When tie rods are 30 to 40 years old, it is necessary to conduct literature research to identify the nature of the steels. It is necessary to evaluate the initial tensile strength.

This is an important point in the identification of the tie rod.

You need to do research on the following points (Fig. 3.1):

Fig. 3.1
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Source Rincent BTP—Recife

Measuring the diameter of the steel.

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  • what year the tie rods were made

  • what type of steel

  • what diameter

  • take measurements with a caliper

  • -take samples

  • and perform direct tensile tests to determine

  • tensile strength

  • -and Young's modulus.

Mechanical testing on steel samples taken from the test site is necessary, especially if the steels are old (Figs. 3.2 and 3.3).

Fig. 3.2
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Example of direct traction results

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Fig. 3.3
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Sampling after rupture

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The older the steels, the more important the literature search is. It is desirable to identify the origin of the steels, their place of manufacture, and their mechanical characteristics (Fig. 3.4).

Fig. 3.4
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Characteristics of old steels

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Research should be directed to the calculation method used at the time of the test. Then an estimate of the value of the tie loss will allow the static tensile test to be understood with more confidence, it is necessary to design a steel structure that allows the static test to be performed simultaneously with the non-destructive test. And it is also important to know calculation methods and the calculation methods used at the time (Fig. 3.5).

Fig. 3.5
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Extract from a catalog

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An estimate of the value of the force in the tie rod will help in sizing the media to be used for static tests, for example.