A diagnostic survey on the precast prestressed bridge Nižná confirmed significant deterioration due to environmental distress. Evidently, decisive failures of the structure have a similar character as in the previous precast prestressed bridge in Podbiel in the northern part of Slovakia. These failures result from the unsuitable concept of the first generation of precast prestressed concrete beams, which was used in the former Czechoslovakia in the second half of the 20th century. Subsequently, experimental verification using the proof-load test was also executed. This bridge was built in 1956, so at the time of testing, it was 60 years old. The paper presents the indirect determination of prestressing level in one precast post-tensioned concrete beam using the saw-cut method. Experimental measurement was executed during the bridge demolition. Subsequently, a 2D numerical model in ATENA 2D Software, with the assumption of nonlinear material behavior for verification of experimental results, was performed. Finally, the residual prestressing force was evaluated and compared with the expected state of prestressing according to Eurocodes after 60 years of service.
Knowledge of prestressing force’s value is in the case of prestressed concrete structure the most important basis for defining load-carrying capacity and remaining service life. Numbers of prestressed concrete structures are about to reach their limit of service life and they are exhibiting signs of deterioration due to the conceptional errors, inadequate maintenance and environmental distress. All of these factors negatively influence the actual state of prestressing. Thus, it is essential to determine the value of prestressing force considering the degradation of materials, such as corrosion of prestressing strands or wires. While assessing structure in service, it is difficult to apply magnetoelastic sensors or use other direct methods for determining the state of prestressing. Hence, the indirect methods enable to analytically calculate the prestressing force based on the results of measurement, e.g. strain, stress, deflection, or width of the crack. The present paper focuses on numerical analysis of prestressing in a twosome of precast prestressed concrete beams. For the numerical analysis, two indirect methods are applied, specifically Saw-cut method and Crack initiation method. Finally, the results are discussed and recommendations for the experimental campaign are summarized.
In the case of prestressed concrete structures, information about the actual state of prestressing is an important basis for determining their load-carrying capacity as well as remaining service life. During the service life of the prestressed concrete structure, the initial level of prestressing is inevitably reduced as a result of the actions of various factors. These reductions of prestressing force are considered as prestress losses, which are influenced by construction stages, used materials, prestressing technology, or required length of service life. Available standards enable the determination of the expected values of prestress losses. Ultimately, their calculation is part of the design procedure of every prestressed concrete structure. However, aging and often neglected infrastructure in Europe is also exposed to factors, such as environmental distress, that are not considered in standard calculations. Therefore, verified and reliable methods for determining the actual state of prestressing are needed. This paper presents an experimental program of an indirect method for the evaluation of the value of prestressing force in seven prestressed concrete sleepers. Particularly, the non-destructive saw-cut method as a pivotal object of this study is performed and assessed. Furthermore, the Barkhausen noise technique is used as a comparative method. Subsequently, the experimental campaign is supported by the numerical analysis performed in the ATENA 3D software. Finally, the experimentally determined values of residual prestressing force are compared to the expected level of prestressing according to Eurocodes.
Ageing infrastructure leads to the need for a proper assessment and final decisions considering its state. In the case of prestressed concrete structures, knowledge of the residual state of prestressing is the crucial factor. Therefore, reliable diagnostic techniques for determining the residual value of the prestressing force are needed. This information is subsequently used in the process of the quantification of the load-carrying capacity and remaining service life of prestressed concrete structures. The presented paper introduces an evaluation of a monolithic 62-year-old prestressed concrete bridge, which was built in 1959. The assessment was carried out as a result of concerns after exposure of the anchorage area of the bridge, which was executed during the construction of the new system of anti-flood barriers in the town of Banska Bystrica in central Slovakia. Therefore, the diagnostic survey and subsequent determination of the residual prestressing force included the application of the saw-cut method, the structural response method, and the Barkhausen noise technique. Finally, the experimental program supported by numerical analysis provided information about the actual state of prestressing in the bridge. Results of performed analysis suggested that the state of prestressing of the bridge in question does not significantly differ from the expected level of prestressing after 62 years of service. Subsequently, obtained conclusions enabled the determination of the load-carrying capacity for future use in the form of a pedestrian bridge.
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