Ground Anchor Testing - Matching Test Elements to Ensure Critical Anchor Attributes are Verified - or “Why we don’t push ropes”
Ground anchors come in many variations from simple guywire anchors used to support telephone poles to complex multi-strand tendons tensioned to millions of pounds to tie down large structures. Post-tensioned elements became popular in structures in the 1960s and ‘70s and in 1976 the Post-Tensioning Institute (PTI) was founded to establish guidelines and standards for post-tensioned structural elements. The complexity and at times difficult construction of such anchors led the PTI to develop testing methods to verify the construction, condition and capacity of all the technical components of the anchors as installed. The PTI testing guidelines remain the standard for complex tieback and tiedown anchors that incorporate free stressing lengths and load transfer requirements, and they have been adopted by most Transportation Departments in the US. Lack of a similar standard for less complex anchors has let DOTs to specify PTI test protocols for all ground anchors, often testing the performance of anchor components/attributes not present or not important in simple anchors. This paper discusses PTI testing elements, their purpose, and how to develop testing programs for simpler anchors applications to verify anchor construction QA, functionality, and serviceability as well as provide information to trouble-shoot anchor installation.
- Record URL:
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Supplemental Notes:
- Copyright © 2019 Highway Geology Symposium (HGS). Abstract reprinted with permission of the HGS.
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Corporate Authors:
Highway Geology Symposium
, United States -
Authors:
- Ingraham, Peter
- Woodard, Martin
- Scarpato, David
- Wood, David
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Conference:
- 70th Highway Geology Symposium
- Location: Portland Oregon, United States
- Date: 2019-10-21 to 2019-10-24
- Publication Date: 2019
Language
- English
Media Info
- Media Type: Digital/other
- Features: Bibliography; Figures; Photos;
- Pagination: 20p
- Monograph Title: Proceedings of the 70th Highway Geology Symposium (HGS 2019)
Subject/Index Terms
- TRT Terms: Mooring anchors; Posttensioning; State departments of transportation; Structural supports; Support poles; Tendons (Materials); Testing; Tiebacks
- Subject Areas: Bridges and other structures; Design; Highways;
Filing Info
- Accession Number: 01735612
- Record Type: Publication
- Files: TRIS
- Created Date: Apr 2 2020 9:43AM