DURABILITY OF POST-TENSIONED TENDONS ON ROAD BRIDGES IN THE UK

The performance of post-tensioned concrete bridges in the UK was satisfactory in the 1950s and 1960s, but the first sign of problems came with the collapse of two footbridges under their own weight during the 1960s. The first problems with a major structure were found in the early 1970s when longitudinal cracks appeared on some of the I-beams of a beam and slab bridge built in 1961. Holes drilled into the ducts near the tendons disclosed the presence of voids and water. Subsequent investigations found voids in other bridges that had not shown signs of problems externally. A moratorium on new post-tensioned concrete bridges with internal grouted tendons was announced in the UK, with all existing bridges of this type to be inspected over the subsequent five years. The methodology for the special inspection programme is outlined and the voids found were classified according to size and tendon corrosion and anchorage corrosion data were noted. The majority of the bridges had post tensioning systems in good condition. New design guidelines and improved grouting procedures has resulted in the lifting of the moratorium for cast in-situ grouted duct post-tensioned concrete construction. For the covering abstract see ITRD E114200.

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/isbn/288394055X
• Corporate Authors:

  INTERNATIONAL FEDERATION FOR STRUCTURAL CONCRETE

  CASE POSTALE 88
  LAUSANNE,   Switzerland  CH-1015
• Authors:
  • Woodward, R
• Publication Date: 2001

Language

• English

Media Info

• Features: References;
• Pagination: p. 1-10
• Serial:
  • DURABILITY OF POST-TENSIONING TENDONS - TECHNICAL REPORT - PROCEEDINGS OF A WORKSHOP HELD AT GHENT UNIVERSITY ON 15-16 NOVEMBER 2001
  • Publisher: INTERNATIONAL FEDERATION FOR STRUCTURAL CONCRETE
  • ISSN: 1562-3610

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Beams; Bridges; Concrete; Conferences; Failure; Inventory; Maintenance; Methodology; Posttensioning; Repairing; Surveillance
• Geographic Terms: United Kingdom
• ITRD Terms: 3472: Beam; 3455: Bridge; 4530: Cable; 4755: Concrete; 8525: Conference; 5910: Durability; 5520: Failure; 9033: Inside; 9035: Inventory; 3847: Maintenance; 9102: Method; 9058: Outside; 4789: Post tensioning; 4794: Reinforced concrete; 3635: Repair; 9101: Surveillance; 8119: United Kingdom
• Subject Areas: Bridges and other structures; Freight Transportation; Maintenance and Preservation;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00930360
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: Transport Research Laboratory
• ISBN: 2-88394-055- X
• Files: ITRD
• Created Date: Sep 5 2002 12:00AM