Note : Les descriptions sont présentées dans la langue officielle dans laquelle elles ont été soumises.
APPARATUS FOR REPAIRING A TENSION MEMBER
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED U.S. APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a non-provisional application that claims
priority from U.S.
provisional application 62/853,602, filed May 28, 2019, provisional
application 62/864,885,
filed June 21, 2019, and provisional application 62/930,686, filed November 5,
2019, each of
which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.
TECHNICAL FIELD/FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0002] The present disclosure relates generally to an apparatus for use
in post-tensioning
concrete.
BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0003] Many structures are built using concrete, including, for instance,
buildings, parking
structures, apaitments, condominiums, hotels, mixed-use structures, casinos,
hospitals,
medical buildings, government buildings, research/academic institutions,
industrial buildings,
malls, bridges, pavement, tanks, reservoirs, silos, foundations, sports
courts, and other
structures.
[0004] The concrete may be poured into a concrete form. The concrete
form may be a
form or mold to give shape to the concrete as the concrete sets or hardens
thus forming a
concrete member.
[0005] Prestressed concrete is structural concrete in which internal
stresses are introduced
to reduce potential tensile stresses in the concrete resulting from applied
loads; prestressing
may be accomplished by post-tensioned prestressing or pre-tensioned
prestressing. In post-
tensioned prestressing, a post-tensioning tendon embedded in the concrete is
tensioned after
the concrete has attained a specified strength. A post-tensioning tendon may
include for
example and without limitation, anchorages, the tension member, and sheathes
or ducts.
[0006] A post-tensioning tendon generally includes an anchorage at each end.
The tension
member is fixedly coupled to a fixed anchor positioned at one end of the post-
tensioning
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tendon, sometimes referred to as the "fixed-end" or "dead end" anchor, and is
stressed at the
other anchor, sometimes referred to as the "stressing-end" or "live end"
anchor.
[0007] The tension member may be constructed of a material that is suitable
for post-
tensioning, such as, for example, reinforcing steel or composite material in
the form of single
.. or multi-strand cable. A post-tensioning tension member is typically
provided in a protective
sheath. The sheath may be polymeric and may contain a protective fluid, such
as grease, in
addition to the tension member. The purpose of the sheath and protective
fluid, if present, is
to inhibit air, water, and other corrosive substances from contacting the
tension member.
[0008] The tension member is stressed by pulling the tension member
through the
stressing anchor; when the pulling force is released, the anchors grip the
tension member and
retain the tension member in tension. In some instances, the anchors grip the
tension member
using wedges, so that the gripping force increases when the tension on the
tension member
increases.
SUMMARY
[0009] A sheathing repair assembly for a tension member of a post-
tensioning tendon, the
tension member including a strand and a sheathing layer is disclosed. The
sheathing repair
assembly includes a repair tube having first and second end portions and a
first sealing
assembly. The first sealing assembly includes a first nut having a first
frustoconical surface
and a first forcing element adapted to cooperate with the first frustoconical
surface so as to
compress the first end portion of the repair tube. The sheathing repair
assembly also includes
a second sealing assembly having a second nut having a second frustoconical
surface and a
second forcing element adapted to cooperate with the second frustoconical
surface so as to
compress the second end portion of the repair tube.
[00010] In some embodiments, the first forcing element may be a cap. The cap
may
include a cap extension and an anchor-engaging end adapted to engage a
concrete anchor. At
least one forcing element may be a split seal.
[00011] In other embodiments, the first nut may be a female nut, the first
forcing element
may be a barbed ferrule, and the assembly may further include a male nut
configured to
mechanically couple to the female nut so as to urge the barbed ferrule toward
the first
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frustoconical surface. The sheathing repair assembly may further include a
seal between the
barbed ferrule and the female nut. The sheathing repair assembly may further
include a
washer between the seal and the male nut. Engagement of the male nut with the
female nut
may also urge the barbed ferrule into engagement with the sheathing layer.
[00012] The sheathing repair assembly may further include a long seal between
the repair
tube and the strand. The sheathing repair assembly may further include an
inner tube between
the long seal and the repair tube.
[00013] A method for repairing an unsheathed portion of a tension member, the
tension
member comprising a strand and a sheathing layer is disclosed. The method
includes
providing a sheathing repair assembly. The sheathing repair assembly includes
a repair tube
having first and second end portions and a first sealing assembly. The first
sealing assembly
includes a first nut having a first frustoconical surface and a first forcing
element adapted to
cooperate with the first frustoconical surface so as to compress the first end
portion of the
repair tube. The sheathing repair assembly also includes a second sealing
assembly having a
second nut having a second frustoconical surface and a second forcing element
adapted to
cooperate with the second frustoconical surface so as to compress the second
end portion of
the repair tube. The method also includes positioning the repair tube so as to
enclose the
unsheathed portion and positioning the first nut and the first forcing element
adjacent to the
first end portion. In addition, the method includes positioning the second nut
and the second
forcing element adjacent to the second end portion and compressing the first
end portion of the
repair tube between the first forcing element and the first frustoconical
surface. The method
also includes compressing the second end portion of the repair tube between
the second
forcing element and the second frustoconical surface.
[00014] In some embodiments, step a) may include providing a concrete anchor
and the
.. first forcing element may be a cap, the cap including a cap extension and
an anchor-engaging
end adapted to engage the concrete anchor, and the method may further include
a step of
mechanically coupling the anchor-engaging end to the concrete anchor. At least
one forcing
element may be a split seal.
[00015] In some embodiments, the first nut may be a female nut, the first
forcing element
may be a barbed ferrule, and the assembly may further include a male nut
configured to
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Date Recue/Date Received 2020-05-27
mechanically couple to the female nut so as to urge the barbed ferrule toward
the first
frustoconical surface. Step d) may include mechanically coupling the male nut
to the female
nut. The method may also include placing a seal between the barbed ferrule and
the female
nut. The method may further include placing a washer between the seal and the
male nut.
Engagement of the male nut with the female nut may urge the barbed ferrule
into engagement
with the sheathing layer.
[00016] A sheathing repair assembly for a tension member of a post-tensioning
tendon may
comprise an outer tube having first and second end portions, a tubular long
seal positioned
inside the outer tube, a first seal positioned in the first end portion of the
outer tube, a second
seal positioned in the second end portion of the outer tube, a first nut
retaining the first seal in
the first end portion of the outer tube, and a second nut retaining the second
seal in the second
end portion of the outer tube.
[00017] The sheathing repair assembly may further comprise an inner tube
positioned
between the outer tube and the tubular long seal. The first seal may be
configured such that
mechanically coupling the first nut to the outer tube causes the first seal to
fill an annular
space defined between the outer tube, the tubular long seal, the tension
member, and the first
nut, and the second seal may be configured such that mechanically coupling the
second nut to
the outer tube causes the second seal to fill an annular space defined between
the outer tube,
the tubular long seal, the tension member, and the second nut.
[00018] The outer tube may not have a longitudinal slit. The first and second
seals may
each have a longitudinal slit. The tubular long seal may have a longitudinal
slit.
[00019] The tension member may have an unsheathed portion and the tubular long
seal may
be long enough to fully cover the unsheathed portion. The tubular long seal
may be long
enough to extend beyond the unsheathed portion.
.. [00020] A method for repairing an unsheathed portion of a sheathed tension
member, may
comprise the steps of: a) providing a sheathing repair assembly comprising an
outer tube
having first and second end portions, a tubular long seal sized to fit onto
the tension member, a
first seal sized to fit onto the tension member, a second seal sized to fit
onto the tension
member, a first nut adapted to mechanically couple to one end portion, and a
second nut
adapted to mechanically couple to one end portion, b) positioning the tubular
long seal at the
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Date Recue/Date Received 2020-05-27
unsheathed portion, c) positioning the outer tube around the tubular long
seal, d) inserting the
first seal into the first end portion and coupling the first nut to the first
end portion so as to
retain the first seal therein, e) inserting the second seal into the second
end portion and
coupling the second nut to the second end portion so as to retain the second
seal therein. The
method may further include the step of positioning an inner tube between the
tubular long seal
and the outer tube before step d). The method may further include the step of
removing the
inner tube from between the tubular long seal and the outer tube before step
d).
[00021] In some embodiments, an assembly for use with a tension member for
post-
tensioning concrete may include an anchor body, an encapsulation, wherein the
encapsulation
at least partially encapsulates the anchor body and wherein the encapsulation
includes a rear
encapsulation extension and a front encapsulation extension, a rear nut
mechanically coupled
to the rear encapsulation extension, a cap mechanically coupled to the front
encapsulation
extension, the cap including a cap extension, a cover extending around a
portion of the tension
member, the cover being tubular and having a proximal end portion and a remote
end portion,
a coupler mechanically coupled to both the cap extension and the proximal end
portion, and a
remote nut mechanically coupled to the remote end portion.
[00022] The assembly may further include a rear seal positioned between the
rear
encapsulation extension and the tension member, a front seal positioned
between the cap
extension and the tension member, a proximal seal positioned between the
proximal end
portion and the tension member, and a remote seal positioned between the
remote end portion
and the tension member. The rear, front, proximal, and remote seals may each
be a split seal.
The rear, front, proximal, and remote seals may each be sized such that
tightening the rear nut,
coupler and remote nut to a desired degree deforms the rear, front, proximal,
and remote seals
such that there are substantially no internal voids in the assembly.
[00023] In some embodiments, the assembly may further include a rear seal
positioned
between the rear extension and the tension member and the rear seal may
include a head
compressed in an axial direction between the rear nut and rear encapsulation
extension.
[00024] In some embodiments, the assembly may further include a front seal
positioned
between the cap extension and the tension member, a proximal seal positioned
between the
proximal end portion and the tension member, and a tubular long seal
positioned between the
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Date Recue/Date Received 2020-05-27
tension member and the cover and the front seal and the proximal seal may each
include a
head compressed in an axial direction between the cap extension and the
tubular long seal.
[00025] In some embodiments, the assembly may further include a remote seal
positioned
between the remote end portion and the tension member and the rear seal may
include a head
compressed in an axial direction between the remote nut and the remote end
portion of the
cover.
[00026] In some embodiments, the coupler may mechanically couple to the cap
extension at
a first threaded interface and may mechanically couple to the proximal end
portion at a second
threaded interface. The second threaded interface may be reversed with respect
to the first
threaded interface.
[00027] The assembly may further include a cap seal disposed in an annular
groove formed
in the cap, wherein the cap seal engages at least one of the anchor body or
the encapsulation.
[00028] In some embodiments, a method for providing an intermediate anchor and
cover on
a tension member for post-tensioning concrete, may comprise the steps of a)
positioning
components of an intermediate anchor and cover assembly on the tension member
at desired
locations, the components comprising: an anchor body, an encapsulation,
wherein the
encapsulation at least partially encapsulates the anchor body and wherein the
encapsulation
includes a rear encapsulation extension and a front encapsulation extension, a
rear nut, a cap,
wherein the cap includes a cap extension, a cover, wherein the cover is
tubular and has a
proximal end portion and a remote end portion, a coupler; and a remote nut; b)
mechanically
coupling the cap to the front encapsulation extension; c) positioning a rear
seal between the
rear encapsulation extension and the tension member and mechanically coupling
the rear nut
to the rear encapsulation extension; d) positioning a front seal between the
cap extension and
the tension member; e) positioning a tubular long seal at a desired location
on the tension
member; f) positioning the cover around the tubular long seal; g) positioning
a proximal seal
between the proximal end portion and the tension member; h) mechanically
coupling the
coupler to the cap extension and the proximal end portion; and i) positioning
a remote seal
between the remote end portion and the tension member and mechanically
coupling the
remote nut to the remote end portion.
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Date Recue/Date Received 2020-05-27
[00029] In some embodiments, a kit for assembling an intermediate anchor and
cover
assembly for use with a tension member for post-tensioning concrete may
comprise: an anchor
body; an encapsulation, the encapsulation at least partially encapsulating the
anchor body and
including a rear encapsulation extension and a front encapsulation extension;
a rear nut
adapted to mechanically couple to the rear encapsulation extension; a cap
adapted to
mechanically couple to the front encapsulation extension, the cap including a
cap extension; a
cover adapted to extend around a portion of the tension member, the cover
being tubular and
having a proximal end portion and a remote end portion; a coupler adapted to
mechanically
couple to both the cap extension and the proximal end portion; and a rear nut
adapted to
mechanically couple to the remote end portion.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
[00030] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a sheathing repair assembly
consistent with at
least one embodiment of the present disclosure.
[00031] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of an anchor and cover system
consistent with at
least one embodiment of the present disclosure.
[00032] FIGS. 3 and 4 are enlarged cross-sections illustrating operation of
the anchor and
cover system of FIG. 2.
[00033] FIG. 5 is an enlarged cross-section illustrating another embodiment of
the present
disclosure.
[00034] FIG. 6 is an isometric view of a connection assembly consistent with
at least one
embodiment of the present disclosure.
[00035] FIG. 7 is an enlarged cross-section illustrating a connection assembly
consistent
with another embodiment of the present disclosure.
[00036] FIG. 8 is an enlarged cross-section illustrating a connection assembly
consistent
with another embodiment of the present disclosure.
[00037] FIG. 9 is an enlarged cross-section illustrating a connection assembly
consistent
with another embodiment of the present disclosure.
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Date Recue/Date Received 2020-05-27
[00038] FIG. 10 is an exploded view of a sealing assembly consistent with
certain
embodiments of the present disclosure that is adapted for use with an anchor,
such as an
intermediate post tensioning anchor
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[00039] Referring to FIG. 1, sheathing repair assembly 10 in accordance with
some
embodiments may include an outer tube 44 having first end portion 51 and
second end portion
52, a tubular long seal 46, first and second seals 42, 43 positioned in first
and second end
portions 51, 52 of outer tube 44, respectively, and first and second nuts 40,
41 each retaining
first and second seals 42, 43 first and second end portions 51, 52 of outer
tube 44. Sheathing
repair assembly 10 may be used to repair a tension member such as tension
member 27 where
sheathing 29 is damaged or discontinuous. In one embodiment, sheathing repair
assembly 10
includes inner tube 56. In another embodiment, sheathing repair assembly 10
does not include
inner tube 56.
[00040] The components of the sheathing repair assembly 10 may be fully or
partially pre-
assembled prior to delivery to the pour site or may be assembled at the pour
site.
[00041] Outer tube 44 may be made of an elastomeric polymer. Outer tube 44 may
be
positioned over tension member 27 by sliding outer tube 44 from an end of
tension member 27
to a location on tension member 27. In some embodiments, each end portion 51,
52 of outer
.. tube 44 may include engagement feature 54, such as threads, bayonet tabs or
a groove or
ridge, to facilitate engagement with first and second nuts 40, 41. In some
embodiments, outer
tube 44 may be provided without engagement feature 54. In some embodiments,
the inside
diameter of outer tube 44 may be greater than the outside diameter of tubular
long seal 46. In
some embodiments, the inside diameter of outer tube 44 may be less than the
outside diameter
of tubular long seal 46. In some embodiments, the inside diameter of outer
tube 44 may be
substantially the same as the outside diameter of tubular long seal 46.
[00042] Tubular long seal 46 may be made of elastomeric polymer and may
include a
compressible elastomer. Tubular long seal 46 may be split longitudinally.
Tubular long seal
46 may be applied from the side of tension member 27 by passing the tension
member through
the slit, so that access to the end of tension member 27 is not required.
Tubular long seal 46
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Date Recue/Date Received 2020-05-27
may be sized to receive tension member 27 therein. In some embodiments, the
inside
diameter of tubular long seal 46 may be less than the outside diameter of
tension member 27
so that the inner surface of tubular long seal 46 conforms to the outer
surface of tension
member 27. In some embodiments, the inside diameter of tubular long seal 46
may be
.. substantially the same as the outside diameter of tension member 27.
[00043] Optional inner tube 56 may be made of an elastomeric or non-
elastomeric polymer,
or a metal. In one embodiment, inner tube 56 may have a longitudinal split and
may be
applied from the side of the tension member. In another embodiment, inner tube
56 may have
no split and may be positioned on the tension member by sliding inner tube 56
from the end of
the tension member to a desired position. At least one end portion of inner
tube 56 may
include a hole, tab, or other feature to facilitate movement of inner tube 56.
Inner tube 56 may
be applied to the outside of tubular long seal 46 after tubular long seal 46
is applied to the
tension member 27 and before outer tube 44 is applied to the outside of
tubular long seal 46.
Inner tube 56 may facilitate the passage of tubular long seal 46 into outer
tube 44. Inner tube
56 may protect tubular long seal 46 until outer tube 44 is applied to the
outside of tubular long
seal 46. The inside diameter of inner tube 56 may be substantially the same as
or less than the
outside diameter of tubular long seal 46. The outside diameter of inner tube
56 may be
substantially the same as the inside diameter of outer tube 44. The outside
diameter of inner
tube 56 may be less than the inside diameter of outer tube 44.
[00044] First and second seals 42, 43 may be made of elastomeric polymer and
may be split
longitudinally. First and second seals 42, 43 may be applied from the side of
tension member
27 by passing tension member 27 through the slit, so that access to the end of
tension member
27 is not required.
[00045] Each of first and second nuts 40, 41 may mechanically engage outer
tube 44 at
engagement feature 54, if present, and may include corresponding internal
threads, bayonet
tabs or a ridge or groove. In some embodiments, first and second nuts 40, 41
may be self-
tapping nuts that create threads when threaded onto outer tube 44. In some
embodiments,
each of first and second nuts 40, 41 is a threaded or self-tapping nut engaged
with outer tube
44.
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Date Recue/Date Received 2020-05-27
[00046] When assembled, sheathing repair assembly 10 defines a longitudinal
passage that
is adapted to receive tension member 27 and to sealingly engage the outer
surface thereof.
The presence of sheathing repair assembly 10 on tension member 27 seals the
portion of
tension member 27 that is within the assembly, i.e. between first and second
nuts 40, 41. In
each embodiment and each method described herein, repairing a tension member
sheath may
include re-sheathing to prevent the ingress of fluid into tension member 27.
[00047] Referring now to FIG. 2, in another embodiment, intermediate anchor
and cover
assembly 100 may include rear nut 24, anchor body 12, encapsulation 13, cap
21, coupler 70,
cover 74, and remote nut 72. As illustrated, intermediate anchor and cover
assembly 100 may
be adapted to be received on tension member 27. Tension member 27 may include
sheathing
29. A portion of sheathing 29 may be damaged or absent from the portion of the
tension
member 27 that passes through intermediate anchor and cover assembly 100.
[00048] Anchor body 12 may be encapsulated in encapsulation 13. Anchor body 12
may
have an anchor body bore extending therethrough and adapted to receive a
tension member
such as tension member 27. Anchor body 12 may include frustoconical inner
surface 11 on
which plurality of wedges 15 may seat when tensioning tension member 27
extending through
anchor body 12.
[00049] Encapsulation 13 may have rear surface 14 and front surface 23. Rear
surface 14
may include rear encapsulation extension 30 extending outwardly therefrom.
Rear
encapsulation extension 30 may include an inner bore coaxially aligned with
the anchor body
bore. Rear encapsulation extension 30 may be tubular. Rear encapsulation
extension 30 may
or may not be tapered and may or may not include external engagement feature
31, such as
threads or bayonet tabs or a groove or ridge for securing a snap-fit. The
inside diameter of
rear encapsulation extension 30 may be greater than the outside diameter of
tension member
27 or sheathing 29 so as to define an annular space therewith.
[00050] Rear seal 26 may sealingly engage rear encapsulation extension 30.
Rear seal 26
may be a split seal having a longitudinal split that enables rear seal 26 to
be applied to a
tension member from the side, i.e. without requiring access to the tension
member end. Rear
seal 26 may be made of metal or of a soft elastomer, rubber, silicone, or
other suitably
deformable sealing material. Rear seal 26 may be sized to fit in the annular
space between
Date Recue/Date Received 2020-05-27
rear encapsulation extension 30 and tension member 27. In some embodiments,
rear seal 26
may have rear seal body 36 and rear seal head 37. The outside diameter of rear
seal body 36
may be the same as or smaller than the inside diameter of rear encapsulation
extension 30 so
that rear seal 26 may be applied to the side of tension member 27 and then
slid along tension
member 27 and into the annular space between rear encapsulation extension 30
and tension
member 27.
[00051] Rear nut 24 may be provided to retain rear seal 26. Rear nut 24 may
engage rear
encapsulation extension 30 at external engagement feature 31, if present, and
may include
corresponding internal threads, bayonet tabs or a ridge or groove. In some
embodiments, rear
encapsulation extension 30 may be provided without an engagement feature and
rear nut 24
may be a self-tapping nut that creates threads when it is threaded onto rear
encapsulation
extension 30. Rear seal 26 may be sized to have a volume greater than the
volume of the
annular space between rear encapsulation extension 30 and tension member 27 so
that when
rear nut 24 is fully engaged on rear encapsulation extension 30, rear seal 26
is compressed into
a volume that is smaller than it would otherwise occupy. Rear seal head 37 may
be
compressed in an axial direction between rear nut 24 and rear encapsulation
extension 30.
Rear seal 26 may be formed of a deformable material that conforms to the shape
of the annular
space so that when rear nut 24 is fully engaged on rear encapsulation
extension 30 there are no
unfilled voids between anchor body 12 and rear nut 24.
[00052] Front surface 23 of encapsulation 13 may include front encapsulation
extension 32
extending outwardly therefrom, Front encapsulation extension 32 may be annular
and may
include an inner bore coaxially aligned with the anchor body bore. Front
encapsulation
extension 32 may or may not include internal threads or bayonet tabs or a
groove or ridge for
securing a snap-fit.
[00053] Cap 21 may releasably engage front encapsulation extension 32 by, for
example,
friction fit, threads, or bayonet connection. Cap 21 may include engagement
interface 39, cap
extension 38, and inner bore that may align with the anchor body bore.
Engagement interface
39 may releasably engage front encapsulation extension 32 at the internal
threads or bayonet
tabs or groove or ridge thereon, if present, and may include corresponding
external threads,
bayonet tabs or a ridge or groove.
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Date Recue/Date Received 2020-05-27
[00054] Cap seal 17 may be disposed in an annular groove formed in cap 21 such
that cap
seal 17 sealingly engages at least one of anchor body 12 or encapsulation 13
when cap 21 is
fully engaged on front encapsulation extension 32. Cap seal 17 may be annular
or toroidal,
and may be, for example, an 0-ring.
.. [00055] Cap extension 38 may be tubular. The inner surface of cap extension
38 may be
tapered and the outer surface of cap extension 38 may include external
engagement feature 86,
such as threads or bayonet tabs or a groove or ridge for securing a snap-fit.
The inside
diameter of cap extension 38 may be greater than the outside diameter of
tension member 27
so as to define an annular space therewith.
[00056] Front seal 20 may sealingly engage cap extension 38. Front seal 20 may
be a split
seal having a longitudinal split that enables front seal 20 to be applied to a
tension member 27
from the side, i.e. without requiring access to the tension member end. Front
seal 20 may be
made of metal or of a soft elastomer, rubber, silicone, or other suitably
deformable sealing
material. Front seal 20 may be sized to fit in the annular space between cap
extension 38 and
tension member 27. Front seal 20 may have body 25 and head 28. The outside
diameter of
body 25 may be the same as or smaller than the inside diameter of cap
extension 38 so that
front seal 20 may be applied to the side of tension member 27 and then slid
along the tension
member and into the annular space between cap extension 38 and tension member
27.
[00057] Coupler 70 may be configured to be rotated about tension member 27.
Coupler 70
.. may mechanically couple to cap extension 38. Coupler 70 may retain front
seal 20.
Alternatively or in addition, coupler 70 may compress front seal 20. In some
embodiments,
coupler 70 may engage cap extension 38 at external engagement feature 86, if
present, and
may include corresponding internal threads, bayonet tabs or a ridge or groove.
In some
embodiments, cap extension 38 may be provided without an engagement feature
and coupler
70 may be a self-tapping nut that creates threads as it is threaded onto cap
extension 38.
[00058] In addition to engaging cap 21, coupler 70 may mechanically couple to
cover 74.
Cover 74 may be a split tube, i.e. able to be applied from the side of tension
member 27.
Cover 74 may fit around a tubular long seal 46, which may extend along a
portion of the
tension member. Cover 74 may be longer than tubular long seal 46, so that the
ends of cover
74 extend beyond the ends of tubular long seal 46, leaving an annular space
between each end
12
Date Recue/Date Received 2020-05-27
portion of cover 74 and tension member 27. While cover 74 may be essentially
symmetric,
when applied as part of intermediate anchor and cover assembly 100, cover 74
will have
proximal end portion 71 and remote end portion 73.
[00059] Proximal end portion 71 and remote end portion 73 may each include
external
engagement features 84, 96, respectively, such as threads, bayonet tabs,
grooves, or ridges, to
facilitate engagement with coupler 70 and remote nut 72, respectively. In some
embodiments,
one or both ends 51, 52 of outer tube 44 may be provided without an engagement
feature and
one or both of coupler 70 and remote nut 72 may include self-tapping threads.
[00060] In some embodiments, proximal end portion 71 of cover 74 may include
external
.. threads that are reverse threads relative to external threads on cap
extension 38 so that rotation
of coupler 70 in one direction about tension member 27 will draw cover 74 and
cap extension
38 together and rotation of coupler 70 in the other direction about tension
member 27 will
push cover 74 and cap extension 38 apart.
[00061] A proximal seal 80 and a remote seal 90 may be positioned in the
annular spaces
between tension member 27 and proximal end portion 71 and remote end portion
73,
respectively. Proximal seal 80 may include a head 88 and a body 82. Remote
seal 90 may
include head 98 and body 92.
[00062] In some embodiments, proximal seal 80 may sealingly engage proximal
end portion
71 and remote seal 90 may sealingly engage remote end portion 73. Proximal
seal 80 and
.. remote seal 90 may each be a split seal having a longitudinal split that
enables the seal to be
applied to a tension member from the side, i.e. without requiring access to
the tension member
end. Proximal seal 80 and remote seal 90 may each be made of metal or of a
soft elastomer,
rubber, silicone, or other suitably deformable sealing material. The outside
diameter of each
proximal seal 80 and remote seal 90 may be the same as or smaller than the
inside diameter of
.. cover 74 so that each seal may be applied to the side of tension member 27
and then slid along
the tension member and into the respective annular space between cover 74 and
tension
member 27.
[00063] Like rear seal 26, each seal, 20, 80, 90 (front, proximate, and
remote) may be sized to
have a volume greater than the volume of the annular space into which it fits
so that assembly
.. of intermediate anchor and cover assembly 100 causes each seal to be
compressed into a
13
Date Recue/Date Received 2020-05-27
volume that is smaller than it would otherwise occupy. Each seal 20, 80, 90
may be formed of
a deformable material such that when intermediate anchor and cover assembly
100 is fully
engaged as described below, there are no substantially unfilled voids between
cap 21, coupler
70, proximal end portion 71 of cover 74 and tension member 27 or between
remote end
portion 73 of cover 74, remote nut 72, and tension member 27.
[00064] Head 28 of front seal 20 and head 88 of proximal seal 80 may both be
compressed in
an axial direction between the ends of cap extension 38 and tubular long seal
46. Head 98 of
remote seal 90 may be compressed in an axial direction between remote nut 72
and remote end
portion 73 of cover 74.
[00065] The components of the intermediate anchor and cover assembly 100 may
be fully or
partially pre-assembled prior to delivery to the pour site or may be assembled
at the pour site.
Operation
[00066] In some embodiments, rear nut 24, anchor body 12 (including
encapsulation 13, if
present), cap 21, coupler 70, cover 74, and remote nut 72 may be applied to
tension member
27 at an end of the tension member 27 and slid along the tension member to the
desired
location.
[00067] Some or all of the components of intermediate anchor and cover
assembly 100
may be pre-assembled prior to delivery to the pour site or may be assembled at
the pour site.
For example, components of intermediate anchor and cover assembly 100 that are
adapted to
be mechanically coupled, such as rear nut 24 and rear encapsulation extension
30, may be
provided in either a coupled or decoupled state. Seals 26, 20, 80, and 90 may
be but are not
necessarily included in the pre-assembly. If included, seals 26, 20, 80, and
90 may be
removed before initiation of installation steps.
[00068] Because intermediate anchor and cover assembly 100 may be used at the
interface
between a first concrete pour and a second, adjacent concrete pour, portions
of intermediate
anchor and cover assembly 100 may be installed before the first pour and
portions of
intermediate anchor and cover assembly 100 may be installed between the first
and second
pours. Tension member 27 extends through both concrete pours. Anchor body 12
(including
encapsulation 13, if present) may be embedded in the first pour and a front
encapsulation
14
Date Recue/Date Received 2020-05-27
extension 32 may be shielded by a pocket former (not shown), a removable cap
such as cap
21, or the like so as to be exposed between the first and second pours,
allowing for connection
of cap 21 and the remainder of intermediate anchor and cover assembly 100.
[00069] In some embodiments, rear nut 24, anchor body 12 (including
encapsulation 13, if
present), and cap 21 may be positioned, such as at a concrete form that will
contain the first
pour. Anchor body 12 may be affixed to the concrete form with, for example,
fasteners that
may be placed through holes in encapsulation 13. If coupled to rear
encapsulation extension
30, rear nut 24 may be decoupled therefrom. Rear seal 26 may be applied and
slid along
tension member 27 and into the space between rear encapsulation extension 30
and tension
member 27. Rear nut 24 may then be recoupled to rear encapsulation extension
30, thereby
compressing at least a portion of rear seal 26 and sealing the rear of the
intermediate anchor.
[00070] The first concrete pour may then be made. Once the first concrete pour
has cured
sufficiently, the concrete form may be removed. Cap 21 may be decoupled from
anchor body
12 or encapsulation 13 and slid along tension member 27 so as to allow access
to the anchor
body bore. More specifically, access to inner surface 11 is provided so that
wedges 15 may be
seated thereon prior to tensioning the tension member 27. Once wedges 15 are
seated and
tension member 27 has been tensioned, cap 21 may be recoupled to the anchor
body 12 or
encapsulation 13. The portion of tension member 27 extending outwardly from
anchor body
12 through cap 21 may or may not be sheathed or, if sheathed, may include a
section of
damaged sheathing.
[00071] Referring now to FIGS. 3 and 4, with cap 21 recoupled to the anchor,
front seal 20
may be slid into the space between cap 21 and tension member 27. At another
point along
tension member 27, proximal seal 80 may be slid into the space between cover
74 and tension
member 27. Cover 74, proximal seal 80 and coupler 70 may be slid along tension
member 27
as indicated by the arrow in FIG. 3 and positioned such that coupler 70 is
between and
adjacent to the end of cap extension 38 and the proximal end portion 71 of
cover 74. The
internal engagement mechanism of coupler 70 is positioned to engage the
external engagement
mechanisms of cap 21 and cover 74. In some embodiments, because proximal end
portion 71
is reverse-threaded, rotation of coupler 70 may draw cover 74 toward cap 21,
as indicated by
the arrows in FIG. 4. Coupler 70 may be tightened to a desired torque or until
seal heads 28,
Date Recue/Date Received 2020-05-27
88 are compressed to a desired degree, as illustrated in FIG. 2. Thus, coupler
70 may
mechanically couple to cap extension 38 at a first threaded interface and
mechanically couple
to proximal end portion 71 at a second threaded interface, where the second
threaded interface
is reversed with respect to the first threaded interface.
[00072] Tubular long seal 46 may be applied with the afore-mentioned
components or may
be applied separately from the side of the tension member at a desired
location or slid along
the tension member to a desired location. In some embodiments, tubular long
seal 46 may be
long enough to fully cover and, optionally, extend beyond an unsheathed
portion of tension
member 27 or, if a portion of sheathing 29 has been removed, tubular long seal
46 may be
positioned between the ends of the sheathing 29. With tubular long seal 46 in
place between
tension member 27 and cover 74, remote seal 90 may be inserted between tension
member 27
and remote end portion 73 of cover 74 and remote nut 72 can be tightened into
engagement
with remote end portion 73 to a desired torque or so as to compress remote
seal 90 to a desired
degree.
[00073] An inner tube 56 may be applied to the outside of tubular long seal 46
after tubular
long seal 46 is applied to the tension member 27 and before or after tubular
long seal 46 is
positioned at the unsheathed portion thereof. Inner tube 56 may already be
present on tension
member 27 or may be applied from the end of tension member 27.
[00074] With rear nut 24, coupler 70 and remote nut 72 each, intermediate
anchor and
cover assembly 100 may be considered fully assembled. In some embodiments, in
the fully
assembled state, intermediate anchor and cover assembly 100 may include no
internal voids.
In some embodiments, in the fully assembled state, intermediate anchor and
cover assembly
100 may provide a fluid-tight seal along the entire portion of tension member
27 that is
enclosed therein.
[00075] When assembled, intermediate anchor and cover assembly 100 defines a
longitudinal passage that is adapted to receive a tension member and to
sealingly engage the
outer surface thereof. The presence of the intermediate anchor and cover
assembly 100 on
tension member 27 seals the portion of the tension member that is within the
assembly, i.e.
between each adjacent pair of seals. Thus, portions of tension member 27 for
which sheathing
29 may be damaged or lacking, along with anchor body 12 and wedges 15, can be
sealed
16
Date Recue/Date Received 2020-05-27
against fluid intrusion. In each embodiment and each method described herein,
repairing a
tension member may include re-sheathing the portion of the tension member that
is within
intermediate anchor and cover assembly 100 to prevent the ingress of fluid
into the tension
member 27.
Sealing Assemblies
[00076] In certain embodiments, a sheathing repair assembly may include two
sealing
assemblies 200. As shown in FIG. 5, sealing assembly 200 is shown in
combination with a
tension member 27. Part of tension member 27 is enclosed in sheathing 29.
Sealing assembly
200 may include male nut 210, female nut 230, and forcing element 250, and may
be provided
in conjunction with repair tube 274. In some embodiments, sealing assembly 200
may also
include proximal seal 80 as described above.
[00077] Male nut 210 has first end portion 212, second end portion 214 and
central bore
213 therethrough. The outer surface of first end portion 212 includes at least
one male thread
218. As shown in FIG. 6, the outside surface of male nut 210 may include one
or more radial
tabs 219 to facilitate rotation of male nut 210.
[00078] Female nut 230 has first end portion 232 and second end portion 234.
The inner
surface of first end portion 232 includes at least one female thread 238.
Female thread 238
corresponds to and is adapted to engage male thread 218 so as to mechanically
couple female
nut 230 to male nut 210. In some embodiments, threads 218, 238 may be
configured so as to
couple nuts 210, 230 with one relative rotation or less. In some embodiments,
threads 218,
238 may be replaced with, for example and without limitation, a bayonet
connector, plastically
deformable tabs, or a friction fit.
[00079] The inner surface of second end portion 234 includes a frustoconical
inner surface
that defines a forcing cone 236. The diameter of forcing cone 236 diminishes
in the direction
away from first end portion 232. Referring briefly to FIG. 6, the outside of
female nut 230
may include one or more radial tabs 239 to facilitate rotation.
[00080] Forcing element 250 is adapted to serve as an expansion element,
whereby
insertion of forcing element 250 to an end of repair tube 274 causes radial
expansion thereof.
Forcing element 250 may be a barbed ferrule may have a frustoconical outer
surface 252 and
central bore 251 corresponding to central bore 213 of male nut 210. Outer
surface 252 may be
17
Date Recue/Date Received 2020-05-27
smooth or may include a friction device 254 on its outer surface 252. Friction
device 254 may
include, for example and without limitation, barbs, grooves or a roughened
surface. In some
embodiments, outer surface 252 of forcing element 250 may also include an
optional
circumferential groove 257. Groove 257 may be closer to the large end of
forcing element
250 and may be adapted to receive seal 258. Seal 258 may be an 0-ring. Seal
258 may be
made of polymer or metal or any suitable material.
[00081] In some embodiments washer 260 may be positioned between forcing
element 250
and first end portion 212 of male nut 210. In some embodiments, a portion of
forcing element
250 is between washer 260 and seal 258; in other embodiments, forcing element
250 is
configured such that washer 260 is adjacent to seal 258. Washer 260, if
present, facilitates
rotation, including rotation of male nut 210 relative to forcing element 250.
In some
embodiments, female nut 230, forcing element 250, washer 260, and seal 258 may
be provided
as a preassembled unit, or cartridge. Washer 260 may be made of polymer or
metal or any
suitable material.
[00082] In some embodiments, at least one end of repair tube 274 may include
expansion
portion 275. Expansion portion 275 may optionally include one or more of the
following
features: a tapered wall thickness, a flared wall diameter, longitudinal slots
or grooves, and
one or more internal or external friction devices. Before insertion of forcing
element 250, the
diameter of expansion portion 275 may be the same as or greater than the
diameter of the rest
.. of repair tube 274.
[00083] Repair tube 274 may include sealing assembly 200 at each end 276. In
such
instances, repair tube 274 may include expansion portion 275 at each end 276.
A repair
assembly may include repair tube 274, and two sealing assemblies 200 that each
include male
nut 210, female nut 230, and forcing element 250.
.. [00084] According to some embodiments, when it is desired to enclose a
defect in a
sheathing layer on a tension member 27, a repair assembly may be positioned at
the desired
location along tension member 27. For example, a repair assembly may be
positioned such
that the two sealing assemblies 200 are positioned on tension member 27 with
the defect
between the two sealing assemblies 200 and the repair tube 274 spanning the
defect. Each
sealing assembly 200 may be actuated by inserting the narrow end of forcing
element 250 into
18
Date Recue/Date Received 2020-05-27
an end of repair tube 274. In certain embodiments, where female nut 230,
forcing element
250, washer 260, and seal 258 are provided as a preassembled unit, the pre-
assembled unit
may be slid along the outside of tension member 27 and into engagement with
repair tube 274.
Insertion of forcing element 250 into end of repair tube 274 may expand the
end of repair tube
.. 274 radially outward. Male nut 210 may then be coupled to female nut 230 by
engaging
threads 218, 238. Sealing assembly 200 may be configured such that when
threads 218, 238
are fully engaged, the end of repair tube 274 is compressed between forcing
cone 236 and the
outer surface 252 of forcing element 250. If a seal 258 is present, engagement
of threads 218,
238 may also compress seal 258.
[00085] In certain embodiments, a sheathing repair assembly may include two
sealing
assemblies 300. FIG. 7 depicts sealing assembly 300, which is adapted for use
with an anchor
such as an intermediate post-tensioning concrete anchor. Sealing assembly 300
may include
female nut 330, repair tube 374, and cap 321. Cap 321 may have anchor-engaging
end 322
including engagement interface 339, outwardly extending cap extension 333, and
sealing end
323. As described above with respect to FIG. 2, an intermediate post-
tensioning concrete
anchor may include anchor body 12 having encapsulation 13 and front
encapsulation
extension 32. As described above with respect to FIG. 5, one or both ends 376
of repair tube
374 may include expansion portion 375.
[00086] Anchor-engaging end 322 of cap 321 may releasably engage front
encapsulation
extension 32 by any suitable means including but not limited to friction fit,
threads, or bayonet
connection. Engagement interface 339 may releasably engage front encapsulation
extension
32 at the internal threads or bayonet tabs or groove or ridge thereon, if
present, and may
include corresponding external threads, bayonet tabs or a ridge or groove. A
cap seal 317 may
be disposed in an annular groove formed in cap 321 such that cap seal 317
sealingly engages
.. at least one of anchor body 12 or encapsulation 13 when cap 21 is coupled
to front
encapsulation extension 32. Cap seal 317 may be annular or toroidal, and may
be, for
example, an 0-ring.
[00087] Cap extension 333 may be generally tubular and may be adapted to serve
as a forcing
element. The inner surface of cap extension 333 may include a central bore
313. The portion
of cap extension 333 adjacent to sealing end 323 may include a wedging portion
350 having a
19
Date Recue/Date Received 2020-05-27
frustoconical outer surface 352. Frustoconical outer surface 352 may include a
friction device,
which may include, for example, barbs, grooves or a roughened surface.
Frustoconical outer
surface 352 may be configured such that frustoconical outer surface 352 may be
inserted into
an end of repair tube 274 so as to cause a partial radial expansion thereof.
[00088] The outer surface of cap extension 333 may also include an external
engagement
feature 318 between wedging portion 350 and anchor-engaging end 322. In the
illustrated
embodiment, engagement feature 318 includes threads, but in other embodiments
engagement
feature 318 may include, for example, a bayonet coupling or a groove or ridge
for securing a
snap-fit.
[00089] Female nut 330 may include at least one female thread 338. Female
thread 338
may correspond to and be adapted to engage engagement feature 318, such as a
male thread so
as to mechanically couple female nut 330 to cap 321. In some embodiments,
threads 318, 338
may be configured so as to couple female nut 330 to cap 321 with one relative
rotation or less.
In some embodiments, threads 218, 238 may be replaced with, for example, a
bayonet
connector, plastically deformable tabs, or a friction fit.
[00090] Female nut 330 may also include a frustoconical inner surface that
defines forcing
cone 336. Forcing cone 336 may be configured to cooperate with frustoconical
outer surface
352 of cap 321 so as to compress an end of repair tube 374 when female nut 330
is coupled to
cap 321. In some embodiments, the outside of female nut 330 may include one or
more radial
tabs) to facilitate rotation of female nut 330.
[00091] Second female nut 360 may be adapted to mechanically couple to rear
encapsulation extension 30 of an anchor. Female nut 360 may be provided with
an internal
coupling feature 362 and rear encapsulation extension 30 may be provided with
a
corresponding external coupling feature 368. In the illustrated embodiment,
coupling features
362, 368 are shown as threads, but coupling features 362, 368 could be, for
example, a
bayonet coupling or a groove or ridge for securing a snap-fit. In some
embodiments, coupling
features 362, 368 may be configured so as to couple second female nut 360 to
rear
encapsulation extension 30 with one relative rotation or less. In some
embodiments, a
longitudinally split seal that enables the seal to be applied to a tension
member from the side
Date Recue/Date Received 2020-05-27
in the manner described above with respect to proximal seal 80 and remote seal
90 may be
included between female nut 360 and rear encapsulation extension 30.
[00092] In certain embodiments, a sheathing repair assembly may include two
sealing
devices 400. FIG. 8 depicts sealing devices 400 that includes female nut 430,
forcing element
480, and repair tube 474. Female nut 430 may be a self-tapping nut that is
adapted to create a
sealed, threaded coupling with the outside of repair tube 474. Forcing element
480 may be a
split seal and may be adapted to serve as a forcing element. Forcing element
480 may have a
tapered outer surface that cooperates with an inner surface of female nut 430
to compress an
end of repair tube 474 therebetween when female nut 430 is coupled to repair
tube 474.
[00093] FIG. 9 depicts sealing device 500 that includes female nut 530, split
seal 580,
tubular long seal 546, optional inner tube 556, and repair tube 574. Female
nut 530 may be a
self-tapping nut that is adapted to create a sealed, threaded coupling with
the outside of repair
tube 574. Split seal 580 may be adapted to serve as a forcing element. Split
seal 580 may
have a tapered outer surface that cooperates with an inner surface of female
nut 530 to
compress an end of repair tube 574 therebetween when female nut 530 is coupled
to repair
tube 574. Long seal 546 and inner tube 556 may be as described above with
respect to long
seal 46 and inner tube 56.
[00094] FIG. 10 depicts sealing assembly 600 consistent with certain
embodiments of the
present disclosure that is adapted for use with an anchor, such as
intermediate post tensioning
anchor 690. Sealing assembly 600 includes first sealing device 640 and second
sealing device
660. First sealing device 640 may include female nut 642, male nut 646, split
seal 648,
mandrel/pocket former 647, gasket 649, and repair tube 644.
[00095] Split seal 648 may include a longitudinal split that enables
split seal 648 to be
applied to a tension member 27 from the side, i.e. without requiring access to
the tension
.. member end. Split seal 648 may be made of metal or of a soft elastomer,
rubber, silicone, or
other suitably deformable sealing material. Split seal 648 may be sized to fit
in the annular
space between female nut 642 and tension member 27.
[00096] Intermediate post tensioning anchor 690 may include anchor body 691
covered by
encapsulation 693, having encapsulation extension 692. The combination of
split seal 648,
21
Date Recue/Date Received 2020-05-27
female nut 642, and encapsulation extension may form a seal. Back end 695 of
anchor body
691 is adapted to receive gasket 649 and mandrel/pocket former 647.
[00097] Second sealing device 660 may be formed as described above with
respect to FIGs.
and 6, having male nut 670, forcing element 672, and two split seals 674, 676
positioned on
5 either side of forcing element 672. Female nut 678 fits with male nut
670, as described with
respect to FIG. 6.
[00098] When assembled, sealing assemblies 200, 300, 600, and sealing devices
400, 500
each define a longitudinal passage that is adapted to receive a tension member
and sealingly
engage the outer surface thereof. The presence of a sealing assembly 200, 300
or sealing
device 400, 500 on tension member 27 seals the portion of the tension member
that is within
the assembly, e.g., between male nut 210 and female nut 230. In each
embodiment and each
method described herein, repair of a sheathing layer may be for the purpose of
re-sealing a
sheath that has become damaged or replacement of a sheathing layer on a
portion of strand
from which the sheathing has been removed.
[00099] In some embodiments, an assembly for use with a tension member for
post-
tensioning concrete may include an anchor body, an encapsulation, wherein the
encapsulation
at least partially encapsulates the anchor body and wherein the encapsulation
includes a rear
encapsulation extension and a front encapsulation extension, a rear nut
mechanically coupled
to the rear encapsulation extension, a cap mechanically coupled to the front
encapsulation
extension, the cap including a cap extension, a cover extending around a
portion of the tension
member, the cover being tubular and having a proximal end portion and a remote
end portion,
a coupler mechanically coupled to both the cap extension and the proximal end
portion, and a
remote nut mechanically coupled to the remote end portion.
[000100] The assembly may further include a rear seal positioned between the
rear
encapsulation extension and the tension member, a front seal positioned
between the cap
extension and the tension member, a proximal seal positioned between the
proximal end
portion and the tension member, and a remote seal positioned between the
remote end portion
and the tension member. The rear, front, proximal, and remote seals may each
be a split seal.
The rear, front, proximal, and remote seals may each be sized such that
tightening the rear nut,
22
Date Recue/Date Received 2020-05-27
coupler and remote nut to a desired degree deforms the rear, front, proximal,
and remote seals
such that there are substantially no internal voids in the assembly.
[000101] In some embodiments, the assembly may further include a rear seal
positioned
between the rear extension and the tension member and the rear seal may
include a head
compressed in an axial direction between the rear nut and rear encapsulation
extension.
[000102] In some embodiments, the assembly may further include a front seal
positioned
between the cap extension and the tension member, a proximal seal positioned
between the
proximal end portion and the tension member, and a long seal positioned
between the tension
member and the cover and the front seal and the proximal seal may each include
a head
compressed in an axial direction between the cap extension and the long seal.
[000103] In some embodiments, the assembly may further include a remote seal
positioned
between the remote end portion and the tension member and the rear seal may
include a head
compressed in an axial direction between the remote nut and the remote end
portion of the
cover.
[000104] In some embodiments, the coupler may mechanically couple to the cap
extension at
a first threaded interface and may mechanically couple to the proximal end
portion at a second
threaded interface. The second threaded interface may be reversed with respect
to the first
threaded interface.
[000105] The assembly may further include a cap seal disposed in an annular
groove formed
in the cap, wherein the cap seal engages at least one of the anchor body or
the encapsulation.
[000106] In some embodiments, a method for providing an intermediate anchor
and cover on
a tension member for post-tensioning concrete, may include the steps of a)
positioning
components of an intermediate anchor and cover assembly on the tension member
at desired
locations, the components comprising: an anchor body, an encapsulation,
wherein the
encapsulation at least partially encapsulates the anchor body and wherein the
encapsulation
includes a rear encapsulation extension and a front encapsulation extension, a
rear nut, a cap,
wherein the cap includes a cap extension, a cover, wherein the cover is
tubular and has a
proximal end portion and a remote end portion, a coupler; and a remote nut; b)
mechanically
coupling the cap to the front encapsulation extension; c) positioning a rear
seal between the
rear encapsulation extension and the tension member and mechanically coupling
the rear nut
23
Date Recue/Date Received 2020-05-27
to the rear encapsulation extension; d) positioning a front seal between the
cap extension and
the tension member; e) positioning a long seal at a desired location on the
tension member; f)
positioning the cover around the tubular long seal; g) positioning a proximal
seal between the
proximal end portion and the tension member; h) mechanically coupling the
coupler to the cap
extension and the proximal end portion; and i) positioning a remote seal
between the remote
end portion and the tension member and mechanically coupling the remote nut to
the remote
end portion.
[000107] In some embodiments, a kit for assembling an intermediate anchor and
cover
assembly for use with a tension member for post-tensioning concrete may
include: an anchor
body; an encapsulation, the encapsulation at least partially encapsulating the
anchor body and
including a rear encapsulation extension and a front encapsulation extension;
a rear nut
adapted to mechanically couple to the rear encapsulation extension; a cap
adapted to
mechanically couple to the front encapsulation extension, the cap including a
cap extension; a
cover adapted to extend around a portion of the tension member, the cover
being tubular and
having a proximal end portion and a remote end portion; a coupler adapted to
mechanically
couple to both the cap extension and the proximal end portion; and a rear nut
adapted to
mechanically couple to the remote end portion.
[000108] In various embodiments, the sheathing repair assembly may include an
inner tube
positioned between the outer tube and the tubular long seal. The first
elastomeric seal may be
configured such that mechanically coupling the first nut to the outer tube
causes the first
elastomeric seal to fill an annular space defined between the outer tube, the
long seal, the
tension member, and the first nut, and the second elastomeric seal may be
configured such that
mechanically coupling the second nut to the outer tube causes the second
elastomeric seal to
fill an annular space defined between the outer tube, the long seal, the
tension member, and
the second nut.
[000109] The outer tube may not have a longitudinal slit. The first and second
elastomeric
seals may each have a longitudinal slit. The long seal may have a longitudinal
slit.
[000110] The tension member may have an unsealed portion and the long seal may
be long
enough to fully cover the unsealed portion. The long seal may be long enough
to extend
beyond the unsealed portion.
24
Date Recue/Date Received 2020-05-27
[000111] A method for repairing an unsheathed portion of a sheathed tension
member may
include the steps of: a) providing a sheathing repair assembly comprising an
outer tube having
first and second end portions, a tubular long seal sized to fit onto the
tension member, a first
elastomeric seal sized to fit onto the tension member, a second elastomeric
seal sized to fit
onto the tension member, a first nut adapted to mechanically couple to one end
portion, and a
second nut adapted to mechanically couple to one end portion, b) positioning
the tubular long
seal at the unsheathed portion, c) positioning the outer tube around the
tubular long seal, d)
inserting the first elastomeric seal into the first end portion and coupling
the first nut to the
first end portion so as to retain the first elastomeric seal therein, e)
inserting the second
elastomeric seal into the second end portion and coupling the second nut to
the second end
portion so as to retain the second elastomeric seal therein. The method may
further include
the step of positioning an inner tube between the tubular long seal and the
outer tube before
step d). The method may further include the step of removing the inner tube
from between the
tubular long seal and the outer tube before step d).
[000112] The foregoing outlines features of several embodiments so that a
person of
ordinary skill in the art may better understand the aspects of the present
disclosure. Such
features may be replaced by any one of numerous equivalent alternatives, only
some of which
are disclosed herein. One of ordinary skill in the art should appreciate that
they may readily
use the present disclosure as a basis for designing or modifying other
processes and structures
for carrying out the same purposes or achieving the same advantages of the
embodiments
introduced herein. One of ordinary skill in the art should also realize that
such equivalent
constructions do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present
disclosure and that they
may make various changes, substitutions, and alterations herein without
departing from the
spirit and scope of the present disclosure. Further, in the claims that
follow, unless explicitly
so recited, the sequential recitation of steps is not intended to require that
the steps be
performed sequentially.
Date Recue/Date Received 2020-05-27
