ICC EVALUATION SERVICE, INC.

Evaluate P Inform P Protect

ACCEPTANCE CRITERIA FOR POST-TENSIONING ANCHORAGES

AND COUPLERS OF PRESTRESSED CONCRETE

AC303

Approved October 2006

Effective January 1, 2007

Previously approved September 2006, February 2005

PREFACE
Evaluation reports issued by ICC Evaluation Service, Inc. (ICC-ES), are based upon performance features of the International family
of codes and other widely adopted code families, including the Uniform Codes, the BOCA National Codes, and the SBCCI Standard Codes.
Section 104.11 of the International Building Code reads as follows:

The provisions of this code are not intended to prevent the installation of any materials or to prohibit any design or method
of construction not specifically prescribed by this code, provided that any such alternative has been approved. An alternative
material, design or method of construction shall be approved where the building official finds that the proposed design is
satisfactory and complies with the intent of the provisions of this code, and that the material, method or work offered is, for
the purpose intended, at least the equivalent of that prescribed in this code in quality, strength, effectiveness, fire resistance,
durability and safety.

Similar provisions are contained in the Uniform Codes, the National Codes, and the Standard Codes.

This acceptance criteria has been issued to provide all interested parties with guidelines for demonstrating compliance with performance
features of the applicable code(s) referenced in the acceptance criteria. The criteria was developed and adopted following public hearings
conducted by the ICC-ES Evaluation Committee, and is effective on the date shown above. All reports issued or reissued on or after the effective
date must comply with this criteria, while reports issued prior to this date may be in compliance with this criteria or with the previous edition. If
the criteria is an updated version from the previous edition, a solid vertical line () in the margin within the criteria indicates a technical change,
addition, or deletion from the previous edition. A deletion indicator () is provided in the margin where a paragraph has been deleted if the deletion
involved a technical change. This criteria may be further revised as the need dictates.

ICC-ES may consider alternate criteria, provided the report applicant submits valid data demonstrating that the alternate criteria are
at least equivalent to the criteria set forth in this document, and otherwise demonstrate compliance with the performance features of the codes.
Notwithstanding that a product, material, or type or method of construction meets the requirements of the criteria set forth in this document, or
that it can be demonstrated that valid alternate criteria are equivalent to the criteria in this document and otherwise demonstrate compliance with
the performance features of the codes, ICC-ES retains the right to refuse to issue or renew an evaluation report, if the product, material, or type
or method of construction is such that either unusual care with its installation or use must be exercised for satisfactory performance, or if
malfunctioning is apt to cause unreasonable property damage or personal injury or sickness relative to the benefits to be achieved by the use of
the product, material, or type or method of construction.

Copyright 2007

Business/Regional Office P 5360 Workman Mill Road, Whittier, California 90601 P (562) 699-0543
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 ACCEPTANCE CRITERIA FOR POST-TENSIONING ANCHORAGES
AND COUPLERS OF PRESTRESSED CONCRETE
1.0 INTRODUCTION
1.1 Purpose: The purpose of this acceptance criteria is
to establish requirements for post-tensioning anchorages
and couplers of prestressed concrete to be recognized in an
ICC Evaluation Service, Inc. (ICC-ES), evaluation report
% under the 2006 International Building Code (IBC).
% The reason for development of this criteria is to establish
% guidelines for the evaluation of post-tensioning anchorages
% and couplers of prestressed concrete, since the IBC and
% UBC address these products, but do not provide sufficient
% testing details.
% 1.2 Scope: This criteria allows two applications for the
% post-tensioning anchorages and couplers.
% 1.2.1 General Use: This criteria is applicable to
anchorages and couplers of unbonded, monostrand (single-
strand), post-tensioning tendons in prestressed concrete
designed in accordance with Chapter 18 of ACI 318 under
the provisions of Section 1901.2 of the IBC. This criteria
applies to anchorages and couplers complying with Sections
18.21.1 and 18.14.1 of ACI 318, which requires monostrand
anchorage devices to comply with ACI 423.6; and Section
% 21.2.9 of ACI 318, as added in Section 1908.1.6 of the IBC.
% 1.2.2 Slab-on-ground Foundations on Expansive
% Soils: This criteria is also applicable to anchorages and
% couplers of unbonded, monostrand (single-strand), post-
% tensioning tendons in prestressed concrete slab-on-ground
% foundations on expansive soils regulated under IBC
% Sections 1805.8.2 and 1908.1.6; and IBC Sections 1904
% and 1910 as referenced in IBC Section 1901.2. This criteria
% is applicable to post-tensioned concrete foundations with
% moments, shears and deflections used in the design based
% on PTI Standard Requirements for Analysis of Shallow
% Concrete Foundations on Expansive Soils, with the
% foundation designed in accordance with PTI Standard
% Requirements for Design of Shallow Post-Tensioned
% Concrete Foundations on Expansive Soils. Sections 5.3.1
% and 6.3 of PTI Standard Requirements for Design of Shallow
% Post-Tensioned Concrete Foundations on Expansive Soils
% refers to Sections 2.2 and 2.2.6, respectively, of PTI
% Specifications for Single-strand Unbonded Tendons, for
% anchorage and coupler requirements.
1.3 Codes and Reference Standards:
% 1.3.1 2006 International Building Code (IBC),
International Code Council.
% 1.3.2 ACI 318-05, Building Code Requirements for
Structural Concrete, American Concrete Institute.
1.3.3 ACI 423.6-01, Specification for Unbonded Single-
Strand Tendons, American Concrete Institute.
% 1.3.4 ASTM A 416-02, Standard Specification for Steel
Strand, Uncoated Seven-Wire for Prestressed Concrete,
ASTM International.
1.3.5 ASTM A370-0201, Test Methods and Definitions for
Mechanical Testing of Steel Products, ASTM International.
% 1.3.6 Specifications for Single-Strand Unbonded
% Tendons, May 2003, Post Tensioning Institute (PTI).
2
% 1.3.7 Standard Requirements for Analysis of Shallow
% Concrete Foundations on Expansive Soils, 1st edition, 2004,
% PTI.
% 1.3.8 Standard Requirements for Design of Shallow
% Post-Tensioned Concrete Foundations on Expansive Soils,
% 2004, PTI.
1.4 Definitions:
1.4.1 Strands: Strands are uncoated seven-wire steel
strands complying with ASTM A 416. The strand types are
either low-relaxation strand or stress-relieved (normal-
relaxation) strand. The grade of the strands is either Grade
250 or Grade 270.
1.4.2 Monostrand Anchorages: Monostrand
anchorages utilize a single strand per anchorage.
1.4.3 Anchorage: For definition of anchorage, see
% Section 1.2 of ACI 423.6 and Section 1.2 of the PTI
% Specifications for Single-Strand Unbonded Tendons. The
components of the anchorage typically consist of a steel
casting and wedges.
1.4.4 Anchorage Device: See Section 1.4.3 of this
criteria for definition of anchorage. Note: ACI 318 uses the
term anchorage device, and ACI 423.6 uses the term
anchorage.
1.4.5 Tendon: For definition of tendon, see Section 1.2
% of ACI 423.6 and Section 1.2 of the PTI Specifications for
% Single-Strand Unbonded Tendons.
1.4.6 Coupler: For definition of coupler, see Section 1.2
% of ACI 423.6 and Section 1.2 of the PTI Specifications for
% Single-Strand Unbonded Tendons. The components of the
coupler typically consist of a steel coupler and wedges.
2.0 BASIC INFORMATION
2.1 General: The following information shall be submitted:
2.1.1 Product Description: Complete descriptive
information of the anchorage devices, couplers and wedges,
including the following, needs to be submitted and included
in the quality control manual required under Section 5.1:
2.1.1.1 Material specifications of components.
2.1.1.2 Specifications of final product, including fully
dimensioned drawings with tolerances.
2.1.1.3 A description of the manufacturing process.
2.1.2 Installation Instructions: Installation instructions,
including limitations and fastening methods.
2.1.3 Packaging and Identification: A description of
the method of packaging and field identification of the
anchorage devices, couplers and wedges. Labels on the
containers of the anchorage devices, couplers and wedges
shall include the company name and address, evaluation
report number (ESR-XXXX), model designation (when
applicable), and serial number or date code for traceability.
2.1.4 Field Preparation: A description of the methods
of field-preparation of the anchorage devices, couplers and
wedges for installation.
ACCEPTANCE CRITERIA FOR POST-TENSIONING ANCHORAGES
AND COUPLERS OF PRESTRESSED CONCRETE
2.2 Testing Laboratories: Testing laboratories shall
comply with Section 2.0 of the ICC-ES Acceptance Criteria
for Test Reports (AC85) and Section 4.2 of the ICC-ES
Rules of Procedure for Evaluation Reports.
2.3 Test Reports: Reports of tests required under
Section 3.0 of this criteria shall comply with AC85 and also
include the following:
2.3.1 Description of the anchorage device, coupler, and
wedge test specimens, including dimensioned drawings of
the tested products and sufficient information to ascertain
compliance of the tested products with the product
specifications in the manufacturers quality control manual.
2.3.2 Data on the actual physical properties of the
tested anchorages and couplers.
2.3.3 Copy of mill certificates or reports of coupon tests
that include the actual breaking strength of the strand used
in the tests conducted under this criteria.
2.3.4 Description of the test setup sufficient to ascertain
compliance with this criteria.
2.4 Product Sampling: Sampling of the anchorage
devices, couplers and wedges for qualifying tests conducted
under this criteria shall comply with Section 3.2 of AC85.
The testing laboratory shall witness the assembly of the test
specimens.
3.0 TEST AND PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS
3.1 General: The strand used in the tested assemblies
shall be of the type and grade of strand specified by the
evaluation report applicant to be noted in the evaluation
report. The mechanical properties of the strand used in the
load tests shall be established by tests conducted in
accordance with ASTM A 370 as required by ASTM A 416.
The static and fatigue load tests shall be conducted as a
series, with strand used in all tests from the same coil and/or
having the same heat number.
3.2 Static Load Tests:
3.2.1 General: Static load tests of the tendons shall be
conducted in accordance with Section 4.1 of this criteria.
The tests shall be conducted on a minimum of three tendons
for each anchor (or coupler, as applicable) that is to be
included in the evaluation report. For anchorages, the tests
shall be conducted on assemblies (tendons) consisting of
the anchorage device, wedges and strand with anchorages
at each end of the tested assembly. For couplers, the tests
shall be conducted on assemblies consisting of a coupler
with strand at each end of the coupler. An anchorage may
be utilized at the end of each strand of the coupler test
assembly to facilitate application of load to the assembly.
The tested assemblies shall not include concrete.
3.2.2 Conditions of Acceptance: The conditions of
acceptance are that each test assembly shall demonstrate
failure of the strand at a test load of at least 95 percent of
the actual breaking strength of the strand used in the tests.
In addition, the elongation of the strand of each tested
assembly at the ultimate load shall be at least 2 percent. For
tests of couplers, the strand elongation requirement is
applicable to the strand at each end of the coupler.
3
3.3 Fatigue Load Tests:
3.3.1 General: The 50- and 500,000-cycle fatigue load
tests of Section 4.2 shall be conducted on a minimum of two
tendons for each test series for each anchorage (or coupler,
as applicable) that is to be included in the evaluation report.
The tests shall be conducted on assemblies (tendons)
consisting of the anchorage (or coupler, as applicable),
wedges and strand. For anchorages, the anchorage shall be
installed at each end of the tested assembly. For couplers,
the test assemblies shall have a strand at each end of the
coupler. An anchorage may be utilized at the end of each
strand of the coupler test assembly to facilitate application
of load to the assembly.
The tested assemblies shall not include concrete. The
specimens subjected to the 50-cycle fatigue load test need
not be the same specimens subjected to the 500,000-cycle
fatigue load test.
3.3.2 Conditions of Acceptance: The conditions of
acceptance of the dynamic load tests are that the
specimens shall withstand the dynamic loads without failure.
4.0 TEST METHODS
4.1 Static Load Tests: The static load tests are static
tension load tests of the tendons. For tests of anchorages,
the tendons shall have a minimum length of 3.5 feet (1067
mm) between anchorages such that the elongation of the
strand is measured with a 3-foot (914 mm) minimum gage
length measured between two points on the strand at least
3 inches (76 mm) from the anchorage at each end of the
tendon. For tests of couplers, the elongation of both strands
of each test assembly shall be measured over a 3-foot (914
mm) minimum gage length on each strand with the points of
measurement at least 3 inches (76 mm) from the coupler
and test appratus attachment point or anchorage, if used, on
the end of the strand. The tests shall be conducted such that
the yield strength and tensile strength of the tested
assembly and the percent elongation of the strand of each
tested assembly are determined. The tension load shall be
applied to the anchorage devices at each end of the
assembly. For tests of couplers, without anchorages on the
ends of the strand, the tension load shall be applied to the
strand at each end of the assembly. The tests shall be
conducted with a test machine head separation rate of 0.197
to 0.887 inch per minute (5.00 to 22.5 mm/min), following
application of a preload not to exceed 1000 pounds (4.45
kN).
4.2 Fatique Load Tests:
4.2.1 General: For tests of anchorages, the minimum
assembled tendon length of the fatique load test specimens
shall be 3 feet (914 mm) between anchorage devices. The
tendon length of coupler test assemblies shall be such that
there is a 3-foot (914 mm) minimum length of strand at each
end of the coupler. The loads shall be applied to the
anchorage device at each end of the assembly. For tests of
couplers without anchorages on the ends of the strand, the
tension load shall be applied to the strand at each end of the
assembly. The loads shall be applied to the test assemblies
using a sinusoidal loading function.
4.2.2 50 Cycle Fatique Load Test: The 50-cycle fatique
load test shall consist of subjecting the tendons to 50 cycles
 ACCEPTANCE CRITERIA FOR POST-TENSIONING ANCHORAGES
AND COUPLERS OF PRESTRESSED CONCRETE
of varying the tension stress level in the tendon between 40
and 85 percent of the strands minimum specified breaking
strength. The cycle frequency shall be 1 to 3 Hertz.
4.2.3 500,000 Cycle Fatique Load Test: The 500,000-
cycle fatique load test shall consist of subjecting the tendons
to 500,000 cycles of varying the tension stress level in the
tendon between 60 and 66 percent of the strands specified
minimum breaking strength. The cycle frequency shall be 1
to 10 hertz.
5.0 QUALITY CONTROL
5.1 A quality control manual complying with the ICC-ES
% Acceptance Criteria for Quality Documentation (AC10),
regarding the manufacturing of the post-tensioning
anchorages, couplers and wedges, shall be submitted. To
facilitate review of the manual, the cross-reference matrix
from AC10 should be completed and submitted with the
manual. The purpose of the quality control program shall be
to assure that anchorages, couplers and wedges
manufactured under the program continue to comply with
the IBC and this criteria, for structural performance. The
manual needs to include the information required by Section
2.1.1.
5.2 Third-party follow-up inspections of the manufacturing
of the anchorages, couplers and wedges are not required
under this acceptance criteria.
6.0 EVALUATION REPORT RECOGNITION
6.1 The evaluation report shall include a statement that
the prestressed concrete shall be designed in accordance
% with Chapter 18 of ACI 318--05, with the anchorage zones
designed in accordance Section 18.14 of ACI 318.
6.2 The evaluation report shall state that the strand shall
comply with ASTM A 416, and specify the strand diameter,
type and grade consistent with the tested assemblies.
6.3 The evaluation report shall state that special
inspection shall be provided for the installation and stressing
of the tendons, including verification of concrete
compressive strength at the time the tendons are stressed.
The special inspector shall verify compliance with the design
engineers requirements, including prestressing instructions,
checking elongation and jacking force parameters, and the
sequence of tendon stressing, as well as end and edge
distance and tendon spacing dimensions.#