Mechanical Model for Unbonded Seven-Wire Tendon with Symmetric Wire Breaks

A mechanical model for unbonded seven-wire tendons with broken wires that accounts for the effects of interwire friction and contact forces between the tendon and surrounding concrete is derived. The model is an essential tool for predicting the response, and reliability, of unbonded posttensioned concrete structures containing corroded tendons with broken wires. For the case where the broken wires are symmetrically arranged around the tendon cross section, the model predicts: (1) the strain variation with distance from the break in the broken and unbroken wires; (2) the affected length, where strains in the broken wires are less than those in the unbroken wires; and (3) the prestress force remaining after wire breaks occur. The affected length has practical significance because techniques used in practice to detect wire breaks will fail if performed outside the affected length. Experimental data obtained using a novel strongback beam confirm the response predicted by the model and indicate the coefficient of interwire friction is 0.164 for uncorroded tendons.