SPACING AND CONCRETE COVER REQUIREMENTS FOR EPOXY-COATED PRESTRESSING STRAND IN UNCONFINED SECTIONS

A test program was undertaken to determine the spacing and concrete cover requirements of 0.5 in. (12.7 mm) diameter seven-wire prestressing strand coated with a grit impregnated epoxy. Spacing and concrete cover requirements were studied by varying the parameters of strand spacing, concrete cover and number of strands. These requirements were then compared with the AASHTO Specifications. The transfer length of epoxy-coated prestressing strand was also investigated. It is concluded that strand spacing and concrete cover requirements should be increased somewhat in prestressed concrete members without confinement reinforcement. However, in bridge girders and other prestressed concrete members that typically carry confinement reinforcement in the form of stirrups and end zone reinforcement, increased strand spacing and concrete cover may not be warranted.