Abstract

Prestressed concrete ties could develop end-splitting cracks along tendons due to lateral bursting stresses. The lateral bursting stresses can form due to Hoyer effect (change in diameter of the prestressing tendons due to Poisson’s ratio, the jacking force in the tendons, geometrical features, and indent characteristics of the prestressing tendons. End-splitting cracks can occur immediately after de-tensioning procedure in some cases, but they also can be developed during the first weeks after de-tensioning procedure due to sustained lateral stresses exerted by the prestressing tendons. The ability of concrete to resist these bursting stresses without cracking is primarily the function of the thickness of concrete cover, the type of concrete mixture used and the maximum compressive strength of the concrete. The test purpose was to identify tie designs that may be susceptible to end-splitting cracks. The Qualification test will be great tool to identify tie designs that have ability to form end-splitting cracks. The System Qualification Test involves six pre-tensioned concrete prisms with the same prestressing tendons and concrete mixture that is used in the concrete ties, except that the edge distance for the prisms is reduced by approximately 25 percent. If this reduction in edge distance results in longitudinal splitting cracks along the prestressing tendons, then the system (tie design and material selection) may be susceptible to concrete end-splitting cracks. In this case, changes to the design and/or material selection should be made prior to mass production of ties.

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