Horizontal Cold Joint In Post-Tensioned I Girder

[Imran Structural Engineer]

Hello,

At one of our projects, there was a breakdown of concrete batching plant for about 02 hours while casting post tensioned girder (girders poured to about half of height). The contractor ignored the advice of site engineer and poured the remaining concrete without roughening the surface. After removal of formworks, cold joint cracks were visible. Post-tensioning hasn't been done yet.

I cannot find much literation on cold joint in post-tensioned structures. I do not think it is a good idea to do post-tensioning in such condition.

Can you please share your insights.

Kind Regards

 

[Lomarandil]

Whether or not this is a structural issue will depend on details of the design and reinforcement crossing the cold joint, which we do not yet know.

Whether or not this is a contractual issue is a separate question.