Beruflich Dokumente
Kultur Dokumente
71-10
This report presents information that is intended to aid the practicing engineer con-
fronted with consideration of repeated loading on concrete structures. Investigations
of the fatigue properties of component materials-concrete, reinforcing bars, welded
reinforcing mats, and prestressing tendons-are reviewed. Application of this infor-
mation to predicting the fatigue life of beams and pavements is discussed.
CONTENTS
Chapter 1-lntroduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 98
1.1-0bjective and scope 1.2-Definitions
*Chairman of ACI Committee 215 at the time that preparation by any photo process, or by any electronic or mechanical device,
of this report was begun. printed or written or oral, or recording for sound or visual
Copyright 1974, American Concrete Institute. reproduction or for use in any knowledge or retrieval system
All rights reserved including rights of reproduction and use or device, unless permission in writing is obtained from the
in any form or by any means, including the making of copies copyright proprietors.
C!: 60
"'
Cl
c:
Q)
_.,. ____ 60
cO,
"'c ~
c:
E(j)
c
E(/)
failure, plotted on a logarithmic scale. ::J- =>-
E o E 0
;:: ;:c
Curves a and c indicate that the fatigue strength 20 c
of concrete decreases with increasing number of ~ :::!!!
0- --- .
0.8
2.1.4 Rate of loading-Several investigations in-
Smax
-f-,- "" ... dicate that variations of the frequency of loading
c
between 70 and 900 cycles per minute have little
0.7 effect on fatigue strength provided the maximum
0 0 ol<>l stress level is less than about 75 percent of the
-~ ... static strength. 8 For higher stress levels, a signifi-
cant influence of rate of loading has been ob-
0.6 served.11 Under such conditions, creep effects
become more important, leading to a reduction in
oL-~--~~~~~--~~~~~~
104 JO' 10 6 410 6 fatigue strength with decreasing rate of loading.
Cycles to Failure,N 2.1.5 Material properties-The fatigue strength
for a life of 10 million cycles of load and a proba-
Fig. 3-lnfluence of stress gradient bility of failure of 50 percent, regardless of
whether the specimen is loaded in compression,
decrease of stress range with increasing minimum tension, or flexure, is approximately 55 percent of
stress has been observed, at least approximately, the static ultimate strength. Furthermore, the
by many investigators. fatigue strength of mortar and concrete are about
From Fig. 2, the maximum stress in tension, the same when expressed as a percentage of their
compression, or flexure that concrete can with- corresponding ultimate static strength. 10 Many
stand for one million repetitions and for a given variables such as cement content, water-cement
minimum stress can be determined. For example, ratio, curing conditions, age at loading, amount of
consider a structural element to be designed for entrained air, and type of aggregates that affect
one million repetitions. If the minimum stress is static ultimate strength also influence fatigue
15 percent of the static ultimate strength, then strength in a similar proportionate manner. 11
the maximum load that will cause fatigue failure
2.1.6 Stress gradient-Stress gradient has been
is about 57 percent of static ultimate load.
shown to influence the fatigue strength of con-
2.1.3 Load history-Most laboratory fatigue data crete. Results of tests 12 on 4 x 6 x 12 in. concrete
are idealized, since in these tests the loads al- prisms under repeated compressive stresses and
ternated between constant minimum and maxi- three different strain gradients are shown in Fig.
mum values. Concrete in structural members may 3. The prisms had a compressive strength of about
be subjected to randomly varying loads. Current- 6000 psi (422 kgf/cm 2 ). They were tested at a
ly, no data are available 6 showing the effect of rate of 500 cpm at ages varying between 47 and
random loading on fatigue behavior of concrete. 77 days.
Effects of different values of maximum stress can For one case, marked e = 0, the load was ap-
be approximately, although not always conserva- plied concentrically, producing uniform strain
tively, estimated from constant stress fatigue tests throughout the cross section. To simulate the
by using the Miner hypothesis. 7 According to this compression zone of a beam, load was applied ec-
rule, failure occurs if l (n,./N,.) = 1, where n,. is centrically in the other two cases, marked e = 1h
the number of cycles applied at a particular in. (0.85 em) and e = 1 in. (2.54 em) . The loads
stress condition, and N,. is the number of cycles were applied such that during the first cycle of
which will cause fatigue failure at that same fatigue loading the maximum strain at the ex-
stress condition. treme fiber was the same for all three sets of
The effect of rest periods and sustained loading specimens. For the two eccentrically loaded cases,
on the fatigue behavior of concrete is not suf- the minimum strain was zero and half the maxi-
ficiently explored. Laboratory tests have shown mum strain, respectively. The stress level, S, was
that rest periods and sustained loading between defined as the ratio of the extreme fiber stress to
repeated load cycles tends to increase the fatigue the static compressive strength f/. The extreme
strength of concrete. 5 In these tests, the specimens fiber stress in eccentrically loaded specimens was
were subjected to relatively low levels of sus- determined from static stress strain relationships
tained stress. If the sustained stress level is above and the maximum strain at the extreme fiber as
about 75 percent of the static strength, then observed during the first cycle of fatigue loading.
~:, ::tllllllllll
2.2.5 Yield and tensile strength-In three in-
N = 2 million
cycles vestigations,:!t.:!i,28 the fatigue strength of differ-
ent grades+! of bars made by the same North
Grode 40 60 75 40 60 75 40 75 40 75 American manufacturer were compared. The re-
O.lty 03ty 01\ 03ty sults of these comparisons, all of which are in
Manufacturer A A 8 8 the long life region of fatigue life, are shown by
ol Data from Reference 21 , No.8 Bars the bar graphs in Fig. 7. It was concluded in Ref-
::tut
erences 21 and 28 that the fatigue strength of the
bars was relatively insensitive to their yield or
N=2million tensile strength. References 21 and 28 include
Sr cycles
kSI 157 and 72 tests, respectively. Reference 27, which
0 includes 19 tests, indicated that fatigue strength
Grode 40 60 75
may be predicted for grade of steel as a function
smin 025ty
of the stress range.
b) Data from Reference 27, No.5 Bars
In another investigation 2llAt on bars made by a
major United States manufacturer, the fatigue
life of Grade 40, Grade 60, and Grade 75 #8 bars,
N = 5 million
cycles subjected to a stress range of 36 ksi (2530 kgf/
cm 2 ) imposed on a minimum stress of 6 ksi ( 422
40 60 75 40 60 75 40 60 75 40 60 75 kgf/cm:!), varied linearly in the ratio of 0.69 to
5 min Olfy 04fy Oily 0 lfy 1.00 to 1.31, respectively. The ratio of 1.0 cor-
Size No 8 No.8 No.5 No 10 responds to a fatigue life of 400,000 cycles, and is
c) Data from Reference 28 therefore in the finite life region.
Fig. 7-Effect of grade of bar Axial tension fatigue tests 32 on unembedded re-
inforcing bars made in Germany were carried out
noted t:J that the base radius should be determined on four groups of bars having yield strengths of
in a plane through the longitudinal axis of the 49, 53, 64, and 88 ksi (3445, 3726, 4499, and 6186
bar, since this is the direction of the applied kgf/cm:!). All of the bars were rolled through the
stress. The base radius determined in this plane same stand for elimination of variation in the
will be substantially larger than a base radius deformed surfaces. When tested with a minimum
determined in a plane perpendicular to a sharply stress level of 8.5 ksi (598 kgf/cm 2 ), the stress
inclined lug. ranges causing failure in two million cycles were
In two experimental investigations,~:L:H it was determined to be 28, 28, 28, and 31 ksi (1968, 1968,
found that the condition of the rolls, whether 1968, and 2179 kgf/cm 2 ) , respectively.
new or worn, had little effect on fatigue strength. In a Japanese investigation, 36 bars of the same
However, a conflicting opinion has been expressed size and made by the same manufacturer but
in Reference 32. with yield strengths of 50, 57, and 70 ksi (3515,
Tests3 :! also show a substantial effect on the 4007, and 4921 kgf/cm 2 ) were tested. The stress
fatigue resistance of reinforcing bars due to brand range causing failure in two million cycles was
marks. The brand marks cover the identification between 30 and 31.5 ksi (2109 and 2214 kgf/cm 2 )
of the bar as to size, type of steel (billet, rail, or for all three groups of bars.
axle), mill that rolled the steel, and yield strength 2.2.6 Bending-The effect of bends on fatigue
(Grade 40, 60, or 75) .H The stress concentration strength of bars has been considered in two in-
at a bar mark is similar to that caused by bar vestigations.212n In the North American investiga-
deformations. tion,21 fatigue tests were carried out on both
It has also been demonstrated:! 4 that the fatigue straight and bent #8 deformed bars embedded in
strength of a reinforcing bar may be influenced concrete beams. The bends were through an angle
by the orientation of the longitudinal ribs. In of 45 deg around a pin of 6 in. (15.2 em) diameter.
that study, an increased fatigue life was obtained The fatigue strength of the bent bars was a little
when the longitudinal ribs were oriented in a more than 50 percent below the fatigue strength
horizontal position rather than a vertical position. of the straight bars. In one test, a bent bar em-
This phenomenon is apparently associated with bedded in a reinforced concrete beam failed in
the location at which the fatigue crack initiates. fatigue after sustaining 900,000 cycles of a stress
In other words, if there is a particular location range of 18 ksi (1265 kgf/cm 2 ) imposed on a
on the surface of a bar which is more critical minimum stress of 5.9 ksi ( 415 kgf/cm 2 ). In an-
for fatigue than other locations, then the position- other test, application of 1,025,000 cycles produced
''
4218
60
',.. ",,
' '',,
4218
Stress
Range
Stress
Range
40 <, ", ' ' 2812
Sr, ksi
2812
Sr,kg/sq em Stress
Range
S,.,ksi
...
......... ' Stress
Range
......... s,, kg/sq em
.........
20 Referenc Legend ...................... 1406
1406 (45)
(49)
-----
-----Cross Weld
-----.
(48) ---Between Welds
0
0~~-----------L--------~ 0.02 0.1 0.5 1.0 5.0
0.1 1.0 10.0
Cycles to Failure, N, millions Cycles to Failure,N,millions
Fig. 8-Effect of tack welding stirrups to Grade 60 bars Fig. 9-Median Sr-N curves for welded reinforcing mats
a failure when the stress range and minimum experience from abroad-lG and the relatively poor
stress were 16.4 ksi and 19.1 ksi (1153 and 1343 performance of smooth wire fabric in continuously
kgf/cm~), respectively. reinforced concrete pavements. 46 47 48 In some
Tests~ 9 have also been reported from Germany cases, pavements reinforced with this fabric per-
on both plain and deformed hot-rolled bars bent formed adequately in service for 3 to 5 years.
through an angle of 45 deg. However, these bars Then several wide cracks occurred, necessitating
were bent around a pin having a diameter of extensive repairs. While most of this cracking was
10 in. (25.4 em). Compared to tests on straight caused by inadequate detailing of splices, field
bars, the fatigue strength of the plain bars was studies in Connecticut47 have revealed failures at
reduced 29 percent by the bend, while the fatigue the welds in a significant number of instances.
strength of the deformed bars was reduced 48 Any assessment of welded wire fabric or bar
percent. mats based primarily on their performance in
2.2.7 Welding-In an investigation24 using Grade pavements is unrealistic. In any given length of
40 and Grade 60 reinforcement with the same de- pavement, wide variations are possible in the
formation pattern, it was found that the fatigue stress spectrum for the reinforcement. The av-
strength of bars with stirrups attached by tack erage stress level in the reinforcement is strongly
welding was about one-third less than bars with dependent on the pavement's age, its thermal and
stirrups attached by wire ties. The results of the moisture history, and the longitudinal restraint
tests on the Grade 60 reinforcement are shown offered by the subgrade. The stress range in the
in Fig. 8. For both grades of steel, the fatigue reinforcement caused by the traffic depends on
strength of the bars with tack welding was about the support offered by the subgrade as well as
20 ksi (1406 kgf/cm~) at 5 million cycles. All of the magnitude of the loading.
the fatigue cracks were initiated at the weld loca- Several recent investigations have examined the
tions. fatigue characteristics of fabric and bar mats in
Investigationsw~ 2 have also been carried out to air:~ 5 48 49 For smooth wire fabric 45 49 the disturb-
evaluate the behavior of butt-welded reinforcing ance due to the welded intersection dominated
bars in reinforced concrete beams. In tests con- over all other influences, so that failures were
ducted at a minimum stress level of 2 ksi tension, confined to the heat affected zone of the weld. For
the least stress range that produced a fatigue bar mats, the disturbance due to the welded in-
failure was 24 ksi. It was observed that minimum tersection dominated only if the stress concentra-
stress level in the butt-welded joint was not a tion caused by the intersection was greater than
significant factor affecting the fatigue strength of the concentration caused by the deformation. The
the beams. available evidence does not indicate that these
effects are additive.
2.3--Welded wire fabric and bar mats*
Results for "cross-weld" tests conducted in air
Welded wire fabric may consist of smooth or are summarized in Fig. 9. In the German investi-
deformed wires while bar mats usually consist of gation45 15 tests were made on a smooth wire
deformed bars. Often fabric and bar mats are not fabric consisting of 0.236 in. (6 mm) diameter
used in structures subject to significant repeated wires welded to 0.315 in. (8 mm) diameter wires.
loads because of concern that the welded inter-
sections will create significant stress concentra-
tions. This feeling has been heightened by Dr. Neil M. Hawkins prepared this section of the report.
60 ' ". .
"
'"'" /Lower Bound for
4218
that there was a rapid deterioration of the bond
between the smooth wires and the concrete under
cyclic loading, so that after 104 cycles of loading,
"{ Reference (50) Data
' - , , oe
all anchorage was provided primarily by the
cross wires. Fatigue life values for fracture of
~oo
40 2812
Stress the first wire in those slabs could be predicted
Range
Spksi Stress using the results for the wire tested in air and
t:t. " , Range
a deterministic assessment of the appropriate
~0
S,, kg/sq em
probability based on the number of approximate-
20
', 1406 ly equally stressed welds in the slab. The appro-
Reference Symbol Wire Spocillc;J '--0-...tL
in. priate probability level for these slabs was about
(49) 6 6 98 percent, indicating a need for a design ap-
(50)
(50)
0
6
12 proach for welded reinforcing mats based on a
0=-------~------~~------~
0.01 0.1 1.0 10.0
probability of survival greater than the 95 per-
Cycles to Failure,N,millions cent commonly accepted for reinforcing bars and
concrete.
Fig. I0-Sr-N curves for slabs containing mats
The fatigue life values for collapse were about
In one American investigation 59 "cross-weld" 4n
double those for fracture of the first wire. The
tests were made on a 2 x 2-6 x 6 (0.263 in. or 6.7 mm values for collapse could be predicted from the
diameter) smooth wire fabric, and in the other results of the tests conducted in air using a de-
terministic procedure for assessment of the ap-
investigation48 22 "cross-weld" tests and 30 be-
propriate probability level and Miner's theory 7
tween weld tests were made on #5 Grade 60 de-
to predict cumulative damage effects.
formed bars with #3 deformed bars welded to
them. A comparison of the S-N curves for wire fabric
The University of Washington-l 9 investigation and bar mats with those for deformed bars indi-
was intended to provide a statistically analyzable cates that an endurance limit may not be reached
set of test data for three stress ranges. It was ob- for the fabric and mats until about 5 X 106 cycles,
served that when the penetration across the weld whereas a limit is reached for the bars at about
was less than one-tenth of the diameter of the 1 X tor. cycles. However, the total amount of data
wire, there was incomplete fusion of the wires in the long life range for fabric and mats is ex-
and the formation of a cold joint. For a greater tremely limited and insufficient for reliable com-
penetration, the molten metal squirted into the parison.
intersection between the wires causing a marked
stress concentration so that the fatigue life for 2.4-Prestressing tendons*
a hot joint was about half that for a cold joint. 2.4.1 General-If the precompression in a pre-
The result shown in Fig. 9 is the median fatigue stressed concrete member is sufficient to ensure
life value for the penetration considered as a an uncracked section throughout the service life
random variable. In those tests the fatigue life of the member, the fatigue characteristics of the
values for a given stress range and a 95 percent prestressing steel and anchorages are not likely
probability of survival exceeded the life values to be critical design factors. Further, in a properly
obtained in tests on high yield deformed designed unbonded member, it is almost impossi-
bars. 25 In the tests 48 on the bar mats it was found ble to achieve a condition for which fatigue
that the welded intersection reduced the fatigue characteristics are important. 51 Consequently, fa-
life for a given range by about 50 percent through- tigue considerations have not been a major factor
out the short life stress range. in either the specification of steel for prestressed
Tests on slabs reinforced with smooth wire mats concrete" 2 or the development of anchorage sys-
have been reported in References 49 and 50. The tems.
results are summarized in Fig. 10, where it is
apparent that there is reasonable correlation be- No structural problems attributable to fatigue
tween the two sets of data. In the Illinois tests, 50 failures of the prestressing steel or anchorages
the 12 in. (30.5 em) wide, 60 in. (152 em) long have been reported in North America. However,
slabs were reinforced with #0 gage wires longi- in the near future fatigue considerations may
tudinally with #8 gage wires welded to them at merit closer scrutiny due to:
6 or 12 in. (15.3 or 20.6 em) spacings.
In the University of Washington tests, 49 the 54
*Dr. Neil M. Hawkins was chairman of the subcommittee that
in. (137 em) square slabs were reinforced with prepared this section of the report.
" '--_--
Smax .............. ...... .................. ___ Smin=O.Gfpu the same rib height obtained using a circular cut
~
0.7
...,
..., ..., .
---------- out of 10 mm (0.4 in.) radius, the stress concen-
tration factor was 1.36, and there was no re-
------ Smin =0.5 fpu
.............. .... ------ duction in the fatigue strength. Wires crimped62
0.6 .......... ______ Smin =0.4fpu with a pitch of 2 in. (5.1 em) and a crimp height
----------- of at least 15 percent of the wire diameter in the
0.5 unstressed condition, showed a fatigue strength 20
percent lower than that of the plain wire.
0 4
Strand-Strands of United States manufacture
0.06 0.1 0.4
up through 112 in. (12.7 mm) diameter conform to
Cycles to Failure, N, millions
ASTM A 416-68M "Specifications for Uncoated
Fig. I 2-Data for United States made seven-wire strand Seven-Wire Stress-Relieved Strand for Prestressed
Concrete." This specification covers strand used
for prestressing in the United States, and foreign
suppliers conform to these requirements. In the
United States, several series of tests65 - 69 have been
made on seven-wire strand of either 7/16 or lh
20
in. (1.1 or 1.27 em) diameter. Fatigue data com-
Stress piled from these studies68 are shown in Fig. 12.
Range
Tensile ,Percent ------~......... ........_,_ These data are shown along with data obtained
Strength .......___._1'lw..-...,._ - - - - from tests on Russian, 50 Belgian,59 and Japanese 63
c~-.u.:---~-.....___
ACI12..ncps1 --:--e.---:.::= strand, in Fig. 13.
10 -(3.18 kg/sq em).___
ACI-6-A[psi
------ The Japanese tests 63 indicated by squares were
-(1.59 kg/sq em) conducted on 3 mm (0.118 in.) diameter plain
wires. Tests on similar size strand made f:om
OU*1---~so~----6~o~----=7o
deformed wires showed strengths about 15 per-
cent lower. Comparison of Fig. 11 and 12 and the
Minimum Stress , Percent
Tensile Strength results of the Belgian tests indicate the stress
ranges available with strand are less than those
- - - B e l g i u m -Wire for wire. The United States and Russian tests
-----Belgium -Strand
----Russia indicate a decrease in fatigue strength with in-
- - .. -U.S.A.-Worner
---U.S.A.- TideS Van Horn creasing size for the wires in the strand. Several
U.S.A.- Hilmes
Japan-2Wires writers 5n have hypothesized that for strands the
c Japan-3 Wires
successive lengthening and shortening of the
Fig. 13-Fatigue strength at two million cycles for pre- cables produces alternating tensions in the indi-
stressing strand vidual wires. Failures initiate where the neigh-
Mark
IT IT
Series3 B5 B7 B8 T5
u l? v 0 D l1
T7A T7B T7C E8 Button Conical
Heads
Wire 0.276
0.250 0.197 0.276 0.315 0.197 0.276 0.276 0.276 0.315 0.276 0.276
Diameter, in. 0.250
Radius 1 R
Diameter
- 0.25 0.29 0.28 0 0 0.49 0.89 - - - -
20 fange
(Lower Limit of Wire Test Results 17.9 lRange
(Belgian and Japanese) 15.0
Sr
fpu 10
11.8
12.5
1Range
10.0
f 12.5 T 13.0
of single wire or strand anchorages are likely to for the button head. The characteristics of a but-
overestimate the strength of multi-wire or multi- ton head are influenced by the wire cutoff meth-
strand anchorages. od, the type of heading equipment, the geometric
Tests on single wire anchorages have been con- characteristics of the head, the properties of the
ducted in the United States,lq Great Britain,* seating block, and the type of wire. Successive
Japan and Switzerland.~!' The types of anchorages improvements have led to button heads showing
tested and the results are shown in Fig. 15. In no failures even after 107 cycles of a stress range
each case the ratio of the minimum stress to the equal to 0.13 times the tensile strength at an
nominal tensile strength of the wire was about average of 0.6 times this strength. British tests on
0.6. The broken line indicates the fatigue charac- 0.276 in. (0.7 em) diameter button-headed wires
teristics of the wire used in the Japanese tests, have shown that defects in the button head have
as estimated from the results of rotating beam little effect on the fatigue strength. For a wire
tests. It corresponds also to the fatigue character- with an ultimate tensile strength of 244 ksi (17,-
istics of the weakest wire in Fig. 11. 150 kgf/cm~) tested at an average stress of 0.6
times that strength, the stress range for 2 X lOG
All anchorages shown in Fig. 15 developed the cycles dropped from 0.15 times the tensile strength
full strength of the wire for static loading. How- for a defect free head to a minimum of 0.12 times
ever, most resulted in a fatigue strength for the that strength for a diagonal split in the head. In
tendon of less than 50 percent of the fatigue contrast, a soft steel seating block for a defect
strength of the wire. The exceptions are the coni- free head resulted in a marked decrease in the
cal anchorages for the Swiss, British, and Ameri- fatigue life. The life dropped to 2 X 10" cycles for
can wires. If failures did not occur due to the a stress range of 0.15 times the tensile strength,
fatigue loading, the static strength was not im- and the failure was due to fretting between the
paired. In the case of the American wire, five
tendon and the soft steeL
specimens out of seven took more than 10 7 cycles The Japanese investigation showed that, to a
of the stress range shown without failure. The limited extent, the strength increased as the
lowest life was 3.5 X 10 cycles for a specimen ratio of the radius at the base of the head to the
which failed at the button head fillets. wire diameter increased. In these tests the fatigue
For the Swiss and British wires, ranges are
shown on the bar charts in Fig. 15 to indicate the
"'Test reports supplied by A. H. Stubbs, Western Concrete
variation in results for different characteristics Structures, Inc., Los Angeles, Calif.
.
Range ,Percent .t:.O A- A-
Tensile +
Strength
8 - + vv 0 0+ -
.
.... ... ... .... + ....
~t:r- 9-
""+ ....+...........
4 ~
:: -
I I I I I I I
0
2 4 4 4
Cycles to Failure
Fig. 16-Fatigue data for bar anchorages
crack usually developed where the shoulder for the tensile strength of the strand. For 1/2 in. (1.27
the head and the wire met. Clearly, the reduced em), seven-wire strand anchored by 51/2 x 2 in.
fatigue capacity of the anchorage is due to the (14 x 5 em) cast steel anchors,t failures have not
stress concentration caused by the change in sec- occurred within 0.5 X 10n cycles of loadings vary-
tion. The conically shaped anchorage forces the ing between 0.6 and 0.65, and between 0.56 and
fatigue crack to develop at a section 50 to 80 per- 0.64 times the tensile strength of the strand. Ten
cent larger in diameter than the wire. tests* on Stressteel S-H lfz in. (1.27 em) Mono-
Results for the fatigue tests conducted in the strand wedges have shown that for a 10 or 7 deg
United States* and Japan 71 on anchorages for angle, this system can take without failure at
bars are shown in Fig. 16. Arrows indicate speci- least 5 X 105 cycles of a load varying between 0.6
mens for which failures did not occur. The dotted and 0.66 times the strength of a 270 ksi (18,980
line is a lower bound to the test results. The ratio kgf/cm~) seven-wire strand. For a load varying
of the minimum stress to the tensile strength of between 0.5 and 0.7 times the strength of the
the bar was about 0.6 for all tests. It is apparent strand, failures occurred in the grips when one
that the stress range was insensitive to bar di- wire of the strand ruptured. Average fatigue lives
ameter or country of origin, and that all anchor- were 57,100 and 54,700 cycles for 10 and 7 deg
ages comply with the requirements of Section wedge angles. Results of foreign tests on proprie-
7.2 of Reference 56. The reduction in the fatigue tary anchorages for strand and multiple wire ten-
strength of the system for cut threads with coup- dons are shown in Fig. 17. The sources of the data
lers is less than for cut threads with nuts, and are indicated on the legend accompanying that
the reduction for both these systems is markedly figure. For all tests the minimum stress was
more than for bars with grip nuts or wedges. about 0.56 of the tensile strength of the tendon.
In the American tests on grip nuts and wedges, From a comparison of Fig. 17 and 13 it is apparent
a stress range of 0.1 times the tensile strength at that anchorages for strand result in a fatigue
a minimum stress of about 0.6 times that strength strength of about 70 percent of the potential
did not cause failure even after 3 X lor. cycles of strength of the strand. The strength with a rope
loading. socket is only about 50 percent of the strength of
Tests on single strand anchorages have been the strand. For multiple wire anchorages it is ap-
reported by several organizations. *.t.:f For 1/2 in.
(1.27 em) seven-wire strand anchored in S7 and
S9 C. C. L. spiral units: cast in small concrete *Personal communication from E. Schechter, Stressteel Corp.,
Wilkes-Barre, Pa.
blocks, failure did not occur within 1 X 10r. cycles ;Test reports supplied by L. Gerber, The Prescon Corp.,
Corpus Christi, Tex.
of a loading varying between 0.6 and 0.65 times :!:Test reports supplied by K. B. Bondy, Atlas Prestressing Corp.,
Panorama City, Calif.
of the same steel in a prestressed member. Pre- 0.1 0.2 0.5 1.0 2.0 5.0 10.0
stressing steel can be characterized as unbonded, Cycles to Failure , millions
partially bonded, or well bonded to the concrete. Fig. 17-Data for strand and multiple wire anchorages
When partially bonded, the steel is forced to fol-
low the deformations of the member due to either analyzable test series in which the prestressing
the restrictions of the duct wall or the use of steel in the beam is stressed in air. In the most
positioning devices. Cracking of the concrete rigorous study to date,:l:! close agreement was
usually develops at a maximum load intensity less found between bond effects for 8 mm (0.315 in.)
than that resulting in a stress range in the steel ribbed prestressing wires and those for reinforc-
sufficient for fatigue failure. The stronger the ing bars. For reinforcing bars, there was little
bond, the greater the local variation in stress in difference in the fatigue strengths of embedded
the steel due to cracking and the greater the ef- and nonembedded bars when the proportions of
fects of the distribution of the loading on the the transverse lug met bond requirements for
stress range. static loading conditions. In contrast, for the poor-
There is contradictory evidence on whether er bond developed by prestressing wires, embed-
prestressing steel has the same strength in air ded wire had a fatigue strength about 15 percent
as it does in concrete. A statistically analyzable lower than the strength of the wire in air. This
set of beam tests has yet to be conducted in reduction was attributed to effects caused by
conjunction with a comprehensive and statistically abrasion at the concrete-to-steel interface.
Design of beams and pavements to resist fatigue to insure adequate performance at service load
is discussed in this chapter. Both reinforced and levels, beams subjected to repeated loads should
prestressed concrete beams are considered in Sec- be checked for the possibility of fatigue distress.
tion 3.1. A summary of current design criteria Checking a design for safety in fatigue requires
relating to fatigue of pavements is presented in the following three steps:
Section 3.2. 1. Projection of a load histogram for the struc-
tural member;
3.1-Beams:!:
Beams designed in accord with the ACI Build- *Test reports supplied by L. Gerber, The Prescon Corp.,
Corpus Christi, Tex.
ing Code 5 ~ are generally proportioned to meet tPersonal communication from E. Schechter, Stressteel Corp.,
Wilkes-Barre, Pa.
strength and serviceability requirements. In order tDr. Carl E. Ekberg, Jr., was the chairman of the subcommittee
that prepared this section of the report.
"'
began to widen noticeably. ~ ~ )' . -
J .f,~ t ~:~~'
_
,r 0
NOTATION
compressive strength of concrete Tc/J without taking into account the varia-
ultimate strength of prestressing steel tion in stress conditions caused by geometrical
modulus of rupture of concrete discontinuities
n, number of cycles applied at a particular stress S,""' the stress having the highest algebraic value
condition in the stress cycle, tensile stress being con-
N fatigue life, i.e., number of cycles at which sidered positive and compressive stress neg-
50 percent of a group of specimens would ative
be expected to have failed, or the number of Sm '" the stress having the lowest algebraic value
cycles causing failure in a given specimen in the stress cycle, tensile stress being con-
number of cycles which will cause fatigue sidered positive and compressive stress nega-
failure at the same stress condition as n. tive
p = probability of failure Sr = stress range, i.e., the algebraic difference be-
s = the stress calculated on the net section by tween the maximum and minimum stress in
simple theory such as S = PI A, Mc/I, or one cycle, Smu- Smin
APPENDIX-SUMMARY OF SPECIFICATIONS
RELATING TO FATIGUE*
A.1-Manual of Recommended Practice, Ameri- is the effective prestress. Maximum stress and range
can Railway Engineering Association; Chapter 8 of stress shall depend upon magnitude of live loads
-Concrete Structures and Foundations; Part 17- or overloads that may be repeated. Range of stress
Prestressed Concrete Structures; Section G- under service load will usually be small unless con-
Repetitive Loads; Reapproved with revisions, 1969 crete is cracked. Cracking will be permitted only un-
der temporary overload.
A.l.l. General Devices for splicing steel may contain strain con-
centrations that lower fatigue strength. Consideration
The ultimate strength of concrete or steel subjected shall be given to fatigue whenever splices are used.
to repetitive loading may be less than static strength
because of fatigue. Fatigue failure may occur in con-
crete, prestressing steel, anchorages, splices or bond.
A.l.4. Anchorages
If steel is fully bonded, no difficulty should be P.X-
A.1.2. Concrete pected in anchorage or end bearing as the result of
repetitive loads. If unbonded steel subjected to re-
Fatigue strength of concrete in both tension and
peated service loads or overloads transmitted directly
compression shall be considered to depend on the
to the anchorage is used, fatigue strength of the an-
magnitude of stress, range of stress variation, and the
chorage shall be given special consideration.
number of loading cycles. Since high stresses and
stress ranges are common, fatigue shall be considered
when repetition of loading cycles of greater than de- A.l.5. Bond
sign load may occur.
Failure of bond under repetitive loading shall be
Fatigue failure is unlikely if the allowable stresses
considered unlikely unless there is a significant num-
(after full prestress losses, of 0.4 f/ compression and
ber of repetitions of overload.
zero flexural tension) are not exceeded. If a large
number of overloads is anticipated, a reduction in the
safety factor may occur. A.1.6. Shear and Diagonal Tension
Web reinforcement shall be provided as specified
A.1.3. Prestressing Steel (provisions that essentially require sufficient web
Fatigue strength of prestressing steel shall be con- steel to force an ultimate flexural failure).
sidered to depend upon magnitude and range of stress
and the number of cycles of loading. Minimum stress