Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Texas at Austin, 2003. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references. Available also from UMI Company.

Unbonded post-tensioned concrete slabs have been widely used in Canada and the United States since the 1960s, as they allow increased span-to-depth ratios and excellent control of deflections compared to non-prestressed reinforced concrete flexural members. The satisfactory fire performance of unbonded post-tensioned concrete slabs in North America was established by a series of standard fire tests performed in the United States during the 1960s. However, there is a paucity of data on the effect of elevated temperatures on cold-drawn prestressing steel, both in terms of post-fire residual mechanical properties and high-temperature stress relaxation, which can lead to significant prestress loss both during and after a fire. A detailed and comprehensive literature review is presented that provides background on the residual mechanical properties of prestressing steel, as well as on the creep-relaxation behaviour experienced at elevated temperatures under stress. The results of two test series are discussed; the first examining the effects of elevated temperatures on the residual mechanical properties of prestressing steel exposed to elevated temperatures. The second test series examines the irrecoverable and significant loss of prestress force that results from steel relaxation and other thermal effects experienced during heating. A preliminary analytical model is presented, capable of predicting the change in prestress force experienced by a stressed strand under transient heating. The model is then compared with experimental elevated temperature relaxation data. Finally, the analytical model developed and residual mechanical properties obtained through experimentation are used along with a pre-existing finite difference heat transfer model (developed for concrete slabs) to examine the effect of elevated temperature exposure on the residual flexural capacity of a typical unbonded post-tensioned example slab. Several parameters, such as heated length and concrete cover, are examined using the example structure. From this it was observed that, after one hour of exposure to a standard fire (ASTM E119), significant losses in effective prestress and moment capacity occurred even with the appropriate amount of concrete cover. This is a finding which is of the utmost practical importance to engineers engaged in the evaluation of fire damaged unbonded post-tensioned structures. / Thesis (Master, Civil Engineering) -- Queen's University, 2007-12-18 17:15:17.521 / Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada, and the Department of Civil Engineering at Queen’s University

Recent research on jointed unbonded post-tensioned precast concrete frames has demonstrated their superior seismic resistance. Inelastic rotation generated during large earthquake motions is accommodated through gap opening and closing at the beam-to-column connections in the frame. By applying the principles of Damage Avoidance Design (DAD), a steel-steel armoured connection has been demonstrated to be effective in protecting the precast elements from damage. The re-centring ability of the unbonded prestressed post-tensioned system allows the building to return to its original undeformed position after the earthquake with negligible residual deformations. This research experimentally assesses the biaxial performance of the unbonded precast beam-to-column joint and simplifies the steel-steel armoured connection details in the joint. The experimental results of both quasi-static unidirectional lateral loading tests and biaxial lateral loading tests conducted on a 80% scaled unbonded jointed beam-to-column joint are presented. The performance of the proposed simplified steel-steel connection is assessed. A theoretical model is developed based primarily on rigid body kinematics and is validated using the test results. A formulation is also developed based on St Vennants' principle, to estimate the effective stiffness of the precast concrete beams under bidirectional rocking. Based on the experimental findings, improvements to the steel-steel armoured connection and joint details are proposed.

It is not economical, nor practical, to design structures to remain elastic following a major earthquake event. Therefore, traditional seismic design methodologies require structures to respond inelastically by detailing members to accommodate significant plasticity (“plastic hinge zones”). It can be appreciated that, while life-safety of the occupants is ensured, structures conforming to this traditional design philosophy will be subjected to excessive physical damage following an earthquake. Thus, the direct costs associated with repair and the indirect costs associated with business interruption are expected to be great. Adding to this, structures located within a near-field region, close to a surface rupture, can be subjected to large velocity pulses due to a ground motion characteristic known as forward directivity in which a majority of the earthquake’s energy arrives within a very short period of time. Conventionally constructed systems are, in general, unable to efficiently deal with this ground motion. In the last two decades, advanced solutions have been developed to mitigate structural damage utilising unbonded post-tensioning within jointed, ductile connections, typically combined with hysteretic damping. While there is a growing interest amongst the engineering fraternity towards more advanced systems, their implementation into mainstream practice is slow due to the lack of understanding of unfamiliar technology and the perceived large construction cost. However, even considering such emerging construction technology, these systems are still susceptible to excessive displacement and acceleration demands following a major velocity-pulse earthquake event. In this research, the behaviour of advanced post-tensioned, dissipating lateral-resisting systems is experimentally and analytically investigated. The information learned is used to develop a robust post-tensioned system for the seismic protection of structures located in zones of high seismicity within near-field or far-field regions. A series of uniaxial and biaxial cyclic tests are performed on 1/3 scale, post-tensioned rocking bridge piers, followed by high-speed cyclic and dynamic testing of five 1/3 scale, post-tensioned rocking walls with viscous and hysteretic dampers. The experimental testing is carried out to develop and test feasible connection typologies for post-tensioned rocking systems and to improve the understanding of their behaviour under cyclic and dynamic loading. Insights gained from the experimental testing are use to extensively refine existing analytical modelling techniques. In particular, an existing section analysis for post-tensioned rocking connections is extended to assess the response of post-tensioned viscous systems and post-tensioned connections under biaxial loading. The accuracy of existing macro-models is further improved and a damping model is included to account for contact damping during dynamic loading. A Direct-Displacement Based Design (DDBD) framework is developed for post-tensioned viscous-hysteretic systems located in near-field and far-field seismic regions. The single-degree-of-freedom (SDOF) procedure is generic and has applications in new design and retrofit, while the multi-degree-of-freedom (MDOF) procedure is developed specifically for continuous bridge systems. Detailed design guidelines and flow-charts are illustrated to encourage the knowledge transfer from this report and to promote the use of emerging technology. Combining the information gathered from experimental testing, modelling and design, a probabilistic seismic hazard analysis is performed on three post-tensioned viscous-hysteretic bridge systems. In all cases, the post-tensioned bridge systems are shown to be more feasible than a traditional monolithic ductile bridge. Furthermore, while a post-tensioned hysteretic bridge is shown to be the most economic solution, the viscous-hysteretic system becomes more advantageous as the cost of fluid-viscous-dampers reduces.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Texas at Austin, 1999. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 554-574). Available also in a digital version from Dissertation Abstracts.

Thesis (M.S.)--California Polytechnic State University, 2009. / Title from PDF title page; viewed on Nov. 12, 2009. "October 2009." "In partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree [of] Master of Science in Architecture with a specialization in Architectural Engineering." "Presented to the faculty of California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo." Major professor: Peter Laursen, Ph.D. Includes bibliographical references (p. 85-87).

Swimming pools constructed with reinforced concrete require a high level of expertise within both, its planning and execution. To build waterproof concrete shells, extensive concrete technology knowledge, detailed planning of joint formation and high quality safety measures are needed. This thesis evaluates concrete technology features for swimming pool construction in Germany and Sweden. In particular, guidelines by DafStb, DIN and DgfdB provide the planner with detailed advice and specifics about swimming pools. It also gives an overview about the actual condition of swimming pools in Sweden that reached an age of at least 30 years and shows structural consequences of mistakes in planning and construction of swimming pools. The aspect of financial consequences is also analyzed. With the support of the software “Legep”, the methodology of LCC was used to estimate costs in the future. Additionally, a proposal of post tensioned concrete as a more sustainable technology for watertight concrete basins is shown and under equal aspects analyzed and compared.

The Varina-Enon Bridge is a cable-stayed, post-tensioned segmental box girder bridge in Richmond, Virginia. A large flexural crack was noted by inspectors in July 2012 which prompted a number of investigations into the current condition of the bridge. Particular focus has been put on prestress losses which have a significant impact on the strength and serviceability of the bridge. Previous work has been conducted to monitor the behavior of the bridge and to back-calculate effective prestress. This was done using field data from a long-term data collection system in the bridge as well as a finite element model which includes a staged-construction analysis. Creep and shrinkage are accounted for using the CEB-FIP '90 model code. Effective prestress in the Varina-Enon Bridge is back-calculated using live load strain data from the long-term data collection system. Previous work has overestimated live load moment since the influence of the crack opening has not been accounted for. This research refines the methods used to determine live load moment from live load strain. Two new methods are developed based on influence lines matching crack gauge data during a live load event. The new methods are compared to the method used in previous studies. Results using two elastic moduli for concrete are compared for each method of live load moment calculation. Finally, back-calculated effective prestress values are compared against effective prestress from the finite element model. Depending on the method used for live load moment calculation, back-calculated effective prestress ranged from 167.4 ksi to 170.8 ksi. Both new methods for live load moment calculation yielded slightly smaller values for effective prestress compared to the method used previously. Increasing the elastic modulus from 6000 ksi to 6200 ksi increased back-calculated effective prestress values from an average of 168.3 ksi to 168.6 ksi. For elastic moduli of 6000 ksi and 6200 ksi, the finite element model returned an effective prestress of 170.3 ksi and 170.8 ksi, respectively. / Master of Science / Prestressing in concrete uses steel tendons to apply a compressive force to a structure. This technique allows for stiffer and lighter structures with longer span lengths to be built. The force in the steel tendons decreases over time, and this is called prestress loss. Prestress losses can have a significant impact on the strength and service life of a structure, so estimating the magnitude of prestress loss is of great importance in prestressed concrete structures. The Varina-Enon Bridge is a cable-stayed, prestressed concrete box-girder bridge in Richmond, Virginia. In July 2012, cracking was observed in the bridge, and this prompted several investigations into its performance. This research calculates effective prestress (prestress force leftover after prestress loss) in several ways. A long-term data collection system collects sensor data which is used to calculate effective prestress experimentally, and a computer model is used to determine effective prestress computationally. Effective prestress results from sensor data are slightly smaller than results from the computer model. However, the differences in results are fairly small, and all values are within expectations, so it is concluded that the Varina-Enon Bridge has not experienced more than expected prestress losses.

With the increasing need for commercial and residential buildings, post-tensioned (PT) flat plates have become a preferred choice for floor systems, because of the numerous advantages over non-prestressed slabs such as better efficiency, reduced slab self-weight, as well as crack and deflection control. To improve the competitive advantage of PT flat plates through improved economy and performance, a study was undertaken. This study investigated the performance and behavior of three one-third scale models of a nine-panel two-way unbonded post-tensioned flat plate. One of the slabs had conventional reinforcement with uniform-banded tendon layout, another had conventional reinforcement with banded-banded tendon layout while the last had banded-banded tendon layout reinforced with steel fiber. The specimens were loaded to service limit state, factored load and then to failure, using a whiffle tree loading system that approximated a uniformly distributed load. Experimental results were compared to analytical results from finite element and yield line analysis. The performance of the banded-banded specimens was very similar to the uniform-banded specimens at service and factored load. The failure loads for all specimens were considerably higher than the design factored load of 197 psf. Steel fiber was able to replace conventional reinforcement and the performance of the specimens with steel fibers was satisfactory, and comparable to their corresponding conventional reinforced specimens at service and factored limit state. Analytical results from finite element analysis showed a fairly reasonable agreement with experimental results. The results from the experimental tests showed that the use of steel fiber in post-tensioned flat plates is a viable and safe technology that will lead to improved performance and economy. The experimental results seem to indicate that the requirement of conventional reinforcement may be unnecessary in the negative moment regions and also in the positive moment region if the tensile stress is not more than 3√(f'c ) in this region. ACI 318-19 code design recommendations were provided for design of banded-banded PT system and SFRC post-tensioned flat plate. Additional testing should be conducted before SFRC post-tensioned flat plates are incorporated in the ACI 318 code (ACI 318, 2019) with a maximum allowable tensile stress of 6√(f'c). / Doctor of Philosophy / Over the years, the use of post-tensioned flat plates as flooring system has increased and became popular in residential and commercial buildings. Post-tensioned flat plates are a type of concrete structural slabs typically used for flooring in high-rise building because of the numerous advantages over non-prestressed slabs such as better efficiency, reduced slab self-weight, as well as smaller crack and deflection. This type of slab typically consists of high strength steel strands called tendons, which are stretched to compress the concrete slab in both directions. To improve the performance of this type of slabs a research study was performed. This study investigated the performance and behavior of three one-third scale models of a nine-panel two-way post-tensioned flat plate. One of the slabs was strengthened with conventional steel bars and the tendon layout was uniform-banded tendon, another had conventional steel bar with banded-banded tendon layout while the last had banded-banded tendon layout reinforced with steel fiber. Actual load that will act on the slab when in use was applied and then this load was increased by a factor as specified in the building code, before loading the slab to the point where it cannot carry any more load. Results from the load test were compared to results obtain from analytical software package. The performance of the specimens that had banded-banded tendon layout was very similar to the specimens that had uniform-banded tendon layout, at actual operational load when in use. The failure loads for all specimens were considerably higher than the load they were designed for. The results suggest that steel fiber is a good alternative to conventional steel bars. The results from the load tests suggest that steel fiber can be used to strengthen post-tensioned flat plates which will lead to better performance and reduced cost.

Linear and nonlinear finite element analyses are used for the investigation of rectangular anchorage zones with the presence of a support reaction. The investigation is conducted based on four load configurations consisting of concentric, inclined concentric, eccentric, and inclined eccentric loads. The method of model construction is illustrated thoroughly. The influence of several parameters, including anchorage ratio, inclination of prestressing load, eccentricity, magnitude of the reaction force, bearing plate ratio, and the location of the reaction force, is studied. Both graphical and numerical presentations of the results from each load configuration are given. Improved equations, which are modified from the equations presented in the AASHTO Standard Specifications (2002), are proposed. The results from the equations are compared to those from the finite element method. Nonlinear finite element analysis is used to verify the applicability of the equations and to study a new bursting steel arrangement. Linear and nonlinear finite element analyses are also used for the study of non-rectangular anchorage zones. Four basic load configurations, including concentric, eccentric, inclined concentric, and inclined eccentric loads, are investigated. The shell element is selected for the construction of the finite element models. Several parameters, consisting of anchorage ratio, inclination of prestressing load, eccentricity, web thickness, ratio of web thickness to flange thickness, and flange width, are chosen for parametric studies. The results from the studies are presented graphically and numerically. Equations to calculate the bursting force and location of the force are developed from the Strut-and-Tie Model approach. The verification of the formulations and the investigation of bursting steel arrangement are conducted using nonlinear finite element analysis. / Ph. D.