Master of Science / Department of Civil Engineering / Robert J. Peterman / An experimental testing program was conducted at Kansas State University (KSU) to test the bond characteristics of various 5.32-mm-diameter steel wires and smaller diameter (less than 0.5 in.) strands used in prestressed concrete railroad ties. A total of 13 wires and six strands produced by seven different steel manufacturers were used during this testing. Since no wire bond pullout test currently exists, one was developed and its validity tested. This un-tensioned pullout test could serve as a quality control test similar to the standard test for strand bond (ASTM A1081) that has been developed for pretensioned strands. This strand test is currently not verified for strands less than 0.5-in. in diameter, so the procedure was also scrutinized using strands common in the concrete railroad tie industry. Some of the wires and strands contained surface indentations. It is generally accepted that indentations in the reinforcements improve the bond between the steel and concrete. To further complicate the issue, reinforcements with different surface conditions (rust, oils, lubricants) are allowed to be used in the concrete ties which further affects the bond quality of the reinforcements. However, no standardized indentation patterns (shape, size, depth of indent, etc.) or surface conditions (degree of rusting, amount of surface lubricants, etc.) are utilized by all wire and strand manufacturers. Thus, the corresponding bond behavior of these different reinforcements when placed in various concrete mixtures, in terms of average transfer lengths and typical variations, is essentially unknown. The purpose of this testing program was to develop (in the case of wires) or verify/develop (in the case of strands) a pullout testing procedure predictive of the reinforcement’s bond performance in a prestressed application. The test should be relatively inexpensive, demonstrably repeatable, and easily reproducible. Results from the un-tensioned pullout tests were compared to transfer length measurements from accompanying pretensioned concrete prisms in the lab. Additionally, pullout tests and transfer length measurements were obtained at an actual concrete railroad tie manufacturing plant. The obtained data was compared to the lab data and analyzed to further understand the relationship between un-tensioned pullout tests and pretensioned concrete members.

Doctor of Philosophy / Department of Civil Engineering / Kyle A. Riding / ASTM recently adopted the Standard Test Method for Evaluating Bond of Seven-Wire Steel Prestressing Strand as ASTM A1081, a pull-out test procedure developed for verifying the ability of steel strands to bond to cementitious materials prior to their use as tensile reinforcement in prestressed concrete sections. The required by ASTM International precision and bias statement has not been developed for this test method. In addition, a minimum threshold value that will ensure only adequately bonding strand sources will be accepted has not yet been applied to ASTM A1081. The test method was developed after findings that prestressing steel strand sources of identical type and grade vary significantly as far as their bonding capacity. Bond is a crucial aspect of the prestressing force being transferred into the concrete, and insufficient bonding action can result in the prestressed concrete section lacking in capacity to sustain the loads that it was designed for. After an initial survey of the pull-out strength of North American Strand in mortar, three strands of differing pull-out strengths were selected for inclusion in further testing. A precision and bias statement for ASTM A1081 was developed by first performing ruggedness testing to determine how the results are affected by allowable variations in methods and materials, and followed by an inter-laboratory study to determine the reproducibility of the test method. Once the precision and bias statement for the standard test method was developed, the same strand sources were tested for their performance in concrete beams. Statistical analysis of the flexural beam testing data and correlation with the prestressing strand sources’ ASTM A1081 test results was performed, and the industry was provided with minimum acceptance criteria for prestressing strand tested by ASTM A1081, along with recommendations regarding the standard test method and aspects of prestressed concrete design.

Este trabalho apresenta resultados de ensaios de arrancamento de geogrelha, obtidos com a utilização de equipamento de dimensões reduzidas. A força de arrancamento foi aplicada por uma máquina universal com capacidade máxima de 30kN, dotada de instrumentação que permitiu registrar a força de arrancamento e o deslocamento da geogrelha em relação ao solo envolvente. Além disto, o ensaio foi instrumentado com uma célula de tensão total instalada no nível da inclusão. A grande vantagem deste equipamento é o pequeno volume de solo utilizado, resultando em um ensaio mais rápido e econômico, proporcionando um controle maior do teor de umidade e do grau de compactação do solo. Considerando que uma grande parte do estado de São Paulo é coberto por solos de granulometria fina, esse equipamento passa a ser uma excelente alternativa para obtenção dos parâmetros de ensaios de arrancamento necessários ao desenvolvimento de projetos em solo reforçado. Para averiguar a possibilidade de uso do ensaio de pequeno porte, nestas condições, para substituir uso das caixas de grandes dimensões foram inicialmente realizadas comparações, através do coeficiente de interação, entre os resultados obtidos através desses dois tipos de ensaios. Os resultados obtidos mostraram que, para as condições de ensaio empregadas utilizando solos com 100% passando na peneira de abertura 2mm e geogrelhas de abertura de malha aproximadamente de 20mm, a resposta do equipamento, se comparada à de ensaios de grandes dimensões, foi excelente. Isto permitiu que se procedesse a uma ampla análise paramétrica, de cunho experimental, em que se variou a velocidade de ensaio, a tensão confinante, as dimensões das amostras de geogrelha, o tipo de solo e a geogrelha, com o intuído de cobrir diferentes situações possíveis de se encontrar nos projetos de engenharia. O trabalho apresenta os principais resultados desta análise / This work presents results of geogrid pullout tests conducted using small scale equipment. The pullout load was applied using a universal load frame, with a maximum capacity of 30kN, capable of recording the pullout load and front displacement. In addition, the test was instrumented with an earth pressure cell installed at the level of the geogrid inclusion. The primary advantage of this equipment is the small volume of soil used in test preparation, resulting in reduced testing time, greater control of the water content and degree of compaction, and significant reduction in overall testing costs. Furthermore, a significant area of the state of Sao Paulo in Brazil is covered by fine grained soils which could be tested according to its pullout behavior using the proposed equipment. To investigate the feasibility of the small scale test facility, comparisons were made between the coefficient of interaction obtained from tests of small and large dimensions. The results show that for the tested materials there were no differences between pull out parameters from both equipment. Additionally it was investigated the effects of testing speed, confining pressure, sample dimensions, and soil and geogrid materials. Results of these tests are presented and discussed

This work presents the development of a test program and the results from the final round of testing to better understand the effect a submerged anchor installation has on the pullout strength of epoxy anchors. Two different epoxies were tested at embedment depths of two, four, and six bar diameters. These tests utilized three distinct installation procedures under dry and submerged conditions. The testing program occurred over five phases, with the final round used in analysis consisting of 24 anchor pullout tests. These tests showed that the presence of water did not have an effect on the epoxy bond when anchor holes were cleaned dry and installed underwater, but it did have a significant impact on the ability to consistently clean each anchor when it was submerged.

Este trabalho apresenta resultados de ensaios de arrancamento de geogrelha, obtidos com a utilização de equipamento de dimensões reduzidas. A força de arrancamento foi aplicada por uma máquina universal com capacidade máxima de 30kN, dotada de instrumentação que permitiu registrar a força de arrancamento e o deslocamento da geogrelha em relação ao solo envolvente. Além disto, o ensaio foi instrumentado com uma célula de tensão total instalada no nível da inclusão. A grande vantagem deste equipamento é o pequeno volume de solo utilizado, resultando em um ensaio mais rápido e econômico, proporcionando um controle maior do teor de umidade e do grau de compactação do solo. Considerando que uma grande parte do estado de São Paulo é coberto por solos de granulometria fina, esse equipamento passa a ser uma excelente alternativa para obtenção dos parâmetros de ensaios de arrancamento necessários ao desenvolvimento de projetos em solo reforçado. Para averiguar a possibilidade de uso do ensaio de pequeno porte, nestas condições, para substituir uso das caixas de grandes dimensões foram inicialmente realizadas comparações, através do coeficiente de interação, entre os resultados obtidos através desses dois tipos de ensaios. Os resultados obtidos mostraram que, para as condições de ensaio empregadas utilizando solos com 100% passando na peneira de abertura 2mm e geogrelhas de abertura de malha aproximadamente de 20mm, a resposta do equipamento, se comparada à de ensaios de grandes dimensões, foi excelente. Isto permitiu que se procedesse a uma ampla análise paramétrica, de cunho experimental, em que se variou a velocidade de ensaio, a tensão confinante, as dimensões das amostras de geogrelha, o tipo de solo e a geogrelha, com o intuído de cobrir diferentes situações possíveis de se encontrar nos projetos de engenharia. O trabalho apresenta os principais resultados desta análise / This work presents results of geogrid pullout tests conducted using small scale equipment. The pullout load was applied using a universal load frame, with a maximum capacity of 30kN, capable of recording the pullout load and front displacement. In addition, the test was instrumented with an earth pressure cell installed at the level of the geogrid inclusion. The primary advantage of this equipment is the small volume of soil used in test preparation, resulting in reduced testing time, greater control of the water content and degree of compaction, and significant reduction in overall testing costs. Furthermore, a significant area of the state of Sao Paulo in Brazil is covered by fine grained soils which could be tested according to its pullout behavior using the proposed equipment. To investigate the feasibility of the small scale test facility, comparisons were made between the coefficient of interaction obtained from tests of small and large dimensions. The results show that for the tested materials there were no differences between pull out parameters from both equipment. Additionally it was investigated the effects of testing speed, confining pressure, sample dimensions, and soil and geogrid materials. Results of these tests are presented and discussed

Avaliou-se experimentalmente o comportamento da resistência ao cisalhamento de interface em reforços unidirecionais utilizados em estruturas de contenção. Para tal, foram realizados ensaios de arrancamento em fitas metálicas, utilizadas para soluções em terra armada e chumbadores, para soluções em solo grampeado. Os ensaios, em campo e laboratório, permitiram constatar a pouca influência do diâmetro dos chumbadores no valor da resistência ao cisalhamento de interface (qs). Ainda em relação aos chumbadores, os resultados mostraram que o volume de calda de cimento para preenchimento da cavidade escavada está diretamente associado ao ganho de qs. Os ensaios em fitas metálicas, em obras executados com solos finos, mostraram que o seu uso requer um estudo mais detalhado do seu comportamento, visto que os parâmetros sugeridos pela NBR 9286/86 não condiz com os resultados experimentais desta pesquisa. / This study evaluated experimentally the behavior of interface shear strength in unidirectional reinforcements used in reinforced soil structures. Pullout tests were carried out on reinforcements used in reinforced earth and soil nailing techniques. Nail diameter has little influence on interface shear strength (qs), according to field and laboratory tests. Additionally, increasing grout volume in nail cavity was directly linked to gain of qs. Tests on reinforced earth reinforcements using fine-grained soils showed that the results do not match with the suggestion of NBR 9286/86.

This research presents the results on an experimental investigation to identify the significant factors influencing horizontal cracking in continuously reinforced concrete pavements (CRCP). An in-depth analysis of the microstructure, morphological characteristics of the interfacial transition zone (ITZ) and the observation of cracking using the environmental scanning electron microscope (ESEM) was done. Characterization of oxides using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and electron dispersive x-ray spectroscopy (EDS) was also performed. Water to cement ratio (w/c) and rebar temperature had a significant influence on the rebar-concrete bond strength. The 28-day shear strength measurements showed an increase in rebar-concrete bond strength as the water to cement ratio (w/c) was reduced from 0.50 to 0.40. There was a reduction in the peak pullout load as the temperature increased from 14oF to 252oF for the corroded and non-corroded rebar experiments. The corroded rebar pullout test results showed a 20-50 % reduction in bond strength compared to the non-corroded rebars. FTIR measurements indicated a presence of lepidocrocrite (γ -FeOOH) and maghemite (γ -Fe2O3) on the ITZ. ESEM images showed the existence of microcracks as early as three days after casting with the bridging of these cracks between coarse aggregate locations in the interfacial zone propagating through the mortar.

The compressive strength of mortar is typically determined using the American Societyfor Testing and Materials (ASTM) standard method using 2 inch cubes which are compressed tillfailure. There is however a disparity between the compressive strengths of mortar cubes, and insitumortar. This disparity is a result of the differences in thickness, aspect ratio, curingconditions, water content, and confinement between mortar cubes and mortar joints. While thesedifferences lead to mortar joints being stronger than mortar cubes, a relationship between theirstrengths is desired.Two less-common mortar strength tests were used to determine more accurately thecompressive strength of in-situ mortar. The results of both tests were compared to the results ofASTM standard compressive testing with mortars of the same water content. The first was theDouble Punch test which involves the use of two metal punches that compress either side of athin mortar sample till failure. The Double Punch test is more difficult to perform than theASTM standard compression test, but was useful because it simulates the confinement that insitumortar will experience. The Double Punch test was also used with mortar specimens ofvarying thickness to determine a relationship between specimen thickness and compressivestrength. The second test used was the Helix Pullout test. This test is performed by insertingmetal helical screws into a mortar joint, and pulling from the joint while restricting rotation. Themaximum load used to extract the Helix is recorded as the Pullout Load, and is used to find thecompressive strength by use of a calibration curve. This test was used on a masonry wall paneland mortar cubes were also made with the same mortar for compressive testing.The tested mortar exhibited decreased compressive strength with increased water content.The mortar also decreased in strength with increasing specimen thickness. Mortar joints wereshown to be significantly stronger than mortar cubes based on factors of specimen thickness andconfinement by an average factor of at least 2.40. Although results are affected by punchdiameter, the Double Punch test was shown to be a consistent and reliable means of estimatingmortar compressive strength. The Helix Pullout test exhibited wide variation, and wasdetermined to be primarily useful for qualitative comparison as opposed to quantitativedetermination of strength.

Avaliou-se experimentalmente o comportamento da resistência ao cisalhamento de interface em reforços unidirecionais utilizados em estruturas de contenção. Para tal, foram realizados ensaios de arrancamento em fitas metálicas, utilizadas para soluções em terra armada e chumbadores, para soluções em solo grampeado. Os ensaios, em campo e laboratório, permitiram constatar a pouca influência do diâmetro dos chumbadores no valor da resistência ao cisalhamento de interface (qs). Ainda em relação aos chumbadores, os resultados mostraram que o volume de calda de cimento para preenchimento da cavidade escavada está diretamente associado ao ganho de qs. Os ensaios em fitas metálicas, em obras executados com solos finos, mostraram que o seu uso requer um estudo mais detalhado do seu comportamento, visto que os parâmetros sugeridos pela NBR 9286/86 não condiz com os resultados experimentais desta pesquisa. / This study evaluated experimentally the behavior of interface shear strength in unidirectional reinforcements used in reinforced soil structures. Pullout tests were carried out on reinforcements used in reinforced earth and soil nailing techniques. Nail diameter has little influence on interface shear strength (qs), according to field and laboratory tests. Additionally, increasing grout volume in nail cavity was directly linked to gain of qs. Tests on reinforced earth reinforcements using fine-grained soils showed that the results do not match with the suggestion of NBR 9286/86.

Made available in DSpace on 2015-03-26T13:27:58Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 texto completo.pdf: 2671402 bytes, checksum: 5e8d1471c2dce03d8b3c04e46e23e3e4 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2010-12-13 / Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico / The adoption of the soil nailing technique in the project of slope stability once or excavations it is being more and more frequent. This with it is reguire a larger number of studies about the estimate of the the pullout resistance (qs) in function of parameters of field tests for the most varied types of Brazilian soils.The objective of this research was to propose correlations for the qs resistence in function of field tests, and also to compare the results also found in the pullout test with dear in existent formulations. The study was accomplished in a slope of young gneissic residual soil, Viçosa - MG.In the field test they occurred the standard penetration test (SPT), Menard pressuremeter test (PMT), Marchetti dilatometer test (DMT) and pullout test in twelve nails, only made with no injection procedures. The assembly of the pullout test system was different from the proposal for other authors and it was shown effective.The qs values obtained in the pullout tests and the correlations found for each nails were compared using appropriate statistics for each analysis. The parameters of the field test used in the proposed correlations Nspt, PL, and P0, were certain for the average of your magnitudes along the nails. The pullout resistance found for each nails and the parameters obtained in the field tests they were plotted in dispersion graphs us which lineal and no-lineal regressions were applied in the intention of to evaluate which mathematical model was adapted better to each proposition. For the correlation qs x Nspt the logarithmic model presented larger correlation coefficient (R2) and significance (p <0,05), in the relationship qs x p0 the quadratic form obtained larger R2, however the behavior of the curve was not suitable with the one of the soil, being accomplished the option by the logarithmic model that was highly significant (p <0,01). The correlation qs X PL didn't show any statistically significant and the choice of the format of the lineal curve was based on the behavior of the soil, same not presenting the largest value of R2. In the case to to the proposed correlations it s possible to conclude that they can be used as initial estimate of project being indispensable the execution of pullout tests to prove the safety with relationship to the values of adopted qs. / A adoção da técnica de solo grampeado no projeto de contenção de taludes ou escavações vem sendo cada vez mais freqüente, com isto se faz necessário um maior numero de estudos sobre a estimativa da resistência ao arrancamento (qs) em função de parâmetros de ensaios de campo para os mais variados tipos de solos brasileiros. O objetivo desta pesquisa foi propor correlações para a estimativa de qs em função de ensaios de campo, e também comparar os valores encontrados nos ensaios de arrancamento com estimados em formulações existentes. O estudo foi realizado em um talude de solo residual jovem de origem gnáissica, Viçosa MG. No campo efetuaram-se os ensaios de penetração (SPT), sondagem pressiometrica de Ménard (PMT), sondagem dilatometrica de Marchetti (DMT) e ensaios de arrancamento em 12 grampos, confeccionados somente com a bainha. A montagem do sistema de arrancamento foi diferente da proposta por outros autores e se mostrou eficaz. Os valores de qs obtidos nos ensaios de arrancamento e os encontrados pelas correlações existentes para cada grampo foram comparados através de estatísticas adequadas para cada análise. Os parâmetros dos ensaios de campo utilizados nas correlações propostas Nspt, PL, e p0, foram determinados pela média de suas magnitudes ao longo dos grampos. As resistências ao arrancamento encontrada para cada grampo e os parâmetros obtidos nos ensaios de campo foram plotados em gráficos de dispersão nos quais se aplicaram regressões lineares e não-lineares no intuito de avaliar qual modelo matemático se adequou melhor a cada proposição. Para a correlação qs x Nspt o modelo logarítmico apresentou maior coeficiente de correlação (R2) e significância estatística (p<0,05), na relação qs x p0 a forma quadrática obteve maior R2, porém o comportamento da curva não foi condizente com o do solo, sendo realizada a opção pelo modelo logarítmico que se mostrou altamente significante (p<0,01). Já a correlação qs X PL não apresentou nenhum modelo estatisticamente significante e a escolha do formato da curva linear foi baseada no comportamento do solo, mesmo não apresentando o maior valor de R2. Quanto às correlações propostas conclui-se que podem ser utilizadas como estimativa inicial de projeto sendo imprescindível a execução de ensaios de arrancamento para comprovar a segurança quanto aos valores de qs adotados.