Abstract ▼ AI-Helper

The cracking behavior of prestressed concrete members is important for the rational design of prestressed concrete structures. However, the test data on the cracking behavior of prestressed concrete structures are very limited. The purpose of the present study is to investigate the crack spacing and...

The cracking behavior of prestressed concrete members is important for the rational design of prestressed concrete structures. However, the test data on the cracking behavior of prestressed concrete structures are very limited. The purpose of the present study is to investigate the crack spacing and crack width in transversely post-tensioned decks of concrete box girder bridges under applied loading. For this purpose, large scale test members of concrete box girder segments were fabricated and tested. The crack widths, crack spacings and crack patterns were investigated for various load levels. The crack widths and steel strains were continuously monitored during the loading process. To derive a rational predicton equation for crack width, the bond characteristics of post-tensioned steel and nonprestressed rebar in the PSC members were explored first. This was done by measuring the strains of prestressing steel and nonprestressed rebar in the test members under loading. A simple equation for the prediction of maximum crack width in transversely post-tensioned concrete one-way slabs is proposed by considering bond characteristic of prestressing steel and nonprestressed reinforcement. The comparison of proposed equation with experimental data shows good correlation. The present study indicates that ACI and CEB-FIP code equations exhibit rather large deviation from test data on prestressed concrete members.