Received: 23 March 2016 Revised: 23 June 2016 Accepted: 16 July 2016

DOI 10.1002/suco.201600057

TECHNICAL PAPER

Optimization of anchorage corner blisters for posttensioning

tendons
Carla Marchão1 | Válter Lúcio1 | Hans R. Ganz2

1
CERIS/ICIST, Civil Engineering Department,
Faculty of Sciences & Technology, Universidade
NOVA de Lisboa, Caparica, Portugal
2
Ganz Consulting, Zurich, Switzerland
Correspondence
Carla Marchão, CERIS/ICIST, Civil Engineering
Department, Faculty of Sciences & Technology,
Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, Campus da
Caparica, Caparica 2829-516, Portugal.
Email: c.marchao@fct.unl.pt
Funding information
FCT/MCTES, The Portuguese Foundation for
Science and Technology, Grant/Award number:
SFRH/BD/46257/2008.
The design of anchorage corner blisters for internal continuity posttensioning ten-
dons in bridges built using the cantilever method presents some peculiarities
because they are intermediate eccentric anchorages. The simplified formulas for
designing the reinforcement required to resist transverse tensile forces due to the
application of point loads, as proposed by the current standards, are not sufficient
because they do not cover all the effects that require reinforcement. The high den-
sity of steel reinforcement in anchorage blisters is the most common reason for
problems with concrete cast in situ, resulting in zones with low concrete compact-
ness, which may lead to concrete crushing failures under the anchor plates. The
solution to this problem may involve reducing the amount of reinforcement by
improving the concrete compressive and tensile strengths. An experimental pro-
gram was carried out to study the transmission of prestressing force to the slab
and web of the box girder, to assess the strut-and-tie models used in design and to
investigate the feasibility of using a high-performance fiber-reinforced self-
compacting mix (HPFRC) in the blister only, with either in situ or precast solu-
tions. It can be concluded that the use of HPFRC in anchorage blisters is a very
interesting solution regarding the savings in materials and the reduction in the
steel reinforcement density near the local anchorage zone, with obvious advan-
tages in concrete quality.

KEYWORDS

anchorage zones, box girder bridges, high-performance concrete, posttensioning,

steel fibers

1 | INTRODUCTION half of that of conventional concrete for comparable struc-

A high-performance fiber-reinforced self-compacting concrete
(HPFRC) was developed in order to reduce the concrete cross
section of the anchorage blisters and decrease the amount of
reinforcement needed in anchorage zones. Previous studies1–3
have shown the efficiency of high-performance concretes with
regard to the reduction in confining steel reinforcement in
those areas.
To take full advantage of its characteristics, and to bal-
ance its high cost, HPFRC can only be used in particular
areas of a structure. It is noteworthy that, owing to its high
strength, the volume of HPFRC needed is about one third to
tural elements.4
Studying the behavior of anchorage blisters regarding
the transmission of stresses to the web and the bottom slab
of the box girder and assessing the feasibility of using high-
performance concrete in the blister required an investigation
of three half-scale models of the inferior corner of a box
girder in an existing bridge: a reference specimen made
from ordinary reinforced concrete (ORC) and two HPFRC
blister specimens.
The specimens were self-balanced with anchorages at
both ends of the tendons and included a corner blister
for two anchorages with a portion of the slab and the

334 © 2017 fib. International Federation for Structural Concrete wileyonlinelibrary.com/journal/suco Structural Concrete. 2017;18:334–348.
MARCHÃO ET AL.
FIGURE 1 The Lezíria Bridge over the River Tagus.
contiguous web. Apart from the dimensions of the anchor-
age blister, the three models had the same geometry. In the
HPFRC blister specimens, the blister cross section was
reduced.
The design of the reinforcement for the specimens was
based on the tensile forces obtained with strut-and-tie mod-
els. The strut-and-tie models were developed taking into
consideration the stress fields obtained from a linear elastic
analysis.
2 | EX PER IM ENT AL PR OGR AMM E
2.1 | Specimen geometry
The Lezíria Bridge over the River Tagus near Lisbon
(Figures 1 and 2) was used as a prototype for the specimens
considered in this study. A half-scale model of the inferior
corner of the box girder was considered.
In order to avoid constraining the laboratory test site
and the geometry of the model, with regard to the relative
positions of tendons and distances between the tendons, a
self-balanced specimen with anchorages at both ends of the
tendons was chosen, as shown in Figure 3. The model
included a corner blister for two anchors, with a portion of
the slab and the contiguous web.
The stressing anchorage used was a VSL-type GC for
seven 0.6-inch (15.7 mm) strands and a 180 × 180 mm2 bear-
ing plate. Corrugated steel ducts were adopted with inside
and outside diameters of 60 and 67 mm, respectively.
FIGURE 2 The interior of the Lezíria Bridge box girder.
335
FIGURE 3 Reference specimen.
A typical cross section through the specimens is shown
in Figure 4; this was defined based on the dimensions of the
prototype. The width and depth of the cross section were
chosen to ensure an adequate distribution of the prestressing
force, taking into account the positions of the prestressing
tendons.
The length of the specimens was defined taking into
account the balance between the need to disperse the com-
pressive forces between anchorages and the optimization of
dimensions in order to obtain the smallest specimen (see
Figure 5).
The geometry of the blister was mainly based on detail-
ing considerations. For the reference specimen, both the min-
imum center-to-center and edge distances of the anchorages,
as recommended by VSL International5 for the type of
anchorage used, were considered. For the HPFRC blister
model, the center-to-center and edge distances adopted for
the anchorages were assessed through load transfer tests6. In
both specimens, the necessary distances from anchorages to
bottom slab and web were defined in order to provide suffi-
cient clearance for the stressing jack. The geometry of the
blisters resulted in the one shown in Figure 6.
The layout of the tendons, the profile of which is shown
in Figure 7, was set to minimize the posttensioning friction
losses and the size of the anchorage blister.
2.2 | Strut-and-tie models
The strut-and-tie models were developed taking into
account the stress trajectories obtained from the linear elas-
tic analysis and the need to maintain equilibrium with the
FIGURE 4 Typical specimen cross section—section D-D.
336 MARCHÃO ET AL.

FIGURE 5 Elevation. (a) Reference specimen and (b) HPFRC blister specimens.

applied loads at the ultimate limit state. The action of radial
forces due to tendon curvature, both in longitudinal
section and on plan, was considered. Regarding the choice
FIGURE 6 Section C-C. (a) Reference specimen and (b) HPFRC blister
specimens.
of the positions and directions adopted for the ties, it was
necessary to take into account the fact that the ties should
coincide with the corresponding reinforcement. The strut-
and-tie models adopted in the longitudinal sections are
shown in Figure 8.
As shown in Figure 8, in the longitudinal sections, due
to the dispersion of the concentrated prestressing force over
the cross section, it was assumed that the reinforcement
needed should be parallel to the front face of the blister
(perpendicular to the applied force). The resultant tie force
(tie 1) was located in the theoretical section where the com-
pression stress field, due to the dispersion of the concen-
trated force, intersects the upper face of the blister.
In the slab between anchorages, the compression was con-
sidered to be uniformly distributed over the slab thickness (for
this purpose, and for simplification, the variation in the slab
thickness at the junction with the web was neglected). There-
fore, two equal struts were adopted located at one-quarter and
three-quarters of the regular slab thickness.
According to Rogowsky and Marti7, and in order to
control cracking, a tieback force amounting to 25% of the
prestressing force was assumed, uniformly distributed over
the slab thickness.
The transverse ties (ties 2) were designed to resist half
of the radial forces due to tendon deviation. The other half
was resisted by the concrete struts that converge at each top
node. The orientation of the left strut of each node was
determined by the establishment of equilibrium at the node.
MARCHÃO ET AL. 337

FIGURE 7 Layout of posttensioning tendons—profile. (a) Reference specimen and (b) HPFRC blister specimens.

Corbel and local bending effects (ties 3 and 4 respec-
tively) were also considered.
2.3 | Specimen design and detailing
The design of the specimen reinforcement was carried out
based on the tensile forces obtained with the strut-and-tie
models described above.
FIGURE 8 Strut-and tie model—longitudinal section along a tendon.
(a) reference specimen and (b) HPFRC blister specimens.
Owing to the fact that the force applied during the test
was limited to the failure load of the prestressing tendons
and assuming that concrete failure was not relevant, the steel
reinforcement used in the blister zone was intentionally
undersized, the purpose being to try to reach the failure of
the model during the test. So the reinforcement was designed
considering a posttensioning force equal to half the specified
characteristic value of 0.1% proof force Fp0.1k for seven 0.6-
inch strands (with a nominal area of 150 mm2) and a reinfor-
cing steel tensile strength of 600 MPa, since the reinforcing
steel grade intended for the test would have a characteristic
yield stress fyk = 500 MPa.
The reinforcement detailing is shown in Figure 9. It
should be noted that, in the reference specimen, spiral con-
fining reinforcement was also installed.
The blister volume and total steel reinforcement weight
for the ties considered in the strut-and-tie models are shown
in Table 1 for each specimen.
Comparing both specimens, the volume of the HPFRC
blister is approximately 65% of the volume of the ORC blis-
ter. Regarding the steel reinforcement, the difference is
smaller, but the adoption of HPFRC results in a reduction
338
FIGURE 9 Reinforcement in anchorage blister zone. (a) Reference specimen, (b) reference specimen—cross section, (c) HPFRC blister specimens—
longitudinal section, and (d) HPFRC blister specimens—cross section.
of approximately 17% with respect to the value obtained for
the ORC blister.
It can be seen that, in addition to saving materials, the
greatest advantage of adopting HPFRC in the anchorage
blister is the decrease in the steel reinforcement density near
the local anchorage zone, with obvious improvements in the
concrete quality.
MARCHÃO ET AL.
2.4 | Reference specimen
2.4.1 | Specimen preparation
The specimen was produced by a precast company. The
strength class requested was C30/37 and a reinforcing
steel with a characteristic yield stress fyk = 500 MPa and
ductility class C was used. The characteristics of the
MARCHÃO ET AL. 339

TABLE 1 Blister volume and steel reinforcement weight for the

specimens considered
Specimen Blister volume (m3) Steel reinforcement weight (N)
ORC blister 0.158 279.1
HPFRC blister 0.102 230.6

TABLE 2 Reference specimen - Concrete characteristics

fccm (MPa) fctm (MPa)

34.6 2.4

TABLE 3 Steel reinforcement characteristics FIGURE 11 Monitoring equipment on anchorage blister.

Bar diameter (mm) fy (MPa) fu (MPa) εu (%)
6 564 667 11.6 The tendons were tensioned at the end block, and as
8 535 643 15.1 they were intended to be tensioned simultaneously, a greater
10 542 662 14.1 distance between anchorages was needed. Two TML KCM-
12 557 668 13.6 2MNA load cells with 2000 kN capacity were used in order
20 546 659 11.3 to quantify the value of the prestressing force in the anchor-
age blister for each tendon.
A total of 66 strain gauges (model TML, type FLA-5-
materials on the date of the tests are shown in Tables 2 11-5L) were affixed to diametrically opposite sides of
and 3. selected reinforcing bars. The crack openings at the
In Table 2, the concrete mean compressive strength fccm
refers to 150 mm cubes. The concrete tensile strength fctm
was determined using the splitting cylinder tensile strength
fct,sp based on 300 mm high × 150 mm diameter cylinders
and using the relation presented in EN1992-1-18.

2.4.2 | Test procedure and measurements

The bottom surface of the specimen was not leveled, so the
test was performed with the specimen rotated in relation to
the actual position, as shown in Figure 10.

FIGURE 12 Cracking after first phase of test. (a) On anchorage blister

FIGURE 10 Reference specimen before testing. and (b) between blister and end block.
340
FIGURE 13 Cracking at end of second phase of test. (a) On anchorage
blister and (b) on underside of bottom slab.
concrete surface were measured with TML relative dis-
placement transducers of types PI-2-50, PI-2-150, and PI-
2-200 (PI1 to PI9) at the locations corresponding to the
zones on the surface of the specimen with the highest ten-
sile stresses. The displacement of the anchorage blister in
relation to bottom slab and web was measured using two
CDP-50 TML displacement transducers (transducers 1 and
2) and one CDP-100 TML displacement transducer (trans-
ducer 3).
The monitoring equipment on the anchorage blister is
shown in Figure 11.
FIGURE 14 Evolution of blister displacements with average load.
MARCHÃO ET AL.
Since the adoption of ducts with a larger diameter or lar-
ger anchorage bearing plates for a larger number of strands
would misrepresent the behavior of the specimen, the ele-
ments adopted were the ones usually used for seven-strand
tendons. Obviously, this decision limited the test, since the
force that could be applied was dependent on the failure
force of the prestressing strands.
Thus, the first phase of the reference specimen test used
two tendons each with seven 0.6-inch strands type prEN
10138-3(2006) Y1860S7 and a nominal cross section of
150 mm2. The tendons were tensioned to 87% of the tensile
strength. Given the fact that for the maximum tensioning force
of the tendons the model was far from failure, it was decided to
perform a second phase, using nine strands of the same type in
each duct which were tensioned to 80% of the tensile strength.
The prestressing force was applied in increments of
154.7 up to 1701.7 kN in the first phase of the test, and in
increments of 133.6 up to 1870.4 kN in the second phase.
2.4.3 | Experimental results
2.4.3.1 | Evolution of cracking during the test
In the first phase of the test, the first cracks appeared in the
anchorage blister and were detected at the ninth load level
(Figure 12a). At the 10th load step, a longitudinal crack
appeared on the upper surface of the slab, in line with one
of the prestressing tendons, between blister and end block,
(Figure 12b) and then on the underside of the bottom slab.
In the second phase, new cracks were detected on the
underside of the bottom slab at the eighth load increase. At
the 12th load step, a longitudinal crack appeared on the
upper face of the slab, in line with the other prestressing
tendon, between the blister and end block. At this load step,
cracking was also detected on the upper face of the web.
Figure 13 shows the cracking at the end of the test.
2.4.3.2 | Results of parameters recorded throughout the test
The evolution of the blister displacements with the average
measured load is shown in Figure 14.
MARCHÃO ET AL. 341

FIGURE 15 Concrete surface relative displacements versus average load. (a) Relative displacement transducer 3 and (b) relative displacement transducer 5.

It should be noted that the applied load does not corre- • Strain gauges 20 and 22 have the highest strains as they
spond to the measured load because the load cells were are located near the crack that can be seen in
located in the anchorage blister and the posttensioning was Figure 13a.
applied at the opposite end. The difference between the two • Strain gauges 16, 18, 19, and 21 present similar strains
corresponds to the loss of prestressing force by friction because they are located in the legs of the stirrups
(approximately 7% of prestressing force). between the two tendons. Of these, strain gauges 19 and
As can be seen, the measured displacements decrease as 21 have the largest strains, since they are located on the
the transducer gets closer to the web. A residual displace- reinforcement that corresponds to tie 1 of tendon A (see
ment at the end of the first phase of the test can be seen.
Figure 15 presents the evolution of the relative displace-
ments on the concrete surface with the average load for rela-
tive displacement transducers 3 and 5, which recorded crack
openings >0.3 mm (see Figure 16).
The evolution of the strains in the reinforcing steel with
the average measured load is shown in Figure 17 for strain
gauges 16–22, which recorded the larger strain values. Their
locations are shown in Figure 18.
Although the strain values are not directly related to the
tensile force in the ties of the strut-and-tie models used in the
design, the steel reinforcement stresses do reveal the following:

• Strain gauges 16–22 have large strains because they are

located on the reinforcement that corresponds to tie 1 of
the strut-and-tie longitudinal models (see Figure 8),
which is the one with the largest tensile force. In this
case the ratio between the reinforcement adopted and
the reinforcement required is 1.0 and 1.3 for tendons A
and B, respectively.

FIGURE 17 Strain in reinforcing steel versus average measured load.

FIGURE 16 Locations of relative displacement transducers 3 and 5. (a) Strain gauges 16–18 and (b) strain gauges 19–22.
342 MARCHÃO ET AL.

FIGURE 18 Locations of strain gauges on anchorage blister reinforcement. (a) Section C-C, (b) section A-A, and (c) section B-B.
MARCHÃO ET AL.
TABLE 4 HPFRC blister specimen - Concrete characteristics
fccm (MPa)
OC 46.1
HPFRC 117.1
Figure 8), which is the one with the largest tensile force
and smallest ratio between the reinforcement adopted
and the reinforcement required.
2.5 | HPFRC blister specimen
2.5.1 | Specimen preparation
In this case only the blister was cast in HPFRC. The
remaining elements (bottom slab, web, and end block) were
cast in ordinary concrete. The strength class requested was
C30/37 and a reinforcing steel with a characteristic yield
stress fyk = 500 MPa and ductility class C was used.
In order to be able to cast the anchorage blister with a
different concrete from the web and bottom slab, it was nec-
essary to use an open-mesh metal sheet (type Hy-Rib from
Expamet Building Products) at the interface of the two ele-
ments. The characteristics of the materials on the date of the
tests are shown in Tables 3 and 4.
In Table 4, fccm refers to 150 mm cubes. The fctm value
for the OC (ordinary concrete) was calculated according to
EN1992-1-18 based on the value of the characteristic com-
pressive strength according to cylinder specimens. For the
HPFRC, fctm was calculated from the tensile splitting
strength using the relation presented in EN1992-1-18.
2.5.2 | Test procedure and measurements
Before casting, eight strain gauges (model TML, type FLA-
5-11-5L) were affixed to diametrically opposite sides of
selected reinforcing bars. The crack openings on the con-
crete surface were measured with TML relative displace-
ment transducers of types PI-2-50, PI-2-150, and PI-2-200
at the locations corresponding to the zones on the surface of
the specimen with the highest tensile stresses. Three CDP-
50 TML displacement transducers were used to measure the
FIGURE 19 Detail of monitoring equipment on anchorage blister.
343
fctm (MPa)
3.3
11.7
FIGURE 20 HPFRC blister specimen before testing.
displacement of the anchorage blister in relation to bottom
slab and web. The monitoring equipment on the anchorage
blister is shown in Figure 19.
This specimen was also tested rotated in relation to the
actual position, as shown in Figure 20.
Based on the experience of the first test, it was decided
to use nine 0.6-inch strands type prEN 10138-3(2006)
Y1860S7 in each tendon from the beginning. The tendons
were tensioned to 83.7% of the tensile strength—a value
that corresponded to the failure of the first wires. The pre-
stressing force was applied in increments of 125.1 kN up to
approximately 2,101.3 kN.
2.5.3 | Experimental results
2.5.3.1 | Evolution of cracking during the test
The first cracks appeared on the underside of the bottom
slab and on the anchorage blister, and were detected at the
11th load level. At the 14th load step, a longitudinal crack
appeared along the interface between slab and blister. At the
15th load step, a longitudinal crack appeared on the upper
surface of the slab, in line with one of the prestressing ten-
dons, between the blister and end block.
Figure 21 shows the appearance of the blister and of the
underside of the bottom slab at the end of the test.
2.5.3.2 | Results of parameters recorded throughout the test
The evolution of the blister displacements with the average
measured load is shown in Figure 22.
The largest measured crack widths correspond to rela-
tive displacement transducers 3, 4, 6, and 7 and are
<0.15 mm. The variation in the concrete surface relative
displacements with the average measured load for these
transducers is presented in Figure 23. The locations of the
transducers are shown in Figure 24.
2.6 | HPFRC precast blister specimen
2.6.1 | Specimen preparation
In the case of the HPFRC precast blister specimen, the
blister was cast before the slab and the web. To allow
the precast blister to settle in the reinforcement of the
bottom slab, simplifying its positioning during the casting
344 MARCHÃO ET AL.

FIGURE 21 Cracking at end of test. (a) On

anchorage blister and (b) on underside of
bottom slab.

FIGURE 22 Evolution of blister displacements with average measured load.

of the remaining model, its dimensions plus 15 mm were obtain a minimum thickness of 50 mm and avoid
considered corresponding to the concrete cover of the fractures.
web and bottom slab, as shown in Figure 25. Further, the The HPFRC blister was cast upside down, with the sur-
opposite region to the anchorage zone was chamfered to face that will connect to the slab on the top, because it was

FIGURE 23 Concrete surface relative displacements versus average load. (a) Relative displacement transducer 3, (b) relative displacement transducer
4, (c) relative displacement transducer 6, and (d) relative displacement transducer 7.
MARCHÃO ET AL. 345

FIGURE 24 Locations of relative displacement transducers 3, 4, 6, and 7.

FIGURE 25 Elevation on HPFRC precast blister specimen.

necessary to leave protruding reinforcement bars, to make TABLE 5 HPFRC precast blister specimen - Concrete characteristics
the subsequent connection to the bottom slab and web of fccm (MPa) fctm (MPa)
the model. OC 49.2 3.4
In the casting of the overall model, it was necessary to HPFRC 126.7 11.3
ensure the complete filling of the area under the anchorage
blister. Thus, vertical pipes were left in the blister so that intentionally roughened with a pneumatic chipping hammer,
any air that accumulated could escape, thus minimizing the as shown in Figure 26.
formation of air pockets at the surface between bottom slab The bottom slab, web, and end block of the specimen
and blister. were cast in ordinary concrete. The strength class requested
The surfaces in contact with the bottom slab and web was C30/37, that is, the same as for the reference specimen.
were a free surface and a surface cast against plywood The reinforcing steel had a characteristic yield stress fyk =
formwork, respectively. To increase the bond at the inter- 500 MPa and ductility class C. The concrete characteristics
face between the two concretes, these surfaces were on the date of the tests are shown in Table 5.

FIGURE 26 Concrete surface preparation.

346 MARCHÃO ET AL.

In Table 5, the concrete mean compressive strength fccm

refers to 150 mm cubes. The concrete tensile strength for
the OC was calculated according to EN 1992-1-18 based on
the value of the characteristic compressive strength accord-
ing to cylinder specimens. For the HPFRC, the tensile
strength was calculated from the tensile splitting strength
using the relation presented in EN 1992-1-1 8.
The mechanical characteristics of the reinforcing steel
were the same as for the other specimens and are shown in
Table 3.

2.6.2 | Test procedure and measurements

FIGURE 27 Cracking at 13th load level. (a) On underside of bottom slab
The measuring equipment was the same for the HPFRC pre-
and (b) on anchorage blister.
cast blister and the specimen was tested in the same position
as the others. In this case nine 0.6-inch strands type
prEN 10138-3(2006) Y1860S7 with a nominal cross
section of 150 mm2 were also used in each tendon, ten-
sioned to 89.7% of the tensile strength—corresponding to
the failure of the first wires. The prestressing force was
applied in increments of 125.1 kN up to approximately
2,251.4 kN.

2.6.3 | Experimental results

2.6.3.1 | Evolution of cracking during the test
The first cracks appeared on the anchorage blister and on
FIGURE 28 Cracking at interface between slab and blister at 14th load
the underside of the bottom slab (Figure 27) and were
level.
detected at the 13th load level.
At the 14th load step, a longitudinal crack appeared
along the interface between slab and blister, as shown in
Figure 28.
Figure 29 shows cracking between blister and end block
at the end of the test.

2.6.3.2 | Results of parameters recorded throughout the test

The evolution of the blister displacements with the average
measured load is shown in Figure 30.
Apparently, transducer 1 did not work properly up to a
load of 875 kN.
The measured crack widths were similar to the ones
FIGURE 29 Cracking between blister and end block at end of test.
obtained for the previous specimen, except for the crack

FIGURE 30 Evolution of blister displacements with average measured load.

MARCHÃO ET AL.
FIGURE 31 Concrete surface relative displacements versus average load.
between the anchorage blister and bottom slab, which
reached a width of approximately 0.3 mm, as can be seen in
Figure 31.
3 | CON CLU SION S
The HPFRC blister specimens showed a very similar behav-
ior during the test, satisfying all requirements regarding
serviceability and strength. The crack width did not exceed
0.3 mm for the maximum load achieved in the test, which
was 29% higher than the tensioning force of 1,512 kN.
Comparing the test results of the HPFRC blister speci-
mens, no significant difference regarding cracking was
observed, except for the crack that formed in the connection
between the blister and bottom slab. Measurements by the
relative displacement transducers in that zone showed that
the relative displacement become higher for the precast blis-
ter model from a load value of approximately 1,250 kN
onward.
Regarding the steel reinforcement, although the strain
values are not directly related to the tensile force in the
ties of the strut-and-tie models used for design but with
the steel reinforcement stress, in most cases the largest
strains were measured by the strain gauges located on the
reinforcement that corresponded to ties with the largest
tensile force. Considering the fact that the reinforcement
was undersized, yielding would be expected, which was
not confirmed (the measured strain values were all below
the steel yield strain) and was probably due to the exist-
ence of other reinforcement for constructional reasons
which can also contribute to the strength, and due to the
fact that the strut-and-tie models do not take into account
the tensile strength of the concrete.
The use of HPFRC in anchorage corner blisters is a
very interesting solution regarding the saving in materials
(35% saving in volume of concrete blister and approxi-
mately 17% steel reinforcement) and the reduction in the
density of the steel reinforcement near the local
347
anchorage zone, with the obvious advantages for concrete
quality.
The adoption of solutions with HPFRC precast blisters
avoids the need to mix and cast two different concretes on
site. This solution can be advantageous with regard to qual-
ity control in the execution of HPFRC blisters.
The use of HPFRC results in numerous advantages,
not only in blisters, but in all anchorage zones for post-
tensioning tendons and also in areas with important point
loads.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
The cooperation of and supply of materials by VSL, Con-
cremat, Secil, Comital, MC-Bauchemie, Sika, and Krampe-
Harex is gratefully acknowledged. The financial support of
FCT/MCTES, the Portuguese Foundation for Science and
Technology, under Research Grant SFRH/BD/46257/2008,
is greatly appreciated.
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348 MARCHÃO ET AL.

AUTHOR’S BIOGRAPHIES
Hans Rudolf Ganz
Ganz Consulting
Carla Marchão
Switzerland
Assistant Professor
hganz@sunrise.ch
CERIS/ICIST, Civil Engineering Dept.
Faculty of Sciences & Technology
Universidade NOVA de Lisboa
Caparica, Portugal
c.marchao@fct.unl.pt

Válter Lúcio
Associate Professor
CERIS/ICIST, Civil Engineering Dept.
Faculty of Sciences & Technology
How to cite this article: Marchão C, Lúcio V and
Universidade NOVA de Lisboa
Ganz HR. Optimization of anchorage corner blisters for
Caparica, Portugal
posttensioning tendons. Structural Concrete. 2017;
vjgl@fct.unl.pt
18:334–348. https://doi.org/10.1002/suco.201600057