Transfer length of 2400 MPa seven-wire 15.2 mm steel strands in high-strength pretensioned prestressed concrete beam

In this study, the transfer length of 2400 MPa, seven-wire high-strength steel strands with a 15.2 mm diameter in pretensioned prestressed concrete (PSC) beams utilizing high strength concrete over 58 MPa at prestress release was evaluated experimentally. 32 specimens, which have the variables of concrete compressive strength, concrete cover depth, and the number of PS strands, were fabricated and corresponding transfer lengths were measured. The strands were released gradually by slowly reducing the pressure in the hydraulic stressing rams. The measured results of transfer length showed that the transfer length decreased as the concrete compressive strength and concrete cover depth increased. The number of strands had a very small effect, and the effect varied with both the concrete cover depth and concrete strength. The results were compared to current design codes and transfer lengths predicted by other researchers. The comparison results showed that the current transfer length prediction models in design codes may be conservatively used for 2400 MPa high-strength strands in high-strength concrete beams exceeding 58 MPa at prestress release.