Designation: A1081/A1081M 12

Standard Test Method for

Evaluating Bond of Seven-Wire Steel Prestressing Strand1
This standard is issued under the fixed designation A1081/A1081M; the number immediately following the designation indicates the
year of original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last
reapproval. A superscript epsilon () indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.

1. Scope C192/C192M Practice for Making and Curing Concrete Test

1.1 This test method describes procedures for determining Specimens in the Laboratory
the bond of seven-wire steel prestressing strand. The bond C1437 Test Method for Flow of Hydraulic Cement Mortar
determined by this test method is stated as the tensile force
required to pull the strand through the cured mortar in a 3. Terminology
cylindrical steel casing. The result of the test is the tensile force 3.1 Definitions:
measured on the loaded-end of the strand corresponding to a 3.1.1 bondthe adhesion of strand to concrete or mortar.
movement of 0.1 in. (2.5 mm) at the free-end of the strand.
3.1.2 bond breakera product wrapped around strand to
1.2 This test method is applicable either in inch-pound units
prevent strand-to-concrete bond over the installed length.
(as Specification A1081) or SI units (as Specification
A1081M). Extruded polystyrene foam pipe insulation is commonly used
for this purpose.
1.3 The values stated in either inch-pound units or in SI
units are to be regarded separately as standard. Within the text, 3.1.3 manufactured lengtha length of strand that is manu-
SI units are shown in brackets. The values stated in each factured in one continuous length.
system may not be exact equivalents; therefore, each system 3.1.4 mortara mixture of cement, fine aggregate (that is,
shall be used independently of the other. Combining values sand) and water.
from the two systems may result in non-conformance with the
specification. 3.1.5 strandall references to strand in this test method
shall be interpreted to be Specification A416/A416M seven-
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the
wire prestressing steel strand with nominal diameters of 0.500
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
in. [12.70 mm] or 0.600 in. [15.24 mm].
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica- 3.1.6 test specimenan assembly consisting of one steel
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use. casing, one sample of strand and mortar.

2. Referenced Documents 4. Summary of Test Method

2
2.1 ASTM Standards: 4.1 Six samples of seven-wire steel prestressing strand with
A416/A416M Specification for Steel Strand, Uncoated nominal diameters of 0.500 in. [12.7 mm] or 0.600 in. [15.24
Seven-Wire for Prestressed Concrete mm] are selected from a single continuous length. Each of the
C33/C33M Specification for Concrete Aggregates six strand samples are individually cast in a steel cylinder
C109/C109M Test Method for Compressive Strength of casing with a specified cement mortar. The strand is exposed on
Hydraulic Cement Mortars (Using 2-in. or [50-mm] Cube both ends of the cylinder with a designated loaded-end and
Specimens) free-end. Once the mortar reaches a specified compressive
C150/C150M Specification for Portland Cement strength, the cylinder with the embedded steel strand is loaded
into a tensile testing machine. The designated loaded-end of
the steel strand is gripped by the tensile testing machine and
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee A01 on Steel, pulled away from the cylinder at a specified displacement rate.
Stainless Steel and Related Alloys and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee
A01.05 on Steel Reinforcement.
The tensile force on the loaded-end of the strand is measured
Current edition approved Nov. 15, 2012. Published January 2013. DOI: 10.1520/ along with the corresponding displacement of the free-end. The
A1081_A1081M. result of the test is the tensile force measured at the loaded-end
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or of the strand corresponding to a movement of 0.1 in. [2.5 mm]
contact ASTM Customer Service at [email protected]. For Annual Book of ASTM
Standards volume information, refer to the standards Document Summary page on at the free-end of the strand. The results of each sample test in
the ASTM website. the set of six are reported individually and as an average.

Copyright ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States

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 A1081/A1081M 12
5. Significance and Use 8.2 Mortar PreparationThe preparation of the materials
5.1 Prestressing steel strand is used in pre-tensioned and and procedure used to mix the mortar shall be performed in
post-tensioned concrete construction. conformance with Practice C192/C192M (Note 2) with the
following exceptions:
5.2 In pre-tensioned concrete applications, the prestressing 8.2.1 Aggregates, other than sand, shall not be used.
steel strand is expected to transfer prestressing forces to the
8.2.2 Admixtures shall not be used.
structural member via the adhesion (that is, bond) of the
exposed wire strand surfaces to the surrounding cementitous 8.3 Mortar Performance RequirementsThe mortar shall
material. be tested in conformance with Practice C192/C192M with the
5.3 Manufacturing processes, subsequent handling, and following exceptions and additional requirements.
storage conditions can influence the strand bond. 8.3.1 SlumpNo measurements required.
8.3.2 Air ContentNo measurements required.
5.4 Prestressing steel strand is used in construction applica-
8.3.3 FlowMortar flow shall be measured in accordance
tions with a variety of concrete mixtures. Developing tests and
with the procedures in Test Method C1437. The flow rate shall
threshold values for the performance of the strand in each of
be greater than or equal to 100 % but shall not exceed 125 %.
these unique mixtures is impractical.
8.3.4 StrengthMortar strength shall be evaluated in con-
6. Apparatus formance with Test Method C109/C109M using 2 in. [50 mm]
mortar cubes. Before starting the test and after a minimum of
6.1 A dial gauge or position transducer with a minimum 22 hours curing time, mean mortar cube strength shall not be
precision of 0.001 in (0.025 mm). less than 4 500 psi [31 MPa]. During performance of the strand
6.2 A tensile testing machine with the following function- bond test and within 24 hours 6 2 hours of mortar mixing,
ality: mean mortar cube strengths shall be between 4 500 psi [31
6.2.1 Controlled loading rate based on cross-head displace- MPa] and 5 000 psi [34.5 MPa] (Note 3).
ment.
NOTE 2Practice C192/C192M is described as a standard practice to be
6.2.2 Gripping device without torsional restraint. The lack used for concrete test specimens. As outlined in 8.1, only fine aggregates
of torsion restraint and satisfaction of this requirement shall be (that is, sand) are included in the mixture along with cement and water.
verified by demonstrating the ability to twist the actuator or the Because coarse aggregates are not included, this mixture is defined as
test specimen by hand or by manual lever. (Note 1) mortar and not concrete. Aside from this difference and a few other
exceptions noted in Section 8, the practices documented in Practice
NOTE 1In testing to develop the test method, hydraulic actuators were C192/C192M are to be applied when making the mortar used in this test
employed to apply tension force to the strand. The nature of the hydraulic method.
actuators generally allows the piston to rotate with minimal resistance NOTE 3The ability to consistently achieve the specified mortar
(since the piston floats on hydraulic fluid). Neither a roller bearing nor a strengths can be a challenge for testing facilities with limited mortar
ball bearing is required though one may be necessary if the pull-out force experience and/or limited mixing and curing facilities and multiple trial
is applied through a mechanism where twist is restrained. batches may be required to develop appropriate mixes. If mean mortar
strengths are less than the 4 500 psi [31 MPa] when the strand bond test
7. Sampling of Strand is performed, the strand bond test results will be biased to provide lower
bond test values than if the mortar was within the specified range. For the
7.1 Six samples of prestressing steel strand are needed for purpose of comparing the bond test results of this test method against a
this test. Each sample shall be at least 32 in. [800 mm] long. minimum threshold value, a bond test result that exceeds a minimum
threshold value with a mean mortar strength less than 4 500 psi [31 MPa]
7.2 Samples shall be collected from the same reel or reelless should be accepted as meeting a specified minimum threshold value.
pack of strand (typically 3.5 tons [3 metric tons]) or the same If mortar strengths are greater than the 5 000 psi [34.5 MPa] when the
manufactured length of strand (typically 2028 tons [1825 strand bond test is performed, the strand bond test results will be biased to
metric tons]). provide higher bond test values than if the mortar was within the specified
range. For the purpose of comparing the bond test results of this test
7.3 The surface condition of the strand samples shall be method against a minimum threshold value, a bond test result that is below
representative of the strand intended for use in bonded appli- a minimum threshold value with a mean mortar strength greater than 5 000
cations. Care shall be taken to prevent the introduction of psi [34.5 MPa] should be considered as failing to meet the specified
minimum threshold value.
surface contaminants which may alter the bond performance of
the strand. For qualification of a manufacturing process,
9. Preparation of Test Specimens
sample surface shall be in the as-manufactured condition.
9.1 Materials:
8. Mortar Requirements 9.1.1 Strand SamplesStrand sample requirements are de-
8.1 Materials: fined in Section 7.
8.1.1 SandThe sand shall conform to Specification C33/ 9.1.2 MortarMortar requirements are defined in Section
C33M requirements for fine aggregate. The sand shall come 8.
from natural sources. Manufactured sand shall not be permit- 9.1.3 Bond BreakerA 1 in. 6 0.25 in. [25 mm 6 6 mm]
ted. outside diameter 2 in. 6 0.08 in. [50 mm 6 2 mm] length
8.1.2 CementThe cement shall conform to Specification section of pipe insulation or equivalent material shall be used
C150/C150M requirements for Type III cement. as a bond breaker. The position of the bond breaker shall be as
8.1.3 WaterThe water shall be potable. defined in Fig. 1 (Note 4).

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 A1081/A1081M 12

*SI equivalent: 50 mm 6 2.0 mm

**SI equivalent: 64 mm 6 13 mm
*** SI equivalent: 450 mm 6 6.4 mm
**** SI equivalent: 800 mm +250 mm 0 mm
*****SI equivalent: 130 mm 6 3 mm (OD) 3 mm min (wall thickness)
NOTE 1The Electronic End Slip Measurement apparatus shown here is an example of one type of measurement set-up. Other configurations and
devices can be used. A mold release agent may be sprayed onto the canister ID walls before pouring mortar.
FIG. 1 Longitudinal Cross-Section Diagram of Strand Test Specimen in a Mortar-Filled Cylinder

9.1.4 Steel CasingEach individual test specimen of strand durometer 6 in. 6 in. 0.5 in. 6 0.125 in. [150 mm 150
shall be cast in a 5 in. [130 mm] outside diameter 18 in. [450 mm 12.5 mm 6 3 mm] polychloroprene pad with a 58 in. [16
mm] long cylindrical steel casing as defined in Fig. 1. The mm] diameter hole or slit sufficient to accommodate the strand
thickness of the cylindrical walls of the steel casing shall not be shall be located between the plate and bearing. (Note 5) The
less than 11 gage or 0.119 in. [3.0 mm]. A 6 in. 6 in. 0.25 other dimensions of the steel casing and the strand are
in. [150 mm 150 mm 6 mm] square plate with a 58 in. [16 indicated on the diagram. The steel casing shall have sufficient
mm] hole located at the center of the plate to accommodate the rigidity to prevent radial cracking visible to normal or cor-
strand shall be welded to the bottom of the casing. A 50 rected vision in the concrete mortar during testing.

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 A1081/A1081M 12
9.2 Specimen AssemblyEach individual test specimen shall be a minimum of 8 in. [200 mm]. The strand gripping
shall be made by casting one single strand concentrically in the device (or test cylinder) shall not be restrained from torsional
steel casing with the mortar. The test specimen shall be cast movement (Note 1).
with the longitudinal axis of the strand and the steel casing in
the vertical position. Temporary jigs shall be used to keep the 11. Test Procedure
strand sample concentrically centered 6 12 in. [13 mm] in the
11.1 Test ConditionsThe specimens shall be removed
steel casing and to prevent longitudinal movement during
from the controlled curing chamber and tested when both of the
mortar installation and consolidation. The temporary jigs can
following 2 parameters are satisfied:
be removed after the mortar has cured and prior to testing.
11.1.1 Time24 hours 6 2 hours of casting the specimens
9.3 ConsolidationAfter the cylinder is approximately (Note 7).
50 % filled with mortar, the test specimens shall be mechani- 11.1.2 Mortar StrengthWithin the strength range specified
cally consolidated by vibration in conformance with Practice in 8.3.4.
C192/C192M. The mortar shall be consolidated to ensure that
a normal amount of air voids exist at the interface between the 11.2 Mortar StrengthMortar strengths shall be tested at
strand and the surrounding concrete mortar (see Note 6). Once the beginning of the test and at the end of the test.
the initial addition of mortar is consolidated, the next 40 % of 11.3 Displacement RateLoad (that is, pull-out force) shall
mortar shall be added to the steel casing and again mechani- be applied to the strand by displacement of the gripping device.
cally consolidated by vibration in conformance with Practice The displacement rate shall be 0.1 in./min 6 0.005 in./min [2.5
C192/C192M. Once the mortar is consolidated the second mm/min 6 0.13 mm/min]. As load is applied to the strand,
time, the remaining 10 % of mortar shall be added to the steel some seating of the gripping device or other test frame
casing until a smooth, level mortar surface is achieved at the deflection is possible. These seating actions should be visibly
top of the casing. smooth and not subject to sudden releases of energy. A
9.4 CuringOnce all six test specimens and mortar cubes maximum force loading rate of 8 500 lbf/min [38 kN/min] is
have been cast, curing of the mortar shall occur in conformance recommended based on data collected during test development
with Practice C192/C192M. The concrete mortar shall be cured (Note 8).
in a controlled environment with the following conditions: 11.4 Test ResultThe load (that is, pull-out force) rounded
9.4.1 Curing TemperatureCuring temperatures shall be to the nearest 10 lbf [50 N] shall be recorded at the moment the
73.4F 6 3F [23C 6 2C]. free-end of the strand has moved down into the mortar a
9.4.2 Curing Relative HumidityAverage hourly relative cumulative total of 0.10 in. [2.5 mm] by the application of
humidity during curing shall be maintained above 90 %. force on the loaded-end.
9.4.3 VibrationThe test specimens shall be cured in an
11.5 Acceptance of Test ResultIf the hardened mortar
environment free of vibrations.
exhibits cracking visible to normal or corrected vision in two or
NOTE 4Variances in the length of the bond breaker can cause more of the six test specimens, the entire batch of six
significant variance in the results of this test method. Careful attention to specimens shall be discarded and new specimens prepared.
the dimensions, installation and position of the bond breaker during and
NOTE 7Current research is investigating the importance of this time
after the addition of the mortar is essential.
constraint. In the future, it is possible this time constraint may be extended
NOTE 5The polychloroprene pad helps control the force loading rate to allow more time to complete the testing.
and can provide a better surface to allow for minor centering corrections
NOTE 8The loading rate of the specimen is specified as a rate of
as load is applied to the cylinder.
loaded-end displacement. During the development of this test method,
NOTE 6Excessive air voids can cause erroneous test results because
strand loading rates in terms of force were also monitored and recorded
air voids reduce the available bonding surface between the concrete
concurrently with the displacement loading rates. The maximum force
mortar and the strand.
loading rate is recommended since frame stiffness may influence reported
test values.
10. Test Set-up
10.1 Test FrameThe test specimens shall be placed into 12. Report
the test frame with the capabilities as defined in Section 6. The 12.1 Identification of the strand tested (that is, reel or
load shall be measured as applied to the loaded-end. reelless pack number).
10.2 Free-End Slip MeasurementA position transducer or 12.2 Date of original strand manufacture.
dial gauge shall be installed capable of measuring the move-
ment of the free-end of the strand relative to the hardened 12.3 Dates of test.
mortar or the steel casing. Fig. 1 shows an example of one type 12.4 Size of strand.
of measurement apparatus. The measuring device shall mea-
sure free-end strand movement as observed by movement of 12.5 Grade of strand.
the center wire only. 12.6 Six individual test results.
10.3 Strand GrippingThe strand shall be gripped by a 12.7 Average test results.
chucking device capable of uniformly pulling all six outer
wires of the strand. The free length between the bottom plate of 12.8 Individual mortar cube compressive strengths.
the steel casing housing the specimen and the gripping device 12.9 Average of beginning and ending mortar strengths.

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 A1081/A1081M 12
13. Precision and Bias 13.2 BiasSince there is no accepted reference material
13.1 No statement is made on the precision and bias of these suitable for determining the bias in this test method, no
test methods since the test results indicate only whether there statement on bias is made.
is conformance to given criteria and no generally accepted
method for determining precision of this test method is 14. Keywords
currently available. General guidelines provided herein for the 14.1 bond test; prestressing steel strand; seven-wire strand
specimens, instrumentation, and procedures make the results
intractable to calculation of meaningful values by statistical
analysis for precision at this time.

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