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Virginia Tech

Ultimate Bearing Strength of Post-tensioned Local Anchorage Zones in Lightweight Concrete

Abstract

dc:description.abstract

Currently, NCHRP Report 356 has published an equation to estimate the ultimate strength of the local zone in normal weight concrete. The local zone is the area of concrete directly ahead of the bearing plate. The equation can be broken into two distinct parts: unconfined bearing strength of concrete enhanced by the A/A<sub>b</sub> ratio and the enhancement of strength due to the presence of confining. Research has shown that the strength enhancement of the A/Ab ratio and confining reinforcing is less in lightweight concrete than in normal weight concrete. To determine the strength of the local zone in lightweight concrete 30 reinforced prisms, 2 unreinforced prisms, and concrete cylinders were tested. The dimensions of the prisms were 8 in. x 8 in. x 16 in. and the cylinders were 4 in. x 8 in. cylinders. The simulated reinforcing in the prisms extended only through the top 8 in. of the prism and consisted of either ties or spirals with different spacing or pitch, respectively. To determine the effect of the A/A<sub>b</sub> ratio for each spacing or pitch arrangement of the reinforcing, one of two different size bearing plates were used. From the testing performed in this research and other research, it is apparent that the NCHRP equation is unconservative when estimating the ultimate strength of the local zone in lightweight concrete. By modifying both parts of the NCHRP equation it is possible to conservatively predict the ultimate strength of the local zone in lightweight concrete. Also investigated in this thesis are equations to predict the splitting cylinder strength and modulus of elasticity of lightweight concrete. For a sand-lightweight concrete, as defined by ACI 318-05 Building code and Commentary, the splitting tensile strength can be accurately predicted by multiplying the square root of the compressive strength by 5.7.

Degree

thesis:*
Name thesis:degree_name
Master of Science
Level thesis:degree_level
masters
Discipline thesis:degree_discipline
Civil Engineering
Department dc:contributor.department
Civil Engineering
Grantor dc:publisher
Virginia Tech
Year dc:date.issued
2008

Author and committee

dc:creator, dc:contributor.*
Author dc:creator
  • Axson, Daniel Peter
Chair dc:contributor.committeechair
  • Roberts-Wollmann, Carin L.
Committee members dc:contributor.committeemember
  • Charney, Finley A.
  • Cousins, Thomas E.

Subjects

dc:subject × 4

Rights

dc:rights
Statement dc:rights
  • In Copyright

Identifiers

dc:identifier.*
Dc Identifier Other
etd-06232008-215305
OAI identifier oai:identifier
oai:vtechworks.lib.vt.edu:10919/33711

Chain of custody

source
Harvested from
Virginia Tech
Base URL
vtechworks.lib.vt.edu/oai/request
Last updated
2026-07-22
Source record
OAI-PMH GetRecord
citation

Axson, Daniel Peter. Ultimate Bearing Strength of Post-tensioned Local Anchorage Zones in Lightweight Concrete. masters thesis, Virginia Tech, 2008. http://hdl.handle.net/10919/33711