Title:
Top Bar Effects in Prestressed Concrete Piles
Author(s):
Baolin Wan, Michael F. Petrou, Kent A. Harries, and Aly A. Hussein
Publication:
Structural Journal
Volume:
99
Issue:
2
Appears on pages(s):
208-214
Keywords:
bar; pile; prestressed concrete; slip.
DOI:
10.14359/11546
Date:
3/1/2002
Abstract:
The top bar effect in reinforced concrete is a widely recognized phenomenon. Currently, the ACI Building Code prescribes a 30% increase in the development length of top cast reinforcing bars. No such provision is required for strands in prestressed concrete members. In this paper, the top bar effect for prestressing strands is introduced. Parameters affecting top bar phenomena in prestressed concrete piles are identified, and strategies for reducing this effect are presented. Finally, for the first time, the application of a top bar effect factor for prestressed concrete development length calculations, similar to the one applied in reinforced concrete structural elements, is proposed.