Theoretical analysis of natural frequency of externally prestressed concrete beam based on rigidity correction

A dynamic test on externally prestressed simply supported concrete beams separately with three typical types of tendon distributions was conducted. The results show that the natural frequencies of the beams increase with the increase in the prestressing force at the tensioning stage, and the natural frequencies decrease after the cracks occur in the beams. Following the calculation formula of natural frequency of externally prestressed beam, which was reported in a literature, the natural frequencies of the experimental beams are calculated, and big errors are found between the test results and the calculated ones of natural frequency values. As a result, this paper has tried to adopt two methods to correct the rigidity parameter of the concrete beam in the formula for natural frequency calculation, and to use the corrected formula to calculate the frequencies of the experimental beams. The calculation results indicate a good consistency with the experimental ones, which verifies the feasibility of the corrected formula.

Fatigue Damage Modeling for Partially Prestressed Concrete Beams under Repeated Loadings with Variable Amplitude

A full-range nonlinear analysis method for fatigue damage in prestressed concrete beams is presented. New damage accumulation models are proposed to describe the fatigue damage evolution in concrete and reinforcement respectively. Based on the stress analysis for cross section, the stress redistrbution in the fatigue damage process, due to the different damage mechanisms of concrete and reinforcement, is considered. The nonlinear damage analysis is achieved by means of piecewise linearity, and it is applicable on the condition of repeated loadings with variable amplitude. Fatigue damage modeling of a beam is implemented to illustrate that the proposed method can preferably fit the experimental results.

Experimental research on mechanical properties of prestressed truss concrete composite beam encased with circular steel tube

Tests of 4 simply supported unbonded prestressed truss concrete composite beams encased with circular steel tube were carried out. It is found that the ratio of the stress increment of the unbonded tendon to that of the tensile steel tube is 0.252 during the using stage,and the average crack space of beams depends on the ratio of the sum of the bottom chord steel tube's outside diameter and the secondary bottom chord steel tube's section area to the effective tensile concrete area. The coefficient of uneven crack distribution is 1.68 and the formula for the calculation of crack width is established. Test results indicate that the ultimate stress increment of unbonded tendon in the beams decreases in linearity with the increase of the composite reinforcement index β0. The pure bending region of beams accords with the plane section assumption from loading to failure. The calculation formula of ultimate stress increment of the unbonded tendon and the method to calculate the bearing capacity of normal section of beams have been presented. Besides,the method to calculate the stiffness of this sort of beams is brought forward as well.

Structural Behavior of Continuous Prestressed Steel Fiber Reinforced High Strength Concrete Beam

The flexural behaviors of continuous fully and partially prestressed steel fiber reinforced high strength concrete beams are studied by experiment and nonlinear finite element analysis. Three levels of partial prestress ratio （PPR） are considered, and three pairs of two-span continuous beams with box sections varying in size are designed. The major parameters involved in the study include the PPR and the fiber location. It is concluded that the prestressed high strength concrete beam exhibits satisfactory ductility; the influences of steel fiber on the crack behaviors for partially prestressed beams are not as obvious as those for fully prestressed ones; steel fibers can improve the structural stiffness after cracking for fully prestressed high strength concrete beams; the moment redistribution from mid-span to intermediate support in the first stage should be mainly considered in practical design.

Experimental Behavior of Partially Prestressed High Strength Concrete Beams

In the last few decades, prestressed concrete has been rapidly used in bridge engineering due to the enormous development in the construction techniques and the increasing need for long span bridges. High strength concrete has been also more widely spread than the past. It currently becomes more desirable as it has better mechanical properties and durability performance. Major defect of fully prestressed concrete is its low ductility;it may produce less alarming signs than ordinary reinforced concrete via smaller deflection and limited cracking. Therefore, partially prestressing is considered an intermediate design between the two extremes. So, combining high strength concrete with partial prestressing will result in a considerable development in the use of prestressed concrete structures regarding the economical and durability view points. This study presents the results of seven partially prestressed high strength concrete beams in flexure. The tested beams are used to investigate the influence of concrete compressive strength, prestressing steel ratio and flange width on the behavior of partially prestressed beams. The experimentally observed behaviors of all beams were presented in terms of the cracking load, ultimate load, deflection, cracking behavior and failure modes.

Analysis and calculation of factors on curvature ductility of unbonded prestressed concrete beams

In consideration that behavior of curvature ductility of interior support directly influences the degree of moment modification of unbonded prestressed concrete (UPC) continuous structures, constitutive relationships of concrete, non-prestressed reinforcement and prestressed reinforcement used for nonlinear analysis are given. Through simulation analysis on simple beams subjected to single loading at the middle of the span, the law of factors influencing curvature ductility, such as global reinforcing index, prestressing degree, effective prestress, strength of concrete and grade of non-prestressed reinforcement are explored. Based on these researches, calculating formula of curvature ductility coefficient of UPC beams is established, which provides basic data for further research on plastic design of UPC indeterminate structures.

Experimental and theoretical analysis on the natural frequency of external prestressed concrete beams

Analyses and computations of the natural frequencies of external prestressed concrete structures are the bases for studying the dynamic properties of such structures. We carded out dynamic tests on three types of external simply supported beams, pulling the beams gradually. Then vertical loads were applied to the beams while the frequencies and related coefficients were measured at every step. We calculated natural frequencies and the results indicate that natural frequencies increase as the prestressing force rises in the pre-crack stage, and decrease significantly during the post-crack stage. Substantial incoincidences exist between the calculated and experimental results for the frequency and its tendency to changel Based on the experimental results, we modified the stiffness and other parameters in the equations. The results calculated using the modified equations agree with experimental results well, so the modified eauations can be used nractically.

Influences of Installment Tensioning Technology on Bearing Capacity of Rectangular Prestressed Concrete Beam

To obtain the relationship between use of installment tensioning technology and the bearing capacity of prestressed concrete beams, tensile and cyclic loading tests are conducted on five rectangular prestressed concreted specimens. Two types of prestressed tensioning methods are adopted in the tests, one uses installment tensioning technology to tension beams on days 4, 12, and 8, 12, respectively, and the other adopts the conventional method to tension the beam on day 28 only. The age of concrete, number of times tensioned, and the prestress value of early tensioning are considered in tests. Results show that use of installment tensioning technology has no effect on the bending failure pattern of prestressed concrete beams, but it reduces prestress loss and increases crack and yield loads. © 2017, Tianjin University and Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg.

Fatigue Behavior of Unbonded Partially Prestressed Concrete Beams with Flexure

A study on fatigue behavior of unbonded partially prestressed concrete beams is presented. Model tests have been carried out in static loading and cyclic compressive loading on 15 beams with flexure. The ratios of the lower limit to the upper limit of fatigue load are 0.5 and 0.3 respectively, and the frequencies of cyclic loading are 8 Hz and 4.5 Hz respectively. The experimental results of the strains of the concrete and steel bars, the deflection of test beams, and the crack width of normal section are analyzed. According to statistics and analysis of test results, the corresponding calculation models are developed and presented.

Simulation of Fatigue Stiffness Degradation in Prestressed Concrete Beams under Cyclic Loading

In order to investigate and research the fatigue cracking of prestressed concrete fatigue properties and loading and stiffness degeneration process,cyclic loading tests were carried out on six prestressed concrete beams and the stiffness degradation under fatigue was investigated. A simulation model of stiffness degradation is proposed based on the stiffness analysis of the fatigue-damaged section. The elastic modulus of damaged concrete and the effective residual area of steel were introduced as well as an adjusted three-stage concrete fatigue damage evolution model. The strip method was used to analyze concrete damage due to changing stress along the depth of the beam section. The simulation and test results were compared and a method of predicting fatigue deflection was presented based on the simulation model. The predicted results were compared with that of the neural network method. It is in good agreement for the simulation results with the test results. It is only less than5% error for the simulation model which can reveal the two-stage degradation of prestressed concrete beams under cyclic loading. It is more precise for the simulation prediction method under proper conditions.

Shear Behavior of Novel Prestressed Concrete Beam Subjected to Monotonic and Cyclic Loading

Prestressed steel ultrahigh-strength reinforced concrete(PSURC) beam is a new type of prestressed concrete beam, which not only has a considerable compressive strength attributed to the ultrahigh strength concrete, but also ensures a certain degree of ductility at failure due to the existence of structural steel. Five of these beams were monotonically tested until shear failure to investigate the static shear performance including the failure pattern, loaddeflection behavior, shear capacity, shear crack width and shear ductility. The experimental results show that these beams have superior shear capacity, crack control ability and shear ductility. To study the shear performance under repeated overloading, seven PSURC beams were loaded in cyclic test simultaneously. The overall shear performance of cycled beams is similar to that of uncycled beams at low load level but different at high load level. The shear capacity and crack control ability of cycled beams at high load level are reduced, whereas the shear ductility is improved. In addition, the influences of variables including the degree of prestress, stirrup ratio and load level on the shear performance of both uncycled and cycled beams were also discussed and compared, respectively.

Natural Frequency of Full-Prestressed Concrete Beam

Dynamic tests of three bonded and two unbonded full-prestressed concrete beams were carried out.The purpose was to seek the relation between prestressing force and natural frequency.Test results indicate that the frequency of prestressed concrete(PSC)beam increases with the increase in prestressing force approximately.The results are different from the dynamic characteristics of isotropic material beam subjected to compressive axial force which were put forward by Clough et al.The reason is that the beams were considered as isotropic,homogeneous,linear elastic material in the traditional analysis method.However,more accurate results are required in the analysis of frequency of PSC beam.The constitutive mode of PSC member is analyzed based on microstructure of concrete in this paper.The orthotropic linear elastic mode is used to analyze the relation between dynamic frequency and prestressing force of concrete beam,at the same time the equivalent stiffness of prestressed tendon relating to the prestressing force is added to the bending deformation stiffness of the beam.The analytical value agrees well with the test result,indicating that the current analysis method in this paper is feasible to full-prestressed concrete beam.

Rational concrete cover of prestressed concrete beams and slabs for fire resistance

As the influence of the ratio of the characteristic value of structural resistance to that of frequent combination effect, K, on the thickness of concrete cover of prestressed concrete （PC） beams and slabs for fire resistance is not considered sufficiently in design criteria for concrete structures in China and other countries at present, numerical analyses were carried out by ANSYS software on unbonded prestressed concrete （UPC） oneway simply-supported and continuous slabs and beams, and bonded PC simply-supported and continuous beams subjected to fire in 186 cases. In the analysis, K, section dimensions and the thickness of concrete cover are regarded as independent variables and some calculation parameters determined by trial and error based on test resuits. Calculation formula for fire endurance of UPC simply-supported and continuous slabs was proposed, and the recommended thicknesses of cover of PC beams and slabs was presented in consideration of the influence of K and section dimensions as well as fire endurance requirements. Comparison analysis of relevant design criterions in China and other countries was performed to verify the rationale of the proposed values.

The Design and Analysis of Long-Span and Low-Depth Prestressed Composite Steel-Concrete Beam Bridge

The design scheme of long span and low depth composite steel concrete beams is introduced, and the methods of avoiding the cracking of concrete deck in the negative moment regions are proposed. Moreover, significant exploration for problems of the composite beams has been made, such as optimizing construction steps to regulate the stress, applying jacking technique to exert prestress on the concrete deck, investigating the uplifting force principle of the shear connectors by means of model test and non linear finite element analysis, and pointing out the countermeasure to reduce tension force of the shear connectors.

FLEXURAL CAPACITY OF RC BEAM STRENGTHENED WITH PRESTRESSED C/AFRP SHEETS

A method for strengthening concrete structures by prestressed intraply hybrid C/AFRP sheets(composed of aramid fiber and carbon fiber)is proposed,aiming at overcoming shortages of some current strengthening methods.The bending capacity of beams strengthened by prestressed intraply hybrid C/AFRP sheets is analysed.The result shows that the bending resistance,the extending performance and the economical efficiency of intraply hybrid fiber sheets are better than those of interlaminar hybrid fiber sheets and single-fiber sheets.Moreover,prestressed intraply hybrid C/AFRP sheets can improve the performance of the strengthened beam,effectively inhibit the expansion of the cracks,and reduce distortion and risk of early failure.

基于IWOA-LSTM算法的预应力钢筋混凝土梁损伤识别

为准确识别桥梁结构的损伤程度,制作了桥梁的关键构件——预应力钢筋混凝土梁,进行三点弯曲加载试验.收集了损伤破坏全过程的声发射(AE)信号,通过AE信号参数分析,将梁的损伤破坏过程划分为4个典型阶段.构建了长短时记忆神经网络(LSTM)模型,根据经验设置LSTM模型的超参数容易导致网络陷入局部最优而影响了分类结果,提出采用Sine混沌映射和自适应权重来改进鲸鱼优化算法(WOA),对LSTM进行超参数寻优.设计了IWOA-LSTM算法模型,训练识别试验梁各损伤阶段的AE信号特征参数.定型网络结构,并识别同种工况下其他梁的AE信号.结果表明:IWOA-LSTM算法模型识别准确率均超过或接近92%,相较于普通LSTM模型,IWOA-LSTM模型识别准确率提高了约7%.

Test analysis on prestressed concrete composite beams with steel boxes subjected to torsion and combined flexure and torsion

While modem prestressed techniques have improved the torsion properties of high-strength concrete （HSC） composite beams with prestressed steel （PS） boxes, no research has been reported in either the national or international literature on the an- ti-torque and composite torque properties of this type of beam. With the aim of understanding the torque properties of these beams, this paper presents results of ten comprehensive tests; three of these were based on stirrup spacings and prestressing levels as the main parameters, while the other seven were based on torsional rates. The torsion tests were conducted on the re- sults which established several key parameters, including curves of constant torsion, strain curves of steel torsion, strain distri- bution of steel beams and concrete, curves of bending-moment and mid-span deflection, as well as cross strain distribution.The prestressing impact-factor method was adopted to deduce semiempirical equations for cracking torque in such composite beams. Furthermore, this involves the use of the equation of ultimate torque based on tress-model-theory of the distortion an- gle, the calculated results show good agreement with the measured values. In summary, this paper offers theoretical analysis for future applications of HSC composite beams with PS boxes, and provides both validation of the methods employed and a reference point for on-going research on composite beams and related anti-torque studies.

Shear behavior of ultra-high-performance concrete beams prestressed with external carbon fiber-reinforced polymer tendons

The ultra-high-performance concrete(UHPC)and fiber-reinforced polymer(FRP)are well-accepted high-performance materials in the field of civil engineering.The combination of these advanced materials could contribute to improvement of structural performance and corrosion resistance.Unfortunately,only limited studies are available for shear behavior of UHPC beams reinforced with FRP bars,and few suggestions exist for prediction methods for shear capacity.This paper presents an experimental investigation on the shear behavior of UHPC beams reinforced with glass FRP(GFRP)and prestressed with external carbon FRP(CFRP)tendons.The failure mode of all specimens with various shear span to depth ratios from 1.7 to 4.5 was diagonal tension failure.The shear span to depth ratio had a significant influence on the shear capacity,and the effective prestressing stress affected the crack propagation.The experimental results were then applied to evaluate the equations given in different codes/recommendations for FRPreinforced concrete structures or UHPC structures.The comparison results indicate that NF P 18-710 and JSCE CES82 could appropriately estimate shear capacity of the slender specimens with a shear span to depth ratio of 4.5.Further,a new shear design equation was proposed to take into account the effect of the shear span to depth ratio and the steel fiber content on shear capacity.

Experimental study on shear behavior of prestressed reactive powder concrete I-girders

As a new generation of concrete,RPC(Reactive Powder Concrete)has attracted great research attention for its ultra-high strength and high durability.In the present paper,experimental results from tests on eight prestressed RPC I-section girders failing in shear are reported herein.The beams with RPC of 120 MPa in compression were designed to assess the ability to carry shear stress in thin webbed prestressed beams with stirrups.The test variables were the level of prestressing,shear span-depth ratio(a/d)and stirrup ratio.Shear deformation,shear capacity and crack pattern were experimentally investigated in detail.With regard to the shear resistance of the test beams,the predictions from three standards(AFGC,JSCE and SIA)on the design of UHPC structures were compared with the experimental result suggesting that the experimental strength is almost always higher than predicted.RPC,as a new concrete,was different from normal concrete and fiber reinforced concrete.Further study should be needed to develop an analytical method and computation model for shear strength of RPC beams.

Experimental Study on the Static and Fatigue Performance of Corroded RC Beams Strengthened with AFRP Sheets

In order to research the strengthening effects of aramid fiber reinforced polymer （AFRP） sheets on the flexural performance of corroded reinforced concrete （RC） beams, the static and fatigue performance of corroded RC beams strengthened with non-prestressed AFRP sheets under different degrees of corrosion （minor： reinforcement mass loss is 2.0%, medium： reinforcement mass loss is 6.0%） have been researched experimentally in this paper, to compare with that of the control beams （un-strengthened and un-corroded） and un-strengthened corroded beams, and additionally compare with fatigue performance of those medium corroded RC beams strengthened with prestressed AFRP sheets with permanent anchors. The results show that, （1） compared with un-strengthened corroded beams under the same degrees of corrosion, the cracking, yield and ultimate monotonic loads of the minor corroded RC beam strengthened with non-prestressed AFRP sheets is respectively increased by 20%, 27% and 60%, whereas for the medium corroded RC beam strengthened with non-prestressed AFRP sheets increased by 15%, 36% and 83% respectively. The ultimate deflection of the medium corroded beam strengthened with non-prestressed AFRP sheets is 166% larger than that of the corroded un-strengthened beam under the monotonic load. （2） The fatigue life of the non-prestressed AFRP strengthened medium corroded beam is 10.4 times more than that of the un-strengthened corroded beam, but lower than that of the unstrengthened-uncorroded （virgin） beam. （3） Fatigue experiments of the beams strengthened with prestressed AFRP sheets and with those non-prestressed AFRP sheets show that the fatigue life of the retrofit RC beams increase with increasing prestress level of AFRP sheets.（4） The use of AFRP sheets for strengthening corroded RC beams is an efficient technique that can maintain the structural integrity and enhance the structural behavior of such beams.