Experimental Study and Numerical Simulation of Three-Edge Bearing Test of Large Diameter Prestressed Concrete Cylinder Pipes

Abstract

This study summarizes the results of full-scale three-edge bearing tests performed on 72 in. diameter prestressed concrete cylinder pipes (PCCPs) removed from the line after many years of service. The data collected from the experiments is used to develop analytical models, based on the finite element method, and to validate the capability of the modeling scheme in capturing the response and failure of the tested specimens. The concrete and mortar materials are modeled using a recently developed triaxial constitutive model that accounts for strength degradation due to compressive induced crushing and tensile cracking, as well as increased in strength and ductility due to confinement. The study is supplemented with a set of parametric studies to investigate the effects of interface formulation, interface strength (radial tension and shear sliding), concrete strength, prestressing loss, and biological and chemical degradation of concrete inner core.