Abstract:
The 7-series high-strength aluminum alloy (AA) tendons with excellent corrosion resistance are used in post-tensioned prestressed concrete girder bridges to solve the corrosion problem of prestressed tendons. The interface bonding performance between the aluminum alloy tendons and the grouting material in the corrugated duct is the basis for the coordinated operation of the prestressed structure. In this paper, a total of 38 pullout specimens were experimentally investigated, and the main test parameters include AA diameter, corrugated duct diameter, embedment length and surface roughness of AA bars. Based on the experimental results, a bond-slip model was developed, and refined finite element models of post-tensioned concrete beams prestressed with AA tendons were also established, and comparative analysis of the flexural performance was conducted. The results indicate that the maximum bond strength is 9.56 MPa, and with the increasing of the embedment length, the uneven distribution of bonding stress is more significant, resulting in a decrease of bonding strength. However, increasing the surface roughness of AA bars can effectively improve bonding strength. The comparison results confirm the ability of the proposed model to accurately predict the bond-slip performance of AA to grout. Concrete beams prestressed with AA alloy tendons exhibit significant increase in deflection and crack width and their ductile failure characteristics are obvious. With the increase in prestress force of tendons, the cracking load of beams increases from 65.00 kN to 81.67 kN, accompanied by a noticeable increase in mid-span deflection, indicating an improvement in crack resistance and ductility.