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Technical Review For Steel Relaxation Testing Machine

1. The document discusses standards and test methods for evaluating the relaxation properties of prestressed steel, including ASTM E328 and BS EN ISO 15630-3. 2. It outlines key conditions for stress relaxation testing, such as maintaining a constant temperature of 20°C, isolating specimens from vibration, and applying an initial force of 70-80% of the steel's maximum tensile strength for 1000 hours. 3. Based on the requirements, specifications, and capacities needed, the relaxation testing machines quoted by Jinan, Intermodal, and Hunlong that have maximum loads of 400-500kN are recommended.

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83 views

Technical Review For Steel Relaxation Testing Machine

1. The document discusses standards and test methods for evaluating the relaxation properties of prestressed steel, including ASTM E328 and BS EN ISO 15630-3. 2. It outlines key conditions for stress relaxation testing, such as maintaining a constant temperature of 20°C, isolating specimens from vibration, and applying an initial force of 70-80% of the steel's maximum tensile strength for 1000 hours. 3. Based on the requirements, specifications, and capacities needed, the relaxation testing machines quoted by Jinan, Intermodal, and Hunlong that have maximum loads of 400-500kN are recommended.

Uploaded by

jerin sam kurian
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Technical Review for Steel Relaxation Testing Machine

18.2.2 of Section 5, QCS 2014 requires all pre-stressed concrete steel to comply with BS 5896:
2012 or ASTM A416/ A416M− 12a.
14.11.2 of Section 2, QCS 2014 specifies relaxation properties of steel wire, strand or rod must be
tested according to ASTM E328/ BS 5896/ BS EN ISO 15630-3 at a minimum frequency of one test
for each batch of wire/ strand or one test per 30 ton for each rod size.
ASTM Standards
As per ASTM A416/ A416M; “Standard Specification for Steel Strand, Uncoated Seven-Wire for
Pre-stressed Concrete” Clause 6.5;
“Relaxation Properties—Low-relaxation strand shall have relaxation losses of not more than 2.5 %
when initially loaded to 70 % of specified minimum breaking strength or not more than 3.5 %
when loaded to 80 % of specified minimum breaking strength of the strand after 1000 hours of
testing.”
The testing for relaxation properties of pre-stressed steel is done following ASTM E328; “Standard
Test Methods for Stress Relaxation for Materials and Structures”. These test methods cover the
determination of the stress relaxation in materials and structures under conditions of
approximately constant constraint, constant environment, and negligible vibration. The steel
specimen is subjected to an increasing force until the specified initial strain is attained. For 1000
hours of the test, the specimen constraint is maintained constant. The initial stress is calculated
from the initial force measured at zero time, the specimen geometry, and the appropriate elastic
constants. The remaining stress may be calculated from the force determined under constraint
conditions either continuously, periodically, or by elastic spring back at the end of the test period.
Considering the nature of the PC samples (strand, wire, and bar) to be tested, Method A of ASTM
E328 is the apt method for the determination of the relaxation properties where the test sample
is subjected to a uniaxial constant strain.
Conditions for the Stress Relaxation Testing
1. Temperature- The test method does specify any specific temperature at which the test is
to be conducted. The test temperature would depend on the client specifications or at the
discretion of the testing laboratory. ASTM E328 specifies that the test space can be a
temperature-controlled room, furnace, or cold box and the temperature of the room
should be recorded and maintained at a constant temperature by suitable means. This is
the most important factor in a stress relaxation test since the stress relaxation rate,
dimensions, and constraint conditions of the specimen are dependent upon the test
temperature.
2. Vibration- Stress relaxation tests are sensitive to shock and vibration. The stress relaxation
test equipment and mounting should be located in such conditions that the specimen is
isolated from vibration.
3. Test Specimens- Wire and strands may be tested in the “as-received” condition. The
circular cross-sectioned steel rod must be machined to the desired shape (shouldered or
threaded). ASTM E8/ E8M; “Standard Test Methods for Tension Testing of Metallic
Materials” specifies appropriate gripping devices for wire/ strand (wedge or snubbing
grips) and shouldered/ threaded rods. Residual stresses may significantly alter the stress
relaxation characteristics of the material and care must be taken while machining to
prevent alteration of the residual stresses.
4. Environment- If the test temperature is different from ambient, specimens previously
fitted with strain gauges or extensometers should be exposed to the test temperature for
some time sufficient to obtain thermal equilibrium before starting the tests.
British Standards
As per BS 5896: 2012; “High Tensile Steel Wire and Strand Pre-stressing of Concrete-
Specification” Clause 7.3.2;
“The losses by relaxation of force shall be established at a nominal temperature of 20 oC, for a
period of 1000 hours from an initial force of 70% and 80% of the actual maximum force,
determined by a tensile test on an adjacent tensile…..in this standard.”
Section 9 of BS 5896: 2012 specifies that the relaxation test is to be carried out following BS EN
ISO 15630 “Steel for the Reinforcement and Pre-stressing of Concrete- Test Methods. Part 3-
Pre-stressing Steel”.
Section 8 of BS EN ISO 15630 Part 3; describes the isothermal stress relaxation test.
Conditions for the Stress Relaxation Testing
1. Test Sample- The test sample should be maintained in a straight condition and the free
length between the grips should not have mechanical deformation or treatment of any
kind. The test sample should remain in the testing laboratory for a minimum of 24 hours
before the test to achieve thermal equilibrium.
2. Test Equipment- The force must be measured by a coaxial force cell calibrated under ISO
7500- 1. The anchorages of the test equipment should prevent slippage of the test sample
during the test by gripping the test sample in the anchorages.
3. Application Force- The rate of the applied force should meet the requirement of Clause
8.4.2 of BS EN ISO 15630 Part 3.
4. Temperature- The temperature of the testing laboratory and the test sample should be
maintained with 20 ± 2oC. The temperature of the relaxation test is generally 20oC unless
otherwise agreed.
5. Frequency of Force Recording- The loss of force is recorded continuously or periodically as
per Clause 8.4.7.
6. Duration of Test- The common duration of the test is either 12 hours or 1000 hours and
must not be less than 12 hours. Clause 7.3.2 of BS 5896: 2012 and Clause 8.4.9 of BS EN
ISO 15630 Part 3 specify that the value of stress relaxation at 1000 hours can be
extrapolated from test results of 120 hours if suitable evidence is available that the results
of 1000 hours is equal to the actual 1000 hours value.
Conclusion
Relaxation testing machine quoted by “Metro com” does not specify it’s conforming standards,
does not meet the requirement of an axial force/ strain, and has a maximum load capacity of
only 400 kN. Relaxation testing machines quoted by “ARVKTA” and “Hissam Hussain Equipment”
has a maximum load capacity of 300 kN do not meet our requirement of 400 to 500 kN .
Relaxation testing machines quoted by “Jinan” (WDSC-500), “Intermodal” (WCS-500), and
“Hunlong” (WCS-500) meet all requirements, specifications, thus, can be considered. WCS-500
quoted by “Intermodal” and “Hunlong” are the same but priced differently.

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