High Creep Stress Test of Carbon Fiber–Composite Cable with Generic Field-Made Anchorage

Carbon fiber–reinforced polymer (CFRP) tendons can serve as a viable alternative to steel strands in prestressing applications in which the noncorrosive nature of the strands helps reduce maintenance costs and extend the service life of the structure. An important consideration for CFRP tendons is the prestress level, which is currently limited by prevailing standards. A series of creep stress tests were conducted on carbon fiber–composite cables with generic field-made anchorages using commercially available expansive grout. Specimens withstood 95% of their guaranteed capacity for a period of five months (3,624 h) at a room temperature of 24°C (75°F) without rupture or any sign of distress. The experiments also showed quite an acceptable long-term performance for the generic field-made anchorage. In subsequent residual strength tests, all specimens still exceeded their guaranteed capacity after the extended high creep stress test.