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U.S. Department of Energy
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Corrosion protection of prestressing systems in concrete bridges. Final report

Technical Report ·
OSTI ID:5854196

The report reviews techniques and materials to provide enhanced corrosion protection for prestressing steel and its associated metallic hardware in pretensioned and post-tensioned concrete bridges. A year-long, accelerated corrosion test program on epoxy-coated strand, polyethylene duct, epoxy-coated steel duct, epoxy-coated anchorage hardware, grouts modified with silica fume and calcium nitrite, and heat-shrink tubing for sealing post-tensioning duct joints, together with traditional materials was undertaken on pretensioned and post-tensioned members. The use of newer corrosion-resistant duct materials and watertight duct joints was found to be essential since all three grout formulations were highly permeable to chloride at joints sealed with duct tape or after the traditional steel ducts corroded. Bond tests indicated that polyethylene duct and epoxy-coated steel duct can provide structurally composite behavior between the concrete and grout. Friction and abrasion tests demonstrated that a high coefficient of friction and abrasion damage may result if epoxy-coated strand is used in corrugated metal duct with a small radius of curvature.

Research Organization:
Wiss, Janney, Elstner and Associates, Inc., Northbrook, IL (USA)
OSTI ID:
5854196
Report Number(s):
PB-89-177836/XAB
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English