EP3004462B1 - Individual seal arrangement for cable anchorage, method of replacing a strand of a cable in an axial channel of such a cable anchorage and insertion tool for displacing a seal element in such a cable anchorage - Google Patents
Individual seal arrangement for cable anchorage, method of replacing a strand of a cable in an axial channel of such a cable anchorage and insertion tool for displacing a seal element in such a cable anchorage Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP3004462B1 EP3004462B1 EP14728161.2A EP14728161A EP3004462B1 EP 3004462 B1 EP3004462 B1 EP 3004462B1 EP 14728161 A EP14728161 A EP 14728161A EP 3004462 B1 EP3004462 B1 EP 3004462B1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- channel
- seal element
- strand
- seal
- cable
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
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Links
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- 230000037431 insertion Effects 0.000 title claims description 20
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- 230000004323 axial length Effects 0.000 claims description 18
- 230000006835 compression Effects 0.000 claims description 14
- 238000007906 compression Methods 0.000 claims description 14
- 238000006073 displacement reaction Methods 0.000 claims description 14
- 239000000945 filler Substances 0.000 claims description 12
- 229920002635 polyurethane Polymers 0.000 claims description 8
- 239000004814 polyurethane Substances 0.000 claims description 8
- 239000013013 elastic material Substances 0.000 claims description 6
- 229920001971 elastomer Polymers 0.000 claims description 5
- 229920006342 thermoplastic vulcanizate Polymers 0.000 claims description 5
- 229920002943 EPDM rubber Polymers 0.000 claims description 4
- 239000000806 elastomer Substances 0.000 claims description 4
- 229920003048 styrene butadiene rubber Polymers 0.000 claims description 4
- 229920002725 thermoplastic elastomer Polymers 0.000 claims description 4
- 239000002174 Styrene-butadiene Substances 0.000 claims description 2
- 238000004873 anchoring Methods 0.000 claims description 2
- 238000005452 bending Methods 0.000 description 6
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Images
Classifications
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E01—CONSTRUCTION OF ROADS, RAILWAYS, OR BRIDGES
- E01D—CONSTRUCTION OF BRIDGES, ELEVATED ROADWAYS OR VIADUCTS; ASSEMBLY OF BRIDGES
- E01D19/00—Structural or constructional details of bridges
- E01D19/14—Towers; Anchors ; Connection of cables to bridge parts; Saddle supports
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E01—CONSTRUCTION OF ROADS, RAILWAYS, OR BRIDGES
- E01D—CONSTRUCTION OF BRIDGES, ELEVATED ROADWAYS OR VIADUCTS; ASSEMBLY OF BRIDGES
- E01D19/00—Structural or constructional details of bridges
- E01D19/16—Suspension cables; Cable clamps for suspension cables ; Pre- or post-stressed cables
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E01—CONSTRUCTION OF ROADS, RAILWAYS, OR BRIDGES
- E01D—CONSTRUCTION OF BRIDGES, ELEVATED ROADWAYS OR VIADUCTS; ASSEMBLY OF BRIDGES
- E01D21/00—Methods or apparatus specially adapted for erecting or assembling bridges
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E04—BUILDING
- E04C—STRUCTURAL ELEMENTS; BUILDING MATERIALS
- E04C5/00—Reinforcing elements, e.g. for concrete; Auxiliary elements therefor
- E04C5/08—Members specially adapted to be used in prestressed constructions
- E04C5/12—Anchoring devices
Definitions
- the present invention relates to the field of cable anchorages, such as may be used, for example, for anchoring longitudinal structural elements which are designed to be tensioned, such as wires, ropes, strands, tendons, stays or cables.
- the invention relates to individual sealing arrangements for individual cable strands in such anchorages.
- Stay cables are used for supporting bridge decks, for example, and may typically be held in tension between an upper anchorage, secured to a tower of the bridge, and a lower anchorage, secured to the bridge deck.
- a stay cable may comprise dozens or scores of strands, with each strand comprising multiple (e.g. 7) steel wires.
- Each strand is usually retained individually in each anchorage, which may immobilise the strand using a tapered conical wedge seated in a conical hole in an anchor block, for example.
- Tensioning of the strands may be performed, from either one of the cable ends, using hydraulic jacks. The condition of the individual strands is typically monitored regularly to detect any corrosion or mechanical deterioration.
- the two tight-fitting tubular elements must be arranged such that, when replacing a strand, the two tubular parts do not move or deform relative to each other, and thereby permit a leak which may allow an ingress of moisture to circumvent the captive sealing ring.
- the strand cannot be replaced easily without damaging the annular seal element 7 shown in figure 1 of EP1227200 .
- the invention aims to provide an anchorage and a method in which both the strand and the seal element can be replaced in a simple way.
- the cable anchorage comprises a plurality of axial cylindrical channels in an anchor block, each channel for accommodating a strand of a cable.
- Strands may be any longitudinal tensile elements, that together form the cable.
- the channel extends along the whole length of the cable anchorage between a first channel end, proximal to a running part of the cable, and a second channel end, remote from the running part of the cable and equipped with strand-immobilising device.
- a seal element comprising an elastic material is positionable at a predetermined axial location of an inner wall of the channel before the strand is inserted into the channel. Thus the seal element provides a seal between the inner wall of the channel and the strand, when the strand is in the channel.
- the seal element and the second channel end of the channel are formed such that the seal element can be introduced into the channel through the second channel end. Further the seal element and the inner wall of the channel are formed such that the seal element is axially displaceable inside the channel from the second channel end to the predetermined axial location.
- the inner wall of the channel comprises an annular or cylindrical recessed region, longitudinally coaxial with the channel, for accommodating the seal element so as to retain the seal element at the predetermined axial location during an axial displacement of the strand in the channel.
- the seal element is elastically deformable to a compressed state, in which it has a radial outer dimension which is smaller than or equal to all diameters of the inner wall of the channel between said second channel end and said seal, the sealing element is removably arranged in the recessed region and the ratio of the axial length of the recess to the axial length of the sealing element is greater than 1.1 but less than 1.5.
- the seal element is introduced into the channel through a channel end and in a second step the seal element is displaced axially inside the channel from said channel end to the predetermined axial location.
- said channel end for introduction of the seal element is preferably said second channel end, remote from the running part of the cable.
- said channel end for introduction of the seal element is preferably said first channel end, proximal to a running part of the cable.
- the invention also concerns a method for replacing a strand of a cable in an axial channel of a cable anchorage, as defined in claim 9.
- an insertion tool as defined in claim 14 and a removal tool not forming part of the present invention are also provided for insertion and removal of the seal element into or out of the channel of the anchorage.
- the insertion tool and the removal tool may be designed as an insertion and removal device such, that both functions may be fulfilled by the same device.
- the tool provide a system for performing the method steps according to the invention.
- seal element regains its substantially undeformed or relaxed shape quickly and reliably when located in position at the predetermined axial position in the channel.
- the relative dimensions of the seal elements and the anchorage channels are such that each seal element may be inserted via the remote end of the channel, away from the running portion of the cable, where access is significantly easier than at the proximal end of the channel, toward the running portion of the cable.
- Figure 1 shows a general schematic cross-sectional view of a cable anchorage in operation.
- Multiple strands 50 are threaded through axial channels 6 in an anchor block 11 and are held in place by, for example, conical wedges 12.
- the anchor block 11 is held in a structure 4 (part of a bridge deck, for a example) which is to be supported or tensioned by the cable.
- the various strands 50 of the cable are shown gathered together by a collar element 13, from where they proceed to the main running part 8 of the cable.
- Reference 7 indicates the principal longitudinal axis 7 of the cable and of the anchorage.
- Reference 3 indicates a first end as an exit end of the anchorage, proximal to the running part 8, while reference 1 indicates a second end of the anchorage, remote from the running part 8 of the cable.
- Figure 2 shows a frontal view of an anchorage such as the one shown in figure 1 , viewed from the proximal end 3, and omitting the strands 50.
- Figure 2 illustrates in particular an example of an array arrangement of channels 6 through which the strands 50 pass when the anchorage is in operation.
- 43 strand channels 6 are illustrated, although other arrangements and numbers of channels 6 and strands 50 may be used.
- the strands 50 are accommodated in the cylindrical channels 6 which extend through the length of the anchorage, and are kept as close to each other as possible in the anchorage, so as to minimise the magnitude of any deviation of each strand 50 from the principal longitudinal axis 7 of the cable or the anchorage.
- Figures 3 and 4 show an example of a "passive end” anchorage, also known as a “dead end” anchorage.
- a "passive end” anchorage also known as a “dead end” anchorage.
- Such an anchorage is used simply to hold the ends of the strands 50 when they are under tension, and also while they are being tensioned from the other end of the cable (which is commonly known as the stressing end).
- a stressing end anchorage will be discussed in relation to figures 7, 8 and 12 .
- the passive end anchorage comprises channels 6 formed through an anchor block 11, which may for example be a block of hard steel or other material suitable for bearing the large axial tension forces in the cable. Strands 50 are held in place in the channels 6 by immobilising device such as conical wedges 12.
- Each channel 6 may be provided with an orifice element 18, located at or near the exit end 3 of the channel (also called proximal or first end), where the strand 50 emerges from the anchorage.
- the orifice element 18 may comprise a hard plastics material, for example, provided with a seal element 26 for providing a water-tight seal between the inner wall of the channel 6 (in this case the inner wall of the orifice element 18) and the outer surface of the strand 50.
- the orifice element 18 may be a two-piece part, the assembling of these two pieces defining a boundary at the location of a recess for accommodating the inner seal 26.
- these two pieces are in plastic and friction welded before mounting in the anchorage so that said boundary is water tight.
- Stay cable strands are typically sheathed in a protected polymeric material such as polyethylene (PE), which can be removed in the region of the strand where the strand is to be anchored.
- PE polyethylene
- the sheathed parts of the strands 50 are distinguished from the stripped regions by cross-hatching.
- the strands 50 which are to be anchored in the anchorage are stripped of their polymer sheath in the end region of the strand 50 before the strand 50 is inserted into the anchorage channels 6. This is so that the wedges 12 can then grip directly on to the bare steel of the strand 50, instead of the sheath.
- the seal element 26 is fitted, under elastic compression, in a space 51 between the inner surface of the channel 6 (for example the inner surface of the orifice element 18) and the outer surface of the sheath of the strand 50.
- a protective wax, grease, polymer or other substance may also be injected or otherwise introduced into the space 51 between the strand 50 and the wall of the channel 6.
- the seal element 26 may serve as a barrier to the ingress of moisture into the cavity 51. It also may serve to retain a filler material 52 within the cavity 51 as shown with black filling on figures 7, 8 and 12 .
- This filler material 52 may be a bedding material forming a bending cushion extending substantially around the strand 50 in the strand-channel 6. It is therefore also possible to change the filler material 52 surrounding the strand 50 by choosing a bedding material adapted to provide elastic bedding to reduce bending stresses originating from static and dynamic deviation of the strand. This bedding material also absorb and dissipates most of the vibratory energy accumulating in the strand when deflections of the strand occurs so as to provide damping by dissipation of energy under dynamic movements. To that end, the space surrounding the strand 50 in the strand-channel 6 is at least partially filled with a flexural and/or elastic bedding material having a predetermined durometer at 23°C is in the range 10 to 70 Shore.
- the durometer value of in the bedding material 21 is in the range 10 to 30 Shore or even preferably in the range 15 to 25 Shore.
- the bedding material 21 used for the invention has preferably a stiffness defined by its Young's modulus in the range 0.4 to 5.5 Mpa, and more preferably in the range 0.4 to 1.1 or even preferably in the range 0.6 to 0.9 Mpa.
- This bending cushion creates reduction of the deflection stresses of the strands at the anchorage location: this bending cushion is able to reduce the bending stresses in the strand 50 by absorbing bending stresses along a bedding region.
- the bedding material may comprise a solid elastomeric or polymeric material, notably a viscoelastic polymer, such as polyurethane, epoxy-polyurethane, epoxy polymer or reticulated epoxy resin, for example.
- the seal element 26 may be located near to the proximal end 3 of the channel, at a location referred to as the predetermined axial location. At this location, the seal 26 might in principle be easier to access from the proximal end 3 of the channel 6 than from the remote second end 1. However, the individual strand 50 is typically so crowded by adjacent or surrounding strands that this kind of access becomes difficult or impossible. For this reason, it is advantageous to access the seal element 26 from the remote end 1 of the anchorage. Examples of tools which can be used for the insertion and removal of seal elements 26 in the channels 6 are described with reference to figures 9 to 14 .
- the seal element 26 may advantageously be arranged in a correspondingly-shaped annular recessed region or recess 27 of the space 51, respectively, in the inner wall of the channel 6, for example in the inner wall of the tubular orifice element 18.
- the recess 27 corresponds to the predetermined axial location as mentioned before.
- the seal element 26 thus preferably has an annular, cylindrical or tubular shape, and the recess 27 is correspondingly shaped to receive the seal element 26.
- the seal element 26 and the recess 27 may be radially dimensioned such that the seal element 26 fits snugly in the recess 27 in the wall of channel 6 or orifice element 18.
- the seal element 26 may have an outer diameter 21 which, when not under radial tension or compression state, is marginally smaller than the diameter 24 of the recess 27 (see figures 5 and 6 ).
- the seal element 26 may have an outer diameter 21 which is marginally bigger than the diameter 24 of the recess 27.
- the seal element 26 is under radial tension or compression, when fitted into recess 27.
- the seal element 26 preferably comprises an elastic material, and the inner diameter 22 of the relaxed seal element 26 is preferably slightly (5% to 25%) smaller than the outer diameter of the, preferably sheathed, strand 50 which will be fitted into the channel 6, so that the seal element is stretched elastically by the strand passing through it, and therefore grips tightly on to the outer surface of the strand 50, thereby forming a good seal.
- This stretching of the seal element 26 also can have the effect of increasing the outer diameter 21 of the seal element 26, with the result that the outer surface of the seal element 26 is pressed firmly radially against the corresponding surface 29' of the recess 27.
- the sealing element 26 may, when compressed within the recess 27, expand axially until if fills the recess.
- the ratio of the axial length 28 of the recess 27 to the axial length 23 of the sealing element 26 is therefore according to the present invention greater than 1.1 but less than 1.5. If it is less than 1.1, then the sealing element may be such that it is not radially compressed to any great extent, and may therefore by expelled from the recess as the strand is inserted. If it is greater than 1.5, on the other hand, a highly deformable elastic material is selected for the sealing element 26 in order for the sealing element 26 to deform sufficiently to fill the recess 27 and create a good seal when the strand 50 is introduced.
- the seal element 26 comprises an annular, toroidal, cylindrical or tubular body comprising an elastically deformable material such as an elastomer or a flexible polymer, for example a polyurethane.
- the seal element 26 may be in other likely materials including various elastomers such as EPDM (ethylene propylene diene monomer), TPV (thermoplastic vulcanizates including thermoplastic vulcanizate rubber), TPE (thermoplastic elastomers), SBR (styrene butadiene rubber).
- EPDM ethylene propylene diene monomer
- TPV thermoplastic vulcanizates including thermoplastic vulcanizate rubber
- TPE thermoplastic elastomers
- SBR styrene butadiene rubber
- the seal element can be inserted through the first end 1 into the channel in a compressed state and expands into a lesser compressed state, when displaced into the recess 27.
- the seal element may be provided as an inflatable seal element.
- the seal element may
- the volume of the annular recess 27, bounded on its outer periphery by the surface 29' of the recessed region 27, and on its inner periphery by the outer surface of the preferably sheathed strand 50, is referred to as the recess volume.
- the volume of the sealing element is referred to as the seal volume.
- the ratio of the seal volume to the recess volume is preferably in the range 0.8 to 1.3 If this ratio is less than 0.8, then the seal is not under sufficient elastic compression in at least one direction to form a good seal. If the ratio is greater than 1.3, on the other hand, the compression of the sealing element 26 is too great, and the sealing element 26 may be damaged when the strand 50 is inserted.
- the axial length 23 of the seal element 26 is preferably greater than one fifth of, but less than one half of, the outer diameter 21 of the sealing element 26. If the axial length 23 is less than one fifth of the outer diameter 21 of the sealing element 26, then the sealing element is not rigid enough to retain its shape and orientation as it is be pushed/slid through the channel 6, and may begin to roll or collapse. If the axial length 23 is greater than half of the outer diameter 21 of the sealing element 26, then the sealing element is less easy to insert. It is advantageous to be able to insert the sealing element 26 with its cylindrical axis orthogonal to the axis 70 of the channel, since this merely requires the pinching of the sealing element together in order to make it fit into the channel.
- a typical standard diameter for a bare seven-wire strand, measured through the centres of three wires, is 15.7mm. With its sheath, such a strand might typically have a diameter of approximately 19mm.
- the diameter 22 of the opening through the seal element 26 (referred to as the inner diameter) when in its relaxed state may be 15mm or 16mm, for example.
- the nominal inner diameter 25 of the channel 6 may be 20mm, while the diameter 24 of the recessed region 27 of the channel 6 may be 25mm.
- the outer diameter 21 of the seal element 26 in its relaxed state may also be 25mm, so that it fits snugly into the recess when in its relaxed state.
- the seal element 26 Upon insertion of the sheathed part of the strand through the seal element 26, therefore, the seal element 26 is compressed with significant radial force between the outer wall 29' of the recess 27 and the outer surface of the sheathed strand 50.
- the seal material, and the dimensions of the seal element 26 and the channel 6 and recess 27, are chosen such that this compression is strong enough to form a reliable seal between the strand 50 and the wall 29' of the recess 27, yet not so strong that the strand 50 cannot be pulled through the seal element 26 without damaging either the seal element 26 or the sheath of the strand 50.
- the seal element 26 properties are chosen so that the seal element 26 has a compression set equal to or less than 25%, if possible equal to or less than 20% and more preferably equal to or less than 15%.
- a compression set ensures the seal element 26 recovers its form properly.
- the compression set expresses the amount of residual deformation relative to initial deformation under a given compression over a defined time and at a defined temperature.
- This compression set is a characteristic of sealing rings which is defined according to standards ISO 815 or DIN 53517, for a compression at 70°C during 24h.
- the axial length 28 of the recess 27 is made larger (10% to 50% larger) than the axial length 23 of the seal element 26, so that there may be some limited play between them along the axial direction when no strand is inserted, but so that the seal element 26 abuts against a side surface of the recess 27 which prevents the seal element 26 from being displaced out of the recess 27, at least towards the remote end 1 of the anchorage, when the strand 50 is pulled through the seal element 26.
- Making the axial length 28 of the recessed region 27 larger than the axial length 23 of the seal element 26 makes it easier for an operator to fit the seal element 26 into the recess 27 from outside the channel 6, by inserting the seal element 26 through the remote end 1 of the channel 6 and displacing it along the channel 6.
- seal element 26 It also makes it easier for the operator to verify that the seal element 26 is correctly seated in the recessed region 27: if the seal element 26 can be moved freely by a small axial distance within the recess, before the strand 50 is inserted, then the seal element 6 may be assumed to be correctly seated in the recess 27. If the seal element 26 resists any axial movement, on the other hand, then the operator can assume that it is not seated correctly.
- Figures 7 and 8 show an example of a stressing end anchorage, which differs from the passive end anchorage of figures 3 and 4 for example in that the anchorage is significantly longer, in order to accommodate the axial movement of the strands 50 through the anchorage as the strands 50 are tensioned.
- Figure 7 shows how the channels 6 extend through a stressing end anchorage, the stressing end being the end of the cable at which the strands of the cable are tensioned.
- the stressing end anchorage is generally located at the more accessible end of the cable, where the strands can be pulled through the anchorage, for example by hydraulic jacks, until the strands are individually stressed to the required tension.
- the example anchorage illustrated in figure 7 comprises an anchor block 11, where strands 50 (only one of the strands is indicated in the figure) in the channels 6 are anchored by conical wedge sets 12 in corresponding conical bores in the anchor block 11.
- An adjustment ring 10 allows the anchorage to be positioned axially against a bearing surface of the structure, such as a bridge deck, which is to be supported and/or tensioned by the cable.
- the reference numeral 1 indicates the remote end (also referred to in this application as the second end) of the anchorage and of the channels 6, i.e. the ends of the channels 6 which are directed away from the main running part of the cable (not shown).
- Reference numeral 3 indicates the proximal end, also referred to as the first end, of the anchorage, and of the channels 6, i.e. the ends of the channels 6 which are directed towards the main running part of the cable.
- the body 2 of the anchorage may comprise a rigid transition pipe 15, which may be filled with a hardened material 5 such as a concrete or grout material, except for the volume occupied by the channels 6, which pass through the hard material.
- the channels 6 shown in the examples are substantially straight, and extend substantially parallel to each other and to the principal longitudinal direction of the cable, which is also referred to as the axial direction.
- the channels 6 may be formed by tubes or pipes 18 which may be viewed as extended versions of the orifice element 18 shown in figures 3 and 4 .
- the stressing end anchorage needs to be longer than the passive end anchorage, to allow for axial movement of the strand 50 during tensioning.
- the channels 6 through the anchor block 11 are effectively extended by means of the channel extension tubes 18, which are enclosed in a rigid structure such as solid grout or concrete 5.
- the transition tube 15 is rigid enough to support the end-plate 20, which may be made of steel or similar material, substantially rigidly at the exit region of the anchorage.
- the space 51 between the strand 50 and the inner wall of the (extended) channel 6 may be filled with corrosion-preventing wax or grease material, an elastomeric material or other suitable injection material. This filler material 52 is shown with black filling on figures 7, 8 and 12 .
- this filler material 52 can be replaced easily, by injection from the remote end1, after replacement of the seal 26.
- a set of seals 19 may be arranged between the inner surface of the end-plate 20 and the orifice element 18 as well as between the outer surface of the end-plate 20 and the transition pipe 15 as shown in figure 8 .
- the seal element 26 may be located in a recess 27 in the inner wall of the channel 6, or in the inner wall of an orifice element 18 of the channel 6. The predetermined axial location of the recess 27 is typically significantly nearer to the first end 3 of the channel than to the second end 1.
- the space 51 between the individual strand 50 and the wall of its individual channel 6 can then be filled with a material for protecting the strand against corrosion.
- a wax or a grease may be used as such a corrosion-preventing material, for example, or an elastomeric material may be injected into the cavity as a fluid and allowed to set, as mentioned above.
- seal element 26 and the recess 27 in the stressing end anchorage are essentially the same as the one described for the dead end anchorage above.
- dimensions of the seal element and the recess may have the same ratio relations and similar length and/or thicknesses.
- the seal element 26 should be capable of providing at least as good a seal against the replacement strand as against the original. Also in case an individual strand 50 needs to be replaced the entire length of the strand is pulled through the existing seal element and may easily damage the seal element, which therefore has to be replaced. According to the method of the invention, therefore, the seal element 26 and the channel 6 are designed so that the seal element can be replaced from the remote end 1 of its channel 6, as described above. By arranging the seal elements 26 and the channels 6 so that the seal elements 26 can be replaced, it becomes practicable to fill the space between the strands 50 and the channel wall with a stiff, elastic and/or flexural filler material 52, while still retaining the ability to replace individual strands.
- a corrosion-preventing material may be introduced into the cavity 51 around the strand 50 in the anchorage which has stiff, elastic and/or flexural properties.
- a polyurethane material may be injected as a liquid and allowed to harden to a predetermined hardness, for example.
- the seal element 26 may advantageously also be formed from a polyurethane material of predetermined hardness, to which the polyurethane filler material bonds strongly, thereby ensuring an excellent seal against moisture ingress.
- the seal element 26 plays an important role in protecting the exposed end of the strand 50, particularly in the stressing end anchorage, but also in the passive end anchorage.
- the strands 50 are threaded into the anchorage and tensioned at a first point in time, and then re-tensioned at a second point in time or even once again at a third point in time, with the first and second or third points in time being separated by days, weeks or even months. It is therefore important that the sealing element 26 provides an excellent moisture-resistance during this time, in order to prevent exposing the ends of the strands 50 to the corrosive effects of moisture ingress.
- a corrosion-preventing material such as the wax or grease or filler material 52 is to be injected into the space 51 surrounding the strand 50 in the channel 6, as mentioned earlier, this will normally be injected after first tensioning, and will therefore not offer any corrosion protection before the strand is tensioned to the final force e.g. at the third point in time. During this time, the role of the seal elements 26 is thus particularly important for protecting the exposed strand ends within their individual channels 6.
- each sealing element may be checked after tensioning of the strand.
- This step may be provided by applying air pressure or vacuum to each individual channel 6, e. g. to the space 51 between the channel 6 and the strand 50.
- the pressure or vaccum is applied from the remote end 1 of the anchorage at block 11.
- Figures 9 to 11 show an example of an inserting tool 30 which can be used for inserting the seal element 26 and moving it to the recess 27 provided at the predetermined axial position along the inner wall of the channel 6.
- the example insertion tool 30 is designed to be inserted from the second (remote) channel end, 1, of the channel 6, and comprises a tubular extension device 34, which comprises a seal-retaining device at the end, for retaining the seal element 26 in a compressed state while it is being displaced along the channel 6.
- the seal retaining device may enclose the seal element 26 radially, in order to hold it in compression, or it may comprise one or more protrusions and/or cavities for retaining the seal element 26 in a predetermined deformed shape, which has an outline profile smaller than the peripheral profile of the cross-section of the channel 6. Such a shape might be formed, for example, when one part of the seal element 26 is turned radially inwards and held in this position by the seal-retaining device.
- Remote release device 31 also referred to as an ejector rod, passes through the tubular extension device 34 of the illustrated example, and can be advanced to eject the seal element 26 from the end of the extension device 34 into the recess 27.
- the extension device 34 may be provided with device 33, 35 for indicating when, and/or stopping the displacement into the channel when, the extension device has been inserted to the appropriate distance into the channel 6 for ejecting the seal element 26 into its recess 27.
- the device 33, 35 is used as depth gauging device and/or displacement stopping device.
- a similar stop or indicator 36 may be provided on the ejector rod 31 for preventing an overshoot of the seal element 26 past the recess 27 if/when the seal element 26 is ejected.
- the stop or indicator 36 serves as depth gauging device and/or ejection stopping device.
- the seal insertion operation is made easier if the recess 27 is slightly larger in the axial direction than the seal element 26, as discussed earlier.
- Figure 12 shows how the inserting tool of figures 9 to 11 may be used to insert a new seal element 26 into the channel 6 of a stressing end anchorage from the second (remote) end 1 of the channel 6.
- the anchorage is shown with all other strands fitted, with the result that access to the channel 6 from the first (proximal) end of the anchorage is severely restricted.
- the insertion tool 30 can be used to insert the seal element 26 into the recess 27 in the wall of the channel 6 from the second (remote) end 1 of the channel 6.
- the strands extending from the remote end 1 of the anchorage can be cut to strand tails comprising a specified length.
- the strand tails can be cut to a predetermined length of e. g. 30mm - 500mm such as to permit access for gripping of the strand tail for detensioning, removal and insertion of new strand, depending on actual length of stay cable.
- Figures 13 and 14 show an example of a seal-removal tool 40 which may be used to remove an existing seal element 26 from the recess 27 of channel 6.
- two longitudinal parts 42 and 43 are dimensioned to reach from the second end 1 of the channel to the recess 27, and are moveable relative to each other under control of a pistol-grip 41 to grip the seal element 26 and allow an operator to withdraw the seal element 26 from the channel 6.
- the removal tool may be equipped with a compressing device (not illustrated) for squeezing or twisting or otherwise distorting the seal element 26 to make it pass more easily through the channel 6.
- a simple hook may also be sufficient to remove the seal element 26 from the channel 6.
- the cable anchorage was illustrated in a non-limitative way in relation with a stay cable which anchorage was performed at its free end contained in the second channel end 6 by means of immobilising device such as conical wedges 12: Therefore, the present invention can also be applied to another type of anchorage of the stay cables, namely an anchorage at a portion of the stay cable remote from its free ends.
- an anchorage at a portion of the stay cable remote from its free ends When using a cable deviation saddle, under some circumstances, there is no possible displacement of portion of the strand located at the central portion of the saddle, which situation therefore corresponds to an anchorage with the saddle forming an immobilising device.
- This situation corresponds to WO2011116828 in which a bedding material 51 can be used in replacement of the usual material for protecting strands against corrosion of the strands in the saddle body
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Description
- The present invention relates to the field of cable anchorages, such as may be used, for example, for anchoring longitudinal structural elements which are designed to be tensioned, such as wires, ropes, strands, tendons, stays or cables. In particular, but not exclusively, the invention relates to individual sealing arrangements for individual cable strands in such anchorages.
- In order to illustrate the advantages of the invention, reference will be made to the application to stay cables. However, it should be understood that this application is not limiting, and that the principles underlying the invention may be applied to any kind of longitudinal structural elements which are designed to be tensioned, such as wires, ropes, strands, tendons, stays, cables etc.
- Stay cables are used for supporting bridge decks, for example, and may typically be held in tension between an upper anchorage, secured to a tower of the bridge, and a lower anchorage, secured to the bridge deck. A stay cable may comprise dozens or scores of strands, with each strand comprising multiple (e.g. 7) steel wires. Each strand is usually retained individually in each anchorage, which may immobilise the strand using a tapered conical wedge seated in a conical hole in an anchor block, for example. Tensioning of the strands may be performed, from either one of the cable ends, using hydraulic jacks. The condition of the individual strands is typically monitored regularly to detect any corrosion or mechanical deterioration. If such deterioration is found in a particular strand, it may be de-tensioned, removed from the cable, replaced with a new strand and the new strand tensioned. If such a replacement operation is performed, great care must be taken to ensure that the new strand is sealed against ingress of moisture.
- It has been proposed in European patent
EP1227200B1 , assigned to the same applicant, to provide individual sealing arrangements for each strand, so that an individual strand can be replaced and re-sealed without affecting the seals of the other strands. The proposed anchorage uses individual sealing rings, each held in place between two tight-fitting tubular elements which are assembled off-site, with the sealing ring trapped between them, when the anchorage is manufactured. When replacing a strand through this anchorage, care must be taken, when removing the old strand and inserting the new strand, not to damage the integrity of the seal. After tensioning, the exposed end of the cable may be protected by injecting grease or wax or gel into the cavity surrounding the strand inside the anchorage. The two tight-fitting tubular elements must be arranged such that, when replacing a strand, the two tubular parts do not move or deform relative to each other, and thereby permit a leak which may allow an ingress of moisture to circumvent the captive sealing ring. In such prior art the strand cannot be replaced easily without damaging the annular seal element 7 shown infigure 1 ofEP1227200 . - It is an object of the present invention to overcome this and/or other disadvantages of prior art anchorages. In particular, the invention aims to provide an anchorage and a method in which both the strand and the seal element can be replaced in a simple way.
- According to the invention the cable anchorage comprises a plurality of axial cylindrical channels in an anchor block, each channel for accommodating a strand of a cable. Strands may be any longitudinal tensile elements, that together form the cable. The channel extends along the whole length of the cable anchorage between a first channel end, proximal to a running part of the cable, and a second channel end, remote from the running part of the cable and equipped with strand-immobilising device. A seal element comprising an elastic material is positionable at a predetermined axial location of an inner wall of the channel before the strand is inserted into the channel. Thus the seal element provides a seal between the inner wall of the channel and the strand, when the strand is in the channel. The seal element and the second channel end of the channel are formed such that the seal element can be introduced into the channel through the second channel end. Further the seal element and the inner wall of the channel are formed such that the seal element is axially displaceable inside the channel from the second channel end to the predetermined axial location. To that end, the inner wall of the channel comprises an annular or cylindrical recessed region, longitudinally coaxial with the channel, for accommodating the seal element so as to retain the seal element at the predetermined axial location during an axial displacement of the strand in the channel. Also the seal element is elastically deformable to a compressed state, in which it has a radial outer dimension which is smaller than or equal to all diameters of the inner wall of the channel between said second channel end and said seal, the sealing element is removably arranged in the recessed region and the ratio of the axial length of the recess to the axial length of the sealing element is greater than 1.1 but less than 1.5.
- In a first step the seal element is introduced into the channel through a channel end and in a second step the seal element is displaced axially inside the channel from said channel end to the predetermined axial location. For a cable anchorage located at the free end of a strand, in an anchor block, said channel end for introduction of the seal element is preferably said second channel end, remote from the running part of the cable. For a cable anchorage located at an intermediate portion of a strand, for instance with a saddle, said channel end for introduction of the seal element is preferably said first channel end, proximal to a running part of the cable.
- The invention also concerns a method for replacing a strand of a cable in an axial channel of a cable anchorage, as defined in
claim 9. - According to the invention, an insertion tool as defined in claim 14 and a removal tool not forming part of the present invention are also provided for insertion and removal of the seal element into or out of the channel of the anchorage. In fact the insertion tool and the removal tool may be designed as an insertion and removal device such, that both functions may be fulfilled by the same device. The tool provide a system for performing the method steps according to the invention.
- By accessing the predetermined axial location of the seal element from outside the channel already for the initial displacement of the seal element, it becomes possible to place the seal element without the need to disassemble tubular parts of a seal fitting or even to provide a joint between the tubular parts at the location of the seal element. That means already during first installation of the seal in the cable anchorage, the seal is placed from the remote end of the cable anchorage. Advantageously this allows to replace the seal element when a strand is replaced, thereby greatly improving the subsequent integrity of the seal for the new strand, while also speeding up the process of replacing the strand. Because the seal can be replaced at the time of replacing the strand, it is possible to eliminate or reduce the testing and/or monitoring of the effectiveness of the seal which would be necessary if the seal were not replaced. The use of a stiff, resilient material such as polyurethane ensures that the seal element regains its substantially undeformed or relaxed shape quickly and reliably when located in position at the predetermined axial position in the channel. The relative dimensions of the seal elements and the anchorage channels are such that each seal element may be inserted via the remote end of the channel, away from the running portion of the cable, where access is significantly easier than at the proximal end of the channel, toward the running portion of the cable.
- The invention will now be described in more detail with reference to the attached drawings, in which:
-
Figure 1 shows in schematic cross-sectional view a cable anchored in a cable anchorage. -
Figure 2 shows in schematic form an example of a front-end view of a cable anchorage. -
Figure 3 shows a sectional view of a first example anchorage according to the invention. -
Figure 4 shows an enlarged portion of the sectional view offigure 3 . -
Figure 5 shows a sealing element for use in the invention. -
Figure 6 shows in schematic cross-sectional view a channel of an anchorage according to the invention. -
Figure 7 shows a sectional view of a second example anchorage according to the invention. -
Figure 8 shows an enlarged portion of the sectional view offigure 7 . -
Figure 9 shows a sectional view of an example of an insertion tool according to the invention. -
Figure 10 shows an isometric, cut-away view of the insertion tool offigure 9 . -
Figure 11 shows an enlarged view of part of the insertion tool shown infigures 9 and 10 . -
Figure 12 shows a sectional view of the second example anchorage, as shown infigure 7 , and the operation of an insertion tool as shown infigures 9 to 11 . -
Figures 13 and 14 show an example of a seal removing tool for performing a removing step. - Note that the figures are provided for illustrative purposes only. They are intended as an aid to understanding certain principles underlying the invention, and they should not be taken as limiting the scope of protection sought. Where the same reference numerals are used in different figures, these are intended to refer to the same or corresponding features. However, the use of different numerals does not necessarily indicate any particular difference between the features to which they refer.
-
Figure 1 shows a general schematic cross-sectional view of a cable anchorage in operation.Multiple strands 50 are threaded throughaxial channels 6 in ananchor block 11 and are held in place by, for example,conical wedges 12. Theanchor block 11 is held in a structure 4 (part of a bridge deck, for a example) which is to be supported or tensioned by the cable. Thevarious strands 50 of the cable are shown gathered together by acollar element 13, from where they proceed to the main running part 8 of the cable. Reference 7 indicates the principal longitudinal axis 7 of the cable and of the anchorage.Reference 3 indicates a first end as an exit end of the anchorage, proximal to the running part 8, while reference 1 indicates a second end of the anchorage, remote from the running part 8 of the cable. -
Figure 2 shows a frontal view of an anchorage such as the one shown infigure 1 , viewed from theproximal end 3, and omitting thestrands 50.Figure 2 illustrates in particular an example of an array arrangement ofchannels 6 through which thestrands 50 pass when the anchorage is in operation. Infigure 2 , 43strand channels 6 are illustrated, although other arrangements and numbers ofchannels 6 andstrands 50 may be used. Thestrands 50 are accommodated in thecylindrical channels 6 which extend through the length of the anchorage, and are kept as close to each other as possible in the anchorage, so as to minimise the magnitude of any deviation of eachstrand 50 from the principal longitudinal axis 7 of the cable or the anchorage. -
Figures 3 and 4 show an example of a "passive end" anchorage, also known as a "dead end" anchorage. Such an anchorage is used simply to hold the ends of thestrands 50 when they are under tension, and also while they are being tensioned from the other end of the cable (which is commonly known as the stressing end). A stressing end anchorage will be discussed in relation tofigures 7, 8 and12 . - The passive end anchorage comprises
channels 6 formed through ananchor block 11, which may for example be a block of hard steel or other material suitable for bearing the large axial tension forces in the cable.Strands 50 are held in place in thechannels 6 by immobilising device such asconical wedges 12. Eachchannel 6 may be provided with anorifice element 18, located at or near theexit end 3 of the channel (also called proximal or first end), where thestrand 50 emerges from the anchorage. Theorifice element 18 may comprise a hard plastics material, for example, provided with aseal element 26 for providing a water-tight seal between the inner wall of the channel 6 (in this case the inner wall of the orifice element 18) and the outer surface of thestrand 50. Also, notably for an easier manufacture, theorifice element 18 may be a two-piece part, the assembling of these two pieces defining a boundary at the location of a recess for accommodating theinner seal 26. For instance these two pieces are in plastic and friction welded before mounting in the anchorage so that said boundary is water tight. - Stay cable strands are typically sheathed in a protected polymeric material such as polyethylene (PE), which can be removed in the region of the strand where the strand is to be anchored. In the figures the sheathed parts of the
strands 50 are distinguished from the stripped regions by cross-hatching. Thestrands 50 which are to be anchored in the anchorage are stripped of their polymer sheath in the end region of thestrand 50 before thestrand 50 is inserted into theanchorage channels 6. This is so that thewedges 12 can then grip directly on to the bare steel of thestrand 50, instead of the sheath. - Once the sheathed
strand 50 is fitted in the passive end anchorage, it is important to protect the bare portion of thestrand 50 against the corrosive effects of atmospheric moisture. For this reason, theseal element 26 is fitted, under elastic compression, in aspace 51 between the inner surface of the channel 6 (for example the inner surface of the orifice element 18) and the outer surface of the sheath of thestrand 50. A protective wax, grease, polymer or other substance may also be injected or otherwise introduced into thespace 51 between thestrand 50 and the wall of thechannel 6. In this case, theseal element 26 may serve as a barrier to the ingress of moisture into thecavity 51. It also may serve to retain afiller material 52 within thecavity 51 as shown with black filling onfigures 7, 8 and12 . - This
filler material 52 may be a bedding material forming a bending cushion extending substantially around thestrand 50 in the strand-channel 6. It is therefore also possible to change thefiller material 52 surrounding thestrand 50 by choosing a bedding material adapted to provide elastic bedding to reduce bending stresses originating from static and dynamic deviation of the strand. This bedding material also absorb and dissipates most of the vibratory energy accumulating in the strand when deflections of the strand occurs so as to provide damping by dissipation of energy under dynamic movements. To that end, the space surrounding thestrand 50 in the strand-channel 6 is at least partially filled with a flexural and/or elastic bedding material having a predetermined durometer at 23°C is in therange 10 to 70 Shore. Preferably the durometer value of in thebedding material 21 is in therange 10 to 30 Shore or even preferably in therange 15 to 25 Shore. Using the following relation between the hardness and the Young's modulus for elastomersbedding material 21 used for the invention has preferably a stiffness defined by its Young's modulus in the range 0.4 to 5.5 Mpa, and more preferably in the range 0.4 to 1.1 or even preferably in the range 0.6 to 0.9 Mpa. This bending cushion creates reduction of the deflection stresses of the strands at the anchorage location: this bending cushion is able to reduce the bending stresses in thestrand 50 by absorbing bending stresses along a bedding region. The bedding material may comprise a solid elastomeric or polymeric material, notably a viscoelastic polymer, such as polyurethane, epoxy-polyurethane, epoxy polymer or reticulated epoxy resin, for example. - The
seal element 26 may be located near to theproximal end 3 of the channel, at a location referred to as the predetermined axial location. At this location, theseal 26 might in principle be easier to access from theproximal end 3 of thechannel 6 than from the remote second end 1. However, theindividual strand 50 is typically so crowded by adjacent or surrounding strands that this kind of access becomes difficult or impossible. For this reason, it is advantageous to access theseal element 26 from the remote end 1 of the anchorage. Examples of tools which can be used for the insertion and removal ofseal elements 26 in thechannels 6 are described with reference tofigures 9 to 14 . - As shown in more detail in
figures 3 and 4 , theseal element 26 may advantageously be arranged in a correspondingly-shaped annular recessed region orrecess 27 of thespace 51, respectively, in the inner wall of thechannel 6, for example in the inner wall of thetubular orifice element 18. Therecess 27 corresponds to the predetermined axial location as mentioned before. Theseal element 26 thus preferably has an annular, cylindrical or tubular shape, and therecess 27 is correspondingly shaped to receive theseal element 26. Theseal element 26 and therecess 27 may be radially dimensioned such that theseal element 26 fits snugly in therecess 27 in the wall ofchannel 6 ororifice element 18. Alternatively, theseal element 26 may have anouter diameter 21 which, when not under radial tension or compression state, is marginally smaller than thediameter 24 of the recess 27 (seefigures 5 and 6 ). As another alternative theseal element 26 may have anouter diameter 21 which is marginally bigger than thediameter 24 of therecess 27. In this case theseal element 26 is under radial tension or compression, when fitted into recess 27.Theseal element 26 preferably comprises an elastic material, and theinner diameter 22 of therelaxed seal element 26 is preferably slightly (5% to 25%) smaller than the outer diameter of the, preferably sheathed,strand 50 which will be fitted into thechannel 6, so that the seal element is stretched elastically by the strand passing through it, and therefore grips tightly on to the outer surface of thestrand 50, thereby forming a good seal. This stretching of theseal element 26 also can have the effect of increasing theouter diameter 21 of theseal element 26, with the result that the outer surface of theseal element 26 is pressed firmly radially against the corresponding surface 29' of therecess 27. - If the
axial length 28 of therecess 27 is greater than theaxial length 23 of theelastic sealing element 26, then the sealingelement 26 may, when compressed within therecess 27, expand axially until if fills the recess. The ratio of theaxial length 28 of therecess 27 to theaxial length 23 of the sealingelement 26 is therefore according to the present invention greater than 1.1 but less than 1.5. If it is less than 1.1, then the sealing element may be such that it is not radially compressed to any great extent, and may therefore by expelled from the recess as the strand is inserted. If it is greater than 1.5, on the other hand, a highly deformable elastic material is selected for the sealingelement 26 in order for the sealingelement 26 to deform sufficiently to fill therecess 27 and create a good seal when thestrand 50 is introduced. - In one embodiment the
seal element 26 comprises an annular, toroidal, cylindrical or tubular body comprising an elastically deformable material such as an elastomer or a flexible polymer, for example a polyurethane. Theseal element 26 may be in other likely materials including various elastomers such as EPDM (ethylene propylene diene monomer), TPV (thermoplastic vulcanizates including thermoplastic vulcanizate rubber), TPE (thermoplastic elastomers), SBR (styrene butadiene rubber). Thus the seal element can be inserted through the first end 1 into the channel in a compressed state and expands into a lesser compressed state, when displaced into therecess 27. In another embodiment the seal element may be provided as an inflatable seal element. Thus the seal element may be introduced through thechannel 6 in an uninflated state until placed at the predeterminedaxial location 27, and then be inflated to its sealing shape. - The volume of the
annular recess 27, bounded on its outer periphery by the surface 29' of the recessedregion 27, and on its inner periphery by the outer surface of the preferably sheathedstrand 50, is referred to as the recess volume. The volume of the sealing element is referred to as the seal volume. The ratio of the seal volume to the recess volume is preferably in the range 0.8 to 1.3 If this ratio is less than 0.8, then the seal is not under sufficient elastic compression in at least one direction to form a good seal. If the ratio is greater than 1.3, on the other hand, the compression of the sealingelement 26 is too great, and the sealingelement 26 may be damaged when thestrand 50 is inserted. - The
axial length 23 of theseal element 26 is preferably greater than one fifth of, but less than one half of, theouter diameter 21 of the sealingelement 26. If theaxial length 23 is less than one fifth of theouter diameter 21 of the sealingelement 26, then the sealing element is not rigid enough to retain its shape and orientation as it is be pushed/slid through thechannel 6, and may begin to roll or collapse. If theaxial length 23 is greater than half of theouter diameter 21 of the sealingelement 26, then the sealing element is less easy to insert. It is advantageous to be able to insert the sealingelement 26 with its cylindrical axis orthogonal to theaxis 70 of the channel, since this merely requires the pinching of the sealing element together in order to make it fit into the channel. However, such an insertion requires the subsequent rotation of the sealingelement 26 into its axially aligned orientation in the recess once it arrives at the predetermined axial location, and this rotation is impossible or significantly impeded if theaxial length 23 of the sealingelement 26 is greater than half of itsouter diameter 21. - As an example, a typical standard diameter for a bare seven-wire strand, measured through the centres of three wires, is 15.7mm. With its sheath, such a strand might typically have a diameter of approximately 19mm. In this case, the
diameter 22 of the opening through the seal element 26 (referred to as the inner diameter) when in its relaxed state may be 15mm or 16mm, for example. The nominalinner diameter 25 of thechannel 6 may be 20mm, while thediameter 24 of the recessedregion 27 of thechannel 6 may be 25mm. Theouter diameter 21 of theseal element 26 in its relaxed state may also be 25mm, so that it fits snugly into the recess when in its relaxed state. Upon insertion of the sheathed part of the strand through theseal element 26, therefore, theseal element 26 is compressed with significant radial force between the outer wall 29' of therecess 27 and the outer surface of the sheathedstrand 50. The seal material, and the dimensions of theseal element 26 and thechannel 6 andrecess 27, are chosen such that this compression is strong enough to form a reliable seal between thestrand 50 and the wall 29' of therecess 27, yet not so strong that thestrand 50 cannot be pulled through theseal element 26 without damaging either theseal element 26 or the sheath of thestrand 50. - Preferably, the
seal element 26 properties are chosen so that theseal element 26 has a compression set equal to or less than 25%, if possible equal to or less than 20% and more preferably equal to or less than 15%. Such a compression set ensures theseal element 26 recovers its form properly. The compression set expresses the amount of residual deformation relative to initial deformation under a given compression over a defined time and at a defined temperature. This compression set is a characteristic of sealing rings which is defined according to standards ISO 815 or DIN 53517, for a compression at 70°C during 24h. - The
axial length 28 of therecess 27 is made larger (10% to 50% larger) than theaxial length 23 of theseal element 26, so that there may be some limited play between them along the axial direction when no strand is inserted, but so that theseal element 26 abuts against a side surface of therecess 27 which prevents theseal element 26 from being displaced out of therecess 27, at least towards the remote end 1 of the anchorage, when thestrand 50 is pulled through theseal element 26. Making theaxial length 28 of the recessedregion 27 larger than theaxial length 23 of theseal element 26 makes it easier for an operator to fit theseal element 26 into therecess 27 from outside thechannel 6, by inserting theseal element 26 through the remote end 1 of thechannel 6 and displacing it along thechannel 6. It also makes it easier for the operator to verify that theseal element 26 is correctly seated in the recessed region 27: if theseal element 26 can be moved freely by a small axial distance within the recess, before thestrand 50 is inserted, then theseal element 6 may be assumed to be correctly seated in therecess 27. If theseal element 26 resists any axial movement, on the other hand, then the operator can assume that it is not seated correctly. -
Figures 7 and 8 show an example of a stressing end anchorage, which differs from the passive end anchorage offigures 3 and 4 for example in that the anchorage is significantly longer, in order to accommodate the axial movement of thestrands 50 through the anchorage as thestrands 50 are tensioned.Figure 7 shows how thechannels 6 extend through a stressing end anchorage, the stressing end being the end of the cable at which the strands of the cable are tensioned. The stressing end anchorage is generally located at the more accessible end of the cable, where the strands can be pulled through the anchorage, for example by hydraulic jacks, until the strands are individually stressed to the required tension. The example anchorage illustrated infigure 7 comprises ananchor block 11, where strands 50 (only one of the strands is indicated in the figure) in thechannels 6 are anchored by conical wedge sets 12 in corresponding conical bores in theanchor block 11. Anadjustment ring 10 allows the anchorage to be positioned axially against a bearing surface of the structure, such as a bridge deck, which is to be supported and/or tensioned by the cable. As with the passive end anchorage offigures 3 and 4 , the reference numeral 1 indicates the remote end (also referred to in this application as the second end) of the anchorage and of thechannels 6, i.e. the ends of thechannels 6 which are directed away from the main running part of the cable (not shown).Reference numeral 3, on the other hand, indicates the proximal end, also referred to as the first end, of the anchorage, and of thechannels 6, i.e. the ends of thechannels 6 which are directed towards the main running part of the cable. Thebody 2 of the anchorage may comprise arigid transition pipe 15, which may be filled with ahardened material 5 such as a concrete or grout material, except for the volume occupied by thechannels 6, which pass through the hard material. Thechannels 6 shown in the examples are substantially straight, and extend substantially parallel to each other and to the principal longitudinal direction of the cable, which is also referred to as the axial direction. Thechannels 6 may be formed by tubes orpipes 18 which may be viewed as extended versions of theorifice element 18 shown infigures 3 and 4 . - The stressing end anchorage needs to be longer than the passive end anchorage, to allow for axial movement of the
strand 50 during tensioning. In this case, thechannels 6 through theanchor block 11 are effectively extended by means of thechannel extension tubes 18, which are enclosed in a rigid structure such as solid grout orconcrete 5. Thetransition tube 15 is rigid enough to support the end-plate 20, which may be made of steel or similar material, substantially rigidly at the exit region of the anchorage. Thespace 51 between thestrand 50 and the inner wall of the (extended)channel 6 may be filled with corrosion-preventing wax or grease material, an elastomeric material or other suitable injection material. Thisfiller material 52 is shown with black filling onfigures 7, 8 and12 . Like theseal 26, thisfiller material 52 can be replaced easily, by injection from the remote end1, after replacement of the seal 26.A set ofseals 19 may be arranged between the inner surface of the end-plate 20 and theorifice element 18 as well as between the outer surface of the end-plate 20 and thetransition pipe 15 as shown infigure 8 . - Enough sheath must be stripped from each
strand 50 such that, once thestrand 50 has been pulled through thechannel 6 of theanchor block 11 and fully tensioned, the end of the sheath is located somewhere between the embedment point (where theanchor wedges 12 grip the strands) and theseal element 26, which prevents moisture from entering the anchorage from the proximal (first)end 3. As described above, theseal element 26 may be located in arecess 27 in the inner wall of thechannel 6, or in the inner wall of anorifice element 18 of thechannel 6. The predetermined axial location of therecess 27 is typically significantly nearer to thefirst end 3 of the channel than to the second end 1. Thespace 51 between theindividual strand 50 and the wall of itsindividual channel 6 can then be filled with a material for protecting the strand against corrosion. A wax or a grease may be used as such a corrosion-preventing material, for example, or an elastomeric material may be injected into the cavity as a fluid and allowed to set, as mentioned above. - In general the
seal element 26 and therecess 27 in the stressing end anchorage are essentially the same as the one described for the dead end anchorage above. In particular the dimensions of the seal element and the recess may have the same ratio relations and similar length and/or thicknesses. - If an
individual strand 50 is to be replaced, theseal element 26 should be capable of providing at least as good a seal against the replacement strand as against the original. Also in case anindividual strand 50 needs to be replaced the entire length of the strand is pulled through the existing seal element and may easily damage the seal element, which therefore has to be replaced. According to the method of the invention, therefore, theseal element 26 and thechannel 6 are designed so that the seal element can be replaced from the remote end 1 of itschannel 6, as described above. By arranging theseal elements 26 and thechannels 6 so that theseal elements 26 can be replaced, it becomes practicable to fill the space between thestrands 50 and the channel wall with a stiff, elastic and/orflexural filler material 52, while still retaining the ability to replace individual strands. In such a situation, the removal of theold strand 50 may result in significant damage to thefiller material 52, and to theseal element 26. By using areplaceable seal element 26, it becomes possible to remove the old strand quickly, and if necessary to remove theold filler material 52, without any concern for damaging theold seal element 26. Thus, a corrosion-preventing material may be introduced into thecavity 51 around thestrand 50 in the anchorage which has stiff, elastic and/or flexural properties. A polyurethane material may be injected as a liquid and allowed to harden to a predetermined hardness, for example. In this case, theseal element 26 may advantageously also be formed from a polyurethane material of predetermined hardness, to which the polyurethane filler material bonds strongly, thereby ensuring an excellent seal against moisture ingress. - The
seal element 26 plays an important role in protecting the exposed end of thestrand 50, particularly in the stressing end anchorage, but also in the passive end anchorage. Thestrands 50 are threaded into the anchorage and tensioned at a first point in time, and then re-tensioned at a second point in time or even once again at a third point in time, with the first and second or third points in time being separated by days, weeks or even months. It is therefore important that the sealingelement 26 provides an excellent moisture-resistance during this time, in order to prevent exposing the ends of thestrands 50 to the corrosive effects of moisture ingress. If a corrosion-preventing material such as the wax or grease orfiller material 52 is to be injected into thespace 51 surrounding thestrand 50 in thechannel 6, as mentioned earlier, this will normally be injected after first tensioning, and will therefore not offer any corrosion protection before the strand is tensioned to the final force e.g. at the third point in time. During this time, the role of theseal elements 26 is thus particularly important for protecting the exposed strand ends within theirindividual channels 6. - Furthermore the leaktightness of each sealing element may be checked after tensioning of the strand. This step may be provided by applying air pressure or vacuum to each
individual channel 6, e. g. to thespace 51 between thechannel 6 and thestrand 50. Preferably the pressure or vaccum is applied from the remote end 1 of the anchorage atblock 11. -
Figures 9 to 11 show an example of an insertingtool 30 which can be used for inserting theseal element 26 and moving it to therecess 27 provided at the predetermined axial position along the inner wall of thechannel 6. Theexample insertion tool 30 is designed to be inserted from the second (remote) channel end, 1, of thechannel 6, and comprises atubular extension device 34, which comprises a seal-retaining device at the end, for retaining theseal element 26 in a compressed state while it is being displaced along thechannel 6. The seal retaining device may enclose theseal element 26 radially, in order to hold it in compression, or it may comprise one or more protrusions and/or cavities for retaining theseal element 26 in a predetermined deformed shape, which has an outline profile smaller than the peripheral profile of the cross-section of thechannel 6. Such a shape might be formed, for example, when one part of theseal element 26 is turned radially inwards and held in this position by the seal-retaining device. -
Remote release device 31, also referred to as an ejector rod, passes through thetubular extension device 34 of the illustrated example, and can be advanced to eject theseal element 26 from the end of theextension device 34 into therecess 27. Theextension device 34 may be provided withdevice channel 6 for ejecting theseal element 26 into itsrecess 27. Thus thedevice indicator 36 may be provided on theejector rod 31 for preventing an overshoot of theseal element 26 past therecess 27 if/when theseal element 26 is ejected. Thus the stop orindicator 36 serves as depth gauging device and/or ejection stopping device. The seal insertion operation is made easier if therecess 27 is slightly larger in the axial direction than theseal element 26, as discussed earlier. -
Figure 12 shows how the inserting tool offigures 9 to 11 may be used to insert anew seal element 26 into thechannel 6 of a stressing end anchorage from the second (remote) end 1 of thechannel 6. The anchorage is shown with all other strands fitted, with the result that access to thechannel 6 from the first (proximal) end of the anchorage is severely restricted. Theinsertion tool 30 can be used to insert theseal element 26 into therecess 27 in the wall of thechannel 6 from the second (remote) end 1 of thechannel 6. The strands extending from the remote end 1 of the anchorage can be cut to strand tails comprising a specified length. The strand tails can be cut to a predetermined length of e. g. 30mm - 500mm such as to permit access for gripping of the strand tail for detensioning, removal and insertion of new strand, depending on actual length of stay cable. -
Figures 13 and 14 show an example of a seal-removal tool 40 which may be used to remove an existingseal element 26 from therecess 27 ofchannel 6. In the illustrated example, twolongitudinal parts recess 27, and are moveable relative to each other under control of a pistol-grip 41 to grip theseal element 26 and allow an operator to withdraw theseal element 26 from thechannel 6. In order to make the withdrawal easier, the removal tool may be equipped with a compressing device (not illustrated) for squeezing or twisting or otherwise distorting theseal element 26 to make it pass more easily through thechannel 6. Alternatively, a simple hook may also be sufficient to remove theseal element 26 from thechannel 6. - In the previous text, the cable anchorage was illustrated in a non-limitative way in relation with a stay cable which anchorage was performed at its free end contained in the
second channel end 6 by means of immobilising device such as conical wedges 12: Therefore, the present invention can also be applied to another type of anchorage of the stay cables, namely an anchorage at a portion of the stay cable remote from its free ends. When using a cable deviation saddle, under some circumstances, there is no possible displacement of portion of the strand located at the central portion of the saddle, which situation therefore corresponds to an anchorage with the saddle forming an immobilising device. This situation corresponds toWO2011116828 in which abedding material 51 can be used in replacement of the usual material for protecting strands against corrosion of the strands in the saddle body -
- 1
- Second (remote) end of the cable (remote from the running part)
- 2
- Body of the anchorage
- 3
- First (proximal) end of the cable (exit end for the running part)
- 5
- Hardened material of
transition pipe 15 - 6
- Anchorage channels
- 7
- Principal longitudinal axis of the cable
- 8
- Main running part of the cable
- 10
- Adjustment ring
- 11
- Anchor block
- 12
- Conical wedges
- 13
- Collar element
- 15
- Transition pipe
- 18
- Orifice element or channel extension tube
- 19
- Seals
- 20
- End plate
- 21
- Outer diameter of the
seal element 26 - 22
- Inner diameter of the
seal element 26 - 23
- Axial length of the
seal element 26 - 24
- Diameter of the
recess 27 - 25
- Nominal inner diameter of the
channel 6 - 26
- Seal element
- 27
- Annular recessed region or recess
- 28
- Axial length of the
recess 27 - 29,29'
- Surface of the annular recessed region 27 (inner and outer walls)
- 30
- Insertion tool
- 31
- Remote release device
- 33, 35
- Depth gauging-device and/or displacement stopping-device
- 34
- Tubular extension device
- 36
- Stop or indicator
- 40
- Seal-removal tool
- 41
- Pistol-grip
- 42, 43
- Longitudinal parts
- 50
- Stra nd
- 51
- Space
- 52
- Filler material
- 70
- Axis of the
channel 6
Claims (16)
- Cable anchorage comprising :a plurality of axial cylindrical channels (6) in an anchor block (11), each channel (6) for individually accommodating a strand (50) of a cable, wherein the channel (6) extends along the whole length of the cable anchorage between a first channel end (3), proximal to a running part of the cable, and a second channel end (1) equipped with strand-immobilising device (12); anda seal element (26) positionable at a predetermined axial location (27) of an inner wall (29, 29') of the channel (6) so as to provide a seal between the inner wall (29') of the channel (6) and the strand (50), when the strand (50) is in the channel (6), said seal element (26) comprising an elastic material;wherein the inner wall (29, 29') of the channel (6) comprises an annular or cylindrical recessed region (27, 29'), longitudinally coaxial with the channel (6), for accommodating the seal element (26) so as to retain the seal element (26) at the predetermined axial location (27) during an axial displacement of the strand (50) in the channel (6), the sealing element (26) being removably arranged in the recessed region (27, 29'),the cable anchorage being characterised in that:the seal element (26) and the second channel end (1) of the channel (6) are formed such that the seal element (26) can be introduced into the channel through the second channel end (1),the seal element (26) and the inner wall (29, 29') of the channel (6) are designed such that the seal element (26) is axially displaceable inside the channel (6) from the second channel end (1) to the predetermined axial location (27),the seal element (26) is elastically deformable to a compressed state, in which it has a radial outer dimension which is smaller than or equal to all diameters (25) of the inner wall (29) of the channel (6) between said second channel end and said seal element (26), andthe ratio of the axial length (28) of the recess (27) to the axial length (23) of the sealing element (26) is greater than 1.1 but less than 1.5.
- Cable anchorage according to claim 1, wherein
the seal element (26) is of annular or cylindrical shape and comprises an annular, toroidal, cylindrical or tubular body comprising an elastically deformable material or the seal element (26) is inflatable from an uninflated state to an expanded inflated state;
the outer diameter (21) of the seal element (26) is larger than the diameter (25) of the channel in a region of the channel (6) adjacent to the predetermined axial location (27); and
the inner diameter (22) of the seal element (26) is smaller than the diameter (25) of the channel (6) in said adjacent region. - Cable anchorage according to the preceding claim, wherein the recessed region (27, 29') receiving said seal element (26) is defined by a two-piece part.
- Cable anchorage according to the preceding claim, wherein the seal element (26) has a compression set equal to or less than 25%.
- Cable anchorage according to the preceding claim, wherein the elastic material is a polymeric material, in particular the elastic material is an elastomer, preferably a polyurethane, a EPDM (ethylene propylene diene monomer), a TPV (thermoplastic vulcanizates), TPE (thermoplastic elastomers) or SBR (styrene butadiene rubber).
- Cable anchorage according to one of the preceding claims, wherein it further comprises a bedding cushion (52) extending substantially in the channel (6) around the strand (50), in a space (51) extending from the seal element (26) in direction to the second channel end (1).
- Cable anchorage according to the preceding claim, wherein said bedding cushion (52) extends from said seal element (26) to said strand-anchoring device (12).
- Cable anchorage according to claim 6 or 7, wherein said bedding cushion (52) comprises a bedding material having a durometer at 23°C which is in the range 10 to 70 Shore.
- A method of replacing a strand (50) of a cable in an axial channel (6) of a cable anchorage according to one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the said channel (6) extends between a first channel end (3), proximal to a running part of the cable, and a second channel end (1), remote from the running part of the cable, wherein the inner wall (29, 29') of the channel (6) comprises an annular or cylindrical recessed region (27, 29'), longitudinally coaxial with the channel (6), for accommodating the seal element (26) so as to retain the seal element (26) at the predetermined axial location (27) during an axial displacement of the strand (50) in the channel (6), and wherein the seal element (26) is elastically deformable to a compressed state, in which it has a radial outer dimension which is smaller than or equal to all diameters (25) of the inner wall (29) of the channel (6) between said second channel end and said seal element (26);
the method comprising:a strand (50) removal step, which a strand in the channel (6) is removed;a seal-removal step, in which a seal element (26) disposed at a predetermined axial location (27) of an inner wall of the channel (6) so as to provide a seal between the inner wall of the channel (6) and the strand (50) is removed;a seal-fitting step, in which a seal element (26) is introduced through a channel end (1) and displaced axially inside the channel (6) from said channel end (1) to said predetermined axial location (27) in said recessed region (27, 29');a strand replacement step in which a new strand is inserted into said channel. - Method according to claim 9, wherein the seal element (26) is held in the said compressed state during its introduction into the channel (6) and/or during its axial displacement inside the channel towards the recessed region (27,29'), and wherein the seal element (26) substantially reverts to its fitted state upon reaching the recess (27).
- Method according to one of claims 9 or 10, wherein said seal-removal step is implemented with a removal tool (40) for removing an existing seal element (26) from the recess (27) of a cable anchorage according to one of claims 1 to 8, comprising two longitudinal parts (42, 43) moveable relative to each other to grip the seal element (26).
- Method according to claim 9, wherein the strand (50) removal step comprises further at least partially removing a filler material from the channel (6).
- Method according to one of claims 9 to 12, comprising a step of checking a leaktightness of the seal element (26) when the strand (50) is in the channel (6) by applying air pressure or vacuum to a space (51) between the channel (6) and the strand (50).
- Insertion tool (30) for displacing a seal element (26) into a recess (27) of a cable anchorage according to one of claims 1 to 8 comprising:a tubular extension device (34) with a seal retaining and/or aligning device (34) at the end of said tubular extension device (34), for maintaining the seal element (26) in its radially compressed state and coaxially aligned with the channel (6) during the displacing step, wherein the seal retaining and/or aligning device (34) is adapted to hold the seal element (26) in the compressed state such that a part of an annular or cylindrical outer surface of the seal element (26) is turned radially inwards, and such that the seal element (26) remains substantially coaxial with the channel (6), wherein the retaining and/or aligning device (34) comprises seal holding device (34) for at least partially enclosing the seal element (26) in its compressed condition, coaxial with the channel (6),displacement extension device (31, 34) for displacing the seal element (26), in the compressed state, through the channel (6) from the second channel end (1) to the predetermined axial location (27), andremote release device (31) with an ejector rod through said tubular extension device (34), operable from outside the second channel end (1) of the channel (6), for ejecting the seal element (26) from the seal retaining device (34) into the recess (27), such that the seal element (26) substantially regains its fitted state in the recessed region (27, 29') of the channel (6).
- Insertion tool (30) according to one of claim 14, wherein the displacement extension device (31, 34) comprises first depth gauging device (33, 35) and/or displacement stopping device (33, 35) for indicating when the seal element (26) has reached the predetermined axial position (27) and/or stopping the displacement of the seal element (26) when the seal element (26) has reached the predetermined axial position (27).
- Insertion tool (30) according to one of claims 14 to 15, wherein the displacement extension device (31, 34) comprises second depth gauging device (36) and/or ejection stopping device (36) for indicating when the seal element (26) has reached the recess (27) and/or stopping the ejection of the seal element (26) when the seal element (26) has reached the recessed region (27).
Priority Applications (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
EP14728161.2A EP3004462B1 (en) | 2013-05-31 | 2014-05-30 | Individual seal arrangement for cable anchorage, method of replacing a strand of a cable in an axial channel of such a cable anchorage and insertion tool for displacing a seal element in such a cable anchorage |
PL14728161T PL3004462T3 (en) | 2013-05-31 | 2014-05-30 | Individual seal arrangement for cable anchorage, method of replacing a strand of a cable in an axial channel of such a cable anchorage and insertion tool for displacing a seal element in such a cable anchorage |
Applications Claiming Priority (4)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
GB1309791.0A GB2514621B (en) | 2013-05-31 | 2013-05-31 | Cable anchorage |
PCT/EP2013/077969 WO2014191066A1 (en) | 2013-05-31 | 2013-12-24 | Individual seal arrangement for cable anchorage |
PCT/EP2014/061295 WO2014191568A1 (en) | 2013-05-31 | 2014-05-30 | Individual seal arrangement for cable anchorage |
EP14728161.2A EP3004462B1 (en) | 2013-05-31 | 2014-05-30 | Individual seal arrangement for cable anchorage, method of replacing a strand of a cable in an axial channel of such a cable anchorage and insertion tool for displacing a seal element in such a cable anchorage |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP3004462A1 EP3004462A1 (en) | 2016-04-13 |
EP3004462B1 true EP3004462B1 (en) | 2018-03-14 |
Family
ID=50884908
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP14728161.2A Active EP3004462B1 (en) | 2013-05-31 | 2014-05-30 | Individual seal arrangement for cable anchorage, method of replacing a strand of a cable in an axial channel of such a cable anchorage and insertion tool for displacing a seal element in such a cable anchorage |
Country Status (2)
Country | Link |
---|---|
EP (1) | EP3004462B1 (en) |
PL (1) | PL3004462T3 (en) |
Cited By (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
CN109990995A (en) * | 2019-04-17 | 2019-07-09 | 广州珠江黄埔大桥建设有限公司 | A kind of protective survey device of bridge anchor system anchor head |
-
2014
- 2014-05-30 EP EP14728161.2A patent/EP3004462B1/en active Active
- 2014-05-30 PL PL14728161T patent/PL3004462T3/en unknown
Cited By (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
CN109990995A (en) * | 2019-04-17 | 2019-07-09 | 广州珠江黄埔大桥建设有限公司 | A kind of protective survey device of bridge anchor system anchor head |
CN109990995B (en) * | 2019-04-17 | 2024-05-31 | 广州珠江黄埔大桥建设有限公司 | Protection monitoring device of bridge anchor system anchor head |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
EP3004462A1 (en) | 2016-04-13 |
PL3004462T3 (en) | 2018-09-28 |
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