Title:
Modeling and Validation of Repair Grout Flow in Voided Ducts
Author(s):
Seok Been Im and Stefan Hurlebaus
Publication:
Structural Journal
Volume:
109
Issue:
4
Appears on pages(s):
477-486
Keywords:
computational fluid dynamics; grout flow; post-tensioned tendons; repair grouting; voided ducts
DOI:
10.14359/51683867
Date:
7/1/2012
Abstract:
Recent investigations of corrosion-induced tendon failures in post-tensioned (PT) bridges have focused attention on a method of rehabilitation and mitigation of voids in PT ducts by grouting. Experiments using external PT tendons were performed to propose an effective grouting repair method and material. Because the experiments cannot simulate all parameters of grouting repair encountered in the field, a commercial computational fluid dynamics (CFD) program was used to investigate grout flows in void-containing ducts (voided ducts). Although the CFD approach has been used to simulate various types of flows in pipelines in the past, the simulation of grout flow in voided ducts is particularly challenging due to its complex geometry. This study develops a numerical model and validates the model using experimental results. The results show good agreement of numerical and experimental data.