This function addresses stressing sequences of post-tensioned tendons (tendon types internal and external).
For an internal tendon already created in tendon geometry, user can specify here the sequences for tensioning the tendon, inserting the correspondent Tendon Loads.
The meaning each Stress/Release force or Wedge/Dev/L length variables are the following presented and correspond to the prestressing actions available in RM Bridge:
| Setting | Description |
|---|---|
| PREL | Stressing the tendon at the left end of the tendon |
| PRER | Stressing the tendon at the right end of the tendon |
| RELL | Tendon release at the left end of the tendon (end force specified) |
| RELR | Tendon release at the right end of the tendon (end force specified) |
| RELML | Tendon release at the left end (maximum force specified) |
| WEDL | Wedge slip at the left end of the tendon |
| WEDR | Wedge slip at the right end of the tendon |
| DEVLL | Development length at the left end of the tendon |
| DEVLR | Development length at the right end of the tendon |
The actions PREL, PRER, RELL, RELR, RELML, and RELMR are force related. The parameter Type defines whether the stressing force (of one tendon of the tendon profile) (type Force) or a factor related to the "allowable prestressing force" defined as the product of the cross-section area of the tendon and the allowable stress SIG-allow-pr (parameter SIGP of the material table) (type Fact).
In PREL, PRER, RELL, and RELR, data is the tendon force or percentage at the stressing position, in RELML and RELMR the respective maximum value.
The wedge slip actions WEDL and WEDR and the development length actions DEVLL and DEVLR are length related. Type is irrelevant for these actions.
Note that the unit [length (structure)] must be used, i.e., 0.006 has to be entered for a wedge slip of 6 mm, when [m] is the used length unit.
At the top right corner of the tendon stressing table there is a button Wizard that will allow the User to define in a faster way the Tendon stressing sequence, by generating automatically the Tendon Loads for the stressing types, at Left, Right or LefandRight end of the tendon.
The Stress-label assigned is a very important parameter, as it will be used in the pre-stressing load case definition and will be also assign to the different prestressing phases when this tendon will be stressed.
The "Copy from tendon" , "Copy and Replace" and "Copy and Append" buttons may advantageously be used for taking over stressing actions from one tendon to another one.
In the bottom window is displaying one graphic view, where force distributions resulting from the individual stressing actions are presented automatically after the tendon load have been added.
The displayed diagram shows the tendon forces for the selected and previous actions applied on the selected tendon. Different colours are used for presenting the effects of the different previously applied actions.
You can also store this picture in a drawing or by creating a plot-file. Is also possible to export results to an excel file.