er Pais MITIGATION IN* __,UNBONDED POST-TENSIONED - BUILDING STRUCTURES BY BIJAN O. AALAMI * AND FLORIAN G. BARTH DEF Post-tensionne bas FeaRESTRAINT CRACKS AND THEIR MITIGATION IN UNBONDED. POST-TENSIONED BUILDING STRUCTURES By Bijan O. Aalami', and Florian G. Barth? of unbonded post-tensioned buildings, the paper presents a categorization of the common cracks in beams and slabs. ‘The principal causes of crack formation due to restraining effects of supporting structures are discussed in gq detail. Current methods of crack formation control are presented and 5 evaluated. The consequences of cracks on serviceability and strength of post- ] '] Synopsis: Based on extensive observations and a survey of the performance 1 tensioned buildings are reviewed. Recommendations are made for crack mitigation and maintenance of buildings which are post-tensioned with unbonded tendons. q Presented at the 1986 ACI Convention Baltimore, Maryland November 9-14 Printed by ACT as SP-113, 1989Copyrighte 1988 By American Concrete Institute First Edition, First Printing - 1988 First Edition, Second Printing - 1891 All rights reserved. This book or any part thereof may not be ‘reproduced in any form without the wtten permission of the. ‘American Concrete Institute. Printed In U.S.A, Anau ts Pos Tennent bore Po pede aeera neared (ei steue no abner rspaaca reo hg Hlabiity for negligence) Is accepted In this respect by the ences AMALIA Do1Bijan O. Aalami PhD, SE, is the principal consultant to Associates, Inc. Dr. Aalami also serves as professor of Civil Engineering at San Francisco State University. He is the author of the internationally used ADAPT. Post-tensioning software system and a member of ACI/ASCE committees 423 and *Florian G. Barth is President of Bijan, Florian Associates, Inc. (BFL), a structural consulting firm in Mountain View, California, izing in design of post- tensioned structures, He serves on the Technical Advisory Board of PTL He fos a master’s degree in structural engineering and is a registered engineer. INTRODUCTION Most concrete structures develop cracks for one reason or another. In most cases, cracks do not impair the expected performance of the structure. Some cracks, on the other hand, may be detrimental by leading to excessive deflections, exposure to corrosive environment, and strength reduction. Cracks may also be aesthetically unacceptable. Undesirable cracks should be avoided by design, and if they occur, should be identified and neutralized. It is important to recognize which cracks are unwanted and should be treated, and what method of repair is best suited. Preventive measures against crack formation are an essential component of the process of design, construction and maintenance. Richardson [1] has presented a comprehensive overview of different crack types in reinforced concrete structures, their causes and effects,and has concluded with a lucid crack categorization flow chart. ACI Commitee 362 Stateof the Art Report on Parking Structures (2 reviews the cracking problems of parking structures and thet rehabilitation. Hom and Kos [3 and Ojha [4] report on crack formation, evaluation and repair of a speci structure. For box girder bridges Podolny [5] has presented a detailed account on the causes of cracks and their retrofit proces! For the purposes of the present work the causes of crack formation are categorized as follows: (Inadequate design, such as insufficient reinforcement; deficient detailing; and, poor workmanship.(if) Restrained volume changes which include: @ ‘tapes ges claste shortening; and, temperature. per is limited in scope to the treatment of cracks of the second category (i), amy rink 3¢, teep, elastic shortening and temperature, as they occur in post tensioned members and the Supporting st structural elements. These eracks are commonly referred to as “restraining crai Further, the work is directed primarily to the application of unbonded tensioning in commercial buildings with specific references to parking, structure and subterranean structures. A subterranean structure is one in which one or several ost-tensioned concrete decks partially or totally below grade are topped with a superstructure built of wood, concrete or Real consrutions “The eechitecteral outline of the post-tensioned lower levels is generally different fcom the upper levels, as they commonly serve different functions. The lower concrete levels may be for parking or commercial retail, the upper levels for residential or office occupancy. ‘This type of structure is widely used in California metroplexes where high land cost prohibits the provision of off-site parking. ‘The study reported herein is the outcome of design, review and observation on over three hundred post-tensioned structures between 1982 and 1987. ‘The work is subdivided into (1) crack causes and types, (2) crack mitigation measures, (3) evaluation of cracks, and (4) repair of cracks; the work concludes with (5) remarks and recommendations, 1. CRACK CAUSES AND TYPES ‘Three factors, when combined, lead to restraint cracks in post-tensioned slabs. First, post-tensioned slabs tend to shortea Second, walls and columns restrain free movement of a slab. Third, the tension developed in slab due to restraint exceeds the slabs tensile capacity. Factors causing shortening of slab are: A- SHRINKAGE OF CONCRETE B- CREEP IN CONCRETE DUE TO PRECOMPRESSION - ELASTIC SHORTENING DUE TO PRECOMPRESSION D- FALL IN TEMPERATURE For a typical parking structure in Southern California with 70 percent ambient humdi and modetate temperature varation of 40°F, the contributions of the‘CONTRIBUTION OF DIFFERENT FACTORS TO TYPICAL. SLAB SHORTENING # ‘For » perking structure in southern Caltornia Table 1.1 LONG-TERM SHORTENING OF A TYPICAL SLAB, IF FREE 10 MOVE ‘SLAB THICKNESS 8 PRECOMPRESSION ce] CONCRETE STRENGTH 4000 ‘CONCRETE SHRINKAGE 450 inch pai Pai micro-strain Figure 1.1 >above factors to slab shortening are as given in Table 1.1. It is noteworthy that tsvo-thirds of slab shortening is typically due to shrinkage of concrete. Axial creep and elastic shortening, which are the only direct consequences of post-tensioning, precipitate about one-sixth of total shortening. In order to appreciate the magnitude of shortenings which are likely to occur in a Post-tensioned slab consider the example shown in Figure 1.1. For the 200x100 ft slab shown, the ings - if free to take place - are estimated at 0.8 in. per 100 ft of slab length. Obviously, ialize is i the slabs are commonly tied to supporting structural elements. The interaction of slab with ts restraining structural ‘Clement is the crucial factor in the formation of ee Assume that the wall and column supports fully inhibit the shortening of the slab. For the example given in Figure 1.1 the following situation would arise: Hypothetical shortening tension. . .. Precompression due to post-tensioning ‘Net hypothetical tension .... approx + 1000 psi ++ 2150 psi As the calculated hypothetical tension of 850 psi exceeds the slab’s tensile capacity of approximately 250 psi, cracks would occur. One method of releasing the tension generated in the slab is to allow the slab to move and shorten. Referring to the breakdown of shortenings in Table 1.1, observe that only 18% of the calculated shortening is due to post-tensioning. ‘The balance is common to non-prestressed as well as post-tensioned slabs. A similar calculation for the hypothetical tension in a non-prestressed concrete slab having the same parameters as in Figure 1.1 would indicate a calculated tension of 830 psi, due to shorte is effects. This shows that there is little difference between pos:tensioned non-prestressed slabs as far as crack Initiation is However, crack propagation is fundamentally different between the two types. Prominent characteristics of cracks in unbonded post-tensioned slabs as compared to the regular reinforced concrete are: @ Cracks are lesser in number. Instead of a multitude of hairline cracks fewer cracks form. ii) Cracks are wider. They are spaced farther apart and generally ena into the slab, In regular telnforbed concrete the spacing betweca racks is ofthe ordet of slab depth, whereas in post-tensioned date & more related to the span length and the overall dimensions of the slabs. In most cases cezack spacing is more than one quarter of the shorter slab span.apie RIE /SHROIKACE POST-TENSIONED REINFORCED CONCRETE SLAB SLAB REFLECTED CEILING VIEW OF SLABS Figure 1.2 VIEW OF REFLECTED CEILING SHOWING CRACKS IN PT SLAB (VILLAGE SERRAMONTE, CA) Figure 1.3 s(if) Cracks are normally longer and continuous. Continuous cracks may extend over one span and beyond. In non-prestressed concrete cracks are generally shorter in length. Cracks commonly do not coincide with locations of maximum moments. Restraining cracks do not necessarily develop at bottom of mid-span or top of supports where the bending moments are maximum. Cracks occur at axially weak locations. Axially weak regions are typically ith reduced Ww) ” found at, construction joints; pour strips cold joints; paths wit cross-sectional area ; paths with fewer bars across the line of potential cracking: at discontinuities in slab; and finally, where precompression is reduced either due to termination of tendons or friction fosses in them. Figure 1.2 compares typical crack patterns on the soffit of an interior panel of a two-way slab construction, For the Fegular reinforced concrete structure the shrinkage cracks are shown coinciding with the locations of maximum tension. : Unbonded post-tensioned slabs generally exhibit a poorer cracking performance on account of lesser bonded abe aera which mobilizes the concrete in the immediate vicinity of a crack, Hence, a series of large slab segments separated by wide cracks rather than well distributed ‘small cracks are produced unless ‘either the Unbonded post-tensioning is accompanied by a sulficient non-prestressed reinforcement of in-plane restraining actions are present which result in a similar improvement of the crack distribution. In the following, the common cracks in SLABS, COLUMNS and WALLS are reviewed. 1.1. SLAB CRACKS SLAB CRACKS are grouped into OVERALL and LOCALIZED cracks. A- Overall Slab Cracks ‘The primary causes of overall cracks are: (7) POOR LAYOUT OF SUPPORT strochural elements and the manner in which the slab is tied to them, and (i) IN TRREGULARITIES IN SLAB GEOMETRY. (® Figures 13 and 14 show crack formation in two out of many similar stab © sitions investigated by the authors. The examples are representative of many Sinbs having similar crack formation. The slabs are post-tensioned in both directions and designed as a two-way system according to Chapter 18 of ACI 318. The +6.egg) Het el VIEW OF REFLECTED CEILING SHOWING CRACKS IN PT SLAB (VILLAGE SERRAMONTE, ca) Figure 1.8 ‘TENDON Pr f=] ae CONCRETE COMPRESSION = TENDON TENSION (a) SLAB FREE TO MOVE CONCRETE COMPRESSION < TENDON TENSION (b) SLAB RESTRAINED AGAINST MOVEMENT DIVERSION OF PT FORCE 10 WALLS Figure 1.5 =oPT i ‘CRACKS ‘SOG Pt ‘ PASSIVE RESISTANCE OF SOIL CRACK FORMATION IN SLAB ON GRADE DUE TO RESISTANCE BEHIND CROSS BEAMS Figure 1.6 hy wt | @ IRREGULAR SLAB PLANS SHOWING CRACK FORMATION Figure 1.7RICK SuB CORNERS wank CORNER Tus ii va CRACK 2 2 : : : 2. : ae ? gi g ve 8 : 3 & g E i i zprecompression provided by the tendons in the longitudinal direction is, in both cases, dissipated into the supporting walls, since the primary transverse cracks extend across the entire width of the slab and through its thickness. In the two cases ‘exemplified the prime cause of the cracks is the restraining effects of the perimeter walls. In a slab which is free to move, such as is Mlustrated in Figure 1.5 (a), the tendon force (F) is balanced by the precompression developed in the slab. If the slab movement is restrained through walls or columns, such as the walls in Figure 1.5 (b), a part of the tendon force F is diverted to the supporting elements. One other common example of overall cracking in slabs is the case of slab on grade with cross beams as shown in Figure 1.6. The resistance provided by cross beams against slab movement results in a reduction or elimination of post-tensioning forces in the eed and leads to crack formation when concrete’s tensile capacity is exhaust (i) The second major source of overall slab cracks is the IRREGULARITIES IN SLAB GEOMETRY, Typical examples of irregularities occurring in slabs are shown in Figure 1.7. If not properly detailed, the discontinuities at the reentrant comers invariably lead to cracks which may extend as far as a quarter to one-third of the shorter width at the location of crack. B- Localized Slab Cracks Figures 18 and 1.9 are examples of localized cracks in post-tensioned slabs. The cracks shown normally initiate within the first few days after concrete is placed and before the application of post-tensfoning, 1.2 COLUMN CRACKS: SHORT COLUMNS at split vel in parking structures as Dustrated in Figre 1.10, can develop severe and spalling of concrete due to the shortening of the parking decks immediately above and below. The same figure shows a release detail ‘with a central dowel for prevention of such cracks. For simplicity the stirrups in the short column are not ‘Columns tied to half-height walls as shown in Figure 1.11 (2) develop similar cracks to the short columns described in Figure 1.10, The crack formation is is severe in beam-slab floor constructions, Provision of full-height or half-height joints between the walls and the columns, illustrated in Figure 1.11 (b), are effective methods of mitigating such cracks. End columns of slabs 150 ft or more in length are particularly susceptible to cracks of the type ilustrated in Figure 1.12.PSS GSS eC OSV Baa DOWEL RIGIDLY CONNECTED COLUMN RELEASE COLUMN CRACKING IN SHORT COLUMN AT SPLIT LEVEL OF PARKING STRUCTURE Figure 1.10 te ‘PULL HECHT = PARTIAL HEXRT UZ, 2 § DIT (a) SIDE VIEW OF COLUMN (b) FRONT VIEW TIED 10 WALL WALL-COLUMN RELEASE Figure 1.11 -u-¢ CRACKS IN EXD COLUMNS OF LONG BUILDINGS Figure 1.12 4 7 LOCATIONS OF POTENTIAL DISTRESS DUE 10 SHORTENING OF ¢ POST-TENSIONED SLABS IN MULTISTORY BUILDINGS : Figure 1,13 Cc Cc bec 1 -12- ¢js ede ase ras eer Bs RELEASE DETAIL. EDGE COLUMNS OF SUNNYVALE SHOPPING CENTER, SUNNYVALE, CA Figure 1,18 -13-a ‘The moment generated in the column due to this displacement should be accounted for in the design of such columns. Multistory towers extending above rigid plaza level, as iusrated in Figure 1.13, generate potential distress locations at the junction of the tower to the plaza level. ‘Typically the shortening at the plaza leve! is less than the upper levels due to the ts of the footings and the grade beams which are not commonly post- ed. The same figure identifies the lowest level column of the tower aver the footing as another distress location with a great likelihood of crack formation. Architecturally sized thick columns are another source of distress. Figure 1.14 illustrates details developed for such columns and employed successfully on several projects. 1.3 WALL CRACKS Wall cracks may also be grouped into overall and local categories. Figure 1.15 illustrates the most common crack formation due to overall behavior of walls tied to post-tensioned slabs, The diagonal tension cracks shown form at the ends of the tralls due to the movement of the slab and extend over a region having a length of approximately one to two wall heights from the wall end. Such cracks can be reduced or eliminated by design as is discussed in section 2.4 (ii) of this paper. Local distresses in walls occur at tips of inadequately reinforced orconcrete walls as shown in Figure 1.16, at the comers of openings, and over the height of masonry columns located at the corners of slabs the slab movement is most severe. Such distress locations need to be identified during the design phase and structural drawings detailed to withstand the anticipated movement prepared. Its observed that, regardless of whether a enlumn or wall an unbonded or 2 non-prestressed slab the restraints exerted by the slab on the. 1g member ecipitates the same consequences, The same principles of crack mitigation should applied to the supporting members of both types of slab construction. 2 CRACK MITIGATION ‘The principal techniques of crack mitigation are: 2.1 PLANNING THE LAYOUT OF RESTRAINING MEMBERS ‘The most effective method of restraint crack prevention is a good selection of walls and columns locations during the architectural planning of the building. The equal number and length of walls may be positioned such as to reduce the tendency of 4.DIRDCTON OF SLAB NOVEMENT END oF ae mL WALL POOTING CRACKS. CRACKS IN WALL DUE TO SLAB MOVEMENT Figure 1,15 ‘SUP JOINT PT SLAB ‘MOYEMENT ae ADD REINFORCEMENT AT CORNER SPALLING OF CONCRETE MASONRY UNITS (CMU) AT SUP JOINTS AND RECOMMENDED ADDED REINFORCEMENT Figure 1.16 -15-[=] Ey (2) FAVORABLE ARRANGEMENT OF RESTRAINING WALLS eta (b) UNFAVORABLE ARRANGEMENT OP RESTRAINING WALLS PLANNING IN LAYOUT OF SHEAR WALLS TO MITIGATE SLAB CRACK € Figure 2.1 -16- ¢‘rack formation by allowing the slab to move freely toward a planned point of zero { pvement (21a). Figure 2.1(b) shows examples of unfavorably arranged walls and ayouts in which the walls impede the free movement and thus create conditions | Ipducive to crack formation. 4 ‘STRUCTURAL SEPARATION J labs of irregular geometry in plan are particularly susceptible to cracking. Figure (2) shows a small slab arca appended to a larget rectangular shaped region, ‘The ‘ructural separation shown in the figure between the two post-tensioned slabs {_}sists of a physical gap between the slabs equal to 0.5 to 1 in. For the particular rample shown, itis advisable to continue the slab separation through the supporting ‘lis. The major difference between such ‘Separations and the expansion ‘ints lies in that the structural separation discussed herein loses its significance after eriod of two to three months during which time the bulk of the slab shortening ‘Kes place. The structural separation need not be designed to remain serviceable fing the lifetime of the structure. An expansion joint which has been designed to xcommodate temperature induced movements must be detailed to remain ‘}rational during the in-service life of the structure. (hller areas rated by openings or irregular slab geometries, such as the vp” licshown inthe top right corner of Figure 22 (b) capnot generally follow the 1h... pattern of shortening of the entire slab area. Their connection to the main ntl over short lengths. Stairwells elevator shafts and other walls impart intial restraint against free movement of small slab areas. Moreover, for most it is neither economical nor practical to effectively post-tension small slab “ES tees than 20 feet in length. ‘The authors" practice as been to provide ¢ aration between the two slab areas and construct the detached smaller region as. | bon-prestressed slab. The cee Separation for such aon need not tend through the supporting walls. Typically, the separation is achieved by placing Dbfoam sheets 0.5 t0 0.75 a. thick vertically between the two slabs. 7 u CLOSURE STRIPS, JOINTS AND FAVORABLE POUR SEQUENCING STRIP, also referred to as a pour strip, is a ration of RE STR, eed wn pwr eer apertin f ed separately. Each region is allowed to indi tly undergo its et period of wpialy 30 to 60 days, the ga the two post- regions =the close strip = dosed by placing and consolidating fete, The reinforcement which extends concrete slab on the closure strip provides for the continuity of the slab over the strip. -17-crack formation by allowing the slab to move freely toward a planned point of zero movement (2.12). Figure 21(b) shows examples of unfavorably arranged walls and layouts in which the walls impede the free movement and thus create conditions conducive to crack formation, 22 STRUCTURAL SEPARATION Slabs of irregular geometry in plan are particularly susceptible to cracking. Figure 2.2 (a) shows a smail slab area appended to a larger rectangular shaped region. The structural separation shown in the figure between the two post-tensioned slabs consists of a physical gap between the slabs equal to 0.5 to 1 in. For the particular example shown, it is advisable to continue the slab separation through the supporting walls. The major difference between such structural separations and the expansion joints ies in that the structural separation discossed herein loses significance after 2 period of two to three months during which time the bulk of the slab shortening takes place. The structural separation need not be designed to remain serviceable ‘during the lifetime of the structure. An expansion joint which has been designed to ‘accommodate temperature induced movements must be detailed to remain ‘operational during the in-service life of the structure, ‘Smaller areas separated by openings or irregular slab geometries, such as the dix shown i the top reht corner of Figure 22 (b) cannot generally fllow the ‘overall pattern of shortening of the entire slab area. ‘Their connection to the main slab is mostly over short lengths. Stalrwells, elevator shafts and other walls impart substantial restraint against free movement of small slab areas. Moreover, for most cases itis neither economical nor practical to effectively posttension smal lab areas less than 20 feet in length. ‘The authors’ practice has been to provide a Separation between the two slab areas and construct the detached smaller region as a non-prestressed slab. The structu ration for such conditfons need not ‘extend through the supporting walls. , the separation is achieved by placing styrofoam sheets 0.5 to 0.75 in. thick vertically between the two slabs. 2.3 CLOSURE STRIPS, JOINTS AND FAVORABLE POUR SEQUENCING A CLOSURE STRIF, ao refered to asa pour sp sa tem separation of approximately 30 t0 36 in. between two regions of slab which will be constructed and Posttensioned separately, Each region is allowed to independently undergo its Shortening. After a period of typically 30 to 60 days, the gap the to post teasioned slab regions «the dsure strip «i closed by placing and consolidating non-shrink concrete. The reinforcement which extends from the concrete slab on ‘each side into the closure strip provides for the continuity of the slab over the strip. “17.The width of a closure strip is determined by the net distance required to position a stressing jack between the two sides of the strip and concude the stressing operation. The reinforcement across the closure strip is designed on the basis of actions (moments and shears) occurring at the location of the strip when the entire slab is combined into a continuum, Between two adjacent supports, the preferred Jocation of a closure strip is, for regular conditions, at quarter span where the ically small. Other considerations, however, may dictate the location of closure strip. The position of the closure sirip in relation to the entire slab is discussed at end of this section. For corrosion protection, it is emphasized that 2s a good practice the stressing ends of the tendous terminating in the closure strip should be cut, sealed and grouted in the same manner as at edges. The time necessary to keep a closure strip open is determined by the extent of shortening deemed necessary before the two slab regions are tied together. A numberof building fils engaged in a experience, 0.25 in. as the hypothetical displacement which can be accommodated in a post-tensioned structure without significant impairment to its serviceability, For example, the dosure concrete should be placed at a time when the remaining calculated displacement of the slabs at each side of the strip is 0.25 in. Obvioushy once the two slab regions are tied through the closure strip, the displacement referred to cannot take place. It is recognized that this is an empirical procedure backed by the satisfactory performance of closure strips in place. Section 24 discusses a direct method for estimating the closing time of a pour strip. CONSTRUCTION JOINTS are joints at predetermined locations in the slab between two concrete placements. The joints provide a planned temporary break between two slab regions for the purpose of crack control and construction operations. They are also used to subdivide a larger slab area into constructionally manageable sizes. A construction joint as shown in Figure 23 differs from a cold Joint in that, ({) its location is determined by design as opposed to the location at which a concrete batch is finished, and (ii) there is a time gap of commonly three to seven days between the placement of first pour and the second pour. This time sap is applicable to joints which are designed for erack contraL Construction joints may or may not have intermediate stressing. Intermediate stressing of tendons is carried out for long tendons where friction losses are appreciable. From the performance experience of post-tensioned slabs, the following guidelines for the provision of CLOSURE STRIPS or STRUCTURAL SEPARATIONS are developed and pursued by the authors in their designs: (A) _If the slab length is less than 250 feet, no closure strip or structural separations are necessary, unless the supporting walls are unfavorably placed. +19G)_If the slab length is longer than 250 feet, but less than 375 feet, provide one centrally located closure sip. (ii) Ue the slab length is longer than 375 feet, provide a structural separation. 2.4 RELEASED CONNECTIONS: Released connection are effective means of crack mitigation when favorable layout of supporting structural elemeats or provision of construction separations and closure strips cannot be fully implemented. Relensed comnecionsarctaoes wien a joint is detailed and constructed such as to permit a limited movement of the slab relative to its support. Released connections may be used in conjunction with closure strips and structural joints. Released connections with successful results are sow common practice for pst-tesioned slab construction in California. trouped ito: WALL/SLAB release, SSLAB/COLUMIN release, SLAB JOINTS sed WALL JOINTS. ) —_-WALL/SLAB RELEASE Figure 24 shows several types of wall/slab connections commonly used. facilitate slippage, a slip material is normally provided at the interface of wall and slab. For simplicity in presentation, the connections shown are for the end walls and a terminating roof slab, but these are applicable with appropriate modifications for interior walls and intermediate ‘Connection type (a) with no ties between the slab and its wall is the most effective release joint, but its application is restricted by the aera many cases, in addition to gravity loading must be designed to transfer shear forces at their interface to the slabs. Moreover, the stability of the walls due to lateral loads may become a governing consideration. Such releases, where possible, are employed at the comers of the sh areas. ‘The maximum length of a "NO TIE" release is recommended to be limited to the height of the respective wall. A permanent release with a dowel encased in a compressible material is shown in Fart (0) ofthe figure. The dowels provided to impede catastrophic movements of such as in the event of an earthquake. This permanent release detail is used more frequently than the no-tle connection. However, it is more costly and construction. requires greater care during At eect ies a bas Soe Samah tae sence ok tae ea ba inti ructed released from the shortening of the slab has taken place to the extent that the balance is considered acceplabley the jotat i fixed by grouting the pockets (Figure 2.4-d), or dry packing the space between the wall -20- akanaaa:gage cee a ae ee eg] pe et ‘SUP MATERIAL SUB Wet lia! (a) NO TIE (b) PERMANENT RELEASE (c) FULL TIE GROUT LATER COMPRESSIBLE MATERIAL (4) TEMPORARY RELEASE (e) NON-LOAD BEARING TYPICAL DETAILS OF DIFFERENT. WALL/SLAB CONNECTION TYPES Figure 2.8 PT SLAB ‘SLAB SHORTENING SUP ONT CONCRETE. ‘SORRY wt ‘SLAB DOWEL TEMPORARY RELEASE OVER MASONRY WALL Figure 2.5 -21-and the slab (Figure 25). The detail shown in Figure 2.5 does not have the disadvantage of detail 2.4 (d), where construction over the wall must accommodate the grouting operation of the release. It should be noted that in the in-service condition the dowe! shown for the non-load bearing wall detail of Figure 2.4 (e) does not provide lateral constraint. ‘The wall should be designed to withstand the wind/seismic or other lateral loads withaut connection at the top. ‘The performance of a release joint is relly dependent onthe workmanship and the selection of slip material. A smooth trowel finish is commonly specified for the top of the wall. In practice most walls inspected are found to have a surface roughness at the slip interface of 0.5 in. or more. Two layers of 15-Ib building paper are used by many engineers as slip material. The effectiveness of the slip materials depends primarily on the smoothness of the finished surface at the top of the wall. ‘The wet concrete of the slab has the tendency to force the paper or the felt into the uneven wall top yielding an undesirable interlocked connection. ‘Tempered wood particle board, which is a stiff and strong material with a smooth finished surface, is superior to building paper or felt. The minimum material thickness used is one layer of 1/8 in. between the two surfaces. For critical conditions up to two layers 1/4 in. each may be used. High density plastic elastomeric strips, such as neoprene, are also used as slip material. Due to their high cost the use of elastomeric materials is primarily limited to smaller areas such as between the columns and slab or columns and footings. The use of clastomerie materials is particularly recommended where the connection is expected to undergo appreciable rotation in addition to relative displacements in plane of the slip joint. ( =~ SLAB/COLUMN RELEASE Columns may either be designed to withstand the anticipated forces conducive 19 lateral displacements between their ends without sign of distress, or may be released to accommodate relative displacements of slab to column at the joints, The latter ‘option, where applicable, leads to a superior slab performance. Several considerations must be reviewed in arriving at a satisfactory solution. Maximum displacements are typically at the end columns as shown in Figure 2.6. A detail providing rotational release at the base of the colimn, as shown in the same igre, may prove adequate, Where columns are exzesively bully, 2 may be required for architectural reasons, it becomes necessary to provide a detail which ‘would accommodate displacements in addition to rotation. The detail shown in Figure 2.7 has been used successfully on several projects. a Remafel gc gece de | SHEAR YA PY SLAB coun | | aS OCTON SUB NEOPRENE 7 7 | COL CAP- DOYEL | ELEVATION DETAIL OF HINCE CONSTRUCTION HINGED CONSTRUCTION AT BASE OF END COLUMNS Figure 2.6— Figure 2.7 “2 |Figure 2.8 te PLAN SHOWING SLAB JOINTS ISOLATING REGIONS OF POTENTIAL DISTRESSpre aa nn eee area eeepc eae epee eee eg Ea fee ss ’ Gi). SLAB JOINTS Slab joints are separations provided in the slab between regions which are critical in accommodating the anticipated rotations or ents, but are neither strong enough to resist the forces generated, nor flexible enough fo articulate it without distress Stab strip over the wall or between opcaings as shown in Figure 28 are ‘ypical examples.‘ sa join sa joint inthe slab only and doesnot extend through supporting structure. (™) WALL JOINTS Wal ois are vet a ations berween adjacent walls in order to enable the walls to accommodate ents s/beams supported by walls, joints ae very effective in miligating cracks in sabs/beams as well as cracks in the supporting walls themselves. Figure 29 (a) shows the plan of a r slab resting on perimeter walls and interior columns. ‘The columns are not for clarity. The wall joints (WJ) provided at the corners of the slab extend through the cate height ofthe ls They ford the end walls movement toward the crater without bei Jed by the longitudinal ts perform best when accompanied dip joint betwoen the ala and eros walt st shown in Figure 2.10, The detail shows joints with no ties at the corners, thus allowing the wall shown at left to follow the movement of the slab to the right without interference of the cross wall shown in elevation. The size of the gap is estimated at 0.75 in, fr every 100 fet of sab movement to be accommodated by the wall. Wall joints need not in all cases extend through the entire height of a dowa to the lower level. (EXAMPLES OF RELEASED SLABS Figure 29 is an example of a slab in which a central closure strip, wall/slab releases and wall joints are used in combination for optimum performance. Part (a) of the figure shows the location of wall joints. Part (b) indicates the wall/slab releases employed. Alternative applications of closure strips are shown in Figure 2.11 for a slab in which the shear wall layout is unfavorable toward the unrestrained movement of slab. (¥)__ REMARKS ON RELEASES ‘The estimate of expected shortening of a post-tensioned structural member and the determination of the time lapse prior to grouting or concreting a temporary release joint are two critical considerations inthe planning of release jointsJr TAL w u u (a) PLAN SHOWING WALL JOINTS(J) AND CLOSURE STRIP ABOVE (>) PLAN SHOWING ARRANGEMENT OF DEFFERENT WALL/SLAB CONNECTIONS Figure 2.9 ELEVATION OF CORNER WALL SHOWING WALL JOINT Figure 2.10 peer ves OO AFM AMAA‘The unrestrained shortening of a post-tensioned member can be estimated on the basis of data given in PCI handbook [6]. Figure 2.12 is composed from data in the same reference and apples to pst tensioned abs of regula contruction, Breas the amount of creep and shrinkage shortening to the age of concrete, Referring to Table 1.1, it is concluded that these are the primary parameters which need to be considered in the estimation of time lapse for joints, Neither elastic Shortenifg, which takes place only during the stressing operation, nor the movements due to temperature variations are time-dependent parameters in the context of Figure 212. It is important to note that implementation of releases in slabs/beams and the improve the serviceability of the slab/beam at the cost of e reserve of the entire structure against collapse under catastrophic loadings. Each rclease eliminates a redundancy in the structure which could possibly be considered as a structural reserve against failure. Such redundancies, although recognized, are not always accounted for in design, and are not called upon in the planned life cycle of a structure. 2.5 ADDITION/IMPROVED LAYOUT OF MILD REINFORCEMENT In addition to a well planned layout of shear walls and supporting structures and rovision of releases, it is necessary to place additional mild reinforcement at Jocations of potential distress to mitigate crack formation, Figures 2.13 through 2.15 illustrate examples of typical cases. Figure 2.13 shows reinforcement added next to non-released exterior walls, Due to design shear transfer requirements between a slab and its supporting wall, it might not always be feasible to provide sufficient release details to prevent all cracks. The reinforcement shown in Figure 2.13 is found to be highly effective for such conditions. The steel is placed parallel to the wall aver a width equal to approximately 10 feet normal to the wall The stec} area is determined 2s 0.0015 times the cross-sectional arca of the slab over one-third of the transverse span. The bars are spaced alternatively at top and bottom at approximately 1.5 times the slab thickness. Note that this is not a code requirement, but a practice found to yield satisfactory results in the elimination of potential restraint cracks. 2.6 ADDITION/IMPROVED LAYOUT OF TENDONS Figures 2.16 and 2.17 show two conditions where wall restraints can lead to significant losses of precompression in the central region of the slab and consequently formation of cracks. In ‘addition to other measures, such as releases,id wd i j | } i] iJ ee J eo SHEAR TALS [| ee | eon _| (a) PLAN OF SLAB WITH FOUR CORNER SHEAR WALLS STRP 71 (>) ALTERNATIVE PLANS FOR PLACEMENT OF CLOSURE STRIPS Figure 2.11 c Ai, 2 cEXTRACTED FROM PCH DESIGN HANDBOOK SHORTENING PERCENTAGE OF FINAL SHRINKAGE AND CREEP Very 7 0 a8 Be 58100 300 tyr ayrw a yes. Time SCALE ESTIMATE OF CREEP AND SHRINKAGE SHORTENING FOR TYPICAL POST-TENSIONED ‘SLABS, Figure 2.12 SLB ‘SBRINKAGR/ — YAU, ‘CREEP REBAR CRACK MITIGATION REBAR NEXT 10 SHEAR WALLS Figure 2.13 -29-REBAR (2) INTERIOR SHEAR WALL REBAR Feesasseaseey (b) EXTERIOR SHEAR WALL CRACK MITIGATING REBAR NEXT 10 SHEAR WALLS Figure 2.18 a“ REBAR TAL SLAB REINFORCEMENT AT SLAB CORNERS Figure 2.15 Cv 20aaa He as described in the preceding sections, itis helpful to lay out the tendons so 2s to deposit additional compression in regions where losses are expected to be highest. Dead ending and overlapping of tendons as illustrated in Figures 2.16 and 2.17 can serve this purpose. Detailing of strand layout around discontinuities and openings are also of importance. Figure 218 ilustrates two arrangements for tendon layout at an interior opening. The detal on the right shows the common practice where the sides of the opening are pulled apart. Cracks at the corners of such openings are not uneommen. The dea oni et demonstrates an sernate tenden bya whereby the opening is provided with an additional precompression rity to oe - 2.7 INCOMPLETE OR POOR IMPLEMENTATION OF CRACK MITIGATION MEASURES MAY LEAD TO UNSUCCESSFUL Crack mitigation schemes must be well designed, and more importantly, clearly detailed and followed closely through the construction phase for successful results, ‘The following shows three examples where the incomplete implementation of crack prevention steps led to distress, Figures 2.19 and 2.20 show the schematic and picture of a slab and wall construction in which the slab and the soffit of a wide shallow beam were shown with a slip detail, but no gap or compressive material was provided between the side of the beam and the masonry wall. The resulting concentration of forces generated at this point led to the cracking of the wall as shown in the picture resulting in a gap at the Opposite side of the beam. Ifthe length of a slip joint is not adequate, a condition such as displayed in Figures 221 and 222 may result In these figures the diagonal cracke which ne precipitate at the ends of the wall occurred at the tip of the slip joint. ‘The cracks Beveloped are obviously lesser in number and intensity compared to a no-slip condition, but were not totally eliminated due to deficient slip joint design. A slip joint will function properly as long as movement can be accommodated inca sipicantobstuelony, Staematiee 23 howe w bene resting on a wall and an end column with a slip surface detail at the interfaces of the beam/wall and the beam/column, The column dowels extending into the beam Jed to spalling concrete atthe end of the Beam as pictured in Figure 224, which shows the view of the beam. The dowels should either not cross the slip joint, or if they they should be detailed with articulation as illustrated in Figure 2.4 (b), in whi the dowel is surrounded by a compressible blockout. zeae -31-4 TENDON ARRANGEMENT 10 COMPENSATE RESTRAINING EFFECTS OF TRANSVERSE WALLS Figure 2.16 € TENDON ARRANGEMENT FOR MITIGATING CRACKS s IN CENTRAL SPANS é Figure 2.17 € © c e “ae cHa | CRACK INHIBITING LAYOUT CRACK PROMOTING LAYOUT ARRANGEMENT OF TENDONS AT OPENING Figure 2.18 -B-a : « t t t He 4 4 4 CRACK FORMATION AT SLIP JOINT WHERE BEAM STEM \ KEYS INTO WALL Figure 2.19 ‘ 4 ( “ 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 KEE Figure 2.20 rT \ CM ue ‘CRACKS AT EXD OF SUP JOINTS Figure 2,21 Figure 2.22 -3-7 ‘BEAM MOVEMENT > fa) 4 REBAR BEAM CRACKS counat a VAL NO GAP INCORRECT IMPLEMENTATION OF SLIP JOINT Figure 2.23 Figure 2.282.8 COMMON FIELD SHORTCOMINGS IN IMPLEMENTATION OF CRACK MITIGATION MEASURES No release design will perform satisfactorily when incorrectly constructed. Fi 225 shows seveol eatplcs of commen tortoate Beater ee ‘The most common problem is that the top of the wall is not always leveled with a smooth trowel finish, resulting in the slab interlocking with the undulation at top of wall. Dowels from the wall, detailed to be encompassed in compressible material, are ‘wrongly used as a support to which the reinforcement from the slab is tied. ‘The wires used to tie the reinforcements fully exhaust the compressibility capacity of the blockout material. Where blockouts are achieved through corrugated tubing, the tubing may not be Properly centered over the dowel, thus restricting the slippage along the joint. Figure 2.26 shows the wall penetrating into the slab and thereby impeding its unrestricted movement transverse tothe wall, Obviously, the slip joint shown eeaot function for displacements normal to the wall 2.9 EXAMPLES OF SUCCESSFUL IMPLEMENTATION OF CRACK MITIGATION PROCEDURES: There are many gratifying examples where a release provision in construction demonstrates its effectiveness by actual movements between the post-tension structural member and its supports together with absence of cracks in critical regions. Figures 2.27 and 2.28 demonstrate two such examples where relative movements of 0.75 to 1 in. across the slip joint has led to the release of forces conducive to crack formation. 3. STRUCTURAL EVALUATION OF CRACKS ‘The first step in the treatment of cracks is their structural evaluation. Cracked regions must be appraised against code requirements of SERVICEABILITY and STRENGTH. : SERVICEABILITY when applied to a typical post-tensioned structure consists of checks for (i) deflections under working conditions, (fi) exposure to corrosive elements and durability, and (ili) for certain geographical locations, freeze-thaw damage. ‘STRENGTH requirements ensure that the affected structural members maintain a minimum factor of safety against collapse. -37-Sua COMPRESSIBLE REINFORCEMENT | MATERIAL — (SLAB CONPERSSIBLE suP MATERIAL all vu RQEASE CORRUGATED aul Dorn, (a) ELEVATION - SLAB REINFORCEMENT —(b) PLAN — WRONG OFF. CENTER ‘AT LEFT IS YRONGLY TIED TO PLACEMENT OF BLOCKOUT RELEASE DOWEL ‘TURING INCORRECT EXECUTION OF SLAB/WALL RELEASE BLOCKOUTS Figure 2.25 ‘SLAB ‘SUP PAD ‘WALL PENETRATES CONCRETE MASONRY INTO SLAB ‘UNTT WALL, INCORRECT IMPLEMENTATION OF SUP JOINT IN LOAD BEARING WALL Figure 2.26 -38-Figure 2,27 Figure 2,28 -39-Beagrie cetera tea eee eee ine eevee eer ee en epee eae Prior to a detailed discussion on the evaluation steps, it is helpful_to review the functions of post-tensioning in a post-tensioned member, with particmalar reference to consequences of cracking, 31 CONTRIBUTIONS OF POST-TENSIONING IN SLABS For the purpose of evaluating the consequences of cracks, the contribmations of post- Fotfoning are grouped into () providing uplift, (i) subserbing tc> the ultimate strength of the section, and (iii) providing ‘precompression. ()-_ UPLIFTis the force exerted by the tendon on a member due to the former's () ature. Figure 3.1 shows the schematics of a model selected to» illustrate the conf in slabs’ Part (a) of the Sigure shows the slab resting freely on two rigid oan nts. The UNBONDED tendon is stressed and anchored behind the rigid aetna Since there is an open gap between the rigid abutments aand the slab, it seepet hat the slab does not experience precompression. Part (b>) of the figure fe esez'ihe free body diagram of the resulting forces acting on the slarb if the strand spots idered removed from its sheathing, These forces, which are referred to as UPLIFT, are functions of: A- FORCE IN TENDON B- PROFILE (SHAPE) OF TENDON The width and poston ofthe gps, which are intended to model cxacking, do not The Tike uplift forces, even if gaps are at mid-span. As long ms the distance rat the rigid bulkheads is maintained, the tendon force remainss unaffected by the size and number of cracks (gaps As cracks in slabs “ot ae ee affect the tendon force and its profile, it is As Guaded that the UPLIFT CHARACTERISTICS OF A Post-TENSIONED SLAB ARE NOT IMPAIRED BY CRACKING. (i) Contribution of posttensioning to ULTIMATE, STRENGTH is onsiated schematically in Figure 3.2. Similar to the preceding anode), the slab is resting ‘freely on two rigid abutments, to which the unbonded strands are anchor ‘The gaps a the ends of the slab ensure that the ab 58 net § ject to precompression due to post Jing. It is desired to compare imate Prom arrangepent with an waestrained slab chown Jn part (c) of the Hardin which there are no cracks and the precompresson is transferred to the section. ‘The right hand sides of Figures 32 (a) and (¢) show the respestive free body diagrams of one half of each ‘slab at ultimate strength condition. ‘The tension force is resisted by the abutments. ‘Bending moments Mul ‘and Pu2 respectively. “the comparison ang Mee a cases (a) and (c) reveals that for the slab in part (a), the mid-span ore must sustain a tension T in addition to the moment Mul sat failure, The =ecerca ca ‘ABUTMENT ‘SLAB tf our PSS (a) POST-TENSIONING REACTS AGAINST ABUTMENTS rE (>) FORCES EXERTED BY TENDONS ON SLAB Model for demonstration of upittt Figure 3.1 -41-D te pt )—140 My= 0.25 Pub 05 Py (a) SLAB MODEL WITH No PRECOMPRESSION, COLLAPSE LOAD IS Pat 05 Py at . (b) ACTUAL SLAB AT THE VERGE OF COLLAPSE jie 05 Pip etry M p= 0.25 P. 05 Py ad vet (c) SAME AS IN (a), BUT WITH PRECOMPRESSION, COLLAPSE LOAD IS Pu Model for evaluation of ultimate strength Figure 3.2Uysal eases rapa contribution of the strands to the collapse moment of the section is the tension it can develop in excess of the force deposited in the abutments (diverted to the constraining structural supports). Consider Figure 33, which illustrates the force components contributing to the ultimate strength of the sections. ‘The concrete compression (C), tensile force in tension steel (Ft) and compression force in compression stee! (Fe) are functions of section geometry and material properties, and would not be different for the two cases - within the contert of engineering design - if the applied factored moment and the-ultimate force in strand (Fp) remain the same. te force developed in a strand (Fp, see Figure 33) depends in this case al force value and the adalional sata thatthe sid ne devel prior to the collapse of section at midspan. The important difference is that, for the section shown in Figure 3.2-a, only (Fp - T) contributes to the midspan ultimate strength of the section, where T is the of tendon force to the abutments. ‘The models depicted in Figures 3.1 and 3.2 represent idealized conditions and are. selected to demonstrate the concepts under discussion. In reality, the gap created by a restraint crack is narrow, if it is a through crack at all. Rotation of the uncracked halves of the beam shown in Figure 32 (2) will tend to close the gaps at the bottom of the beam behind the supports. Upon closure of the gaps a horizontal compression (C) develops between the beam ends and the rigid abutments (Figure 32-b). This compression is beneficial to the ultimate moment capacity of the entire beam by virtue of reducing to eventual elimination the tensile force (T) shown at midspan (Figure 32-2). This consideration demonstrates that displacements and boundary conditions in the plane of a slab have to be taken into account in the investigation of the ultimate resistance of unbonded slabs. Pure. sectional considerations are inadequate. In summary, it is concluded that cracks in actual slabs do not significantly reduce the ultimate strength capacity of a section and hence its factor of safety against failure, (iil) _ PRECOMPRESSION is the average force in slab due to post-tensioning, At locations of aca, particularly ifeocks extend through the 4 pres of si the precompression is partially or fully lost. Besides uplift and strength, major grounds for specifying a minimum precompression in the design of post-tensioned slabs are: A- MITIGATE CRACKING B- REDUCE DEFLECTIONS C- IMPART TWO-WAY ACTIONS IN TWO-WAY SLAB SYSTEMS D- IMPROVE PUNCHING SHEAR PERFORMANCE A- _ Cracking by itselfis not a prime issue, provided the consequences of cracki de not render the performance ff the sb unsatisfactory. Since the presentC = COMPRESSION FORCE DUE 10 CONCRETE ‘Fe= COMPRESSION FORCE DUE TO COMPRESSIVE ‘STEXL (IF AVA Fy= TENSILE FORCE DUE To TENSWN STEEL Fp= TENSILE FORCE DUE TO POST-TEXSIONING ILLUSTRATION OF FORCE COMPONENTS CONTRIBUTING 10 THE ULTIMATE STRENGTH OF A SECTION Figure 3.3 -u- ae a Oo ANAM A.rests on the premise that cracks have formed, the following discussion places emphasis on consequences of cracks, with the objective of evaluating the slgteance of cracks formed. B- Most post-tensioned slabs are designed assuming little or no cracking of concrete for in-service conditions. As a result, the gross moment of inertia based ‘on the full cross-section of the slab is considered in deflection calculations. A cracked section means a local decrease in the flexural stiffness of the slab, ‘As only a few cracks develop in any given span of a post-tensioned concrete slab, its stiffness is not affected to the same degree that non-prestressed concrete would be. In a conventional concrete slab, formation of a multiple of closely spaced hairline cracks results in a widespread reduction of slab stiffness. However, a wider crack typical of post-tensioned concrete undergoes « greater rotation at the cracked surface. The other major factor in deflection of a slab is the amount of uplift provided post tensioning As illustrated in the preceding sections cracking does not Sauce 3e up! From over 100 cracked post-tensioned slabs surveyed, none exhibited deflections beyond permissible code values, provided that their designs met or exceeded the minimum recommended ACI-318 recommendations. It is concluded that the margin of safety against excessive deflections in the ACI code is such that post-tensioned slabs complying with its recommendation commonly can accommodate restraint cracks and the resulting local loss of precompression without undergoing unacceptable deflections. C — Repairing cracks | |LoOCSG vil) _ Describe the details of erack maintenance scheme on the structural drawings, ensuring that the following items are accounted for: ‘The maintenance program consists of: a) _ Give an estimate of the total length of anticipated cracks repair. For the structures surveyed by the authors in the can conservatively be estimated at 0.009 feet of eracks per sq/ft of slab area. ‘This value is for slabs up to three levels above the foundation. For slabs at higher levels of multi-story buildings the value is less, Bestia State who should reserve funds for the one-time maintenance pr sto take place one-and-one-alf to two-year after the completion of It is important to clarify whether it is the owner, or the Contractor who would find the work. ¢)._ Estimate funds to be allocated for the maintenance program. A first estimate for California is $8-$10. per lneal,foot of crack, or 7 cents per sq/ft of slab area. REFERENCES 1. Richardson, M.G. *Cracking in Reinforced Concrete Buildings", Concrete International, January 1987, pp 21-23. 2 ACT Committee 362, "State-of-the-Art Report on Parking Structures", ACT 362R-85, ACI Journal, July-August 1985, pp 544-578. 3. Hom)S. and Kost, G., “Investigation and Repair of Post-Tensioned Concrete Slabs - A Case Study’, Concrete International, July 1983, pp 44-49, 4. Ojha, S, "Rehabilitation of a Parking Structure", Concrete International, April 1986, pp 24-28. 5. Podolay, Jr. W., "The Cause of Cracking in Post-Tensioned Concrete Box Girder Bridges and Retrofit Procedures’, PC Journal, March-April 1986, pp 82-139. 6 PCL"PCI Design Handbook for Precast Prestressed Concrete’, Iinois, 1978 7. Libly, J. R, "Modem Prestressed Concrete", Book, Van Nostrand Reinhold, ‘New York, 1977.ol j 1 1 7 J 1 el pTl COMPANY MEMBERS a a a Pryce, ine. 740 Racquet Club Drive ‘Addison, IL 60101 (708) 628-6965 FAX: (708) 628-6309 Gable Concrete Structures, Inc. 2625 Breckinridge Blvd., Ste. 125 Duluth, GA 30136 (404) 921-5500 Canadian BBR (1980), Ine. P.0. Box 37 9450 Midland Avenue f urt, Ontario MIS 384 ‘CANADA (416) 201-1618 FAX: (416) 291-9960 Concrete Construction Systems, Inc. 9265 Orchard Lake Road 10 Harbor, Mi 48320 {313) 681-0181 FAX: (313) 681-0182 G2 Structures, Limited fost-Tensioning Division 11566 Eburne Way Richmond, B.C. VEV 267 (604) 327-6323 FAX: (604) 322-9249 Continental Concrete Structures, Inc. P.O, Box 734 1400 Union Hill Road, S.W. AN GA30201 (404) 475-1700 FAX: (404) 475-2283 Dywidag Systems International USA, Inc. & Canada, Lid. Corporate Otfice 301 Marmon Drive ‘Lemont, IL 60439 (708) 730-1100 FAX: (708) 972-0604 Florida Steel Corporation 1919 Tennessee Avenue Knoxville, TN 37821 (615) 546-5472 FAX: (615) 546-5472 Freyssinet International & C 62-54 Rue de la Belle Feuille 192100 Boulogne - Billancourt France (01 1-33-146-84-2045 FAX: 011-93-146-84-0467 PTE Strand Co., Inc. 8435 N.W. 68th St. Miami, FL 33168 (305) 583-5069 FAX: (905) 599-4132 prsi 540 West 83rd Street Hiatean, FL 33014 (905) 622-6316 FAX: (305) 558-3381 VSL Canada Lid. 318 Arvin Avenue Stoney Creek, Ontario LE 2M2 A ‘CANADS (416) 561-5611 FAX: (416) 561-7326 VSL Corporation Corporate Office 14671 Dell Ave. Campbell, CA 95008 (408) 866-677 FAX: (408) 374-4113