Experimental Investigation on Nonlinear Flexural Behavior of Post-Tensioned Concrete Bridge Girders with Different Grouting Conditions and Prestress Levels
Publication: Journal of Bridge Engineering
Volume 29, Issue 3
Abstract
In past decades, the occurrence of catastrophic collapses in post-tensioned concrete (PC) bridges in several countries has raised major concerns about their load-bearing capacity, calling for numerical and experimental studies on the effects of aging, deterioration, and construction defects. In order to investigate the influence of residual prestressing levels and the imperfect grouting of ducts in PC bridges, we undertook an experimental study on the flexural behavior of six PC girders prestressed with two monostrand tendons having a nearly parabolic route. The specimens’ geometry was properly designed based on a 1:5 length scale, assuming a prototype representative of simply supported, beam-type highway bridges in Italy. Two prestress levels were considered as being representative of the expected and defective post-tensioning levels, as observed in several existing bridges. In combination with a different prestressing level, the specimens’ ducts were provided with either full grouting, partial grouting, or no grouting in order to consider the whole range of possible bonding conditions for post-tensioning tendons. The girders were tested in a four-point bending configuration under a quasi-static cyclic protocol up to force-based performance levels, followed by a monotonic loading protocol with displacement control up to failure. The different impacts of the prestress level and grouting condition were addressed in terms of the initial (uncracked) behavior, post-cracking behavior, and ultimate capacity. Limited serviceability was achieved in the case of lower prestressing levels, while a 12% to 15% lower load-bearing capacity was attained in the case of unbonded tendons. In the last section of the paper, an analytical study on the initial stiffness and moment–curvature behavior is discussed in support of the interpretation of the experimental findings.
Get full access to this article
View all available purchase options and get full access to this article.
Data Availability Statement
All data, models, or code that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.
Acknowledgments
This study was developed as part of the CSLLP-ReLUIS and FIRMITAS projects (Grant No. 2020P5572N), which were funded by the Italian High Council of Public Works and the Italian Ministry of University and Research, respectively.
Notation
The following symbols are used in this paper:
- Ap
- total area of prestressing steel;
- As
- total area of mild steel;
- b
- flange width;
- bbot
- horizontal distance between two measuring points of the bottom LVDT;
- beff
- slab effective width;
- btop
- horizontal distance between two measuring points of the top LVDT;
- de
- externally measured vertical displacement;
- dLVDT
- vertical distance between the top and bottom LVDT;
- Ecm(t)
- Young’s modulus of the concrete at time t;
- Ep
- Young’s modulus of the prestressing steel;
- Fe
- externally imposed vertical force;
- Fe,max
- maximum value of the externally imposed vertical force;
- F1
- peak vertical force of the first level of the cyclic protocol (P1L1);
- F2
- peak vertical force of the second level of the cyclic protocol (P1L2);
- F3
- peak vertical force of the third level of the cyclic protocol (P1L3);
- fpt
- prestressing steel ultimate tensile stress;
- fpy
- analytical yield stress of the prestressing steel;
- fp1
- prestressing steel tensile stress at 1% of total deformation;
- fsy
- yielding stress of the mild steel;
- H
- total height of the specimens;
- second-order moment of inertia of the girder cross-section with bonded tendons;
- IDL
- deviation from linearity index;
- IG(z)
- second-order moment of inertia of the girder cross-section;
- IR
- repeatability index;
- second-order moment of inertia of the girder cross-section with unbonded tendons;
- second-order moment of inertia of the girder gross-section;
- Ip
- permanency index;
- K1
- precracking vertical stiffness of the girder;
- L
- total length of the specimens;
- Me
- bending moment due to external loading;
- Me,SLS
- bending moment related to the serviceability limit state;
- Me,ULS
- bending moment related to the ultimate limit state;
- Me,max
- maximum value of the bending moment due to external loading;
- Me,1.5xULS
- bending moment related to 1.5 x the ultimate limit state;
- analytical bending moment calculated assuming fpy = fpt;
- analytical bending moment calculated assuming fpy = fp1;
- Pi
- prestressing force after instantaneous losses;
- Ppy
- tendon yield strength corresponging to fpy;
- Ptarget
- initial prestressing force;
- Ptest
- prestressing force after instantaneous and time-dependent losses;
- Rcm
- mean cubic strength of concrete;
- SE
- elastic modulus scale factor;
- SL
- length scale factor;
- t
- slab thickness;
- tw
- web thickness;
- ΔP
- variation of the prestressing force;
- Δbot
- horizontal displacement of the bottom LVDT;
- Δtop
- horizontal displacement of the top LVDT;
- σtest
- prestress at the time of testing;
- equivalent diameter of the prestressing tendon; and
- χe
- curvature due to external loading.
References
Abdel-Jaber, H., and B. Glisic. 2019. “Monitoring of prestressing forces in prestressed concrete structures—An overview.” Struct. Control Health Monit. 26 (8): e2374.
ACI (American Concrete Institute). 2007. Load tests of concrete structures: Methods, magnitude, protocols, and acceptance criteria. ACI 437-07. Farmington Hills, MI: ACI.
Ahlborn, T. M., C. K. Shield, and C. W. French. 1997. “Full-scale testing of prestressing concrete bridge girder.” Exp. Tech. 21: 33–35. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1747-1567.1997.tb00490.x.
Alampalli, S., D. M. Frangopol, J. Grimson, M. W. Halling, D. E. Kosnik, E. O. L. Lantsoght, D. Yang, and Y. E. Zhou. 2021. “Bridge load testing: State-of-the-practice.” J. Bridge Eng. 26 (3): 03120002. https://doi.org/10.1061/(asce)be.1943-5592.0001678.
ANAS (Azienda Nazionale Autonoma delle Strade Statali). 2020. Ispezioni approfondita di impalcati da ponte con travi da ponte in c.a.p. a cavi post-tesi. [In Italian.] Roma: Centro Sperimentale Stradale di Cesano.
Anitori, G., J. R. Casas, and M. Ghosn. 2013. “Redundancy and robustness in the design and evaluation of bridges: European and North American perspectives.” J. Bridge Eng. 18 (12): 1241–1251. https://doi.org/10.1061/(asce)be.1943-5592.0000545.
Borzi, B., P. Ceresa, P. Franchin, F. Noto, G. M. Calvi, and P. E. Pinto. 2015. “Seismic vulnerability of the Italian roadway bridge stock.” Earthquake Spectra 31 (4): 2137–2161. https://doi.org/10.1193/070413EQS190M.
CEN (European Committee for Standardization). 1991. Actions on structures—Part 2: Traffic loads on bridges. EN 1991-2: Eurocode 1. Brussels, Belgium: CEN.
CEN (European Committee for Standardization). 2004. Design of concrete structures—Part 1-1: General rules and rules for buildings. EN 1992-1-1: Eurocode 2. Brussels, Belgium: CEN.
Chen, S.-Z., G. Wu, D.-C. Feng, Z. Wang, and X.-Y. Cao. 2020. “Multi-cross-reference method for highway-bridge damage identification based on long-gauge fiber Bragg-grating sensors.” J. Bridge Eng. 25 (6): 04020023. https://doi.org/10.1061/(asce)be.1943-5592.0001542.
Cook, W., P. J. Barr, and M. W. Halling. 2015. “Bridge failure rate.” J. Perform. Constr. Facil. 29 (3): 04014080. https://doi.org/10.1061/(asce)cf.1943-5509.0000571.
Cosenza, E., and D. Losanno. 2021. “Assessment of existing reinforced-concrete bridges under road-traffic loads according to the new Italian guidelines.” Struct. Concr. 22 (5): 2868–2881. https://doi.org/10.1002/suco.202100147.
Deng, L., M. Ghosn, A. Znidaric, and J. R. Casas. 2001. “Nonlinear flexural behavior of prestressed concrete girder bridges.” J. Bridge Eng. 6 (4): 276–284. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)1084-0702(2001)6:4(276).
Deng, L., W. Wang, and Y. Yu. 2016. “State-of-the-art review on the causes and mechanisms of bridge collapse.” J. Perform. Constr. Facil. 30 (2): 04015005. https://doi.org/10.1061/(asce)cf.1943-5509.0000731.
DOT. 2013. Guidelines for sampling, assessing, and restoring defective grout in prestressed concrete bridge post-tensioning ducts. Washington, DC: DOT.
DYWIDAG (Dyckerhoff & Widmann AG). 2022. Bonded post-tensioning systems using strands. Munich, Germany: DYWIDAG.
fib (Fédération internationale du béton). 2001. Durability of post-tensioning tendons. fib Bulletins 15. Ghent, Belgium: fib.
Franceschini, L., F. Vecchi, B. Belletti, C. Andrade, and H.-C. Peiretti. 2022. “Analytical method for the evaluation of the residual service life of prestressed concrete beams subjected to corrosion deterioration.” Struct. Concr. 23 (1): 121–137. https://doi.org/10.1002/suco.202100245.
Frangopol, D. M., F. Asce, A. Strauss, and S. Kim. 2008. “Bridge reliability assessment based on monitoring.” J. Bridge Eng. 13 (3): 258–270. https://doi.org/10.1061/ASCE1084-0702200813:3258.
Galano, S., D. Losanno, G. Miluccio, and F. Parisi. 2023a. “Multidimensional nonlinear numerical simulation of post-tensioned concrete girders with different prestressing levels.” Struct. Concr. https://doi.org/10.1002/suco.202300272.
Galano, S., D. Losanno, and F. Parisi. 2023b. “Experimental and numerical evaluation of the flexural response of post-tensioned concrete girders with different prestressing levels and grouting conditions.” Eng. Struct.
Galano, S., S. Ravasini, L. Franceschini, D. Losanno, B. Belletti, F. Parisi, and S. Aida. 2023c. “Numerical simulations of a benchmark reduced-scale post-tensioned concrete bridge girder with corroded strands.” In Proc., Capacity Assessment of Corroded Reinforced Concrete Structures: From Research to Daily Engineering Evaluation. Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Gino, D., P. Castaldo, G. Bertagnoli, L. Giordano, and G. Mancini. 2020. “Partial factor methods for existing structures according to fib Bulletins 80: Assessment of an existing prestressed concrete bridge.” Struct. Concr. 21 (1): 15–31. https://doi.org/10.1002/suco.201900231.
Granata, M. F., and A. Recupero. 2015. “Serviceability and ultimate safety checks of segmental concrete bridges through N-M and M-V interaction domains.” J. Bridge Eng. 20 (8): B4014003. https://doi.org/10.1061/(asce)be.1943-5592.0000686.
Granata, M. F., A. Recupero, G. Culotta, and M. Arici. 2021. “Influence of axial force and corrosion on failure of prestressed concrete structures considering M-V interaction.” Eng. Struct. 242: 112552. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.engstruct.2021.112552.
Harries, K. A. 2009. “Structural testing of prestressed concrete girders from the Lake View Drive Bridge.” J. Bridge Eng. 14 (2): 78–92. https://doi.org/10.1061/ASCE1084-0702200914:278.
Harris, H. G., and G. M. Sabnis. 1999. “Engineering & technology, mathematics & statistics.” In Structural modeling and experimental techniques, edited by T. Pletsher, and C. Whitehead, 808. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press.
Holzer, S. M., R. J. Melash, R. M. Barker, and A. E. Somers. 1975. Singer: A computer code for general analysis of two-dimensional reinforced concrete structures. Blacksburg, VA: Defense Technical Information Center.
La Mendola, L., M. C. Oddo, M. Papia, F. Pappalardo, A. Pennisi, G. Bertagnoli, F. Di Trapani, A. Monaco, F. Parisi, and S. Barile. 2021. “Performance of two innovative stress sensors imbedded in mortar joints of new masonry elements.” Constr. Build. Mater. 297: 123764. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2021.123764.
Losanno, D., A. Calabrese, I. E. Madera-Sierra, M. Spizzuoco, J. Marulanda, P. Thomson, and G. Serino. 2022. “Recycled versus natural-rubber fiber-reinforced bearings for base isolation: Review of the experimental findings.” J. Earthquake Eng. 26 (4): 1921–1940. https://doi.org/10.1080/13632469.2020.1748764.
Miluccio, G., D. Losanno, F. Parisi, and E. Cosenza. 2021. “Traffic-load fragility models for prestressed concrete girder decks of existing Italian highway bridges.” Eng. Struct. 249: 113367. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.engstruct.2021.113367.
Miluccio, G., D. Losanno, F. Parisi, and E. Cosenza. 2023. “Fragility analysis of existing prestressed concrete bridges under traffic loads according to new Italian guidelines.” Struct. Concr. 24 (1): 1053–1069. https://doi.org/10.1002/suco.202200158.
Minh, H., H. Mutsuyoshi, and K. Niitani. 2007. “Influence of grouting condition on crack and load-carrying capacity of post-tensioned concrete beam due to chloride-induced corrosion.” Constr. Build. Mater. 21 (7): 1568–1575. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2005.10.004.
MIT (Ministero delle Infrastrutture e dei Trasporti). 2018. Decreto 17/01/2008 - Aggiornamento delle “Norme tecniche per le costruzioni.” [In Italian.]. Rome, Italy: Gazzetta Ufficiale della Repubblica Italiana.
MIT (Ministero delle Infrastrutture e dei Trasporti). 2019. Linee guida per la classificazione e gestione del rischio, la valutazione della sicurezza ed il monitoraggio dei ponti esistenti. [In Italian.] Rome: MIT.
Nuti, C., B. Briseghella, A. Chen, D. Lavorato, T. Iori, and I. Vanzi. 2020. “Relevant outcomes from the history of Polcevera Viaduct in Genova, from design to nowadays failure.” J. Civ. Struct. Health Monit. 10 (1): 87–107. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13349-019-00371-6.
Park, R., and T. Paulay. 1975. Reinforced concrete structures. New York: Wiley.
Preston, H. K., et al. 1975. “Recommendations for estimating prestress losses.” PCI J. 1975: 43–75.
Raithel, A. 1975. Ponti a travata. [In Italian.]. Naples, Italy: Liguiri Editore.
Recupero, A., M. F. Granata, G. Culotta, and M. Arici. 2017. “Interaction between longitudinal shear and transverse bending in prestressed concrete box girders.” J. Bridge Eng. 22 (1): 04016107. https://doi.org/10.1061/(asce)be.1943-5592.0000990.
Recupero, A., and N. Spinella. 2019. “Experimental tests on corroded prestressed concrete beams subjected to transverse load.” Struct. Concr. 20 (6): 2220–2229. https://doi.org/10.1002/suco.201900242.
Tonelli, D., M. Luchetta, F. Rossi, P. Migliorino, and D. Zonta. 2020. “Structural health monitoring based on acoustic emissions: Validation on a prestressed concrete bridge tested to failure.” Sensors 20 (24): 7272. https://doi.org/10.3390/s20247272.
Tonelli, D., F. Rossi, F. Brighenti, A. Verzobio, A. Bonelli, and D. Zonta. 2023. “Prestressed concrete bridge tested to failure: The Alveo Vecchio Viaduct case study.” J. Civ. Struct. Health Monit. 13: 873–899. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13349-022-00633-w.
Trejo, D., R. Pillai, M. Beth, D. Hueste, and P. Gardoni. 2009. “Parameters influencing corrosion and tension capacity of post-tensioning strands.” ACI Mater. J. 106-M18: 144–153.
Vaiana, N., and L. Rosati. 2023. “Classification and unified phenomenological modeling of complex uniaxial rate-independent hysteretic responses.” Mech. Syst. Sig. Process. 182: 109539. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ymssp.2022.109539.
Vecchi, F., L. Franceschini, F. Tondolo, B. Belletti, J. Sánchez Montero, and P. Minetola. 2021. “Corrosion morphology of prestressing steel strands in naturally corroded PC beams.” Constr. Build. Mater. 296: 123720. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2021.123720.
VSL International. 2002. Grouting of post-tensioning tendons - 5 VSL report series introduction. Bern, Switzerland: VSL International.
Wang, L., X. Zhang, J. Zhang, Y. Ma, Y. Xiang, and Y. Liu. 2014. “Effect of insufficient grouting and strand corrosion on flexural behavior of PC beams.” Constr. Build. Mater. 53: 213–224. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2013.11.069.
Wardhana, K., F. C. Hadipriono, and F. Asce. 2003. “Analysis of recent bridge failures in the United States.” J. Perform. Constr. Facil. 17 (3): 144–150. https://doi.org/10.1061/ASCE0887-3828200317:3144.
Xu, J.-G., D.-C. Feng, and G. Wu. 2021. “Life-cycle performance assessment of aging bridges subjected to tsunami hazards.” J. Bridge Eng. 26 (6): 04021025. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE).
Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Journal of Bridge Engineering
Volume 29 • Issue 3 • March 2024
Copyright
© 2023 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: May 15, 2023
Accepted: Oct 20, 2023
Published online: Dec 18, 2023
Published in print: Mar 1, 2024
Discussion open until: May 18, 2024
Authors
Metrics & Citations
Metrics
Citations
Download citation
If you have the appropriate software installed, you can download article citation data to the citation manager of your choice. Simply select your manager software from the list below and click Download.
Cited by
- Alessandra De Angelis, Daniele Losanno, Fulvio Parisi, Maria Rosaria Pecce, Identification of Modal Parameters of Scaled Bridge PC Beams by OMA Dynamic Tests, Journal of Bridge Engineering, 10.1061/JBENF2.BEENG-6763, 29, 8, (2024).
- Daniele Losanno, Simone Galano, Fulvio Parisi, Influence of strand rupture on flexural behavior of reduced-scale prestressed concrete bridge girders with different prestressing levels, Engineering Structures, 10.1016/j.engstruct.2023.117358, 301, (117358), (2024).