EAS458 PRESTRESSED CONCRETE DESIGN 2018/2019

CHAPTER 5 ANCHORAGE ZONES

5.1 INTRODUCTION
Prestressed concrete contains tendons which are typically stressed to about 1000 MPa. These tendons
need to be anchored at their ends in order to transfer prestressing force to the concrete. In pretensioned
concrete, the force is transferred by bond between the tendon and the concrete (steel-concrete bond). In
other words, the anchorage consists of a bonded length of tendon, in direct contact with the concrete.
Meanwhile, in post-tensioned concrete, relatively small anchorage plates transfer the force from the
tendon to the concrete immediately behind the anchorage by bearing at each end of the tendon.

In either case, the prestressing force is transferred in a relatively concentrated fashion, usually at the ends
of the member, and involved high local pressures and forces. The tendon is connected to the plate either
through wedges, button-heads or other methods. The plate itself then bears on (touch) the concrete. The
plates employed for this are very much smaller than the area of concrete which is to be compressed.
Therefore, a finite length of the member is required for the concentrated forces to redistribute (disperse)
the stress occurs behind the anchorage plate to form the linear compressive stress distribution, according
to St. Venant's Principle.

It is the distance over which this redistribution occurs that is of interest to the Engineer. This disturbed
region is known as the anchorage zone. The length of member over which the redistribution of stress
takes place is called the transmission length (in the case of pre-tensioned members) and the anchorage
length (for post-tensioned members).

The state of stress in the anchorage zone is extremely complex. It consists of severely curved trajectories
(stress trajectories), perhaps interfering with 'secondary' stresses due to bearing supports. Therefore, it is
in the Engineer's interest to ensure two things in this zone:
1. The zone must not crack at the serviceability limit state (this would allow the ingress of water,
leading to possible corrosion problems), and
2. The zone must not fail at the ultimate limit state.

Within the anchorage zone, transverse tension is produced by the dispersion of the longitudinal
compressive stress trajectories and may lead to longitudinal cracking within this zone. The anchorage
length in a post-tensioned member and the magnitude of the transverse forces (both tensile and

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compressive), which act perpendicular to the longitudinal prestressing force, depend on the magnitude of
the prestressing force and on the size and position of the anchorage plate(s). Meanwhile, the stress
concentrations within the anchorage zone in a pre-tensioned member are not usually as severe as a post-
tensioned anchorage zone. There is a more gradual transfer of prestressing force in pre-tensioning system.
The full prestress is transmitted to the concrete by bond over a significant length of the tendon (called the
transmission length). In addition, the high concrete bearing stresses behind the anchorage plates in post-
tensioned members do not occur in pre-tensioned concrete.

5.2 TRANSFER OF PRESTRESS IN PRE-TENSIOEND MEMBER

5.2.1 The mechanism of prestressing force is transferred to pre-tensioned beams

In pre-tensioned member, the wires (tendon) are usually tensioned within a casting bed. The concrete is
cast around the wires and, after the concrete has gained sufficient strength, the wires are released and the
prestressing force is transferred. When the wires are released from its temporary anchorage on the
prestressing bed, the end of the wires swell as a result of the recovery of the lateral contraction and
develop a wedge effect. The transfer of prestressing force usually occurs only at the end of the member,
with the steel stress varying from zero at the end of the wires to the prescribed amount ( ) at some
distance, transmission length, lpt, from the end. The swelling of the wires is only a few thousand of a
millimetre, but it nevertheless produces considerable radial pressures on the concrete, giving rise to large
frictional force.

The transmission of prestressing force from steel to concrete is generally through a steel-concrete bond.
The better the quality of the steel-concrete bond the more efficient is the force transfer and the shorter is
the transmission length. Over the transmission length the bond stresses are high. Figure 5.1 shows the
distribution of bond stresses – stress in steel and concrete in the transmission zone. The maximum bond
stress is reached in the zone of transverse compression. When the bond stress is zero, the stress in steel
and concrete reach their maximum values, and uniform stress distribution is prevalent from this section.
The length needed for achieving this is termed transmission length.

The main mechanisms that contribute to the strength of the steel-concrete bond are (1) chemical adhesion
of steel to concrete, (2) friction at the steel-concrete interface, and (3) mechanical interlocking of concrete
and steel (associated primarily with deformed or twisted strands). When the wires are released from its
anchorage within the casting bed and the force is transferred to the concrete, there is a small amount of
wires (tendon) slip at the end of the member. This slippage destroys the bond for a short distance into the

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Figure 5.1. Distribution of bond stresses

member at the released end, after which adhesion, friction and mechanical interlock combine to transfer
the wires force to concrete.

During the stressing operation, there is a reduction in the diameter of the wires (tendon) due to Poisson’s
ratio effect. The concrete is then cast around the highly tensioned wires (tendon). When the wires
(tendon) are released, the unstressed portion of the wires (tendon) at the end of the member returns to its

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original diameter, whilst at some distance into the member, where the tensile stress in the wires (tendon)
are still high, the wires (tendon) remains at its reduced diameter. Within the transmission length, the
diameter of wires varies (as in Figure 5.1) and there is radial pressure exerted on the surrounding
concrete. This pressure produces a frictional component which assists in the transferring of force from the
steel to the concrete. The wedging action due to this radial strain is known as the Hoyer effect.

5.2.2 Transmission length

The length required at the end of a pre-tensioned member for a build-up of stress in concrete is of great
importance, particularly in short pretensioned units, since it controls the working bending moment and
shear force allowable on the section. The transmission length depends mainly on the diameter and surface
characteristics of the wire, the elastic properties of steel and concrete, and the coefficient of friction
between steel and concrete.

Observed values of transmission length for most common condition are ranged from 50 – 150 times the
diameter of the tendon. The force transfer is not linear, with about 50% of the force transferred in the 1 st
quarter of the transfer length and about 80% within the 1st half of the length. For design purpose,
however, it is reasonable and generally conservative to assume a linear variation of steel stress over the
entire transmission length.

Based on the wedge action, Hoyer has developed an expression for computing the transmission length,
which is given in Eq. 5.1:

( )( )( ) ( )

where:
transmission length
wire diameter
coefficient of friction between steel and concrete
Poission’s ratio for concrete
Poission’s ratio for steel
modular ratio ( ⁄ )
Modulus of elasticity of concrete
initial stress in steel
effective stress in steel

(Eq. 5.1 is known to be determined from the Hoyer’s method)

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Several tests have been carried out by many investigators to determine the transmission length. These
methods can be classified into different categories depending upon the principles under which the
solutions are obtained. Some of notable investigations are:
1. Test due to Evans and Robinson, Guyon, and Marshall and Krishna Murthy, in which the pull in or
slip of the tendons into the concrete at the time of transfer in the influencing parameter.
2. Test due to Rusch and Rehm, based on the basic law of the bond.
3. Test due to Marshall, based on the theoretical investigations of Jenny and Guyon.

Marshall and Krishna Murthy conducted a comparative analysis of various proposals and suggested semi-
empirical relations for determination of transmission length which applicable for plain smooth wires and
strands as given in Eq. 5.2:

√
√ ( )

where:
cube concrete strength at transfer ( ⁄ )
constant, depending upon details of strand and wire.

The values of constant for some typical wires and strands are compiled in Table 5.1.

Table 5.1. Values of constant

Details of wire or strand
2 mm wire 0.144
5 mm wire 0.0235
7 mm wire 0.0174
10 mm wire, 7 wire strand 0.144
12.5 mm wire, 7 wire strand 0.058
18 mm wire, 19 wire strand 0.0235
19 mm wire, 7 wire strand 0.0235
Twin twisted wires or 6.25 mm , 7 wire strand 0.077

The transmission length prevailing at the time of transfer does not remain constant, but increases at a
decreasing rate with time due to the effects of creep and shrinkage of concrete.

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Example 5.1:
Calculate the transmission length at the end of the pre-tensioned simply supported beam as per Hoyer’s
method using the following data:
Span of the beam = 50 m
wire = 7 mm
0.1
0.15
0.30
210 kN/mm2 and 30 kN/mm2
Ultimate tensile strength of steel wire, fcu = 1500 N/mm2
Initial stress in steel, fpi = 0.7fcu
Effective stress in steel, fpe = 0.6fcu

Solution:

( )( )( )

⁄
⁄

( )( )( )

Example 5.2:
Estimate the transmission length of the ends of a pre-tensioned beam prestressed by 7 mm wires.
Assume the cube strength of concrete at transfer as 42 N/mm2. Adopt Marshall and Krishna Murthy’s
empirical relation.

Solution:

√
√

From Table 5.1: β = 0.0174

√√

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5.2.3 Bond stresses

The magnitude of bond stresses developed between concrete and steel and its variation in the anchorage
zone of a pre-tensioned beam is shown in Figure 5.2. The bond stress is zero at the ends but build up
rapidly to a maximum over a very short length. This value decreases as the stress in the wire builds up. At
a distance equal to the transmission length, the bond stress is almost zero while the stress in steel and
concrete reach their maximum values.

Figure 5.2. Bond stress in pre-tensioned beam

If:
( ) the max. value of bond stress
( ) bond stress at a distance x from the free end
diameter of the wire
stress in steel a distance x from the free end
effective stress in steel at the end of the anchorage zone

Based on tests conducted at the University of Leeds, the following relations have been proposed by
Marshall:
⁄
( ) ( ) ( )

⁄
( ) ( )
where:
constant, expressed as the ratio of change in bond stress to steel stress
distance measured from the free end (mm)

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The stress in a steel wire gradually increases from zero at the end of the beam to 100% of the effective
stress at the end of the transmission length.

Example 5.3:
A pre-tensioned beam is prestressed using 5 mm diameter wires with an initial stress 80% of the ultimate
tensile strength of steel. The cube strength of concrete at transfer is 30 N/mm2. Given the ultimate tensile
strength of steel is 1600 N/mm2, ( ) ⁄ and .
(a) Calculate the transmission length;
(b) Compute the bond stress at ¼ and ½ the transmission length from the end;
(c) Calculate the overall average bond stress.

Solution:
(a) Calculate the transmission length;
Use Marshall and Krishna Murthy’s equation:
From Table 5.1: β = 0.0235

√√

(b) Compute the bond stress at ¼ and ½ the transmission length from the end;
⁄ ⁄
( ) ( )

¼ the transmission length from the end = ¼*483 = 120.75 mm

Therefore, the bond stress:

⁄
( ) ⁄

½ the transmission length from the end = ½*483 = 241.5 mm

Therefore, the bond stress:

⁄
( ) ⁄

(c) Calculate the overall average bond stress.

( ) ⁄

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5.3 TRANSFER OF PRESTRESS IN POST-TENSIOEND MEMBER

5.3.1 Introduction
In post-tensioned concrete structures, failure of the anchorage zone is perhaps the most common cause of
problems arising during construction. Such failures are difficult and expensive to repair, and usually
necessitate replacement of the entire structural member. Anchorage zones may fail owing to uncontrolled
cracking or splitting of the concrete resulting from insufficient well-anchored transverse reinforcement.
Bearing failures immediately behind the anchorage plate are also relatively common and may be caused
by inadequate dimensioned bearing plates or poor workmanship resulting in poorly compacted concrete in
the heavily reinforced region behind the bearing plate. Great care should be taken in both the design and
construction of post-tensioned anchorage zone.

In the anchorage zone of a post-tensioned member, the state of stress-distribution is complex and 3D in
nature. In most post-tensioned members, the prestressing tendons are introduced in a duct, then stressed
and anchored at the end faces. As a result of this, large forces, concentrated over relatively small areas,
are applied on the end blocks (anchorage zone). These highly discontinuous forces which are applied at
the end, while changing progressively to continuous linear distribution, develop transverse and shear
stresses.

The transverse stresses developed in the anchorage zone are tensile in nature over a large length. The
effect of transverse tensile stress is the development of a zone of bursting tension in a direction
perpendicular to the anchorage force, resulting in horizontal cracking. Since concrete is weak in tension,
suitable reinforcement are generally provided in the transverse direction to resist the bursting tension.

5.3.2 Stress distribution (trajectories) in the anchorage zone

Consider the case of a single square anchorage plate ( ) centrally positioned at the end of a
prismatic member depth h and width b, as shown in Figure 5.3 (a). In the anchorage zone of length la
immediately behind the anchorage plate, plane sections do not remain plane and simple beam theory does
not apply. High bearing stresses at the anchorage plate disperse throughout the anchorage zone, creating
high transverse stresses (compressive and tensile), until at a distance la from the anchorage plate.

The idealised stress trajectories (distribution) in the anchorage zone (end block) with the compressive and
tensile stress paths are shown in Fig. 5.3 (b). The stress trajectories directly behind the anchorage zone are
convex to the centre line of the member, as shown, and therefore produce transverse paths of compressive

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stress normal to the member axis. Further from the anchorage, the compressive stress trajectories become
concave to the member axis and, as a consequence, produce transverse tensile stress paths. The stress
trajectories are closely spaced directly behind the bearing plate where compressive stress is high, and
become more widely spaces as the distance from the anchorage plate increases. St. Venant’s principle
suggests that the length of the disturbed region, la, for the single centrally located anchorage shown in
Figure 5.3, is approximately equal to the depth of the member h.

Figure 5.3. (a) A single square anchorage plate ( ) centrally positioned at the end of a prismatic
member depth h and width b. (b) Stress trajectories for a centrally placed anchorage plate

The variation of the transverse stresses along the centre line of the member, and normal to it, is presented
in Figure 5.4.

Figure 5.4. Distribution of transverse stress behind a single central anchorage.

The degree of curvature of the stress trajectories is dependent on the size of the bearing plate. The smaller
the bearing plate, the larger are both the curvature and concentration of the stress trajectories, hence the
larger are the transverse tensile and compressive forces in the anchorage zone. The transverse tensile
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forces, often called bursting or splitting forces, need to be estimated accurately so that transverse
reinforcement within the anchorage zone can be designed to resist them.

Elastic analysis can be used to analyse anchorage zone prior to the commencement of cracking. Early
studies using photoelastic methods demonstrated the distribution of stresses within the anchorage zone.
As an example, Figure 5.5 shows the stress isobars for transverse stress distribution for central anchorage
for different size of the anchor plates. The effects of varying the size of the anchor plate on both the
magnitude and position, as the plate size increases, the magnitude of the maximum transverse tensile
stress on the member axis decreases and its position moves further along the member (i.e. away from the
anchorage plate).

Figure 5.5. The stress isobars for transverse stress distribution (central anchorage) for different size of the
anchor plates

5.3.3 Investigation on anchorage zone stress

A number of investigators have studied the stress distribution in the anchorage zone using empirical
equations or theoretical solutions based on two- or three- dimensional elasticity or experimental
techniques. To name a few: Magnel’s method, Guyon’s method and Zielinski & Rowe’s method. In this
text only Guyon’s method is introduced since it is quite straight forward to apply.

Guyon’s method
Guyon has developed design tables for the computation of bursting tension in end blocks which are based
on his earlier mathematical investigations concerning the distribution of stresses in end blocks subjected
to concentrated loads. The concept of symmetrical or equivalent prism for eccentric cables, and the
method of partitioning for the analysis of stresses developed due to multiple cables have been introduced
by Guyon.

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The distributions of forces at the ends are treated under categories of force evenly distributed and forces
not evenly distributed. Only force evenly distributed is given in this text. According to Guyon’s method,
the bursting tension is expressed as:

[ ( ⁄ ) ] ( )

where:
P = anchorage force
⁄ = distribution ratio (refer design table of Guyon’s method)
depth of the anchorage plate
depth of the anchorage prism
[**Note: The position of zero stress, maximum transverse stress and its magnitude for the forces which
are evenly distributed are computed by using the coefficient given in design table of Guyon’s method
(Figure 5.6.]

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Figure 5.6. Vertical stresses along axis at ends of prestressed beam (Guyon’s method)

Example 5.5:
The end block of a prestressed concrete beam, rectangular in section, is 100 mm wide and 200 mm deep.
The prestressing force of 100 kN is transmitted to concrete by a distribution plate, 100 mm wide and 50
mm deep, concentrically located at the ends (Fig. 5.7).
(a) Calculate the position and magnitude of the maximum tensile stress;
(b) Compute the bursting tension.

Figure 5.7
Solution:
(a) Calculate the position and magnitude of the maximum tensile stress;

⁄ ⁄
Refer design table of Guyon’s method:
Position of zero stress from the end face = ( )
Position of max. stress = ( )

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Ratio of max. tensile stress to average stress = 0.345

( ⁄ ) ( ) ⁄

Therefore, the max. tensile stress is given by 1.725 ⁄ at the position of 66 mm from the end face.

(b) Compute the bursting tension.

Bursting tension:

[ ( ⁄ ) ] ( )[ ( ) ]

If the yield stress in mild steel is 260 ⁄ , then:

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