Stiffness and Crack Behavior of Unbonded Posttensioned Concrete Beam Strengthened with Aluminum Alloy Plate

Corrosion resistance of aluminum alloy plates externally bonded by magnesium phosphate cement provides the ability to strengthen inshore infrastructures in harsh environments subject to moisture and humidity. In this study, the aim is to study the stiffness and cracking behavior of concrete beams using this strengthening technique. Six damaged unbonded posttensioned concrete beams were repaired and strengthened and then subjected to monotonic load until failure. This technique improved the stiffness and limited the development of cracks. The formula of elastic-plastic stiffness coefficient related to the comprehensive reinforcement index was established. An influence coefficient δ considering the effect of aluminum alloy plates and unbonded tendons was introduced, and the crack expansion coefficient under short-term load was obtained by statistical analysis. Finally, some simplified methods were proposed to evaluate the stiffness and cracks of unbonded posttensioned concrete beams strengthened with aluminum alloy plates.

Flexural Behavior of Posttensioned Concrete Beams with Unbonded High-Strength Strands

This paper assesses the applicability of high-strength strands to current design codes and various existing equations. To evaluate the flexural performance of posttensioned concrete members with Grade 2400 strands, a flexural experiment was conducted on eleven specimens. Test variables included the tensile strength of strands, the number of strands, the cross-section shape, and anchorage zone reinforcement details. The test results were compared with ACI 318-19, AASHTO, and equations of Du and Tao, Naaman and Alkhari, and Harajli to evaluate the applicability of flexural strength equations for posttensioned concrete members using unbonded high-strength strands. Results indicated that the provisions of ACI 318-19 and AASHTO design codes and the existing equations underestimated the increased stress of the high-strength strands. Additionally, results demonstrate that improved equations are needed to consider the strain-compatibility model, plastic hinge length, and relationship between bonded reinforcement, concrete, and prestressing steel in posttensioned members using high-strength strands.

Flexural Behaviour of Unbonded Posttensioned Concrete Beam Strengthened with Aluminium Alloy Plates

Owing to their high corrosion resistance, aluminium alloy (AA) plates bonded with magnesium phosphate cement (MPC) are considered as a viable candidate for reinforcing inshore infrastructures that are subject to severe environmental conditions and vapor atmospheres. Therefore, the aim of this study is the evaluation of the flexural behaviour of simple beams that are strengthened using this technique. Six unbonded posttensioned concrete (UPC) beams with different reinforcement ratios are damaged by static loads and then repaired and strengthened using AA plates. The failures under two-point loading are then investigated. Thereafter, a simplified method is proposed for the evaluation of the flexural strength of a UPC beam strengthened by an AA plate with MPC. The flexural strengths of the six specimens increase by an average of 14%, and the displacement ductility factor decreases by an average of 34.14%. Moreover, the increase and decrease ratios are proportional and inversely proportional to the comprehensive reinforcement index, respectively. The influences of the three main factors on the flexural strength of the AA plate are determined: the increase in the stress of the unbonded tendons, stress at the midspan and slippage at the ends of the AA plate, and increase ratio of the flexural strength. It shows that the AA plates bonded with MPC can be used successfully in concrete strengthening.

Effect of shear span-to-depth ratio on posttensioned concrete crane beams shear capacity

The shear span-to-depth ratio has the most significant influence on the shear capacity of beams and determines their failure mode. The subject of the current project is the shear capacity of precast posttensioned concrete crane beams disassembled after more than fifty years of being used in an industrial plant. The paper gives the theoretical basis for the shear capacity of such elements as well as standard design models. The conducted tests showed that despite the low shear reinforcement ratio, the elements do not fail in a brittle mode but show a clear indication of prospective destruction. It was also confirmed that in the case of poorly shear-reinforced PC elements, a clear arch action can be distinguished with a low shear span-to-depth ratio, whereas in the case of a higher ratio there is a classical beam action.