Experimental and Numerical Investigation of Tension-Induced Stress in Cross-Tensioned Concrete Pavement

This study investigates tension-induced stress in Cross-tensioned Concrete Pavement (CTCP) during sequential tensioning. An integrated approach combining full-scale field testing and finite element analysis was employed. A field test was conducted to capture the stress distribution throughout the complete tensioning process, and a finite element model was subsequently developed and validated against measured strains. The results indicate that the maximum tensile stress (approximately 1.35 MPa) consistently occurs at the corner of the nearest anchorage zone, which can be completely offset by the compressive stress generated from subsequent tensioning operations. The concept of “prestress effect zone” is proposed to characterize the influence region of each tensioning sequence. In CTCP, the extent of this zone is expected to be influenced by the characteristics of the applied prestress force, including tendon angle, spacing, and magnitude. Based on the distinct tension-induced stress distribution characteristics along the slab, three zones are identified: tensile increase region, tensile stability region, and tensile decrease region, enabling clearer investigation of tension-induced stress. The observed superposition of tensile stresses during sequential tensioning operations highlights the importance of analyzing the development of tension-induced stress throughout the tensioning process, providing essential guidance for anchorage zone design and construction procedures.