Study of the bond and splitting in pretensioned concrete elements

Abstract

This paper shows the results of the research project dealing with the splitting failure of the prestressed concrete elements during the release of prestressing force. The research project includes the study of the influence of the splitting in the bond capacity of these elements. The paper presents a novel testing procedure to evaluate bond-slip between steel and concrete, and its relation to the splitting action of the pretensioned indented wire. The geometry of the indented wires and the concrete cover were studied. 27 specimens, combining 3 depths of the indentations and 3 concrete covers, were tested. Also, a numerical procedure is developed to model the bondslip, taking into account the concrete splitting. The model uses parameters with fully physical meaning, which can be measured experimentally. The numerical procedure accurately reproduces the experimental records.