Title: Industry survey results on the use of prestressing strand lifting loops
Date Published: July - August 2020
Volume: 65
Issue: 4
Page Numbers: 21 - 30
Authors: Sandip Chhetri, Rachel A. Chicchi, and Stephen Seguirant
https://doi.org/10.15554/pcij65.4-05

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Abstract

Cutoff or waste prestressing strands (ASTM A416/A416M) are often used to lift precast concrete elements at the casting yard and project site. These pieces of strands are mechanically bent into loops and cast into the concrete at the necessary embedment and projection above the surface to ensure safe lifting of the element. With limited guidance provided in codes and standards, precast concrete producers have primarily relied on previous practice and engineering judgment to design and detail safe lifting loops. A survey was administered in April 2019 as part of a Dennis R. Mertz Fellowship project to understand the typical strand lifting-loop practices among PCI-certified precast concrete producers. This paper presents a summary of the raw survey results based on 35 respondents. The survey shows general conformance to the recommendations of the PCI Design Handbook: Precast and Prestressed Concrete for ½ in. (13 mm) diameter strand loops but variability in many lifting-loop design parameters.