1978. Recommendations for segmental construction in prestressed concrete. (PDF)

In earlier reports of the FIP Commission on Prefabrication—particularly in the report presented at the New York Congress in 1974—a state-of-the-art review of segmental construction in prestressed concrete was provided.

However, in view of the growing worldwide interest in this method of construction, the Commission considered that the time had come to draft a Recommended Practice for Segmental Construction in Prestressed Concrete.

These proposed recommendations were prepared by Mr. B. Shepherd (New Zealand, temporarily residing in France) and Mr. J. J. Bouvy (Netherlands). Important comments were received from Mr. Jean Muller (France) and Mr. A. van der Niet (Netherlands). In preparing the document, extensive use was made of the Recommended Practice for Segmental Construction in Prestressed Concrete issued by the PCI Committee on Construction.

The proposed recommendations address both the manufacture and the handling and erection of precast segments. Special sections are devoted to the joints between segments, post-tensioning tendons, and design considerations. The type of joint has a significant influence on nearly all aspects of segmental construction. Accordingly, the report distinguishes between wide joints (with cast-in-place concrete, dry-pack mortar, or grout as joint filler), match-cast joints (with epoxy bonding agents or dry joints), and wide joints made to match at a later stage.

Match-cast joints with epoxy bonding agents considerably reduce the waiting time before segments can be prestressed together, and their introduction represents an important development in segmental construction. The proposed recommendations therefore deal extensively with this type of joint.

The authors welcome all comments and suggestions for improving these proposed recommendations.