Repair of Concrete Bridges Using Parafil Ropes


C. J. Burgoyne and G. B. Guimaraes

One of the main causes of deterioration of concrete bridges has been identified as corrosion of the reinforcing steel. Considerable effort has been expended on development of techniques to avoid corrosion by waterproofing the bridge deck, by using resin coated steel tendons, or by incorporating galvanized and stainless steel bars. These techniques have proved satisfactory in many cases, but the search for new ideas and materials continues, mainly on materials resistant to corrosion.

Parafil ropes present properties that make them suitable for use in prestressed concrete, both in new construction and repair. A recent structural application of this material was in the rehabilitation of three large cooling towers at Thorpe Marsh Power station in England.

The relevant properties for structural applications of type G Parafil ropes are outlined in this work along with practical guidelines for their use as prestressing tendons.

Parafil Ropes are manufactured by the Fibres Division of Imperial Chemical Industries. They are formed of continuous synthetic yarns arranged in a parallel configuration and encased in a polymeric sheath. They are produced in three different versions which differ in the core material; the most suitable for application as prestressing tendons is Type G which has Kevlar 49 yarns as the core material.


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