Flexural performance of precast segmental concrete beams prestressed with CFRP tendons

Abstract

This paper presents some results of an ongoing research project on precast segmental concrete beams (PSBs) prestressed with Carbon fibre reinforced polymer (CFRP) tendons, which is currently being conducted at Curtin University. To the authors’ best knowledge, this is the first time CFRP tendons were used for segmental concrete beams for the possible replacement of steel tendons to mitigate corrosion-induced damage in the steel tendons, especially at joint locations. Four large-scale segmental concrete beams prestressed with CFRP tendons and one prestressed with steel tendons were tested under four-point loading in the experimental program. The tested results indicated that CFRP tendons can satisfactorily replace the steel tendons for the use in PSBs. All the tested beams exhibited excellent load-carrying and deflection capacities. Bonding condition of the tendons greatly affected the flexural performance of the beams while the joint type had a minor effect on the overall performance of the structures. This paper also presents for the first time a numerical approach using Abaqus finite element software to predict the flexural behaviour of segmental concrete beams prestressed with unbonded tendons. The numerical results were validated with experimental results and therefore can be used for design and analysis of the structures.