Transfer and Development Length of Prestressing Tendons in Full-Scale AASHTO Prestressed Concrete Girders Using Self-Consolidating Concrete

Self-consolidating concrete (SCC) is a highly workable concrete that flows through densely reinforced or complex structural elements under its own weight. The benefits of using SCC include: a) Reducing labor costs by eliminating the need for mechanical vibration, b) Improving constructability, c) Providing a virtually flawless finish, d) Providing uniform and homogenous concrete, and e) Easily filling a complex shape formwork. Even though SCC is comparable to conventional concrete in terms of strength, the comparability of its bond to steel is less well-defined. This disparity of knowledge becomes more critical when using SCC in prestressed members due to the impact that bond strength has on the transfer and development lengths of prestressing tendons. The increasing interest among Illinois precasters in using SCC in bridge girders has motivated the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) and the Illinois Center for Transportation (ICT) to sponsor this synthesis study, which reviews and combines information from literature discussing the impact of using SCC on the transfer and development lengths of prestressing tendons in AASHTO bridge girders. The primary objectives of this study include: (1) Utilizing the results of previous research to evaluate the effect of using SCC on the transfer and development lengths of prestressing tendons and evaluate how SCC compares with conventional concrete, (2) Investigating the feasibility of using SCC in AASHTO bridge girders without the need for changing current design provisions recommended by the ACI and AASHTO, and (3) Providing IDOT with recommendations regarding the application of SCC in prestressed bridge girders. 17. KeyICT-R27-36published or submitted for publicationis peer reviewe