• Journal of the Korea Concrete Institute
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• v.21 no.6
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• pp.763-771
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• 2009

As the demand on long span structures increases more in recent years, the excessive deflection, in addition to the ultimate strength, in horizontal members becomes a very important issue. For this reason, as an alternative method to effectively solve the deflection problems, the application of post-tensioned structural system with unbonded tendon increases gradually. However, most of the existing researches on post-tensioned members with unbonded tendons (UPT) focused on the ultimate flexural strength, which would be impossible or improper to check serviceability such as deflections. Therefore, this study aims at proposing a stress prediction model for unbonded tendons that is applicable to the behavior of UPT members from the very initial loading stages, post-cracking states, and service to ultimate conditions. The applicability and accuracy of the proposed model were also evaluated comparing to the existing test results from literature. Based on such comparison results, it was verified that the proposed model provided very good predictions on tendon stresses of UPT members at various loading stages regardless their different characteristics; wide range of reinforcement index, different loading patterns, and etc. The proposed model especially well considered the effect of various loading types on stress increases of unbonded tendons, and it was also very suitable to apply on the over-reinforced members that easily happened during strengthening/repairing work.