Optimization of Prestressed Anchor Blocks with Arch Cavity
This paper presents a new structure form of prestressed anchor block with arch-shaped cavity used in spillway pier structures. With the arch-shaped cavity, the problem of excessive tensile stress associated with the rectangular-shaped cavity can be resolved. Five different finite element models with different arch heights were generated. These models were used to analyze the spillway pier under the loadings of two typical spillway operating Cases. The stress distribution in the pier neck and the vertical and horizontal stresses on the cavity surface of the anchor block were computed. The comparison of the results shows that using arch-shaped cavity in anchor block can effectively reduce the stress in the pier neck and on the cavity surface. When the ratio of arch height to the span is between 1/10 and 1/7, the stress reduction is particularly notable. Keywords-prestressed pier; anchor block with rectangular cavity; anchor block with arch cavity.