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Description / Abstract:
General
This report provides general information on the evaluation of
known or suspected corrosion problems in unbonded single-strand
tendons, historical information on the types and components of
unbonded tendons and on the durability and corrosion protection
provisions in the building code, and describes typical repair
methods in use today. Expertise in design, construction,
evaluation, and repair of structures using single-strand unbonded
tendons is strongly recommended for a team undertaking evaluation
and repair of corrosion problems.
Historically, there have been corrosion problems with other
types of pre- and post-tensioning systems (Nehil 1991); however,
certain aspects of corrosion of unbonded single-strand tendons are
unique. The causes and effects of corrosion of unbonded
single-strand tendons are, in several respects, different from
those of bonded conventional reinforcing or other post-tensioning
(PT) systems, so the methods for evaluating and repairing corrosion
of singlestrand tendons are also different. For example, because
the tendons are largely isolated from the surrounding concrete,
they may not be affected by deleterious materials such as chlorides
and moisture in the concrete. The surrounding concrete does not
stop corrosion alone because, if water gains access to the inside
of the sheathing, PT coating is rendered ineffective. Measures
taken to repair and protect the surrounding concrete may not repair
or reduce deterioration of the prestressing steel where corrosion
has been initiated. The tendons usually require separate evaluation
and repair.