Appendix A

Survey
A. Summary of Survey Responses

General Questions

1. Do your State Bridge specifications allow debonding of strands in pretensioned concrete

girders?

Yes No Neutral
27* 6 2*

* According to Nevada DOT, specifications are silent in regards to the use of debonding;
therefore, it would not be precluded from use.

In Georgia, strands are always harped even though strand debonding is permitted because there
is a concern about whether the specified level of debonding is actually achieved.

2. If your State bridge specifications do not allow debonding, have your State Specifications
ever permitted debonding?

No Yes*
5 1

3. If your State bridge specifications do not allow debonding but at one time permitted it, why
was the practice discontinued (please check all that apply)?

No response Other*
5 1

* According to Maryland DOT, debonding was done on 2 bridges only 20 years back and there is
no available information on why and how it was done.

4. What is the local practice for debonding strands (check all that applies)?

Soft sheathing (such Split plastic Preformed Debonding Other/not

as Teflon wrap) sheathing plastic tubes agents known
5 19 11 0 4

1. According to Delaware DOT, specifications do not state debonding type.

2. Michigan DOT currently specifies two split sheaths with seams 180 degrees apart. The state
will change to rigid over-sized tubes to get more effective debonding.

3. Missouri DOT specifies use of polyethylene plastic sleeve.

Appendix A–1
4. According to New Mexico DOT, soft sheathing, and split plastic sheathing needs to be
submitted for approval.

5. North Carolina DOT specifies use of HDPE or polypropylene with wall thickness of 0.025
in.

5. How is the detail of the debonding (strands to be debonded, debonding length, staggering of
cut offs, etc.) determined?

By the By the By the fabricator unless By

Multiple
engineer fabricator specified by the engineer specification

20 1 4 1 1

1. According to Florida DOT, the details are determined by engineer according to FDOT
Structure Design.

2. New Hampshire DOT determines details of both debonding and detensioning sequence using
both engineer and NHDOT Standard Specifications for Road and Bridge Construction.

6. How is the detensioning sequence specified?

By the fabricator
By the By the By
unless specified Multiple
engineer fabricator specification
by the engineer
1 16 7 1 2

1. New Hampshire specifies detensioning sequence using NHDOT Standard Specifications for
Road and Bridge Construction.

2. According to Pennsylvania DOT, detensioning sequence is specified by fabricator for draped

strand, and in other cases by publication 408, section 1107.03.

7. Do your state specifications have a preference of harping (deflecting) strands vs.

debonding?

Harping Debonding Neutral Harping is

not permitted
10 3 13 1

1. According to Montana DOT, debonding is allowed if possible, but harp only if necessary.

2. Ohio DOT currently specifies the use of draped/harped strands in lieu of debonded strands to
simplify fabrication. However, ODOT is going to change this specification to require
designers to debond up to the limits.

Appendix A–2
3. According to Pennsylvania DOT, debonding is preferred when deemed practical by the
producer.

8. If no method is specified and both harping and debonding are possible, is the local practice
to harp or debond strand?

Both harp and No consistent

Harp Debond No response
debond local practice
11 7 1* 5 3

* Although not in Massachusetts DOT specifications, harping for boxes and New England Bulb
Tees are shown on drawings. For all other shapes, debonding is shown on drawings.

9. What diameters of strand are permitted in your State with or without special permission
(please check all which apply)?

Diameter Special
Permitted Not used
in. Permission only
0.375 4 2 21
0.5 23 2 2
0.6 25 2 0
0.7 0 3 24

1. According to Michigan DOT, 0.375, 0.5 and 0.7-in. diameter strands are not currently used
but can be considered if requested.

2. According to Pennsylvania DOT, 0.5 in. special strands are also permitted. 0.375 in. are
used for plank beams only but are considering eliminating 0.375 in. at the producing
industry's request. Specifications are currently being revised to permit the use of 0.6 in.
strands.

I Girders

10. Does your state use I Girders?

Yes No Discontinued No response

23 3 1* 2

*According to Delaware DOT, bulb-T beams are used now in place of I-girders.

1. According to New Mexico DOT, only harped strands are permitted.

2. According to Washington DOT, debonding is not allowed for I-girders.

3. Nebraska DOT specified use of NU I-girders with 0.6-in. strands with a combination of
harping and debonding.
Appendix A–3
11. What is the MAXIMUM number of strands which may be debonded under your State
bridge specifications for ANY case (Fill in Blank, use NA if not applicable)?

% of all strands in % of strands in a No. of debonding locations/increments

member given row
No. of No. of No. of States
States States
N/A 7 N/A 8 N/A 17
No No 1 No response 9
1
response response
No No 3 No value 1
3
value value
0% 2 0% 2 4 1
25% 9 25% 1 Not more than 4
30% 1 40% 10 strands or 40%,
33% 2 50% 4 whichever is greater, 1
40% 1 can be terminated at
50% 3 one point.

1. Hawaii DOT does not provide any criteria for maximum percent and locations. Acceptance
is on a case-by-case basis.

2. According to Mississippi DOT, no limit is set for debonding. Strands are debonded in pairs
to the point that the compression is within 5% of allowable design stresses.

3. New Mexico DOT allows only harped strands.

4. According to Indiana DOT, no more than 4 strands or 40% whichever is greater, should be
terminated at one point. Debonding termination point stagger in 3 ft increments. Bonded
and debonded strands are alternated vertically and horizontally.

5. Strands are arranged in pairs and staggered per Michigan DOT.

6. In Pennsylvania, design manual part 4, section 5.11.4 is used to determine the number of
strands in a row.

12. Does this maximum apply in all cases or just in special cases?

Applies in all cases Applies only in special cases

17
N/A 4 1
No response 1

Appendix A–4
13. If the maximum debonding applies only in special cases, what limits apply to typical cases?

In Missouri, the strands are not generally bent in typical bridges. To control excessive stresses
due to the prestressing force for some cases, bend strand(s) in accordance with AASHTO LRFD
specifications but have not used AASHTO specified maximum debonding limit

14. Have there been inspection reports indicating girder cracking during fabrication that the
inspector attributed to debonding?

No Yes, but the instances are rare (5% of girders or fewer per year) N/A
17 4 2

15. Have there been inspection reports indicating girder cracking while the girder is in service
that the inspector attributed to debonding?

No Yes, but the instances are rare (5% of girders or fewer per year) N/A
21* 1 1

*Missouri: To optimize the usage of the bed, fabricator’s option is to use same number of
strands for same size section (long and short span) and debond unnecessary strand(s) full length.
Less than 5% of the time, cracking and significant damage were observed as a result of
fabricator’s debonding operations.

Bulb T Girders

16. Does your State use Bulb T Girders?

Yes No No response
25 3 1

17. Are your answers for Bulb T Girders the same as for I Girders?

Yes No No response N/A

17 8 1 3

18. What is the MAXIMUM number of strands which may be debonded under your State
bridge specifications for ANY case (Fill in Blank, use NA if not applicable)?

% of all strands in member % of strands in a given row

40% 7
25% 8
50% 1

19. Does this maximum apply in all cases or just in special cases?

Applies in all cases No response

7 1*

Appendix A–5
* According to Tennessee DOT, 50% bond breaks plus raised (“harped”) strands may be used if
shear in bond break zone is designed as reinforced concrete. The vertical component of raised
(“harped”) strands can be used.

20. If the maximum debonding applies only in special cases, what limits apply to typical cases?

N/A
8

21. Have there been inspection reports indicating girder cracking during fabrication that the
inspector attributed to debonding?

No Yes, but the instances are rare (5% of girders or fewer per year)
6 1 (Nebraska)

22. Have there been inspection reports indicating girder cracking while the girder is in service
that the inspector attributed to debonding?

Yes, but the instances are rare

No No response
(5% of girders or fewer per year)
22 1 (New Hampshire) 1

U (or trapezoidal) Girders

23. Does your State use U (or trapezoidal tub) Girders?

Yes No No response
7 20 2

24. Are your answers for U (or trapezoidal tub) Girders the same as for I Girders?

Yes No No response N/A

4 3 2 20

25. What is the MAXIMUM number of strands which may be debonded under your State
bridge specifications for ANY case (Fill in Blank, use NA if not applicable)?

% of all strands in member % of strands in a given row

25%* 2 40% 2
75% 1 75% 1

* New Mexico: These values are the department’s design requirements but they are not in the
specifications.

Appendix A–6
26. Does this maximum apply in all cases or just in special cases?

Applies in all cases

3

27. If the maximum debonding applies only in special cases, what limits apply to typical cases?

N/A
3

28. Have there been inspection reports indicating girder cracking during fabrication that the
inspector attributed to debonding?

No Yes, but the instances are rare (5% of girders or fewer per year)
2 1

29. Have there been inspection reports indicating girder cracking while the girder is in service
that the inspector attributed to debonding?

Yes, but the instances are rare

No
(5% of girders or fewer per year)
1 1

Box Girders/Voided Slabs

30. Does your State use Box Girders/Voided Slabs Girders?

Yes No No response
22 5 2

31. Are your answers for Box Girders/Voided Slabs Girders the same as for I Girders?

Yes No No response N/A

15 7 2 5

32. What is the MAXIMUM number of strands which may be debonded under your State
bridge specifications for ANY case (Fill in Blank, use NA if not applicable)?

% of all strands in member % of strands in a given row

25% 6 40% 6
75% 1 75% 1

33. Does this maximum apply in all cases or just in special cases?

Applies in all cases

7

Appendix A–7
34. If the maximum debonding applies only in special cases, what limits apply to typical cases?

N/A
7

35. Have there been inspection reports indicating girder cracking during fabrication that the
inspector attributed to debonding?

No Yes, but the instances are rare (5% of girders or fewer per year)

36. Have there been inspection reports indicating girder cracking while the girder is in service
that the inspector attributed to debonding?

Yes, but the instances are rare

No
(5% of girders or fewer per year)
6 1

Tee Girders (includes single or double tee, deck bulb tee, or tri beams)

37. Does your State use Box Girders/Voided Slabs Girders?

Yes No No response
10 18 1

38. Are your answers for Box Girders/Voided Slabs Girders the same as for I Girders?

Yes No No response N/A

7 2 2 18

39. What is the MAXIMUM number of strands which may be debonded under your State
bridge specifications for ANY case (Fill in Blank, use NA if not applicable)?

% of all strands in member % of strands in a given row

25% 2 40% 2

40. Does this maximum apply in all cases or just in special cases?

Applies in all cases

2

41. If the maximum debonding applies only in special cases, what limits apply to typical cases?

N/A
2

Appendix A–8
42. Have there been inspection reports indicating girder cracking during fabrication that the
inspector attributed to debonding?

No
2

43. Have there been inspection reports indicating girder cracking while the girder is in service
that the inspector attributed to debonding?

No
2

Appendix A–9