Investigation of the unusual deformations of external tendons in concrete highway bridges

Abstract During a regular inspection of multi‐span highway bridge, an unusual deformations external post‐tensioned tendons were observed. These not noticed or recorded during the previous main inspections. A detailed visual condition was performed on all bridges with by mapping location and extent deformation. Based this, several non‐destructive tests performed, where first noticed, from magnetic‐flux leakage to radiographic screening. Some local destructive investigations subsequently carried out at locations in two bridges, i.e. opening tendons. The result showed presence foreign objects non‐tensioned strands, latter being possible cause for that tendon. In both locations, injection mass compact only hairy transverse cracks, undeformed part as well moderately deformed this paper, latest results study are presented detail.