Experimental Evaluation of Design Methods for Prestressed Concrete Plpe

Abstract

Tests conducted by the prestressed concrete pressure pipe industry in the United States during the past four decades have been gathered and analyzed. The present industry design procedures are summarized. Test results are compared with design limits defined by AWWA C301 and these industry design procedures. The results show that the resultant prestress calculated by the present industry procedures correlates well with test results. Ratios of test loads that produce the first visible cracks, 0.005–0.010‐in. (0.13–0.25‐mm) wide cracks, the ultimate strength in three‐edge bearing load, and the burst strength of prestressed concrete pipe to the design limit loads are presented. The test results depict the ability of prestressed concrete pipe to control and limit crack width.