Probabilistic Models for Fatigue Resistance of Seven-Wire Prestressing Strands and Stay Cables
Publication: Journal of Bridge Engineering
Volume 26, Issue 10
Abstract
Parallel seven-wire steel prestressing strands are the dominant form of the main tension elements (MTE) used in stay cables. In this paper, probabilistic models for fatigue resistance of seven-wire prestressing strands that are not embedded in concrete and are subjected to axial stresses are developed. Available test data from seven-wire strand fatigue tests were collected and analyzed to develop probabilistic models and nonlinear S–N curves using survival analysis techniques. Results indicate that the fatigue resistance of classic stress-relieved strands produced before early 1980s is higher than the modern low-relaxation strands that have been manufactured since then. Neither the conventional classic nor the modern strands have a good chance of passing the fatigue qualification tests required by the latest design standards for use in stay cables. Only the cable-quality (CQ) strands can pass the latest fatigue qualification tests with a less than 2.5% probability of failure. Nonlinear S–N equations for all three strand types and stay cables made with CQ strands are proposed using a log-logistic parametric survival model.
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Acknowledgments
This research was performed in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the University of Wisconsin—Milwaukee through internal university funding. The authors express their sincere appreciation to Mr. David Goodyear and Mr. Khaled Shawwaf for their valuable comments and input on the development of PTI DC-45 committee standards since its inception in 1983. The authors are also grateful to Mr. Richard O. Lewis, Mr. Christopher F. Reeve, and Mr. Mukesh Verma for their discussions and input on wire metallurgy as well as the mechanical properties and manufacturing processes of steel wire and strand. The authors are grateful to Mr. Gary Gan for providing the stay cable strand qualification test data. Finally, the authors appreciate the guidance and encouragement provided by Mr. Adrian T. Ciolko.
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Published In
Journal of Bridge Engineering
Volume 26 • Issue 10 • October 2021
Copyright
© 2021 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Mar 7, 2021
Accepted: May 27, 2021
Published online: Jul 22, 2021
Published in print: Oct 1, 2021
Discussion open until: Dec 22, 2021
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