Development of Continuity Between Precast Prestressed Concrete Beams

Abstract

THE WIDESPREAD USE OF PRECAST PRESTRESSED CONCRETE ELEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF BUILDINGS AND BRIDGES IS AMPLE EVIDENCE OF THE ECONOMY WHICH CAN OFTEN BE GAINED BY THIS TYPE OF CONSTRUCTION. THIS PAPER IS CONCERNED WITH THE DEVELOPMENT OF CONTINUITY BETWEEN PRECAST PRESTRESSED BEAMS, WHICH CAN LEAD TO FURTHER ECONOMY IN MANY CASES. THIS CONTINUITY CAN BE DEVELOPED IN SEVERAL WAYS TO PRODUCE SERVICEABLE MEMBERS. THE USE OF PRECAST PRESTRESSED CONCRETE RODS AS REINFORCEMENT APPEARS TO HOLD SOME ADVANTAGE AS FAR AS CRACK CONTROL IS CONCERNED. NO POST TENSIONING IS REQUIRED FOR DETAILS USING THESE RODS. BEAMS WITH SOME POSTTENSIONED STRANDS COMBINED WITH PRETENSIONED AND UNSTRESSED REINFORCEMENT ALSO GIVES VERY SATISFACTORY RESULTS. /AUTHOR/