Quantitative monitoring of tensile force in post-tensioning systems using piezoelectric wave method

The tensile force of a post-tensioning system is essential in prestressed concrete structures. Since the tensile force is related to the contact pressure at the interface between the anchor head and the bearing plate, this study utilizes the piezoelectric wave method to quantitatively monitor the reflected wave energy at the interface. A 3D solid element model was developed to simulate the propagation of stress waves in a simplified anchorage system across different contact areas. Three independent tests were conducted on a simplified 2-strand anchorage system, using the reception coefficient as a monitoring index. The empirical fitting formula between the reception coefficient and the load is derived from the loading data and verified using the unloading data. The experimental results demonstrate good monotonicity and stability within the test range. The study also conducted two temperature-based tests to investigate the effect of small temperature variations on the proposed method. The results indicate that temperature fluctuations of less than 20°C have little effect on the test method. Then, the proposed method is applied to a real 2-strand anchorage system in a concrete beam. The proposed method serves as a reference for quantitatively monitoring the prestressing force of a post-tensioning system.