ACI STRUCTURAL JOURNAL
Title no. 95-S26
Bond Properties of Carbon Fiber Composite Prestressing
Strands
by Nolan G. Domenico, Zaki I. Mahmoud, and Sami H. Rizkalla
An experimental program was conducted to examine the bond characteris-
tics af carbon fiber reinforced plastic prestressing strands in pretensioned
concrete beams. The bond characteristics are examined through measure-
ments of the transfer and development lengths as well as their correspond-
ing bond stresses for 12.5 mm diameter and 15.2 mm diameter seven-wire
carbon fiber composite cable (CFCC) strands. Twenty prestressed concrete
beallls pretensioned bv CFCC strands were constructed and tested using
different shear span mlues. This paper proposes equations to predict trans-
fer and flexural bOlld lengths for CFCC strands. The proposed equations
are in good correlation with the measured values. This information is
important for the design of concrete structures prestressed by CFCC and
prol'ides data for the development of design considerations and codes for
concrete beams pretellsioned by CFCC strallds.
Keywords: bond; concrete; fiber reinforced plastics: development length;
prestressed concrete: stress transfer.
INTRODUCTION
In reinforced concrete structures, corrosion of reinforce-
ment has been identified to be one of the most severe problems
causing deterioration. This has been addressed quite often and
many solutions have been presented. Some of these solutions
are the use of coatings for the reinforcement, such as epoxy
coatings, other plastic coatings. or cathodic protection. In re-
cent years structures reinforced by coated or cathodic protect-
ed bars have been deteriorating, leading to the belief that these
solutions are not as effective as originally claimed. Therefore,
many engineers are turning to the use of advanced composite
materials, or more specifically, fiber reinforced plastics (FRP)
to replace steel reinforcement. l-5 The materials are relatively
new technology; therefore, much research efforts are needed
in order for designers to gain confidence in this material.
Performance of concrete members depends primarily on
the bond between the reinforcement and the surrounding
concrete. In pre tensioned concrete structures, the stress
transfer is dependent on the bond between the concrete and
the reinforcement. Bond strength is affected by many factors
such as configuration of the reinforcements, surface condi-
tions, size of the reinforcements, and variations in the load-
ing conditions. Many studies, both analytical and experi-
mental, have been done to examine the effect of these factors
on the bond characteristics.
TECHNICAL PAPER
This paper describes an experimental program, conducted
at the University of Manitoba, to examine the bond charac-
teristics of carbon fiber reinforced plastic prestressing
strands in pretensioned concrete beams. The bond character-
istics are examined through measurements of the transfer
and development lengths and their corresponding bond
stresses for 12.5 mm diameter and 15.2 mm diameter seven-
wire CFCC strands.
RESEARCH SIGNIFICANCE
This paper investigates the various bond characteristics
of carbon fiber reinforced plastic strands used to preten-
sion concrete beams. The information is valuable for de-
signers using CFCC for prestressing of concrete structures
and for the development of design guidelines currently un-
dertaken by ACI Committee 440 for concrete structures
prestressed by FRP reinforcements. This paper examines
the results of bond tests and proposes equations that pre-
dict the transfer and development lengths of CFCC
strands.
MATERIAL PROPERTIES
The FRP reinforcement used in this experimental pro-
gram is carbon fiber composite cables (CFCC) produced by
a manufacturer in Japan. The individual wires of CFCC are
manufactured by a roving prepreg process using polyacry-
lonite (PAN) type carbon fibers. The prepreg is twisted to
create a fiber core and then wrapped by synthetic yarns.
The purpose of the yarn is to protect the fibers from ultra-
violet radiation, mechanical abrasion, and also to improve
the bond properties of the wire to concrete. Cables are
made from one, seven, nineteen, or thirty-seven wires that
are twisted to allow better stress distribution through the
cross-section. 6
ACI Structural Journal. V. 95, No.3. May-June 1998.
Received May 7, 1996, and reviewed under Institute publication policies. Copyright
© 1998, American Concrete Institute. All rights reserved. including the making of
copies unless permission is obtained from the copyright proprietors. Pertinent discus-
sion will be published in the March-April 1999 ACI Structural Journal if received by
November I. 1998.
281
Nolan Domenico is a structural engineer with Reid Crowther & Panners Limited,
Edmonton. Albena. Canada. He received his BS and MSfrom the University of Mani·
toba. Winnipeg. Manitoba. Canada. His research interests include the use of advanced
composite materials in strustural applications.

Zaki I. Mahmoud is a graduate research assistant in the Department of Civil and 80

Geological Engineering. University of Manitoba. Winnipeg. Manitoba. Canada. He
received his BS and MS from Alexandria University, Egypt. His research interests
include the use of FRP in reinforced and prestressed concrete structures.
250
Dr. Sami RizkalJa. FACI. is a professor of civil engineering. and president of the
Canadian Network of Cenrers of Excellence on Intelligent Sensing for Innovative
Structures (ISIS Canada) ill Winnipeg. Manitoba. Callada. He is a Fellow of ASCE.
CSCE. and EIC. as well as a member of ACI Committee 440. FRP Reinforcement. and
550. Precast Concrete. DI: Rizkalla also serves as chief editor of the "FRP Interna· t--l /-- ·1
tional" newsletter and is a member of the editorial board of the ASCE Journal of
100 ISO
Composites for Construction. TypeB
Type A
Group 1

The two strand diameters used in this program are

12.5 mm (1/2 in.) and 15.2 mm (stg in.) nominal diameter 2 M15 rebars
with cross-sectional areas of 76.0 mm 2 (0.118 in. 2) and
113.6 mm 2 (0.176 in.2), respectively. The guaranteed tensile
strengths reported by the manufacturing company are 1870 240 200
MPa (270 ksi) for the smaller diameter strands, and 1750
MPa (254 ksi) for the larger diameter strands. The average
ultimate tensile strengths reported by the manufacturer are 60 CFCCstrand 50
2280 MPa (330 ksi) and 2140 MPa (310 ksi), respectively.
The elastic modulus is l37 GPa (20,000 ksi), and the average
ultimate tensile strain of the strands is 1.6 percent. The ther-
I" 120 .. \

mal coefficient of expansion in the direction of the fibers is
approximately 0.6x 1O.6/C (0.33x 106/F), which is about 1/20
that of steel. The relaxation is about 3.5 percent after 30
years at 80 percent of the ultimate load, which is about
50 percent less than that of steel. 6
Concrete used in the beam specimens was provided by a
local ready mix supplier. The mix proportions and the aver-
age concrete strength at time of release and at time of testing
are given in Table 1.
EXPERIMENTAL PROGRAM
A total of 20 pretensioned concrete beams were tested.
The first group consisted of ten T -shaped pretensioned con-
crete beams. The second group included ten rectangular-
shaped beams as shown in Fig. 1. Detailed descriptions of
the 20 beams are given in Table 2. The embedment length of
the first group and BTl through BT6 of the second group
was varied by changing the shear span. The demec points
were attached to the sides of the beams for the first group
TypeC TypeD
Group 2
Fig. i-Beam cross sections
while the beams in the second group were cast on their sil
to allow the demec points to be attached to the bottom of tl
beams. In Beams BT7 through BT10 in Group 2 the embe
ment length was varied by changing the debonded length
the mid-span of the beam as shown in Fig. 2. The avera~
concrete strength used in Group 2 was lower than that USt
for Group I as given in Table l.
The T-shaped beams used as Group 1 specimens we
3200 mm (126 in.) long with a 330 mm (13 in.) depth and 2f
mm (10.2 in.) effective depth. The beams are tested quasi-st,!
ically as simply supported with a span of 2800 mm (110 ic
and 200 mm (8 in.) overhanging the supports. The prestressic
tendons were debonded over the 200 rum overhang at ear
end in order to eliminate the bond length outside the span ar
confinement caused by the support reaction forces as shown i

Table 1-Mix proportions and properties of concrete

Group 1 specimens Group 2 specimens
Course aggregate 1164kg/m3 1164 kg/m3
Fine aggregate 838 kglm 3 838 kg/m3
Cement Type IO 550 kg/m3 275 kglm 3
Water 204 liter/m 3 1 16 liter/m 3
Slump 17Smm 100mm
Pulverized fly ash 94 kg/m3
Admixtures Superplastisizer 3 iiter/m 3
Water reducing agent 1.064 liter/m3
Average Jet at transfer 45MPa 30MPa
Average J(~ at testing 60MPa 40MPa

?R?
 Group 1 Type A&B

2 br st 6 mm diam.@ 100 mm
/'

t \ Steel Bearing Plate CFCC Strand / to

1 4 1 I· Embedment Length 1200 1
200 Embedment Length
Group 2 Type C

2br st 6 mm d'lam. @80 mm o~resslon

. f,orcement
Rem
/
1/

t CFCC Strand/ t
Embedment Length Embedment Length
·1·50·1

Group 2 Type D

2 brs t 6 mm d'lam. @80 mm . f,orcement

omj>resslon Rem
"

t CFCC Strand/ t
Embedment Length +-
-+Debonded Length Embedment Length

~. 2-Reinforced details of beam specimens

Table 2-Beam parameters

Strand diameter. Concrete cover. Prestress level. Embedment Beam X-section
Beam mm mm percent of fpg length. mm type*
Group I
Al i 1200
A2 50 \ 1000
50 A
A3 15.2 i 700
C4 70 i 700
D5 75 50 i 700 B
B6 700
B7 50 i 550
50 A
B8 12.5 i 450
C9 60 I
I
450
DI0 75 50 ! 450 B
Group 2
BTl !, 800
60
BT2 ! 700
BT3 I 800
15.2 60 C
BT4 ! 750
75 !
BT5 \
600
BT6 ! 600
BT7 ! 640
BT8 iI 600
12.5 50 75 D
BT9 I 550
BTIO I 500
'see Fig. I

283
 ~ 1111===;;;===11
=
=
ce
...c:
C,.) 1I1I1==~~=l1
Fig. 3-Schematic o.f prestressing and casting setup
Fig. 4-Prestressing and casting setup
Fig. 2. Cross-sections of the beam specimens are shown in
Fig. I. The various parameters considered for this group are
given in Table 2. The beams were prestressed to either 50 per-
cent, 60 percent. or 70 percent of the guaranteed strand
strength, and have concrete cover either 50 mm (2 in.) or
75 mm (3 in.). All beams are reinforced by two-legged 6 mm
(1/4 in.) diameter steel stirrups spaced at 100 mm (4 in.), and
with a minimum yield strength of 400 MPa (60 ksi). The stir-
rups were hung from 6 mm (1/4 in.) diameter plain steellongi-
tudinal bars located in the top flange. The flange was
reinforced with steel mesh WWF 102 x 102 (MW 25.8 x
MW 25.8). To minimize stress disturbances caused by the re-
action forces, two steel plates were placed at the bottom of the
web at the ends of the beams.
The rectangular-shaped sections used as Group 2 speci-
mens contained two types: Type C beams were 1720 mm
(68 in.) long, 300 mm (11.8 in.) deep. and had 240 mm
(9.5 in.) effective depth. Type D beams were 1380 mm
(54 in.) long, 250 mm (9.8 in.) deep. and had 200 mm
(7.9 in.) effective depth. Both types were simply supported
with a clear span of 1600 mm (63 in.) and 1280 mm (50 in.)
for Type C and D, respectively. The strands were debonded
over 50 mm at each beam end to eliminate bond length out-
side the span and confinement caused by the support reaction
forces. Cross-sections of the beams are shown in Fig. I. The
variables considered for this group are given in Table 2. The
beams were prestressed to either 60 percent or 75 percent of
the guaranteed strand strength, and have concrete cover of
four times the strand diameter. All beams were reinforced by
two-legged 6 mm (1/4 in.) diameter steel stirrups spaced at
80 mm, and with a yield strength of 400 MPa (60 ksi). The
stirrups were hung from two MIS deformed steel longitudinal
rebars.
Jacking and casting setup
Plan views of jacking and casting setups for the beams are
shown in Fig. 3 and 4. respectively. The beams were cast in
pairs with the prestressing force applied using two hydraulic
jacks with locking nuts to maintain the force after jacking.
Duringjacking, the forces were monitored by load cells. The
tendon elongation and strain were monitored by linear vari-
able displacement transducers (LVDTs) placed at the jack-
ing end of the set-up and electrical resistance strain gages
attached to the strands. Prestressing losses were monitored
using the strain gages mounted on the strands and demec
point gage stations placed on the concrete surface at the level
of reinforcement after hardening of the concrete.
Test setup
Sketch and view of the test setup are shown in Fig. 5 and
6, respectively. A closed-loop MTS testing machine of
1000 kN (225 kips) capacity was used to apply the loading
to the beam. For Group I specimens, load was applied un-
der stroke control with a rate of 0.2 mm/min up to the
cracking load and was changed to 0.4 mm/min after crack-
ing up to failure. For the specimens in Group 2, the rate of
loading was 0.06 mm/min before cracking and was in-
creased to 0.12 mm/min after cracking.
TEST RESULTS
Measured transfer lengths and development lengths for the
tested beams are given in Tables 3 and 4, respectively.
Transfer length
The transfer length is defined as the length of the strands
over which the prestressing force is totally transferred from
the reinforcement to the concrete. Strain along the tendons
was monitored during release by electrical resistance strain
 Machine Piston
Two LVDT's to measure
deflection
beam

I,. . .-----2.800 m------...j·1

7ig. 5-Schematic of testing setup

rable 3-Transfer length results Table 4-Development length test results

Measured transfer Model Embed- Flexural
lengths. mm predic- Diameter, Beam Ie' at ment Mode of bond stress.
based on tion / Average mm designation testing length, mm failure MPa
Prestress average transfer
level. B6 68.3 700 R* NA
Strand Beam mea- bond
diameter. percent of designa- sured stress. B7 68.3 550 R NA
mm Ipg tion E. S. G.' D.G.t value MPa
B8 59 450 I SBt 5.5
50 B6 128 125 1.29 13.5 C9 64 450 6.3
SB
50 B7 122 175 1.13 11.5
12.5 DlO 59 450 SB 4.5
50 B8 125 175 1.29 11.4 4.4
BT7 37 640 Bt
50 DlO 140 200 1.15 10.0
BT8 37 600 B 5.0
12.5 60 C9 145 ISO 1.32 13.9
4
BT9 37 550 B
75 BT7 400 400 0.98 6.4
BTl 0 37 500 B 3.9
75 BT8 400 350 1.05 6.8
Al 55 1200 R NA
75 BT9 350 350 1.12 7.3
A2 55 1000 I
I
R NA
75 BTlO 350 350 1.12 7.3
A3 57.8 700 I B 6.0
50 A3 200 250 1.00 7.6
C4 60.5 700 SB 3.5
50 05 200 200 1.16 8.5
15.2 D5 57.8 700 R NA
60 BTl 360 380 0.83 6.7
BT3 43 800 R NA
60 BT2 360 380 0.83 6.7
BT4 43 750 BR§ 6
15.2 70 C4 240 225 1.27 12.5
BT5 43 600 B 6.3
75 BT3 400 400 0.99 7.8
BT6 43 600 B 5.9
75 BT4 400 375 1.02 8.0 *R =failure due to rupture of CFCC
75 BT5 425 400 0.96 7.5 tSB = failure due to shearlbond slip
+B = failure due to bond slip
75 BT6 425 400 0.96 7.5 §BR = failure due to slip/rupture
NA = not applicable
=
*E. S. G. electnc strain gages
=
to. G. demec gages

gages. Strain of the concrete at the location of the strands
was measured after release by demec point gages. The mea-
mred transfer lengths, based on strain gages and demec point
readings are summarized in Table 3.
The transfer lengths were determined using strain gage
lnd demec point readings as shown in Fig. 7 and 8, respec-
tively, for typical data. In these figures, the transfer length
was determined as the length from the support to the point of
intersection of the varying strain zone and the horizontal line
<\CI Structural Journal/May-June 1998
passing through the average constant strain zone. It should
be noted that strain data in the transfer zone obtained from
demec point gages are scattered due to the small magnitude
of the measured concrete strain. Concrete strength at release
was determined using standard concrete cylinder.
The program provided a total of 36 measured values of
transfer length for the two CFCC sizes considered in this study
using different concrete covers, concrete strengths and pre-
stressing levels. Literature review indicates that the transfer
285

Fig. 6-Testing setup
length of a prestressing strand is greatly influenced by the
Hoyer effect. 7-8 The Hoyer effect is caused by swelling of the
strand in the transfer zone after release as a result of Poisson's
ratio. Since the swelling is resisted by the surrounding con-
crete, the induced confining stresses normal to the strand en-
hances the bond strength at the interface. Hence the bond
enhancement caused by the Hoyer effect is directly related to
the concrete strength and the coefficient of friction between
the two materials. Since the modules of elasticity of CFCC is
about 70 percent of that for steel strands, the longitudinal
strain and consequent lateral strain is larger than that for steel
strands with the same prestressing stress and Poison's Ratio.
This behavior increases the induced stresses perpendicular to
the fibers and results in shorter transfer lengths for CFCC in
comparison to steel strands. The wrap coating of the CFCC
also enhances the frictional properties and therefore reduces
the transfer length of CFCC.
Based on the measured data, the transfer length LT can be
predicted in terms of the diameter of the strand d, the initial
prestressing levelfpi, and the concrete strength at transfer fe,.'
as proposed in Eq. 0):
LT -~
- (1)
4.8fc;0.67
The proposed equation has a standard deviation of 12 per-
cent in comparison to the measured values as shown in Fig. 9.
The proposed equation is also compared to the transfer length
equations for steel strands proposed by Zia,9 Balazs,1O Mitch-
ell,1I and the ACI Code 12 in Fig. 10. It can be seen that the
proposed equation forCFCC strands lies well below all of the
other equations for steel strands which predict a transfer
length approximately twice the value for CFCC.
Flexural bond length
The flexural bond length is defined as the embedment
length beyond the transfer length required to develop the full
tensile strength of the prestressing strand. Summation of the
transfer length and the flexural bond length is known as the de-
velopment length. Therefore, to determine the flexural bond
length of a prestressing strand it is required to determine both
_100
C
J
~
80
j 60
=
Strand Diameter 12.5 mm
S =
Prestress Level 50 % otfgu
... 40 =
Concrete Strength 51 MPa
~c: =
Concrete Cover 50 mm
Transfer Length = 125 mm
~
100 200 300 400 500 600 70C
Distance From Transfer Onset (mm)
Fig. 7-Transfer length measured by electric strain gages
the transfer length, and the development length. Test result~
and modes of failure for all beams are given in Table 4.
Using variable shear span length specimens, the develop-
ment length was determined as the length range at which the
failure mode changed from bond slippage failure to rupture
of the cables. This is shown in Fig. 11 and 12 for Series A
and B specimens of Group 1. The test results are compared
to the ACI prediction for the development length of an
equivalent beam prestressed by steel strands. 12 It should be
noted that the slope of the curves within the flexural bond
zone represents the flexural bond stresses. The slope increas-
es with decreasing the shear span and consequently the fail-
ure mode changes from rupture to bond slip. The limiting
value of the slope represents the flexural bond strength of the
strand.
Specimens BT7, BT8, BT9, and BTlO in Group 2 were
tested using one concentrated load at mid-span. The devel-
opment length for these beams was measured by varying the
debonded length of the strands at mid-span of the beam, as
shown in Fig. 2. Test results are given in Table 4 according
to the main parameters used in this program.
Using the same parameters used before for the transfer
length, the flexural bond length Lfb is related to the increase
of stresses from the prestress level fpe to the ultimate tensile
strengthfpu of CFCC as follows:
= (fpu - fpe)d (2)
2.8f;0.67
The proposed equation has a standard deviation of 12 per-
cent in comparison to the measured values. In Fig. 13, the
flexural bond length for CFCC based on Eq. (2) is compared
to flexural bond length equations for steel strands proposed
by Mitchell, I I Zia,9 and the ACI Code. 12 The figure shows
that the proposed equation for CFCC strand is in the order of
25 to 40 percent of that of steel strands.
Development length
As previously stated the development length of a prestressing
strand is the summation of the transfer length and the flexural
 0.2,-----------------------, 80i.=====~--------------~~--1
!t'ci 30 MPa= I
70

o o 0
o o
c
~ 0.1
Strand Diameter 12.5 mm =
ia Prestress Level = 50 % of fgu
Concrete S1rength 41 MPa
Concrete Cover 50 mm =
=
Proposed for CFCC
u
Transfer Length 175 mm =
0~__-4--~-+--+--r~--+--+--~---4
100 200 300 400 500 1000 1200 1400 1600 1800
Distance From Transfer Onset (mm) 600 800
Prestressing streSS (MPa)

Fig. 8-Typical transfer length measured by demec gages Fig. lO-Transfer length comparison

proposed model c
iii

!.
2500

2000
BeamA3
Bond Failure
,
3000r----------------------------------,
BeamA2
Rupture of CFCC

~
~ 1500
'C
c
f! 1000
iii
12 % standard deviation 500 / ' Development Length =707 mm

o 250 500 750 1000 1250 1500 1750 2000 2250 o 500 1000 1500 2000 2500 300e
Distance From End of Beam (mm)
fpl d I f~io.67

Fig. 9-Transfer length correlation of CFCC Fig. II-Failure of Series A beams in Group I (15.2 mm
strand)

bond length. Therefore, based on the previous discussion, the
proposed development length of a CFCC prestressing strand is:
(3)
Flexural behavior
All beams exhibited a bilinear moment-deflection rela-
tionship. Beams with sufficient embedment length failed by
rupture of the CFCC prestressing strand within the constant
moment zone or at the location of the load points as shown
in Fig. 14. Beams with embedment length less than the de-
velopment length failed by bond slip of the CFCC strand at
the location of the load points. Three beams failed prema-
turely by a combination of shear and bond slip between the
load point and the support. This type of failure occurred
when a large diagonal shear crack suddenly formed immedi-
ately followed by a sudden slippage of the strand. All beams
displayed extensive flexural cracking extending up to the top
flange prior to failure with some beams exhibiting some
flexural-shear cracking as shown in Fig. 14.
Beams A3, B6, and B7 exhibited an interesting moment-
deflection relationship as shown in Fig. 15. The figure shows
that the beam behaved linearly up to the cracking load then be-
haved in a step-wise fashion due to formation of new cracks
up to a mid-span deflection of 15 mm (0.6 in.). This step-wise
behavior was due mainly to the displacement control loading
system used for testing of this beam. After stabilization of the
crack pattern, the beam continued to carry load up to a peak
value at which the load resistance dropped suddenly by about
10 to 15 kN. The beam continued to resist more load at a rela-
tively reduced stiffness. This behavior suggests that at this
peak load level the strand became completely debonded from
the concrete within the constant moment zone and acted main-
ly as a tie causing a reduction of the stiffness shown by the
drop in load resistance under displacement control loading
condition. However, since the bond strength in the transfer
zone was sufficient, the beam was able to carry additional load
and acted as an unbonded post-tensioned member up to failure
with the transfer zones anchoring the strand. Beam A3 even-
tually failed by bond slippage and Beams B6 and B7 failed by
strand rupture.
Transfer bond stresses
It is known that the bond stresses within the transfer zone
between the prestressing strand and the surrounding concrete
vary along the transfer length. 7 However, for the purpose of
this analysis the bond stress along the CFCC strand within
the transfer zone is expressed as an average value. The aver-
age bond stress was calculated for all the tested beams based
')Q7
 3500.----------------------------------;
Beam B8 Beam B7

\
3000 Bond Failure Rupture of CFCC

'l25oo
./
~

I
I
: Development Length = 520 mm
:/
500 1000 1500 2000 2500
Distance From End of Beam (mm)

Fig. 12-Failure of Series B beams in Group 1 (12.5 mm Fig. 14-Failure of Beam B6

strand)

250
... If'c = 40 MPa I Peak due to bond slip within
~ constant moment zone "
E 200
01
i5 Zia (19

~150
c
!l
~ 100
0
CD
Proposed for
a=700mm
=0.25
all
• t
E Mer =22.1 kNm
~
:> 50
Mu =50.2 kNm
)C
III CFCC _ _- - - - - -
u::
0
0 200 400 600 800 1000 1200 1400 o 10 20 30 40 50
Stress Change, (fpo -~) (MPa) Mid-span Deflection (mm)

Fig. 13-Flexural bond length comparison Fig. is-Moment-deflection relationship for Beam B6

on the measured transfer lengths, the initial prestressing
force, and the size of the CFCC strands. The average transfer
bond strength could be expressed in terms of a bond stress in-
dex Vf the compressive strength of the concrete at transfer,
fe;' as follows:
V T -- U' 4' ,0.67
T Jei
For CFCC the average value of the bond strength index for
the transfer zone was found to be 0.75 with a standard devi-
ation of 12.7 percent. Using the expression suggested by the
ACI Code 12 for the transfer length of steel strands, the aver-
age bond strength for steel was calculated and was found to
be in the range of 4.0 MPa (580 psi). According to Eq. (4),
the bond strength for CFCC given the same parameters and
concrete strength at transfer of 30 MPa is 7.3 MPa (l 058 psi)
which is about twice that for steel strands.
Flexural bond stresses
For the purpose of this analysis the bond stress along the
CFCC strand in the flexural bond zone is expressed as an av-
erage value. The average bond stress was calculated for all
beams based on the flexural bond lengths from testing, the
effective prestressing force, the ultimate strength of the
strand, the concrete strength, and the size of the strand. The
average flexural bond stresses were found to be in the range
of 3.5 to 6.3 MPa (507 to 914 psi) with an average value of
5.0 MPa (725 psi). Using the expression suggested by the
ACI Code l2 for the flexural bond length of steel strands, the
flexural bond strength for steel was calculated to be in the
range of 1.34 MPa (194 psi). Therefore, it can be seen that
the average bond stress in the flexural bond zone for CFeC
(4)
is about four to five times greater than that of steel strands.
The flexural bond stress Vfo can also be expressed as a
flexural bond stress index Vfo' as given in Eq. (5) to account
for the variability of the concrete strengthfc'.
vII> =
V'
Ib
1,0.67
c (5)
For CFCC the flexural bond stress index, Vfo' ranged from
0.40 to 0.45.
Parametric analysis
Proposed Eq. (1) and (2) show that both the transfer length
and flexural bond length are proportional to the diameter of
the prestressing reinforcement. The transfer bond index and
flexural bond index, given in Fig. 16 in terms of the nominal
diameter of CFCC, suggests that both the average transfer
bond index and the average flexural bond index were not af-
fected by a change in the strand diameter.
 2. The average transfer bond strength and flexural bond
strength is not affected by changes is the strand diameter.
Q 3. The transfer length is proportional to the prestress level while
0.8
~
'CI
C
I
Transfer Bond
the transfer bond strength was not affected by the prestress level.
4. The amount of concrete cover had no bearing on the
;; 0.6 Flexural Bond transfer length nor on transfer bond strength. However, the
c
~ I range of concrete cover examined in the experimental pro-
t
+

fO. 4
a m
gram was 3.3 to 6 strand diameters, therefore, these findings
are only applicable for this range of concrete covers or greater.
~ 5. Flexural behavior of the beams was bilinear up to fail-
0.2
ure. Some beams exhibited a spike in the moment-deflection
relationship followed by a reduced stiffness up to failure.
11 12 13 14 15 16 This phenomenon could be attributed to debonding of the
Strand Diameter (mm) strand in the constant moment zone.

Fig. 16-Effect of strand diameter on transfer and flexural ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

bond strengths The writers gratefully acknowledge support provided by Tokyo Rope Mfg.
Co. Ltd, Japan,. for providing the materials used in the test program. Finan-
cial support provided by the National Science and Engineering Research
Proposed Eq. (1) shows that the transfer length is propor- Council of Canada and the Canadian Network of Centers of Excellence,
tional to the initial prestressing stress in the prestressing re- ISIS-Canada, made it possible to conduct this program. Special thanks are
extended to Mr. E. Lemke and M. McVey for their assistance during fabrica-
inforcement. This behavior is evident in Fig. 9 by comparing
tion and testing of the specimens.
the proposed equation to the measured values. The test re-
sults. shown in Table 3, indicate that the transfer bond NOTATION
strength is also independent of the prestress level. d nominal strand diameter, mm
2
To determine the effect of concrete cover on the bond prop- Ap cross-sectional area of prestressing reinforcement, mm
erties of CFCC strands, the experimental data with different f: concrete compressive strength at testing, MPa
concrete compressive strength at time of prestress transfer, MPa
fet
concrete covers was compared. The results indicated that the effective prestressing stress in reinforcement at transfer, MPa
fpi
concrete cover had no bearing on the measured transfer length fpe effective prestressing stress in reinforcement at testing, MPa
data for both strand sizes. Consequently the proposed transfer fpg guaranteed strength of prestressing reinforcement, MPa
fpu ultimate strength of prestressing reinforcement, MPa
length equation did not include concrete cover as a variable. The
Ld development length, mm
concrete cover also had no effect on the transfer bond strength flexural bond length, mm
Lfb
nor transfer bond index for both strand sizes. It should be noted Lr transfer length. mm
that the range of concrete cover examined in the experimental Ufb average bond stress in flexural zone based on the nominal
perimeter, MPa
program was 50 mm (2 in.) to 75 mm (3 in.) or 3.3 to 6 strand
Ufo average bond stress index in flexural zone
diameters. Therefore, these findings are only applicable for this Ur average bond stress in transfer zone based on the nominal
range of concrete cover or greater. Previous research has indi- perimeter, MPa
cated that for Aramid fiber bars the critical concrete cover to be Ui average bond stress index in transfer zone
used to avoid splitting is in the range of 2.8 strand diameters. 13
No splitting was observed in any of the test specimens after pre- CONVERSION FACTORS
25.4 mm I in.
stress transfer. 645.1 mm2 I in. 2
4.448 kN I kip
SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS 6.895 MPa I ksi
1.356 kN-m 1ft-kip
Twenty prestressed concrete beams pretensioned by
CFCC strands were cast and tested under different shear
spans. At release of the prestressing force, transfer lengths
REFERENCES
were measured by strain changes recorded by electrical re- 1. Abdelrahman, A. A.; Tadros, G.; and Rizkalla, S. H., ''Test Model for
sistance strain gages attached to the CFCC strand and by de- the First Canadian Smart Highway Bridge," ACI Structural Journal, Vol.
mec point gages attached to the concrete surface. Flexural 92, No.4, July-Aug. 1995, pp. 451-458.
2. Fam, A. Z.; Abdelrahman, A. A.; Rizkalla, S. H.; and Saltzberg, w.,
bond lengths were measured by flexural testing of the same
"FRP Flexural and Shear Reinforcements for Highway Bridges in Mani-
beams under different shear spans until bond slip failure was toba, Canada," Proceeding of the Second International RlLEM Symposium
achieved. Proposed equations for the transfer and flexural (FRPRCS-2), Non Metallic (FRP) Reinforcementfor Concrete Structures,
bond lengths are in good correlation with the experimental Ghent, Belgium, Aug. 1995, pp. 395-402.
3. Erki, M. -A., and Rizkalla, S. H., "FRP Reinforcement for Concrete
values. The average measured transfer bond strength for
Structures," Concrete International, Vol. 15, No.6, June 1993, pp. 48-53.
CFCC strands is 8.9 MPa (1290 psi) and the average mea- 4. Rizkalla, S. H., and Tadros, G., "First Smart Bridge in Canada," Con-
sured flexural bond strength is 5.0 MPa (725 psi), as shown crete International, Vol. 16, No.6, June 1994, pp. 42-44.
in Tables 3 and 4. Based on the experimental program and 5. Abdelrahman, A. A., and Rizkalla, S. H., "Serviceability of Concrete
Beams Prestressed by Carbon Fiber Reinforced Plastic Bars," ACI Struc-
analysis the following conclusions can be drawn: tural Journal, V. 94, No.4, July-Aug. 1997, pp. 447-457.
t. Both the transfer length and flexural bond length are 6. Tokyo Rope Mfg. Co. Ltd., ''Technical Data on CFCC," Japan, Oct.
proportional to the strand diameter of the CFCC strand. 1993,100 pp.

M':I C:;tn Ictural Journal / Mav-June 1998

289
 7. Janney, J. R., "Nature of Bond in Pre-Tensioned Concrete," ACI
JOURNAL, Vol. 25, No.9, May 1954, pp. 717-736.
8. Cousins, T. E.; Johnston, D. W.; and Zia, P., "Transfer and Develop-
ment Length of Epoxy-Coated and Uncoated Prestressing Strand," PCI
Journal, V. 35, No.4, July-Aug. 1990.
9. Zia, P., and Mostafa, T., "Development Length of Prestressing
Strands," PCI Journal, V. 22, No.5, Sept.-Oct. 1977, pp. 54-65.
10. Balazs, G., "Transfer Control of Prestressing Strands," PCI Journal,
V. 37, No.6, Nov.-Dec. 1992, pp. 60-71.
11. Mitchell, D.; Cook, W; Khan, A.; and Tham, T., "Influence of High
Strength Concrete on Transfer and Development Length of Pretensioning
Strand," PCI Journal, V. 38, No.3, May-June 1993, pp. 52-66.
12. ACI Committee 318, "Building Code Requirements for Reinforced
Concrete (ACI 318-89) and Commentary (ACI 318R-89)," American Con-
crete Institute, Farmington HiIls, 1989, 353 pp.
13. Taerwe, L., and Pa11emans, I., "Transmission Length of Ararnid Fiber
Composite Prestressing Bars Embedded in Concrete Prisms," Magnel Labo-
ratory for Concrete Research, University of Ghent, Belgium, 1993.