PRESTRESSING WITH PARAFIL TENDONS

The article summarises the basic properties of the new material and describes some of the work of Imperial College. Parafil consists of a closely packed, parallel core of high-strength continuous synthetic yarns combined with a thermoplastic sheath which maintains the circular profile of the rope and protects the core from ultra-violet radiation. The high modulus of kevlar 49 makes it the most commonly used core material. Test programmes are under way to investigate stress-rupture, creep, stress-relaxation and thermal effects of the rope. 'ropes' are anchored using a single internal spike which presses the sides of a conical hole in the main terminal body. Parafil ropes could have applications where steel tends to corrode, such as foundation beams and slabs, ground anchors and piles. Uses in piers, jetties and oil platforms and pontoons are also possible. Parafil can be used for external tendons in bridge structures where considerable savings can be achieved. The tendons can also be used to repair structures with the application of prestress needing no protection. As the main cables of a suspension bridge, parafil ropes have a specific strength nearly five times that of steel, making a 5 km long span possible. (TRRL)

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/issn/00105317
• Corporate Authors:

  The Concrete Society

  Devon House, 12-15 Dartmouth Street
  London,   England 
• Authors:
  • Burgoyne, C J
  • Chambers, J J
• Publication Date: 1985-11

Media Info

• Features: Figures; Photos; References;
• Pagination: p. 12
• Serial:
  • Concrete (London)
  • Volume: 19
  • Issue Number: 11
  • Publisher: CONCRETE SOCIETY
  • ISSN: 0010-5317

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Evaluation; Loads; Plastics; Prestressed concrete; Prestressing; Product development; Synthetic fibers
• Uncontrolled Terms: Loading; Prestressing strands; Product evaluation
• ITRD Terms: 4530: Cable; 9005: Composite; 8525: Conference; 4557: Fibre; 5567: Load; 7454: Plastic material; 4796: Prestressed concrete; 4777: Prestressing; 6255: Test
• Subject Areas: Geotechnology; Highways; Materials;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00464909
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: Transport Research Laboratory
• Files: ITRD, TRIS
• Created Date: Jan 31 1988 12:00AM