How to Properly Select Prestressed Anchorage Devices

Release Date:

2019-09-06

Author:Anchor

Many people looking at the Canal Bridge can’t help but wonder: how is such a massive bridge deck made of concrete? Over time, it becomes clear that the bridge deck contains countless steel rebars and prestressing anchorages. If the rebars are the bridge’s skeletal framework, then the prestressing anchorages are undoubtedly its tendons—whose critical importance goes without saying. But do you know how to choose prestressing anchorages correctly...?

Many people, when they look at the Grand Canal Bridge, wonder: how can such a massive bridge deck be reliably secured with concrete? Over time, it has become clear that the bridge deck contains countless steel rebars and prestressing anchorages. If the rebars are the bridge’s skeletal framework, then the prestressing anchorages are undoubtedly its tendons—whose critical importance goes without saying. But do you know how to select prestressing anchorages correctly?

(1) Heat‑treatment process and hardness specifications for anchor wedge plates: The purpose of heat treatment is to increase the hardness of anchor‑device components. Due to variations in heat‑treatment processes and significant differences in material selection, the influence of these factors on the hardness of anchor wedge plates during heat treatment becomes increasingly pronounced. National Standard GB/T 14370 specifies only the inspection requirements and sampling ratios for the hardness of anchor wedge plates, but does not set specific hardness limits.

(2) Prestressing anchorages are highly sophisticated and require manufacturers to hold the appropriate qualifications: the specifications, dimensions, and technical parameters—such as the shape, size, angle, and tooth profile of the wedge plates—for each type of prestressing anchorage are determined by the design. Given their high technical complexity, these products must not be manufactured arbitrarily; they must be fabricated in strict accordance with the design drawings. Manufacturers of prestressing anchorages are required to possess the necessary qualifications.

(3) Material Selection: Materials are the foundation of prestressed anchorage product quality. The quality of the materials significantly affects the performance of anchor wedges; even when using the same steel grade, differences among manufacturers can be substantial, leading to inconsistent production quality.

In fact, when selecting prestressed anchorages, it’s sufficient to choose reputable manufacturers; high‑quality products from such manufacturers are naturally well‑guaranteed.

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What is the knowledge regarding the application of anchorage devices and prestressing in bridges?