Materials and Structures / Matdriaux et Constructions, Vol.
37, March 2004, pp 96-106
Experimental studies of the bond response of three-wire
strands and some influencing parameters
R. Gustavson
Department of Structural Engineering, Concrete Structures, Chalmers University of Technology, Sweden
ABSTRACT
The bond behavior of prestressing strands is of great
importance for the capacity of precast prestressed concrete
structures. In the present study, the bond behavior of three-
wire strands, and some influencing parameters, were
examined by means of steel encased pull-through and push-
in tests. The three mechanisms: adhesion, friction and other
mechanical actions were found to be present at the strand-
concrete interface at different slip values. The results from
the experiments showed that the micro roughness of the
strand surface strongly affected the initial bond response of
the strand, that is the adhesion in the interface. The
maximum bond capacity of indented three-wire strands was
found to be directly connected to the geometric properties
of the strand indents. The influence of the concrete strength
on the bond capacity of the strand was hard to interpret.
However, the density of the concrete matrix was found to
be a better parameter for determine the influence of the
concrete rather than the compressive strength.
1. INTRODUCTION
The structural response of prestressed concrete structures
is largely determined by the interaction between the concrete
and the prestressed strands. Knowledge concerning the
behaviour of the strand-concrete interface has to a great
extent been gained by trial and error. The aim has often been
to improve the bond capacity, by introducing some kind of
roughness to the strand surface or by increasing the concrete
strength, in order to reduce the transmission length.
However, introducing roughness may lead to splitting cracks
along the transmission length of the concrete member due to
the increased stress induced in the direction normal to the
strand. Furthermore, it has been found that an increased
compressive strength of the concrete will not necessarily lead
to an improved bond capacity. Hence, detailed knowledge
about the mechanisms present at the strand-concrete interface
1359-5997/03 9 RILEM
RI~SUMI~
Le comportement de la liaison dans les cdbles de
prdcontrainte est d'une grande importance pour la capacitd des
structures prdfabriqudes de bdton prOcontraint. La pr~sente
dtude examine, au moyen d'essais encastrds dans l'acier de
tirage et de poussage, le comportement des liaisons de cdbles b
trois fils et certains parambtres d'impact. Les trois mdcanismes ."
adhdsion, friction et autres actions mdcaniques sont ddcouverts
dana" l 'interface cdble-bdton ~ diffdrentes gammes de glissement.
Les rdsultats des exp&iences montrent que la microrugositd de
la surface du cdble affecte fortement la r@onse de la liaison
initiale du cdble, c'est-h-dire l'adh~sion de l'interface. II s 'av&e
que la capacitd maximale de la liaison des cdbles gt trois ills
poinfonnds est directement liOe b la gdomdtrie des
poinfonnages du cdble. L'impact de la force du bdton sur la
eapacitd de la liaison du cdble est d'interprdtation dijficile.
Cependant, la densitO de l'agglomOrant de bdton s 'est avdrde
constituer un meilleur parambtre que la force compressive pour
ddterminer l'impact du bOton.
and their related parameters is needed to better design
prestressed concrete structures.
The aim of the tests presented in this paper was to identify
the mechanisms and possible influencing parameters
determining the bond behaviour of strands. The response of
the strand-concrete interface was examined using the results
from pull-through and push-in tests carried out by the author,
[1-3]. The set-up of the tests was based on the tests reported
by Lundgren [4]. Three-wire and one-wire strands with an
indented or a smooth wire surface was studied. Variations of
the wire surface and the concrete was also studied.
The bond response of strands is, according to [5], caused
by three different mechanisms; adhesion, friction and other
mechanical actions. The mechanisms are active in different
stages of the relative strand-concrete slip. Most of the
research dealing with the bond capacity of strands has been
carried out with plain or seven-wire strands. Measurements
96
Materials and Structures / Matrriaux et Constructions, Vol. 37, March 2004

of the end slip and the transmission length in prestressed

structures have often been used to identify the influence of
various parameters to the bond capacity. It is thereby hard to
determine which part of the bond response is affected by the
studied parameter. A clearer picture is given when pull-
through and push-in tests like those of [6] are used for strand
and concrete parameter studies. However, an even deeper
understanding is obtained when the slip range in the tests is
150
large enough to capture the maximum bond capacity and the
response beyond. Further knowledge can be gained if the ..... 25
splitting action of the strand as well as the relative rotation of
the strand is examined during the pull-through or the push-in 0=6.5
tests. Hence, pull-through and push-in tests with a slip range
well beyond the slip at the maximum bond capacity were t .... 1 . 0
used to examine the bond capacity of three-wire strands and 50 [mml
some influencing parameters. The splitting action, and in t. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

some cases even the rotation of the strand, were measured in

order to gain deeper knowledge of the bond mechanisms. Fig. 1 - The geometry and cross-section of the test specimens.

2. TEST P R O G R A M

Two different bond situations were simulated in the test ~ 1=3.5i0.5

program. The first bond situation was simulated by means of a
pull-through test, (PT-test), which is in principal the same as
the test that is commonly denoted in the literature as a pull-out
test. The second bond situation was simulated by means of
push-in tests @I-tests). The PT-tests were done in three series
with different strand and concrete configurations in each
series. The PI-tests were done with equal strand configurations
but with two different concrete strengths. All test specimens
had the same geometric properties. Structural tests previously
done at the Department of Structural Engineering, Chalmers
University of Technology had shown that the strand rotates
within the concrete when a relative slip between the strand and
the concrete occurs [7]. Consequently, the strand was allowed
to be free to rotate within the concrete during all tests. The
PC StrandEU 138/6, 3x3.0 mm with a nominal diameter of
6.5 mm and an indentation according to prEN 10138 [8] was
used as the reference type in all tests. The geometry of the test
specimens is shown in Fig. 1, and the geometry of the strand
indentation is shown in Fig. 2.
3. TEST A R R A N G E M E N T S
All test specimens were cast in the laboratory of the
Department of Structural Engineering, Chalmers University of
Technology. The specimens for the PT test were done at three
different occasions. Steel or plastic tubes were used as forms,
with plastic tops and bottoms, which also fixed the
reinforcement bars. When casting the specimens, the concrete
was vibrated and adjusted to fill the tube to the upper edge.
The top and bottom of the forms were removed just before
testing. Near the edge that was placed down during
casting, an aluminium tube was threaded over the strand
in order to prevent bond between the strand and the
concrete. The bond free length of the strand was coated
with a teflon tape before the aluminium tube, with a Specimen Indentation treatment Additives
length of 25 mm and an outer diameter of 8 ram, was
mounted. PI-(1 - 12)
The casting of the specimens for the PI test had to
take place with the steel tube placed in the test
c:5.>o
Indentation according to prEN ~0 t 38
Modified it~dentat~on
Fig. 2 - The geometry of the strand indents.
equipment due to the prestressing of the strand. The concrete
was placed in the steel tube and the entire test equipment was
placed on a vibrating table. The bond free length was
established as described above. A steel plate with a circular
cavity, diameter 50 mm and depth 2 ram, together with a
detachable plastic lid were used as forms at the bottom and at
the top of the steel tube.
The test specimens in the tests in which a steel tube was
used had either nine or three strain gauges glued on the tube
surface. The strain gauges were 10 mm long and were placed
as shown in Fig. 3. The strain gauges in the tests with three
strain gauges were placed at level 2. The strain gauges
measured the tangential strains in the steel tube and the results
were stored evely second in a computer.
The first series of PT-tests consisted of nine specimens with
a PC-Strand EU 138/6, 3x3.0 mm with a nominal diameter of
6.5 mm (denoted original strand as seen in Table 1). The
material properties of the concrete were measured: the
T a b l e 1 - T e s t e d c o n f i g u r a t i o n s in test series one
Surface No. of No. of
wires tests
PT-(1-9) Original* No No 3 9
Original* No No 3 9+3
*Indentation specification according to definitions in p r E N 10138;
a=O.06 mm, C=5.5 ram, l=3.5 mm.

97
Gustavson

compressive cylinder strength was 55 MPa, modulus was

33 GPa and the fracture energy was 96 Nm/m 2 [ 1].
Level 3 12 The second series was a feasibility study were the
properties of the individual wire surface, the indentation of
Level 2 15 each wire, the geometry of the entire strand and the
properties of the concrete were changed in order to examine
Level 1 how the separate properties affected the bond response. The
1 28 concrete used in the tests without any additives had a
compressive cylinder strength of 45MPa and the
compressive cylinder strength of the concrete with silica
[nan] additions was 57 MPa.
Sixteen different configurations of the strand-concrete
Fig. 3 - Placement, on the steel tubes, of the strain gauges for interface were tested with two specimens of each
measuring the tangential strains. configuration, see Table 2. In these tests a plastic tube was
used instead of a steel tube and no measurements of strains
at the tube surface were done.
T a b l e 2 - T e s t e d configurations in test series t w o Furthermore, no measurements of
Surface No. of No. of the rotation of the specimen were
Specimen Indentation treatment Additives wires tests made. Detailed information of each
PT-(44-48) Original* No No 3 5 strand configuration tested can be
PT-(49-53) Original* No Silica 3 5 found in the author's report [2].
PT-(54-58) Original* Teflon sprayed No The tested configuration in the
PT-(59-64) No No No 3 5 feasibility study with the most
PT-(65-69) No Sandblasted No interesting results together with
PT-(70-74) Modified" No No other configurations were tested
more in detail in a third test series,
PT(75-79) No No No 1 5
see Table 3. Strain measurements,
PT(80-84) No No Silica 3 5
using three strain gauges, and
PT(85-S9) No Teflon sprayed No
rotation measurements at the steel
PT(90-94) Original* No HSC" tube surface were carried out in the
third test series. The concrete used
Indentation specification according to definitions in prEN 1O138; a=O. 06 ram,
in the tests without any additions
C=5.5 mm, l=3.5 mm
e had a compressive cylinder strength
Indentation specification according to definitions in prEN 10138; a=O.06 mm, of 54 MPa and the compressive
C=11 mm, l=9 mm
cylinder strength of the concrete
High strength concrete with a different recipe. Compressive cylinder strength 97.2 MPa with silica additives was 73 MPa.
Their Young's moduli were 28 and
T a b l e 3 - T e s t e d c o n f i g u r a t i o n s in test series three 37 GPa, respectively. Detailed
Surface No. of No. of information about the tests in series
Specimen Indentation treatment Additives wires tests three can be found in the author's
PT-(13-14) Original* No No 3 2 report[3]. The results from the
PT-(15-16) Original* Teflon sprayed No 3 2 three different test series was used
PT-(17-18) Original* Oil No 3 2 to analyse the mechanisms acting in
PT-(19-20) Original* Alcohol No 3 2 the strand-concrete interface and
PT-(21-22) Oil lubricate No 3 2 their contribution to the bond
Original*
capacity at different ranges of slip.
PT-(23-24) Original* Sandblasted No 3 2
PT-(25-26) Original* Plastic film No 3 2
3.1 The PT test
PT-(27-28) Modified" No No
PT-(29-30) No No No 2 The strands in all of the PT tests
PT-(31-32) No Sandblasted No 3 2 had no prestress. The end of the
PT-(33-34) No Oil lubricate No specimen at which the bond
PT-(35-36) Original* No Silica 2 between the strand and the concrete
PT-(37-38) was prevented was placed
Original* No No 2
downwards during loading. The
PT-(39-40) Original* Plastic film No 2
rotation was permitted by means of
PT-(41-42) No Plastic film No 2 a thrust ball bearing that was placed
PT-(43-44) No No Silica between the specimen and the rigid
support. A steel plate with a central
Indentation specification according to definitions in prEN 10138," a=O.06 mm, hole of 50 mm and with a circular
C=5.5 ram, 1=3.5 ram. cavity, depth 2 ram, was placed
e

Indentation specification according to definitions in prEN 10138; a=O. 06 ram, between the specimen and the
C=l l mm, 1=9 ram. thrust ball bearing to insure that the

98
Materials' and Structures / Mat6riaux et Constructions, Vol. 37, March 2004

Fig. 4 - The set-up of the pull-through tests.

specimen was loaded concentrically. The strand was pulled

downwards by use of a wedge lock connected to a steel rod.
The deformation rate was 2.2 ram/rain during the whole
test. The displacement of the strand was measured with a
displacement transducer mounted at the top of the passive
end. The rotation of the specimen was measured by use of a
displacement transducer in the form of a thin wire. The end
of the wire was attached to the steel tube and was then
wound along the perimeter of the steel tube as the specimen
rotated. The wound length was used to calculate the angle
of rotation. The principle of the test set-up used in the PT
tests is shown in Fig. 4.
Fig. 5 - The set-up of the push-in tests.
presentation of the results from each tested specimen can be
found in Gustavson [1].
4.1 T h e P T test
The first part of the load-slip relation was linear and
occurred without any rotation of the specimen. The
specimen started to rotate just before the maximum load
capacity was reached as seen in Fig. 6.

3.2 T h e PI test Load[kN]

In the PI tests the strand was prestressed with a force of

28kN, corresponding to a prestress of 1320MPa. The
concrete was cast 24hours after the strand had been 7
prestressed in order to get rid of the initial creep deformations
in the wedge locks holding the strand. The prestressing force
was established by use of two hollow screws. Hand force and 4
two wrenches released the prestressing force when the 3
concrete had an age of 24 hours. The deformation rate was
approximately lmm/min during the release. The displacement
of both the strand and the concrete surface, at the active side of
the specimen, was measured by use of two displacement 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 7C
transducers. The length of the active side was 270 mm and that
of the passive side was 894 mm in all tests. Nine tests were Load [kNl
done when the concrete had an age of 24 hours, and a
compressive strength between 21 and 35MPa. Three
additional tests were done at a concrete age of 96 hours with a
compressive strength of 43 to 47 MPa. The set-up, used in the
tests, is shown in Fig. 5.

4. T E S T R E S U L T S

The general results from the PT-tests and the PI-tests with
an indented three-wire strand, with indentation specifications 1! V ~ tion[degree]
according to prEN 10138 [8] and a concrete with no - 10 40 90 140 190 240 290
additives, are presented in this section. A detailed Fig. 6 - Test results from the PT tests of indented three-wire
strands. (a) The load-slip relation. (b) The load-rotation relation.

99
Gustavson

The rotation continued throughout the test, linearly at a concrete age of 24 hours, is shown in Fig. 9a. The
related to the slip of the reinforcement, see Fig. 7. The presented load is the result from load gauge No. 2 directly
rotation versus the slip of the twisting of the helically under the test specimen and the slip is the difference in slip
wounded wires had also been followed precisely is shown from the two displacement transducers, see Fig. 5. The
in Fig. 7 as a dotted line. strain development from one test specimen, at level 2, is
Rotation [degrees]
shown in Fig. 9b-c. The small oscillation of the load-slip
55 relation curves is probably due to the hand driven release of
the prestressing force.
45
Load [kN]
35 12 (a)

25 ~ 10
8
15 ...
5 .........."""" ............' " ..... 6
t........... 4

Fi g 7 The ro
: t aon shp re l~tIon of an 12 dented threSe s Ir2 2
o Slip [mm] n
The results from the strain gauges in each test and o 2 4 6 8
between each test specimen had some scatter. However, it Load [kN]
could be concluded that there were no differences in the (b)
development of strains in the steel tube at the three levels
shown in Fig. 3. The strain development at level 2, for one I
test specimen is shown in Fig. 8a-b. The direction of the ~ ~ . ,.--~"-
_ ~
6
strain development is indicated with the arrows in Fig. 8a.

Load [kN] 4'

10 3
9 2
8
7 1
Strain[10-6]
6 0
5 0 10 20 30 40 50
4
Strain [104]
3
50
2 (c)
1
45
0 40
-1 35
-10 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 30
s~[lo~t (a) 25
Strain [10~] 20
70
15-
6O 10
5O 5
Slip [mm]
40 0 i , , , i ,
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
30
20 Fig. 9 - (a) The load-slip relation from all PI tests, (b) and (c)
the strain development in the steel tube at level 2 from one o f
10
the PI-tests.

-10
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 7O
Slip [nan] (b) 5. E F F E C T S OF EXAMINED PARAMETERS

Fig. 8 - The strain development in the steel tube at level 2.
4.2 T h e P I t e s t
All results from the PI tests, including the strain results,
had a moderate scatter. The load-slip relation from all tests,
Parameters affecting the bond response, given in Section
4, are examined below. The influences of the different
parameters are examined by comparing test results from
various tests reported in the author's reports were the actual
parameter were varied. Most of the results presented are
from the third test series; when not, it is mentioned. All test

100
Materials' and Structures / Mat6riaux et Constructions, Vol. 37, March 2004

results shown are representative for the tests conducted
with the actual configuration. The test results are used to
show the differences in bond response of the various
configurations tested. The scatter in the explicit values of
the load and strains can be found in the author's reports.
5.1 Indentation of the strand surface
It is a well known fact that indentation of the strand
surface will increase the bond capacity as long as concrete
splitting failure is not induced due to an increase of the
stress in the direction normal to the strand. However, it is
not clear to what extent the bond capacity is increased and
how the geometry of the indentation influences the bond
behaviour. This was examined by comparing test results
from three- and single-wire strands that had an original
indentation (according to prEN 10138), a modified
indentation, both shown in Fig. 2, and no indentations. The
nominal diameter was equal for all strands as well as the
material properties of the steel. The test results showed that
the adhesion between the concrete and the strand surface
was not affected by the introduction of indentation to the
strand surface. This was found in the first part of the load-
slip relation in Figs. 10 and 11. The load-slip relation of the
different strands followed the same path until the adhesion
was broken. This seems reasonable since the micro
roughnesses of all strand surfaces tested were equal and
thus the adhesion mechanism should not be affected.
The results ha Fig. 10 show that the original indentation
used in the tests increased the maximum bond capacity in
comparison to the maximum bond capacity of the strand with a
14 l=oad [kN]
12 / r ~ * ~ Three-wire strand, modified indentation
10 A ~--Three-wire strand, original indentation
t | ~ 6 nLoad[kN]
smooth surface. The strand with a modified indentation had the
highest maximum bond capacity of the three strand
configurations tested. The increase of the bond capacity due to
the indentation of the strand surface is even clearer if the load-
slip relationship of an indented single-wire strand and a
smooth single-wire are compared as seen in Fig. 11. The load-
slip relations follow the same path until the adhesion is broken
but the maximum bond capacity is clearly increased in the case
of an indented single-wire strand.
The increase in the maximum bond capacity, as indentation
of the strand is introduced, could be explained by the physical
interlocking that is present between the indented strand surface
and the surrounding concrete. Due to the interlocking the
surrounding concrete is compressed in the direction normal to
the strand as the strand slips relative to the concrete. This
induces a compressive normal stress at the interface between
the strand and the surrounding concrete. The increased normal
stress implies that the bond capacity of the friction mechanism
is increased and hence the total bond capacity of the strand is
increased. An indication of the difference in the inducement of
normal stress of the tested strands is given by comparing the
measured tangential strain in the steel encasement in the tests
above. The test results show that the single- and three-wire
strands with the original and the modified indentation induced
larger tangential strain in the steel encasement than the smooth
strands as seen in Fig. 12. The strain-slip relations in Fig. 12
shows the general differences due to the different indentations.
The strain at maximum bond capacity was always larger in the
tests with the modified indentation. The test results indicate
that introducing indentations mainly increases the physical
interlocking present at the strand-concrete interface and
explains the improved maximum bond capacity of indented
strands. However, the increased potential of splitting failure
when indented strands are used is also revealed as the stress in
the normal direction of an indented strand is larger compared
to a smooth strand.

6 600Strain [10 (~]

0
4 0 03 I One-wire strand, original indentation
500
2 - " , "
4OO
Slip [ram]
0
10 20 30 40 50 60 70 300

Fig. 10 - Comparison of the load-slip relation of an indented 200

three-wire strand with the original indentation, a modified
indentation and no indentation. 100 i

10 ~ad [~N]
0.'
One-wire strand, original indentation 10 20 30 40 50 60Slip [rr~0
9
6 Load[kNl
8 l O n e - w i r e strand, no indentation / " Fig. 12 - Comparison of the tangential strain-slip relation of a
7 single- and three-wire strands, with original and modified
6 indentation, and smooth single- and three-wire strands."
5
4 When the results from the tests above were examined, it
3 was found that the bond-slip relation was strongly connected to
2 the geometrical properties of the strand indentation. All tests
1 with indented strands showed a similar characteristic of the
0 load-slip relation. The relation had a distinct wave pattern with
10 20 30 40 50 6'0Slip [mm40 similar distances between the waves as seen in Fig. 13. A
possible explanation was found when the geometry of the
Fig. 11 - Comparison of the load-slip relation of an indented
strand and the strand indentation was examined. The extruding
one-wire strand and a smooth one-wire strand.
part of the strand indentation, for the strand with an original

101
Gustavson

indentation, was 2 mm, and this indentation was repeated The development o f normal displacement at the strand-
every 5.0 ram. The maximum bond capacity was reached at a concrete interface was also examined by comparing the
slip of 2-3 m m followed by a drop in the bond-slip relation bond-slip relation with the measured tangential strain-slip
which ended in a local minimum at a slip of approximately relation as seen in Fig. 15a. It is clear that the wave pattern
5 ram. The distance between the waves in the load-slip relation in the bond-slip and the measured tangential strain-slip
were approximately 5 m m in all tests. Furthermore, the test relations varies with increasing slip as the strand
results showed a general decrease of the bond from the indentation is in and out of phase with the indented
maximum capacity, at a slip of 2-3 ram, to a slip of concrete channel. This phenomenon was even clearer when
approximately 35 ram. This behaviour could be connected to the bond-slip relation and the tangential strain-slip relation
the winding distance of each wire divided by three, see Fig. 13. of a one-wire strand with an original indentation was
compared, see Fig. 15b.
Load [kN]
10 ,5,o5 120Bond [xl0E5 Pa], Strain[10~]
5,83
9 100 A / ~ relation (a)
8
] 34,7 [
7 80
6
5 60 I ~ V "-~Tangentialstrain-slip
4

2 20
1
0
0 0 ,0 20 30 40 ~0 60s ~ t ' ~ o
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 60 65 70
Slip [mm] 1000Bond [xl0E4 Pal, Strain[I0-6]
900 A j (b)

00i
Fig. 13 - Characteristic wave pattern in the load-slip relation of all
800 Bond-sliprelation
tested specimens, actual load-slip relation from a PT test with
original indentation, from the first test series. 700 I ~/Tang.entialstrain-slip

The physical explanation to the wave pattern is most 500

likely that the strand has to make way in the concrete as it 400
slips and displaces the surrounding concrete in the direction 300
normal to the strand. The m a x i m u m normal displacement, 200
un, o f the surrounding concrete occurs when the strand and 100
concrete indentations are out of phase. When the slip is
equal to the length of the extruding concrete parts in the 0 10 20 30 40 50 ~:6~lip[..=_5?
0m,-,~1
concrete channel the surrounding concrete is no longer
displaced in the normal direction. The interaction of the Fig. 15 - Comparison of the bond-slip relation with the
strand and the concrete during slip is idealised in Fig. 14. tangential strain-slip relation; (a) for an indented three-wire
strand; and (b) an indented one wire strand.

The general decrease in the bond capacity as the slip

increases is most likely due to a decrease of the normal
stress at the strand-concrete interface as the strand
indentation grinds the indents of the concrete channel
during slippage. This would imply that it becomes easier
and easier for the strand to make way in the concrete as it
slips; and consequently the stress in the normal direction of
the strand decreases, which results in a decreased bond
capacity. The general increase in the bond capacity that
occurs after a slippage of approximately 35 m m could
probably be explained by the winding o f the strand. I f the
distances between the windings is not exactly equal an
increase in the bond capacity will occur after a slippage
equal to a third o f the winding as a new strand profile
should make way in the concrete channel. If the strand
profile is not exactly equal to the previously strand profile
the strand will not fit and this will result in an increase of
the normal stress and consequently an increase of the bond
capacity.
Fig. 14 - Displacement of the surrounding concrete in the
normal direction of the strand due to slip of the strand.

102
Materials and Structures / Mat6riaux et Constructions, Vol. 37, March 2004

5.2 Roughness of the strand surface
The influence of a rough or a smooth wire surface on the
initial bond behaviour and the subsequent bond response
was examined by comparing test results from original
strands with no surface treatment and original strands that
examining the measured tangential strains in pull-through
tests of three-wire strands with no indentation, where the
surface had a low and a high strand surface roughness, with
a three-wire strand with no surface treatment and original
indentations as seen in Fig. 17.

60!
were coated with teflon spray. The results from smooth 120 I train [10~]
three-wire strands that were sandblasted, teflon-coated and
untreated were also compared, see Fig. 16. The teflon
coating was used, as far as possible, to decrease the
roughness of the strand, while sandblasting was used to
00n980
/Three-wire strand; original indentation
/High strand surface roughness; sandblasting

Low strand surface roughness; no surface treatment

maximise the roughness of the strand surface. The case of a

maximised strand surface roughness was examined by use 40
of sandblasting. The nominal diameter was equal for all
20

~2r-cad [kN] 0 m- ~ ~.~=... " -,

';0 ; 0 " 4o- ;o"" 75i

io

6
~ Indented three-wire strand, no surface treatment
(a) -20

Fig. 17 - Comparison of the tangential strain-slip relation, for

high and low surface roughness at three-wire strands with no
indentation.

2 5.3 Compressive strength of the concrete

0 Early studies concerning the effect of the compressive
'Slip [mm]'
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 strength of the concrete on the bond response of strands
reported contradictory conclusions. Later, several
12 1 oad [kN]
researcher examined the influence of concrete strength on
lO (b) the transmission length, see FIP/CEB [5]. The general
Smooth three-wire strand, sandblasted surface findings were; that an increased concrete strength decreases
8 the transmission length of a strand. However, it is not stated
~ fimooth three-wire strand, no surface treatment whether this is due to a increased bond capacity on the
6 structural level (i.e. an increased capacity to avoid splitting
4 ~ t e f l o n
14 1 oad [kNl (a)

12 '~._-- Indented three-wire strand, silica additives-73 MPa

10
0 ' Slip [mm]'
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 8

Fig. 16 - Comparison of the load-slip relation; of(a,) an 6

indented three-wire strand and (b) a smooth three-wire strand, 4
with different treatment of the wire surfaces.
2
strands as were the material properties. Indented three-wire strand, HSC-97 MPa
0
The test results above show that the initial bond, i.e. the 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70
adhesion, and the subsequent friction at the strand-concrete 8 Load [kN]
interface were strongly affected by the properties of the g, Indented three-wire strand, age 24 hours-25 MPa
strand surface. The bond capacity of the adhesion
mechanism increased with increasing roughness of the 6 (b)
strand surface. The test results showed that the strands that 5
were coated with teflon had the lowest initial bond capacity 4 \
and the sandblasted strands had the highest initial bond 3 2MPa
capacity. The roughness of the strand surface was also
2
found to affect the friction at the strand-concrete interface.
The maximum bond capacities of the strands that were 1
coated with teflon were compared with the strands that had 0 Slip '
0 2 4 6 8 [mmll0
an untreated surface. The maximum bond capacity was
strongly reduced in the case of teflon coating. Fig. 18 - Comparison of the load-slip relation of an indented
The roughness of the strand surface was found, to a three-wire strand; (a) in pull-through tests and (b) in push-in
moderate extent, to influence the physical interlocking at test with varied concrete compressive strength due to silica
the strand-concrete interface. This was concluded by additives or concrete age or changed concrete recipe.

103
Gustavson
failure), or if the local bond capacity of the strand-concrete
interface is increased. Furthermore, it is not fully explained
how the concrete strength influence the bond response. Is it
the initial bond capacity that is affected or is it the
maximum bond capacity? The results from PT-test and PI-
tests with indented three-wire strands, where the concrete
had different compressive strengths due to silica additives,
changed mix design or age, were compared in order to
examined this as shown in Fig. 18. The resuks from PT-test
with smooth three-wire strands for concretes with and
without silica additives are also compared as shown in
Fig. 19.
6 Load [kN]
4 Sm~.~ three-wire
~ strand, silica additives
5 5.4 Helical shape of the strand
3 strand, induced by the winding of the wires, was examined
1~ Smooththree-wire strand, no additives
0 nominal diameter and material properties.
0 10 20 30 40 50 6'slip [mm]7'0
Fig. 19 - Comparison of the load-slip relation of a smooth
three-wire strand in a pull-through test with different concrete
compressive strength due to silica additives.
The influence of the compressive cylinder concrete
strength to the bond capacity of a strand is not clear. The
initial bond response was increased as silica was used in the
concrete and as the age of the concrete was increased as
shown in Figs. 18 and 19. The maximum bond capacity was
only to a small extent increased by the added silica and the
increased age of the concrete. However, the silica additives
increased the bond response after the peak in the bond-slip
relation. The maximum bond capacity of the high strength
concrete, 97 MPa, was not increased compared to normal
strength concrete; instead, the maximum bond capacity was
decreased. This contradicts the findings reported by for
instance Laldji and Young [9] and Mo and Chan [10] who
conclude that an increased compressive strength results in
an increased bond capacity. A possible explanation for this
contradiction is that the compressive strength of the
concrete is not a relevant parameter for describing the
concretes influence to the bond capacity of strands.
It seems that the density of the different concrete
matrixes is a better parameter to use. Some researchers
claim that a densification of the concrete at the strand-
concrete interface, either by use of silica fume or polyvinyl
alcohol, or increased age of the concrete, will result in an
increased bond strength, see Gjorv et al. [11], Li et al. [12],
Laldji and Young [9] and Pinchin and Tabor [13].
Benmokrane et al. [14] studied the influence of the concrete
strength on the bond capacity of FRP rods. They concluded
that the compressive strength only influences the bond
capacity if the indents provide sufficient bearing capacity
through mechanical interlocking. Otherwise the bond
capacity is more dependent upon the friction and adhesion
between the rod's surface and the surrounding concrete.
This agrees well with the test results presented here. Thus
104
increased bond capacity due to increased compressive
strength of the concrete appears to depend on the increased
densification of the strand-concrete interface, rather than on
the compressive strength itself.
The test results with the high strength concrete showed
no increased bond capacity despite the high compressive
strength and the presumably increased densification of the
matrix, (due to increased amounts of cement and silica in
the concrete mix). This could be explained if the recipes of
the two concrete mixes used in the tests are compared. The
relative amount of sand is different in the two concrete
mixes. The high strength concrete has less sand, which can
result in a coarser concrete matrix at the strand-concrete
interface and thereby a lower bond capacity.
The influence of the helical shape of the three-wire
by comparing results from tests with one-wire strands and
three-wire strands with both indented and smooth wire
surfaces as seen in Figs. 20 and 21. The one-wire strands
and the three-wire strands used in the tests had equal
12 [-oad [kN]
/~---'l'hree-wire strand, o~ginalindent~lion
10 f l
6
4
2
0 10 20 30 40 50
Fig. 20 - Comparison of the load-slip relation of an indented
three-wire strand and an indented one-wire strand.
4L3ad[kN]
4 Load[kN]
3.5
3 /Three-wire strand, smooth
2,5
0' Slip[mm]n
2 0 0.3
1.5
1
0.5
0
10 20 30 40 50 60 70
Fig. 21 -Comparison of the load-slip relation of a smooth
three-wire strand and a smooth one-wire strand.
A general tendency in the test results in Fig. 20 and 21 is
that the three-wire strands have a slightly higher bond
capacity than the corresponding one-wire strands. This
tendency is more pronounced as the slip is increased
beyond the slip at the maximum bond capacity of the
strand. This could be explained by an inconsistency in the
wire winding of the three-wire strands. If the windings are
Materials and Structures / Mat6riaux et Constructions, Vol. 37, March 2004
not perfectly constant the three-wire strand does not fit
perfectly in the concrete channel during increased slippage,
which is the case for the one-wire strand. Hence, the
difference in the corresponding tests above could be
explained by the phenomenon that is often called the lack-
of-fit effect.
5.5 Change of local steel stress
The Poisson effect due to a change of the local stress in
the strand was examined by comparing the results from PT-
tests and PI-tests. The results from three different tests with
an indented three-wire strand were used in the comparison;
one PT-test at a concrete age of 28 days and two PI-tests at
a concrete ages of 24 and 96 hours as shown in Fig. 22. The
compressive cylinder strengths of the concrete in the
different tests were 55 MPa in the PT-test and 27 MPa and
42MPa in the PI-tests at ages of 24 and 96hours,
respectively.
Load [kN]
10'
9 r 28 days, 55 MPa
7'
6'
5 pattern has a wavelength that corresponds to the regularity
4 o f the strand indentation and the second correspond to the
3 f ~PIqest; 24 hours, 27 MPa
g
2 strand. The slip value at which the maximum bond capacity
1 Slip [mm]
0 properties of the strand indentation.Concerning the
1 2 3 4 5 6
Fig. 22 - Comparison of the load-slip relation of an indented
three-wire strand in a PT-test at a concrete age of 28 days and
in PI-tests at a concrete age of 24 and 96 hours.
It can be concluded that the Poisson effect change the
shape of the load-slip relation curve. The slip value at the
maximum bond capacity was slightly increased in the PI-
test when the local steel stress was changed, (decreased),
during slipping of the strand. Unfortunately no PT-and PI-
tests were done where the concretes had equal compressive
cylinder strengths, but the results show that the capacity of
the initial linear bond response is increased in the PI-tests.
This is probably due to the decrease in local longitudinal
steel stress which induces a compressive stress in the
direction normal to the strand-concrete interface. The
compressive normal stress would then delay the breaking of
the adhesion between the strand and the surrounding
concrete and thereby increase the initial bond capacity of
the strand in the case of stress release in the strand.
6. D I S C U S S I O N
In the case of pull-out failure the maximum bond
capacity of strands was not influenced by the compressive
strength of the concrete. This is not the case reported for
deformed bars, where the maximum bond capacity in pull-
out failure is strongly influenced by the concrete strength,
see Magnusson [15], Chapman and Shah [16] and Lundgren
[17]. This reveals that different failure mechanisms is
limiting the bond capacity o f strands and deformed bars.
105
The maximum bond capacities of deformed bars in a pull-
out failure are determined by the compressive strength of
the concrete in the inclined struts that are formed around
the bar. This can be seen in results from tests done by
Magnusson [15] were the bond responses of the deformed
bars, normalised with respect to the compressive strength of
the concrete, are more or less identical. The shape of the
load-slip relation is also similar to the uniaxial stress-strain
relation of concrete during a compression failure.
This is not the case for the tested strands as the ultimate
capacity of the induced inclined compressive struts was not
reached. Instead the test results show that, as long as
extreme confining stress is not present, the bond response is
determined by the ability of the strand to establish normal
stresses at the strand-concrete interface. The results showed
that the friction is influenced mainly by the micro-
roughness of the strand surface. Furthermore, the variation
of the normal stress depends on the indentation and the
helical strand. A variation of the friction will not change the
principal shape of the load-slip relation. However,
increasing the friction will amplify the wave patterns in the
load-slip relations of indented and smooth three-wire
strands. The wave pattern in the load-slip relation of three-
wire strands (indented or smooth) shows the presence of
two wave patterns with different periods. The first wave
regularity of the wire winding, i.e. the helical shape of the
is generated for indented strands is due to the geometrical
influence of the compressive strength of the concrete on the
bond capacity of strands, the crucial factor is how the
increased compressive strength of the concrete has been
achieved and not the strength itself. If silica fume has been
used as an additive, an increased bond capacity is most
likely as the concrete matrix has been densified. At an early
age of the concrete, i.e. during release of the prestressed
strands in the production of precast concrete members, the
bond capacity of the strand will be determined by how
dense the concrete matrix has become and not the
compressive strength of the concrete.
7. C O N C L U S I O N S
The three mechanisms adhesion, friction and other
mechanical actions are truly present during the bond
response of strands. Initially, debonding of the adhesion
between the strand and the surrounding concrete takes
place. The adhesion was greatly increased by an increased
micro-roughness of the strand surface. A moderately
improved adhesion capacity was found when the density of
the concrete matrix in the strand-concrete interface was
increased. The increased adhesion capacity did not increase
the induced stress in the direction normal to the strand.
Hence, improving the adhesion will not increase the
potential risk of bond failure due to splitting of the
surrounding concrete. The friction at the strand-concrete
interface strongly influence the bond capacity. Increased
friction increased the bond capacity after the initial
debonding. The induced stress in the direction normal to the
strand was moderately affected by a change of the friction
Gustavson
at the strand-concrete interface. The mechanical action
caused by the strand indents is the mechanism that has the
largest contribution to the bond capacity of indented
strands. The indents cause a compressive stress in the
direction normal to the strand-concrete interface. The
compressive stress increase the load portion carried by
friction. However, as the indents cause normal compressive
stresses the risk of splitting failure increases.
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of indented three-wire strands', Report 01:2, Concrete
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[2] Gustavson, R., 'Pull-through tests of strands with various
surface treatments and geometries', Report 01:6, Concrete
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2001, 33 p.
[3] Gustavson, R., 'Steel-encased pull-through tests of strands
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[4] Lundgren, K., 'Pull-out tests of steel-encased specimens
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[5] FIB/CEB (Bulletin d'Information No. 10), 'Bond of reinforcement
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106
[7] Gustavson, R., 'Structural behaviour of concrete railway
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[9] Laldji S. and Young, A.G., 'Bond between steel strand and
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[10] Mo, Y.L. and Chan, J., 'Bond and slip of plain rebars in
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Paper received." March 28, 2002,"Paper accepted: December 17, 2002