PRESTRESSED CONCRETE

• Prestressed concrete is basically concrete in which internal

stresses of a suitable magnitude and distribution are introduced
so that the stresses resulting from the external loads are
counteracted to a desired degree.
• Pre-stress is introduced by stretching steel wires and anchoring
them against concrete.
 PRESTRESSED CONCRETE (cont’d..)

There are a huge number of uses:

• Railway Sleepers;
• Communications poles;
• Pre-tensioned precast “hollowcore” slabs;
• Pre-tensioned Precast Double T units - for very long spans (e.g., 16 m
span for car parks);
• Pre-tensioned precast inverted T beam for short-span bridges;
• Pre-tensioned precast PSC piles;
• Pre-tensioned precast portal frame units;
 PRESTRESSED CONCRETE (cont’d..)

• Post-tensioned ribbed slab

• In-situ balanced cantilever construction - post-tensioned PSC
• This is “glued segmental” construction
• Precast segments are joined by post-tensioning
• PSC tank - precast segments post-tensioned together on site. Tendons
around circumference of tank
• Barges
• And many more.
 HISTORY OF PRESTRESSED
CONCRETE
The basic principle of prestressed concrete was applied to construction
perhaps centuries ago, when ropes or metal bands were wound around
wooden staves to form barrels. When the bands were tightened, they were
under tensile prestress which in turn created compressive prestress
between the staves and thus enabled them to resist hoop tension produced
by internal liquid pressure. In other words, the bands and the staves were
both prestressed before they were subjected to any service loads. However,
this principle was not applied to concrete until 1886.
• P. H. Jackson, an engineer of San Francisco
In 1886, obtained patent for tightening steel tie roads in artificial stones and
concrete arches to serve as floor slabs.
HISTORY OF PRESTRESSED CONCRETE (cont’d..)

• C. E. Doehring, Germany
Independently secured a patent around 1888 for concrete reinforced with
metal that had tensile stress applied to it before the slab was loaded.
These first patented methods were not successful because the low tensile
prestress then produced in the steel was soon lost as a result of the
shrinkage and creep of concrete.
• C. R. Steiner, USA
In 1908, suggested the possibility of retightening the reinforcing rods after
some shrinkage and creep of concrete had then taken place, in order to
recover some of the losses.
HISTORY OF PRESTRESSED CONCRETE (cont’d..)
• R. E. Dill, Nebraska
In 1925, tried high-strength steel bars coated to prevent bond with
concrete. After the concrete had set, the steel bars were tensioned and
anchored to the concrete by means of nuts.
But these methods were not applied to any appreciable extent, chiefly for
economic reasons.
• E. Freyssinet, France
Modern development of prestressed is credited to E. Freyssinet who in
1928 started using high-strength steel wires for prestressing. Such wires,
with an ultimate strength as high as 1725 MPa and a yield point over 1240
MPa, are prestressed to about 1000 Mpa, creating a unit strain of 0.0050.
Assuming a total loss of 0.0008 due to shrinkage and creep of concrete
and other causes, a net strain of 0.005-0.0008=0.0042 would still be left in
the wires, which is equivalent to a stress of 840 MPa. He is often referred
to as Father of Prestressed Concrete.
HISTORY OF PRESTRESSED CONCRETE (cont’d..)
• E. Hoyer, Germany
Although Freyssinet also tried the scheme of pretensioning where the steel
was bonded to the concrete without end anchorage, practical application of
this method was first made by E. Hoyer. The Hoyer system consists of
stretching wires between two buttresses several hundred feet apart, putting
shutters between the units, placing the concrete and cutting the wires after
the concrete was hardened. This method enables several units to be cast
between two buttresses.
Wide application of prestressed concrete was not possible until reliable and
economical methods of tensioning and of end anchorage were devised. In
1939 Freyssinet developed conical wedges for end anchorages and
designed double acting jacks which tensioned the wires and then thrust the
male cones into the female cones for anchoring them.
HISTORY OF PRESTRESSED CONCRETE (cont’d..)

• Professor G. Magnel, Belgium

In 1940, developed the Magnel system, wherein two wires were stretched
at a time and anchored with a simple metal wedge at each end.
Prestressed concrete has come to the fore at about 1945.
In India, the first prestressed concrete bridge was constructed in 1948
under the Assam Rail Link Project. The Pamban Road Bridge at
Rameshwaram, Tamilnadu is a classic example of use of prestressed
concrete girders.
 ADVANTAGES OF PRESTRESSING
The pre-stressing of concrete has several advantages as compared to
traditional reinforced concrete (RC) without pre-stressing. A fully prestressed
concrete member is usually subjected to compression during service life.
This rectifies several deficiencies of concrete. The following mentions the
advantages of a pre-stressed concrete member:
• Increased Structural Strength:
Pre-stressed concrete significantly enhances the structural strength and
load-carrying capacity of the members. The pre-compression applied to the
concrete reduces or eliminates tensile stresses, minimizing the risk of
cracking and increasing the resistance to bending, shear, and deflection.
 ADVANTAGES OF PRESTRESSING (cont’d..)

• Greater Span Lengths:

Pre-stressed concrete allows for longer span lengths compared to
traditional reinforced concrete. By introducing prestressing forces, it
becomes possible to construct bridges, beams, and slabs with larger
unsupported spans, reducing the need for intermediate supports and
enhancing the aesthetics of the structure.
• Reduction in Structural Depth:
The introduction of pre-stressing forces allows for a reduction in the
overall depth of structural elements. This benefit is particularly
advantageous in buildings or structures with space constraints, as it
maximizes usable floor space while maintaining structural integrity.
 ADVANTAGES OF PRESTRESSING (cont’d..)

• Crack Control and Durability:

Prestressed concrete minimizes the occurrence and width of cracks,
especially in areas subjected to high tensile stresses. By applying
compressive stresses, prestressed concrete increases the
resistance to shrinkage, temperature changes, and long-term creep,
thus enhancing the durability and longevity of the structure.
• Efficient Material Usage:
Prestressed concrete optimizes the use of construction materials.
The high strength of prestressed concrete allows for the reduction in
the cross-sectional area of structural members, resulting in efficient
material utilization and potential cost savings.
 ADVANTAGES OF PRESTRESSING (cont’d..)

• Resistance to Dynamic Loads:

Pre-stressed concrete exhibits superior resistance to dynamic loads, such
as those experienced during earthquakes or heavy vibrations. The pre-
compression in the concrete helps to counteract the effects of external
forces, improving the structural response and reducing the risk of failure.
• Suitable for precast construction
The advantages of precast construction are rapid construction, better
quality control, reduced maintenance, suitable for repetitive construction,
multiple use of formwork and availability of standard shapes.
ADVANTAGES OF PRESTRESSING (cont’d..)
 LIMITATIONS OF PRESTRESSING
Although prestressing has advantages, some aspects need to be carefully
addressed:
• Complexity and Specialized Techniques:
The construction of prestressed concrete requires specialized knowledge,
equipment, and techniques. It involves pre-tensioning or post-tensioning
processes, which can be more complex than traditional reinforcement
methods. Skilled labour and careful quality control are necessary to
ensure proper execution.
• Higher Initial Costs:
Prestressed concrete structures often involve higher initial costs compared
to conventionally reinforced concrete. The materials, equipment, and
labour required for prestressing can contribute to increased project
expenses. However, the long-term benefits of reduced maintenance and
longer service life may outweigh the initial investment.
 LIMITATIONS OF PRESTRESSING (cont’d..)

• Limited Flexibility for Modifications:

Once prestressed concrete members are constructed, modifications or
alterations can be challenging and costly. Unlike reinforced concrete,
where additional reinforcement can be easily added or modified, pre-
stressed concrete requires careful consideration and planning for any
changes in the future.
• Special Considerations for Corrosion Protection:
If not properly protected, the pre-stressing tendons in prestressed
concrete structures can be susceptible to corrosion. Adequate measures
must be taken during design and construction to prevent exposure to
moisture, chloride ions, or other corrosive elements, which may require
additional protective measures and regular maintenance.
 LIMITATIONS OF PRESTRESSING (cont’d..)

• Design and Engineering Expertise:

Designing prestressed concrete structures requires specialized knowledge
and expertise. Structural engineers must account for the preloading
forces, stressing procedures, and potential variations in material
properties to ensure safe and efficient designs. Collaboration with
experienced professionals is essential to achieve the desired results.
 TYPES OF PRESTRESSING
• External or internal prestressing
This classification is based on the location of the prestressing tendon
with respect to the concrete section.

External Prestressing Internal Prestressing

 TYPES OF PRESTRESSING (cont’d..)
• Pre-tensioning
A method of prestressing concrete in which the tendons are tensioned
before the concrete is placed. In this method, the prestress is imparted to
concrete by bond between steel and concrete.
• Post-tensioning
A method of prestressing concrete by tensioning the tendons against
hardened concrete. In this method, prestress is imparted to concrete by
bearing.
• Full prestressing
Prestressed concrete in which tensile stresses in the concrete are entirely
obviated at working loads by having sufficiently high prestress in the
members.
 TYPES OF PRESTRESSING (cont’d..)

• Limited or partial prestressing

The degree of prestress applied to concrete in which tensile stresses to a
limited degree are permitted in concrete under working loads. In this case,
in addition to tensioned steel, a considerable proportion of untensioned
reinforcement is generally used to limit the width of cracks developed
under service load.
• Moderate prestressing
No limit is imposed upon the magnitude of the tensile stresses at working
loads. This form of construction is to be regarded as reinforced concrete
with reduced cracking and the section should be analysed according to the
rules of reinforced concrete, as a case of bending combined with axial
force.
 TYPES OF PRESTRESSING (cont’d..)
• Axial prestressing
Members in which the entire cross-section of concrete has a uniform
compressive prestress. In this type of prestressing, the centroid of the
tendons coincides with that of the concrete section.
• Eccentric prestressing
A section at which the tendons are eccentric to the centroid, resulting in a
triangular or trapezoidal compressive distribution.
• Concordant prestressing
Prestressing of members in which the cables follow a concordant profile. In
the case of statically indeterminate structures, concordant prestressing
does not cause any change in the support reactions.
 TYPES OF PRESTRESSING (cont’d..)
• Non-distortional prestressing
In this type, the combined effect of the degree of prestress and the dead
weight stresses are such that the deflection of the axis of the member is
prevented. In such cases, the moments due to prestress and dead weight
exactly balance resulting only in an axial force in the member.
• Circular prestressing
In this type, prestressing is done in round members, such as tanks, silos
and pipes.
• Uniaxial, biaxial and tri-axial prestressing
As the names suggest, the classification is based on the directions of
prestressing a member – i) in only one direction, ii) in two mutually
perpendicular directions and iii) in three mutually perpendicular.
 TYPES OF PRESTRESSING (cont’d..)
• Bonded prestressed concrete
Concrete in which prestress is imparted to concrete through bond between
the tendons and surrounding concrete. Pretensioned members belong to
this group.
• Non-bonded prestressed concrete
A method of construction in which the tendons are not bonded to the
surrounding concrete. The tendons may be placed in ducts formed in the
concrete members or they may be placed outside the concrete section.
Wires Strands Tendons Cables
(a few wires spun together) (group of wires or strands) (group of tendons)
 PRESTRESSING SYSTEMS AND
DEVICES
• Tensioning devices
1) Mechanical,
2) Hydraulic,
3) Electrical and
4) Chemical.
 PRESTRESSING SYSTEMS AND DEVICES (cont’d..)
I. Pre-tensioning Systems
 PRESTRESSING SYSTEMS AND DEVICES (cont’d..)

• Stages of pre-tensioning:
 Anchoring the tendons against the end anchor blocks cast on the ground
or in a column or unit-mould-type pre-tensioning bed.
 Anchoring tendons at one end and placing jack on other end.
 Applying tension to the tendons.
 Casting of concrete
 Cutting of tendons
 PRESTRESSING SYSTEMS AND DEVICES (cont’d..)

Schematic diagram showing various stages of pre-tensioning:

 PRESTRESSING SYSTEMS AND DEVICES (cont’d..)
High early strength concrete is often used in a factory to facilitate early
stripping and reuse of moulds.
When the concrete attains sufficient strength, the jacking pressure is
released. The high tensile wires tend to shorten but are checked by the
bond between concrete and steel. In this way, prestress is transferred by
bond, mostly near the ends of the member and no special anchorages are
required in pretensioned members.

Hoyer’s long line system of pre-tensioning

Hoyer’s long line system of pre-tensioning is generally used in a factory for
mass production of pretensioned elements.
 PRESTRESSING SYSTEMS AND DEVICES (cont’d..)
• Advantages of pre-tensioning:
The relative advantages of pre-tensioning as compared to post tensioning
are as follows:
 Pre-tensioning is suitable for mass production of precast units.
 Large anchorage device is not present in pre-tensioning.

• Disadvantages of pre-tensioning:
The relative disadvantages are as follows:
 Prestressing bed is required for the pre-tensioning operation.
 There is a waiting period in the prestressing bed, before the concrete
attains sufficient strength.
 There should be good bond between concrete and steel over the
transmission length.
 PRESTRESSING SYSTEMS AND DEVICES (cont’d..)
• Devices required for pre-tensioning
 Prestressing bed
 End anchor blocks/ abutments
 Shuttering/ moulds
 Jack
 Anchoring device
 Harping device (optional)
 PRESTRESSING SYSTEMS AND DEVICES (cont’d..)
II. Post-tensioning Systems
• Stages of post-tensioning:
 Casting of concrete incorporating ducts or grooves to house the tendons.
 Placement of tendons.
 Placement of anchorage block and jack.
 Applying tension to the tendons by means of jack bearing on the end face
of the member when the concrete attains sufficient strength.
 Anchoring of tendons by wedges or nuts.
 Cutting of the tendons.
 PRESTRESSING SYSTEMS AND DEVICES (cont’d..)

Schematic diagram showing various stages of post-tensioning:

 PRESTRESSING SYSTEMS AND DEVICES (cont’d..)
In case of post-tensioned prestress concrete member, forces are transmitted
to the concrete by means of the end anchorages.
When the cable is curved, forces are transferred to concrete through the
radial pressure between the cable and the duct.
The space between the tendons and the duct is generally grouted after the
tensioning operation.
 PRESTRESSING SYSTEMS AND DEVICES (cont’d..)
• Advantages of post-tensioning:
The relative advantages of pre-tensioning as compared to post tensioning
are as follows:
 Suitable for heavy cast-in-place members.
 Waiting period in casting bed is less.
 Transfer of prestress is independent of transmission length.

• Disadvantages of post-tensioning:
The relative disadvantages are as follows:
 Requirement of anchoring devices and grouting equipment.
 PRESTRESSING SYSTEMS AND DEVICES (cont’d..)
• Devices required for post-tensioning
 Casting bed
 Mould / shuttering
 Ducts
 Anchoring devices
Jacks
 Couplers (optional)
 Grouting devices (optional)
 PRESTRESSING SYSTEMS AND DEVICES (cont’d..)
• Anchorage devices:

Freyssinet anchorage
PRESTRESSING SYSTEMS AND DEVICES (cont’d..)

VSL anchorage
PROPERTIES OF HARDENED CONCRETE
AND PRESTRESSING STEEL
Concrete
Prestresssed concrete requires:
• High compressive strength at a reasonably early stage
• Tensile strength higher than ordinary concrete
• Low shrinkage
• Minimum creep
• High value of Young’s modulus
Durability, impermeability and abrasion resistance are highly influenced by
the strength.
 PROPERTIES OF HARDENED CONCRETE AND
PRESTRESSING STEEL (cont’d..)
1. Compressive Strength
Grade of concrete
 PROPERTIES OF HARDENED CONCRETE AND
PRESTRESSING STEEL (cont’d..)
Permissible Compressive Stresses in Concrete
PROPERTIES OF HARDENED CONCRETE AND
PRESTRESSING STEEL (cont’d..)
 PROPERTIES OF HARDENED CONCRETE AND
PRESTRESSING STEEL (cont’d..)
2. Flexural Strength
The flexural strength of concrete is referred to as modulus of rupture and
considered as the stress at which flexural cracks develop in concrete
beams.
Flexural strength, = , is characteristic cube compressive
strength in N/mm2 .
is in N/mm2
3. Tensile Strength
IS code does not recommend any specific value for the tensile strength.
 PROPERTIES OF HARDENED CONCRETE AND
PRESTRESSING STEEL (cont’d..)
Steel
For prestressed concrete members, the high tensile steel used generally
consists of wires, bars or strands.
1. Strength Requirements
PROPERTIES OF HARDENED CONCRETE AND
PRESTRESSING STEEL (cont’d..)
PROPERTIES OF HARDENED CONCRETE AND
PRESTRESSING STEEL (cont’d..)
PROPERTIES OF HARDENED CONCRETE AND
PRESTRESSING STEEL (cont’d..)
 PROPERTIES OF HARDENED CONCRETE AND
PRESTRESSING STEEL (cont’d..)
At the time of initial tensioning, the maximum tensile stress,
immediately behind the anchorages shall not exceed 76 percent of the
ultimate tensile strength, of the wire or bar or strand.
Final effective prestress, after all losses of prestress shall not be less
than 45 percent of the characteristic tensile strength of tendons, .

2. Modulus of elasticity
Modulus of elasticity of shall be taken as 200 kN/mm2 for design purpose.