| Title |
THE ROLE OF POLYETHYLENE DUCT CRACKING IN FAILURE OF POST TENSIONING CABLES IN FLORIDA SEGMENTED BRIDGES
|
| Accession No |
00988048 |
| Authors |
Hartt, W H; Suarez, J; David, F; Hsuan, G; Zhang, J |
Corp. Authors
/ Publisher |
Florida Department of Transportation  ; Florida Atlantic University
|
| Publication Date |
20050120 |
| Description |
167 p.;
Appendices(6); Figures; References; Tables |
| Languages |
English
|
| Abstract |
During the past 20-plus years, designs based on the post-tension segmental box concept have evolved to become a predominant form of bridge construction. Critical to safety and longevity of such structures is the integrity of post-tensioning tendons; however, during the past five years, instances of tendon deterioration and failure have been disclosed on several Florida bridges. The underlying mechanism has been diagnosed as strand corrosion at grout voids in which bleed water accumulated. Cracking of high-density polyethylene (HDPE) ducts within which the grouted stands reside has also been disclosed; and while none of the failures to-date has been related to this cracking, left unaddressed, access of moisture, chlorides, and oxygen to the strands will invariably result in corrosion on the long term. For the purpose of (1) assessing the cause(s) and mechanism(s) of this HDPE duct cracking, (2) developing performance based assessment tests, and (3) proposing a standard for HDPE ducts employed in Florida bridges, a research project commenced in 2002 that involved investigators at both Florida Atlantic and Drexel Universities. The project consisted of 6 tasks: (1) acquisition of new and in-service polyethylene (PE) cable duct samples; (2) evaluation of material properties of retrieved and new duct samples; (3) evaluation of duct cracking mechanism; (4) evaluation of pipe stress crack resistance (SCR) using performance tests; (5) assessment of current material specifications for smooth PE duct; and (6) experimental and analytical modeling of tendon duct cracking. |
| TRT Terms |
Bridges ; Cables ; Cracking ; Deterioration ; Ducts ; Durability ; Evaluation ; Failure ; Materials ; Performance ; Posttensioning ; Properties of materials ; Safety ; Segmental construction ; Specifications ; Stresses ; Tendons (Materials) ; Tests |
| Geographical Terms |
Florida |
| Other Terms |
Polyethylene |
| Subject Areas |
H25 STRUCTURES DESIGN AND PERFORMANCE; I24 Design of Bridges and Retaining Walls |
| Report Number |
BD220 |
| Availability |
Florida Department of Transportation |
| TRIS Files |
HRIS |
| Database |
TRIS Online |
TRT
