Grouted Tendons for Nuclear Containment

Pre stressed concrete containment structures for nuclear power plants require large capacity, flexible prestressing steel tendons made up of many high-strength carbon steel wires or strands. A system having the multiple strand or wire tendon in the concrete structure enclosed within a sealed steel duct filled with grout provides a corrosion-inhibiting alkaline environment and the exclusion of corrosive agents. The curvature required of the tendons in the shell structures appropriate for nuclear containment results in a radial component of prestress force acting to pack the tendon elements, individual wires or strands, against the inside radius of the enclosing ducts. The results of the tests led to the conclusion that the configuration of the strands maintain paths sufficient for grout flow regardless of the radial force tending to pack the tendon elements.