Influence of Oil-Based Corrosion Protection on Friction Losses During Strands Installation and Prestressing

Oil-based coatings are widely used as a short-term corrosion protection measure in bridge engineering, mainly to protect prestressing material during site storage and in the time before grout application which then provides long-term protection for tendons. The oil-based coatings should be removed prior to grouting but in practice may remain present during stressing, whereupon they may reduce friction with either beneficial or adverse effects on the design. Occasionally, oils are used solely as a lubricant during strand installation into the duct to minimize friction.