Installation of post-tensioning anchors at anchorage zone without reinforcement in anchorage zone

Abstract

A post-tensioning anchor is configured for use in a structural element formed by surrounding the post-tensioning anchor with concrete, wherein a portion of the structural element surrounding the post-tensioning anchor comprises a concrete block. A post-tensioning anchorage zone, defined by the concrete block and the post-tensioning anchor, is configured to withstand an applied compression and an applied tension from a predetermined post-tensioning force without regard to reinforcement in the concrete block at the anchorage zone, such that the anchorage zone is configured to transfer the predetermined post-tensioning force to a remainder of the structural element without regard to reinforcement in the concrete block at the anchorage zone.

1 . A post-tensioning anchor for use in a structural element formed by surrounding the post-tensioning anchor with concrete, wherein a portion of the structural element surrounding the post-tensioning anchor comprises a concrete block,
 wherein a post-tensioning anchorage zone, defined by the concrete block and the post-tensioning anchor, is configured to withstand an applied compression and an applied tension from a predetermined post-tensioning force without regard to reinforcement in the concrete block at the anchorage zone such that the anchorage zone is configured to transfer the predetermined post-tensioning force to a remainder of the structural element without regard to reinforcement in the concrete block at the anchorage zone.   
     
     
         2 . The anchor of  claim 1 , wherein applied compression stress due to a prestressing force under the contact area between the anchor and the concrete block exceeds 0.45 times the concrete strength at stressing. 
     
     
         3 . The anchor of  claim 2 , wherein the applied compression stress due to the prestressing force under the contact area between the anchor and the concrete block is between 0.6 and 5 times the concrete strength at stressing. 
     
     
         4 . The anchor of  claim 1 , wherein the applied compression stress due to a prestressing force on the concrete block exceeds 0.45 the concrete compression strength at 28 days. 
     
     
         5 . The anchor of  claim 1 , wherein a size of the concrete block in width (X) and height (Y) dimensions is between 1 and 4 times a size of the anchor in a width or height dimension. 
     
     
         6 . The anchor of  claim 5 , wherein a length of the anchor in a length (Z) direction is between 0.05 and 3 times the dimension of the concrete block in X and/or Y dimensions. 
     
     
         7 . The anchor of  claim 1 , wherein the anchor has a shape and/or size and/or material configured to prevent an applied tension stress due to a prestressing force within the concrete block from exceeding the tensile strength of the concrete. 
     
     
         8 . The anchor of  claim 1 , wherein the anchor has a shape and/or size and/or material configured such that an applied tension stress, due to a prestressing force, within the concrete block does not require additional reinforcement to resist the tension force. 
     
     
         9 . The anchor of  claim 1 , wherein the anchor has a shape and/or size and/or material configured such that an applied compression stress, due to a prestressing force, within the concrete block does not exceed the compressive strength of the concrete. 
     
     
         10 . The anchor of  claim 1 , wherein the anchor has a shape and/or size and/or material configured such that an applied compression stress, due to a prestressing force, within the concrete block does not require additional reinforcement at the anchorage zone. 
     
     
         11 . The anchor of  claim 1 , wherein the anchor has a shape and/or size and/or material configured such that an applied compression stress and/or applied tension stress, due to a prestressing force, within the concrete block does not require additional reinforcement for strengthening of the concrete. 
     
     
         12 . The anchor of  claim 1 , wherein the structural element includes an individually placed anchor. 
     
     
         13 . A structural element including a plurality of anchors according to the anchor of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of anchors are placed in the structural element such that the anchorage zones of the plurality of anchors are not overlapping one another. 
     
     
         14 . A structural element including a plurality of anchors according to the anchor of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of anchors are placed in the structural element such that the anchorage zones of at least two of the plurality of anchors overlap one another. 
     
     
         15 . The anchor of  claim 1 , wherein the anchor is made of metal, concrete, a fiber-based compound, and/or a composite material. 
     
     
         16 . The anchor of  claim 1 , where the structural element is made of conventional concrete, fiber reinforced concrete, self-compacting concrete, high strength concrete, or ultra-high-performance concrete, or any combination thereof. 
     
     
         17 . The anchor of  claim 1 , wherein the anchor has any desired shape, size, or material configured to withstand the applied compression and the applied tension from the predetermined post-tensioning force without regard to reinforcement in the concrete block at the anchorage zone such that the anchorage zone is configured to transfer the predetermined post-tensioning force to the remainder of the structural element without regard to reinforcement in the concrete block at the anchorage zone. 
     
     
         18 .- 34 . (canceled)