):  
Amir Farid Momeni ◽  
Robert J. Peterman ◽  
B. Terry Beck ◽  
Chih-Hang John Wu ◽  
Naga Narendra B. Bodapati

Load tests were conducted on pretensioned concrete prisms cast with 13 different 5.32-mm-diameter prestressing wire types that are used in the manufacture of pretensioned concrete railroad ties worldwide. The tests were specifically designed to evaluate the development length and bonding performance of these different reinforcements. The prestressing wires were denoted “WA” through “WM” and indentation types included smooth, spiral, chevron, diamond, and 2-dot and 4-dot. Four wires were embedded into each concrete prism, which had a 3.5″ (88.9 mm) × 3.5″ (88.9 mm) square cross section. The wires were initially tensioned to 7000 pounds (31.14 KN) and gradually de-tensioned when the concrete compressive strength reached 4500 psi (31.03 Mpa). A consistent concrete mixture with type III cement, water-cement ratio of 0.32 and a 6-in. slump was used for all prisms. Prisms were tested in 3-point-bending at different spans to obtain estimations of the development length of each type of reinforcement. Two identical 69-in.-long (175.26 cm) prisms were load tested, at both ends, for each reinforcement type evaluated. First prisms were tested at 20-in. (50.8 cm) from one end and 13-in. (33.02 cm) from the other end, whereas the second prisms were loaded at 16.5-in. (41.9 cm) from one end and 9.5-in. (24.13 cm) from the other end. Thus, a total of 52 load tests (13 wire types × 4 tests each) were conducted in this study. During each test, a concentrate load with the rate of 300 lb/min (1334 N/min) was applied at mid-span until failure occurred, and values of load, mid-span deflection, and wire end-slip were continuously monitored and recorded. Plots of load-vs-deflection were then compared for prisms with each wire type and span, and the maximum sustained moment was also calculated for each test. The load tests revealed that there is a very large difference in the development length of the different wire types currently used in the manufacture of pretensioned concrete railroad ties. The results imply that there would also likely be large differences in the reserve capacity (beyond first cracking) for pretensioned concrete crossties fabricated with these different reinforcements.


Author(s):  
Amir Farid Momeni ◽  
Robert J. Peterman ◽  
B. Terry Beck ◽  
Chih-Hang John Wu ◽  
Naga Narendra B. Bodapati

Load tests were conducted on pretensioned members made with five different strands (three 7-wire strands and two 3-wire strands) to determine the effect of concrete release strength on the development length and flexural capacity of members. Strands named generically SA, SC, SD, SE and SF and they were all indented except SA (no surface indentation). All strands had diameter of 3/8″ (9.52 mm) except SC which had diameter of 5/16″ (7.94 mm). Among all types of strands used in manufacturing of test prisms, SC and SF were 3-wire strands, while SA, SD and SE were 7-wire strands. A consistent concrete mixture was used for the manufacture of all test specimens, and the different release strengths were obtained by allowing the specimens to cure for different amounts of time prior to de-tensioning. For SA, SD, SE and SF strands, each prismatic specimen (prism) had a 5.5″ (139.7 mm) × 5.5″ (139.7 mm) square cross section with four strands arranged symmetrically. However, prisms made with SC strand had 4.5″ (114.3 mm) × 4.5″ (114.3 mm) square cross section with four strands arranged symmetrically. The prisms were identical except for the strand type and the compressive strength at the time of de-tensioning. All four strands were pulled and de-tensioned gradually when the concrete compressive strength reached 3500 (24.13 MPa), 4500 (31.03 MPa) and 6000 (41.37 MPa) psi. Precise de-tensioning strengths were ensured by testing 4-in.-diameter (101.6 mm) × 8-in.-long (203.2 mm) compression strength cylinders that were temperature match-cured. The prisms were loaded in 3-point-bending to determine the ultimate bond characteristics of each reinforcement type for the different concrete release strengths. A loading rate of 900 lb/min (4003 N/min) for 5.5″ (139.7 mm) × 5.5″ (139.7 mm) prisms was applied at mid-span and the maximum sustained moment was calculated for each. Same procedure with loading rate of 500 lb/min (2224 N/min) was applied to 4.5″ (114.3 mm) × 4.5″ (114.3 mm) prisms. Three 69-in.-long (175.26 cm) prisms, each having different concrete release strength, were tested with each of the 5 strand types. Two out of three testing prisms were tested at only one end and one was tested at its both ends. Thus, for each strand type and concrete release strength evaluated, a total of 4 tests were conducted for a total of 60 tests (5 strand types × 3 release strengths × 4 tested embedment lengths). Test results indicate that the concrete compressive strength at de-tensioning can have a direct impact on the ultimate flexural capacity of the members, and this has significant design implications for pretensioned concrete railroad ties. Results are discussed and recommendations made.


Author(s):  
Amir Farid Momeni ◽  
Robert J. Peterman ◽  
B. Terry Beck ◽  
Chih-Hang John Wu ◽  
Naga Narendra B. Bodapati

Load tests were conducted on pretensioned concrete prisms cast with 13 different 5.32-mm-diameter prestressing wire types that are used in the manufacture of pretensioned concrete railroad ties worldwide. The tests were specifically designed to evaluate the bond performance of wires with different indentation type under the cyclic loading. The prestressing wires were denoted “WA” through “WM” and indentation types included smooth, spiral, chevron, diamond, 2-dot and 4-dot. Four wires were embedded into each concrete prism, which had a 3.5″ (88.9 mm) × 3.5″ (88.9 mm) square cross section. The wires were initially pulled to 7000 pounds (31.14 KN) and gradually de-tensioned when the concrete compressive strength reached 4500 psi (31.03 MPa). A consistent concrete mixture with type III cement, water-cement ratio of 0.32 and a 6-in. slump was used for all prisms. For each type of wire one 69 in-long (175.26 cm) prism was tested in 4-point-bending under the cyclic load and one under static load at 20-in (50.8 cm) embedment length. For cyclic load tests, the prisms were supported by two rollers spanning 45″ (114.3 cm) and load was applied on a spreading beam set on the top of the test prism. The prism setup and loading configuration were symmetric and load was applied to the prism from spreading beam to two bearings spaced 15″ (38.1 cm) apart. During each test, a concentrated load with the rate of 250 lb/min (1112 N/min) was applied until two cracks were observed at the maximum moment region on the test prisms (region between two bearings). Once cracks were observed, the load was held constant for 3 minutes at the cracking load. After holding load constant for three minutes, load started to cycle between 400 lb (1779 N) to 4000 lb (17790 N) with the frequency of 3 Hz. The test was designed to go through 200,000 cycles and interlock limits were assigned to the program to stop the test in case of prism failure under the cyclic loading. For prisms able to finish 200,000 cycles of load, the procedure was to unload to zero and start loading the prism with the rate of 250 lb/min (1112 N/min) until prism failed. Values of load, mid-span deflection, and wires end-slip were continuously monitored and recorded during each test. Load-vs-deflection graphs were then plotted and compared for prisms with each wire type, and the maximum sustained moment was also calculated for each test. Also, a set of statically load tests were conducted on the identical pretensioned prisms to compare the results of statically and cyclically load tests. The cyclic load tests revealed that there is a significant difference in the bond performance of different wire types under the cyclic loading and they behave differently under cycles of loadings and unloadings.


Author(s):  
Amir Farid Momeni ◽  
Robert J. Peterman ◽  
B. Terry Beck ◽  
Chih-Hang John Wu ◽  
Naga Narendra B. Bodapati

A study was conducted to determine the effect of concrete release strength on the development length and flexural capacity of members utilizing five different 5.32-mm-diameter prestressing wires that are commonly used in the manufacture of prestressed concrete railroad ties worldwide. These included two chevron-indented wires with different indent depths, one spiral-indented wire, one dot-indented wire, and one smooth wire (with no surface indentation). A consistent concrete mixture was used for the manufacture of all test specimens, and the different release strengths were obtained by allowing the specimens to cure for different amounts of time prior to de-tensioning. Each prismatic specimen (prism) had a 3.5″ (88.9 mm) × 3.5″ (88.9 mm) square cross section with four wires arranged symmetrically. The prisms were identical except for the wire type and the compressive strength at the time of de-tensioning. All four wires were each initially tensioned to 7000 pounds (31.14 KN) and then de-tensioned gradually when the concrete compressive strength reached 3500 (24.13 MPa), 4500 (31.03 MPa) and 6000 (41.37 MPa) psi. Precise de-tensioning strengths were ensured by testing 4-in.-diameter (101.6 mm) × 8-in.-long (203.2 mm) compression strength cylinders that were temperature match-cured. The prisms were loaded in 3-point-bending to determine the ultimate bond characteristics of each reinforcement type for the different concrete release strengths. A loading rate of 300 lb/min (1334 N/min) was applied at mid-span and the maximum sustained moment was calculated for each test. Two 69-in.-long (175.26 cm) prisms, each having different concrete release strength, were tested with each of the 5 wire types. These prisms were tested at both ends, with a different embedment length assessed at each end. Thus, for each wire type and concrete release strength evaluated, a total of 4 tests were conducted for a total of 60 tests (5 wire types × 3 release strengths × 4 tested embedment lengths). Test results indicate that the concrete compressive strength at de-tensioning can have a direct impact on the ultimate flexural capacity of the members, and this has significant design implications for pretensioned concrete railroad ties. Results are discussed and recommendations made.


Author(s):  
A. G. Korchunov ◽  
E. M. Medvedeva ◽  
E. M. Golubchik

The modern construction industry widely uses reinforced concrete structures, where high-strength prestressing strands are used. Key parameters determining strength and relaxation resistance are a steel microstructure and internal stresses. The aim of the work was a computer research of a stage-by-stage formation of internal stresses during production of prestressing strands of structure 1х7(1+6), 12.5 mm diameter, 1770 MPa strength grade, made of pearlitic steel, as well as study of various modes of mechanical and thermal treatment (MTT) influence on their distribution. To study the effect of every strand manufacturing operation on internal stresses of its wires, the authors developed three models: stranding and reducing a 7-wire strand; straightening of a laid strand, stranding and MTT of a 7-wire strand. It was shown that absolute values of residual stresses and their distribution in a wire used for strands of a specified structure significantly influence performance properties of strands. The use of MTT makes it possible to control in a wide range a redistribution of residual stresses in steel resulting from drawing and strand laying processes. It was established that during drawing of up to 80% degree, compressive stresses of 1100-1200 MPa degree are generated in the central layers of wire. The residual stresses on the wire surface accounted for 450-500 MPa and were tension in nature. The tension within a range of 70 kN to 82 kN combined with a temperature range of 360-380°С contributes to a two-fold decrease in residual stresses both in the central and surface layers of wire. When increasing temperature up to 400°С and maintaining the tension, it is possible to achieve maximum balance of residual stresses. Stranding stresses, whose high values entail failure of lay length and geometry of the studied strand may be fully eliminated only at tension of 82 kN and temperature of 400°С. Otherwise, stranding stresses result in opening of strands.


2019 ◽  
Vol 2019 ◽  
pp. 1-17 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gang Zheng ◽  
Yawei Lei ◽  
Tao Cui ◽  
Xuesong Cheng ◽  
Yu Diao ◽  
...  

The uniform rigidity ring model is commonly used to design the segmented structures of shield tunnels. However, model tests have been primarily used to study the transverse effective rigidity ratio η with a concentrated force, which is notably different from realistic loading patterns. To obtain more reasonable η values, in this study, tests were performed with a concentrated load on an experimental bench and with a realistic loading pattern in sandy soil in a rigid steel tank. Three types of segmental ring models were designed and tested: straight-jointed, stagger-jointed, and uniform rings. The test results indicated that the η values of the stagger-jointed assembly mode were clearly larger than those of the straight-jointed assembly mode under both loading patterns. η increased as the load increased under the realistic loading conditions, whereas η decreased as the load increased under the concentrated load. More importantly, the η values derived from the realistic load tests were considerably larger than those derived from the concentrated load tests for both assembly modes (i.e., 0.423–0.672 and 0.587–0.761 for the straight-jointed and stagger-jointed assembly modes, respectively), and the former should be recommended for practical engineering applications. Furthermore, formulas relating η to the ratio of the cover depth to the tunnel diameter were proposed for sandy soil.


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