RESEARCH 2A

ON
BT 115

PRE-STRESSED CONCRETE
POST - TENSIONED CONCRETE

Prepared By:
Husana, Thessaly Aubrey S.
A18-24948

Schedule:
MWF 1: 30 – 3: 30

Submitted To:
Ar. Christopher P. Mirasol

Manuel S Enverga University Foundation

S.Y. 2021 – 2022
Pre-tensioning - this method is used mainly
in the factory production of precast concrete
components such as lintels, floor units and
small beams. Many of these units are formed
by the long line method where precision steel
moulds up to 120„000 long are used with
spacer or dividing plates to form the various
lengths required.

PRESTRESSED CONCRETE

Pre-stressed concrete is a form of reinforced concrete that builds in compressive stresses

during construction to oppose those found when in use. In other words, it is a combination of steel
and concrete that takes advantages of the strengths of each material. The design aim is to achieve a
balance of tensile and compressive forces so that the end result is a concrete member which is
resisting only stresses which are compressive.

Combines high-strength concrete with high-strength steel in an “active manner”.

(Cited from Building Construction Handbook, Eight edition by Roy Chudley, Roger Greeno.pdf)
 Materials - concrete will shrink whilst curing and
it can also suffer sectional losses due to creep Tendons † these can be of small
when subjected to pressure. The amount of diameter wires (2 to 7 mm) in a plain
shrinkage and creep likely to occur can be round, crimped or indented format,
controlled by designing the strength and these wires may be individual or
workability of the concrete, high strength and low grouped to form cables. Another form
workability giving the greatest reduction in both of tendon is strand which consists of a
shrinkage and creep. Mild steel will suffer from straight core wire around which is
relaxation losses which is where the stresses in helically wound further wires to give
steel under load decrease to a minimum value formats such as 7 wire (6 over 1) and
after a period of time and this can be overcome by 19 wire (9 over 9 over 1) and like wire
increasing the initial stress in the steel. tendons strand can be used
individually or in groups to form
cables. The two main advantages of
strand are:

1. A large prestressing force can be provided over a restricted area.

2. Strand can be supplied in long flexible lengths capable of being stored on drums thus saving
site storage and site fabrication space.
DEVELOPMENT OF PRESTRESSED CONCRETE

(Reference: Lin, T.Y. and Burns, N. H., Design of Prestressed Concrete Structures)

3 Main Types of Internal Prestressed Concrete

• Pre-Tension Concrete: pre-stressing steel is tension stressed prior to the placement of the
concrete and unloaded after concrete has harden to required strength.
• Bonded post-tensioned concrete: unstressed pre-stressing steel is placed with in the concrete
and then tension stressed after concrete has harden to required strength.
• Un-bonded post-tensioned concrete: differs from bonded post-tensioning by providing the
pre-stressing steel permanent freedom of movement relative to the concrete.

HISTORY

Used high tensile steel wires, with ultimate strength as high as 1725 MPa and yield stress over 1240
MPa. In 1939, he developed conical wedges for end anchorages for post-tensioning and developed
double-acting jacks. He is often referred to as the FATHER OF PRESTRESSED CONCRETE.

1938 Hoyer, E., (Germany)

Developed ‘long line’ pre-tensioning method.
1940 Magnel, G., (Belgium)
Developed an anchoring system for post-tensioning, using flat wedges.

In India, the applications of prestressed concrete diversified over the years. The first prestressed
concrete bridge was built in 1948 under the Assam Rail Link Project. Among bridges, the Pamban Road
Bridge at Rameshwarm, Tamilnadu, remains a classic example of the use of prestressed concrete
girders.

Pamban Road Bridge at Rameshwaram, Tamilnadu.

Advantages of Pretension

• Pretension is the easiest controlled of the bonded stressing with the least chance of
error in the bonding process.
• Tension caused by the steel is spread throughout the length of the concrete since it
is bonded within the concrete along the length of the member.

Concerns with Pre-tension

• Usually uses a mold which is a able to resist the forces within the tendons. Which are
more expensive than regular molds.
• Exception comes when the sides of the mold are anchored allowing mold to be
created between the anchors without supporting stress.
Principles of prestressing

Pre-stressing is a method in which compression force is applied to the reinforced concrete

section. The effect of pre-stressing is to reduce the tensile stress in the section to the point till the
tensile stress is below the cracking stress. Thus, the concrete does not crack. It is possible to treat
concrete as an elastic material.

The concrete can be visualized to have two compressive force:

• Internal pre-stressing force.

• External forces

These two forces must counteract each other.

Tensioning Devices

The various types devices used for tensioning steel are grouped under four principal categories :

1. Mechanical devices: it is generally used include weights with or without lever transmission,
geared transmission in conjunction with pulley blocks, screw jacks with or without gear
devices and wire-winding machines. These devices are employed mainly for prestressing
structural concrete components produced on a mass scale in factory.
2. Hydraulic devices: it is the simplest means for producing large prestressing force, extensively
used as tensioning devices.
3. Electrical devices: the wires are electrically heated and anchored before placing concrete in
the mould. This method is often referred to as thermo-prestressing and used for tensioning
of steel wires and deformed bars.
4. Chemical devices: Expanding cements are used and the degree of expansion is controlled by
varying the curing condition. Since the expansive action of cement while setting is
restrained, it induces tensile forces in tendons and compressive stresses in concrete.

STAGES OF LOADING

The analysis of prestressed members can be different for the different stages of loading.

The stages of loading are the following:

1. INITIAL – it can be subdivided into two stages:

a. During tensioning of steel
b. At transfer of prestress to concrete
2. INTERMEDIATE – this includes the loads during transportation of the prestressed members.
3. FINAL -it can be subdivided into two stages
a. At service, during operation
b. At ultimate, during extreme events

Methods of Pre-tensioning:

1. Anchoring the tendons against the end abutments.

2. Placing of jacks.
3. Applying tension to the tendons.
 4. Casting of concrete
5. Cutting of the tendons.

Methods of Post-tensioning:
1. Casting of concrete
2. Placement of tendons
3. Placement of the anchorage block and jack.
4. Applying tension to the tendons.
5. Seating of the wedges.
6. Cutting the tendons.

In pre-tensioning, the tendons are tensioned even before casting the concrete.
One end of tendon is secured to abutment. The other end is pulled with jacks.
In post tensioning, the beam is cast first leaving ducts for placing the tendons.
Depending upon forces, there may be number of ducts.

In post-tensioning, not a solid beam but a series of blocks.

Cables are inserted and will be prestressed.
Systems of prestressing
It is the process of tensioning of tendons. Secures firmly to concrete till the lift of
member. Many systems are in practice.
i. Freyssinet system
ii. Magnel Blaton System
iii. Gifford Udall system
POST TENSIONED CONCRETE
HISTORY BACKGROUND OF POST-TENSIONING

Post-tensioned concrete slab was originally developed during the 1930’s by a Frenchman,
Euegene Freyssinet, who realized that placing concrete under compression greatly
increased its strength.
After World War II, post-tensioned concrete slab became a popular building method because
of the steel shortage and the need to replace damaged and bombed out bridges.
The design and use of this method warned until the mid-1960’s when much of its utilization
was in the area of ground-supported slabs for warehouse, apartment, and residential floors.
In 1976, the Post-Tensioning Institute, which recognized the expanding interest in the field,
was formed.

Post tension slab used in various Construction Project

- Residential building
- Commercial building
- Shopping Mall
- Hospital
- School
- Stadium
- Car Parks
- Transfer Structure
Typical Post-tensioning Arrangement ~
Anchorages ~ the formats for anchorages used in conjunction with
post-tensioned prestressed concrete works depends mainly on
whether the tendons are to be stressed individually or as a group,
but most systems use a form of split cone wedges or jaws acting
against a form of bearing or pressure plate.

Comparison with Reinforced Concrete ~ when comparing

prestressed concrete with conventional reinforced concrete the
main advantages and disadvantages can be enumerated but in the
final analysis each structure and/or component must be decided on
its own merit.
Main advantages: -
1. Makes full use of the inherent compressive strength of concrete.
2. Makes full use of the special alloy steels used to form the prestressing tendons.
3. Eliminates tension cracks thus reducing the risk of corrosion of steel components.
4. Reduces shear stresses.
5. For any given span and loading condition a component with a smaller cross section can
be used thus giving a reduction in weight.
6. Individual precast concrete units can be joined together to form a composite member.
Main Disadvantages:-
1. High degree of control over materials, design and quality of workmanship is required.
2. Special alloy steels are dearer than most traditional steels used in reinforced concrete.
3. Extra cost of special equipment required to carry out the prestressing activities.
4. Cost of extra safety requirements needed whilst stressing tendons.

As a general comparison between the two structural options under consideration it is usually
found that: -
1. Up to 6„000 span traditional reinforced concrete is the most economic method.
2. Spans between 6„000 and 9„000 the two cost options are comparable.
3. Over 9„000 span prestressed concrete is more economical than reinforced concrete.

It should be noted that generally columns and walls do not need prestressing but in tall
columns and high retaining walls where the bending stresses are high, prestressing
techniques can sometimes be economically applied.
Post Tension Slab – Advantages and Disadvantages of Post Tension Slab
Advantages of Post Tension Slab

Post tension slabs are advantageous in many ways. Some of the major benefits of post
tension slabs are as follows.
1. Reduced cost: Post tension slabs are excellent ways to construct stronger structures at
an affordable price. There are many structures like parking garages as well as stadiums,
since they are required to hold much more weight than average buildings, this slab becomes
a viable option.
2. Flexibility in design: The designs made with this slab are sleek, require lesser space and
give way to dynamic contours. All this makes them ideal for the expression of creativity in the
building design.
3. Lesser usage of materials: Since the post tension slab is thin, the materials used with it
are also lesser. Be it the thin beams, walls or supporting pillars of buildings, this compact
concrete slab does not need bulky materials.

4. Durability: Being a very strong substitute of the normal concrete, it lasts longer.

Disadvantages of the post tension slab

Here are a few disadvantages of post tension slabs:
1. Since there are a number of tendons and wires spread inside the post tension slab, it can
result in corrosion. But largely, this tendency to corrode depends on the quality of the
material used.

2. Complexity of work: The post tension slab can be made only by skillful professionals. The
local workers may not have the necessary skills required to prepare this complex slab.

3. Poor workmanship can lead to accidents: The main problem with using post tension slab
is that if care is not taken while making it, it can lead to future mishaps. Many a times,
ignorant workers do not fill the gaps of the tendons and wiring completely. These gaps cause
corrosion of the wires which may break untimely, leading to some untoward events.

The post tension slab is one of the building blocks of the modern architecture and builders
cannot think of making skyscrapers, longer bridges and marvelous structures without using
it. A skilled and experienced work is one of the key requirements while making these slabs,
on the other hand, carelessness in the manufacture process may lead to disastrous results.
 References:

Building Construction Handbook Eighth Edition by Roy Chudley, Roger Greeno BA(Hons.) FCIQB
FIPHE FRSA pdf.

https://www.slideshare.net/rajatrmr/prestressed-concrete-87240930

https://www.slideshare.net/PraveenKumarShanmuga/introduction-to-prestressed-concrete-
structures-87312404

https://www.slideshare.net/ArvindVishwakarma23/construction-of-post-tension-slab