Development Length Variables in Pretensioned Concrete Ties
This research, conducted from 2011 to 2015, is part of a larger project, “Quantifying the Effect of Prestressing Steel and Concrete Variables on the Transfer Length in Pretensioned Concrete Crossties,” conducted by Kansas State University (KSU) and sponsored by the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA). This report highlights advances in quantifying the development length in pretensioned concrete railroad ties. This information is needed to accurately determine the nominal flexural capacity of these ties along their length. Experimental results from load tests on pretensioned, prestressed concrete prisms revealed a significant relationship between wire reinforcement type and concrete release strength on the development length and flexural capacity of the reinforced concrete specimens. A full technical report of this research may be found on the K-State Research Exchange.