PRE-STRESSED CONCRETE

PRE – TENSIONING
DIFFERENCE BETWEEN PRE – POST TENSIONING
SUBJECT : ADVANCED CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS

17C11C4001 A.THIRUPATHI RAO

17C11C4002 A. VARSHINI
17C11C4003 B.NAVYAKANTH
• DEFINATION: Prestressed concrete is a form of concrete used in
construction. It is substantially "prestressed" (compressed) during
production, in a manner that strengthens it against tensile forces
which will exist when in services.
• Principle : prestressed concrete is that compressive stresses
induced by the high-strength steel tendons in a concrete member
before loads are applied,this will balance the stresses imposed in
the member during the service
• Application :Prestressed concrete is used in bridges to increase the
possible span of the bridge and to make the structure more durable under
moving traffic conditions. Prestressed concrete is widely used for
residential and commercial products on the interior and exterior of
building construction.
• Prestressed slabs are prestressed concrete elements that have a constant
cross section. They are manufactured using high tensile strength
prestressed strands or single wire which are embedded within the element
• PRE STRESSING CAN BE DONE IN 2 METHODES
• PRE TENSIONING
• POST TENSIONING
• Difference Between RCC and Prestressed Concrete
• In ordinary reinforced cement concrete, compressive stresses are taken up by concrete and
tensile stresses by steel alone. The concrete below the neutral axis is ignored since it is weak in
tension. Although steel takes up the tensile stresses, the concrete in the tensile zone develops
minute cracks. The load carrying capacity of such concrete sections can be increased if steel and
concrete both are stressed before the applications of external loads. This is the concept of
prestressed concrete. As per ACI committee prestresssed concrete is that concrete in which
internal stresses of suitable magnitude are introduced so that the stresses resulting from the
external loadings can be counteracted to a desired degree.
• In R.C.C. members, prestress induced is of compressive nature so that it balances the tensile
stresses produced due to external load. It makes the whole section effective (the concrete area in
the tension zone also) in resisting loads.
• Advantages of prestressed concrete:
– Prestressed concrete sections are thinner and lighter than RCC sections, since high
strength concrete and steel are used prestressed concrete.
– In prestressed concrete, whole concrete area is effective in resisting loads, unlike
RCC where concrete below the neutral axis is neglected.
– Thinner sections in prestressed concrete results in less self weight and hence
overall economy.
– Long span bridges and flyovers are made of prestressed concrete because of lesser
self weight and thinner section. So, prestressed concrete is used for heavily loaded
structures.
– Prestressed concrete members show less deflection.
– Since the concrete does not crack in prestressesd concrete, rusting of steel is
minimized.
– Prestressed concrete is used in the structures where tension develops or the
structure is subjected to vibrations, impact and shock like girders, bridges, railway
sleepers, electric poles, gravity dams, etc.
– Precast members like electric poles and railway sleepers are produced in factories
using simple pre-stressing methods.
• Disadvantages of prestressed concrete:
– Prestressed concrete construction requires very good quality control and
supervisions
– Cost of materials used in prestressed is very high (high tensile steel is about three
times costlier than mild steel).
– Prestressed concrete requires specialized tensioning equipment and devices which
are very costly
– Prestressed concrete sections are more brittle because of use of high tension steel.
Materials used for preestressed concrete
• Steel:
– Ordinary mild steel and deformed bars are used in RCC are not used in PSC (prestressed concrete)
because their yield strength is not very high. In the prestressed concrete, loss of prestress (about 20 %)
occurs due to many factors. If mild steel bars or HYSD bars are used then very little prestress will be left
after the losses and will be of no use. Therefore, high tensile strength steel is used for prestressing. In
addition to the high strength, the steel used in prestressing must have a higher ultimate elongation. Various
forms of steel used for prestressing as follows:
• Tendons:
– Tendons are high strength tensile wires available in various diameters
from 1.5 mm to 8 mm. the following table gives the ultimate tensile
strength of steel wires used for prestressing.
– Diameter of wire (mm)
– Ultimate tensile strength (MPa)
• Wires strands or cables:
– A strand or cable is made of a bundle of wires spun together. The overall diameter of a cable or strand is from 7 to 17 mm. They are
used for post-tensioning systems.
• Bars:
– High tensile steel bars of diameter 10 mm or more are also used in prestressing.
• Concrete:
– Since high tensile steel is used in prestressed concrete, the concrete used should also be of good quality
and high strength. Therefore, the code recommends a minimum mix of M 40 for pre-tensioned system and
M 30 for post tensioned system. These mixes have high strength and a high value of modulus of elasticity of
concrete which results in less deflection.
– The concrete used in prestressed concrete should be well compacted. High strength concrete is used in
prestressed concrete for following reasons:
– Use of high strength concrete results in smaller sections.
– High strength concrete offers high resistance in tension, shear, bond and bearing.
– Less loss of prestress occurs with high strength concrete.
– When repeated loading tests are performed on the different prestressed concrete beams with the varying
proportions of steel contained in grouted post tensioned cables. Similar tests when performed on the
reinforced concrete beams which are reinforced with plain steel bars or cold worked deformed mild steel
bars. Under the repetitions of working load it is observed that the deformations on prestressed concrete beams
are slightly increased. Under the similar loads deformations were recorded and it was found
PROCESS OF FABRICATING PRESTRESSED CONCRETE
 Prestressed concrete slab
• Prestressed slabs are prestressed concrete elements that have a constant cross section. They are manufactured
using high tensile strength prestressed strands or single wire which are embedded within the element. The
production of these elements is achieved using our Slipformer or Wet Casting machines that cast an element
continuously on a long production bed without the need of any formworks.
• These prestressed slabs are fabricated in 3 types

•These are the machines used for

Fabricating of these slabs
•slabs are used as floor elements in residential, social and
commercial construction which require a slab with a high
level of loading, high fire resistance and good acoustic and
thermal insulation
•The dimensions of the concrete elements and the
prestressed steel wire configuration can be changed
according to the element technical specifications required.
•These are used in many applications.
Concrete elements can be produced up to 13 m long
Assured quality by using
• specific equipment for the manufacture of the concrete
elements combined with a high end quality control system
•The combination of half slabs with clay infills or polystyrene
insulation allows the construction of various floor thicknesses. Half slab
Filigree slab

Manufacturing with machine

The production of these elements is achieved
using our Slipformer or Wet Casting machines
that cast an element continuously on a long
production bed without the need of any
formworks.
Solid slab
 Prestressed concrete beams
• Prestressed beams are prestressed concrete elements that have a constant cross section. They are manufactured using
high tensile strength prestressed strands or single wire which are embedded within the element. The production of these
elements is achieved using that cast an element continuously on a long production bed without the need of any formworks.
 Prestressed concrete beams

Prestressed beams prestressed square beams

Prestressed recatngular beams prestressed delta beams

Post Tensioning
 Post Tensioning
What is Post-Tensioning ? • It is a method of reinforcing concrete or other
materials with high-strength strands called tendons .
• Post tensioning is a technique for reinforcing concrete.
Post-tensioning tendons, which are prestressing steel
cables inside plastic ducts or sleeves, are positioned in the • Post-Tensioning systems require specialized knowledge
forms before the concrete is placed. Afterwards, once the and expertise to fabricate, assemble and install, the
concrete has gained strength but before the service loads concept is easy to explain.
are applied, the cables are pulled tight, or tensioned, and
anchored against the outer edges of the concrete.
• Post – Tensioning is performed at the project site
• Post-tensioning is a form of prestressing. Prestressing as well as at precast yards.
simply means that the steel is stressed (pulled or
tensioned) before the concrete has to support the service
loads. Most precast, prestressed concrete is actually
pre-tensioned-the steel is pulled before the concrete is APPLICATIONS:
poured. Post-tensioned concrete means that the concrete Post-tensioning applications include office and apartment
is poured and then the tension is applied-but it is still buildings, parking structures, slabs-on-ground, bridges,
stressed before the loads are applied so it is still sports stadiums, rock and soil anchors, and water-tanks.
prestressed.
ADVANTAGES & APPLICATIONS OF Bridge designers have used PT both for
POST-TENSIONING cast-in-place concrete and for precast segmental
Post-tensioning, which is a form of prestressing, has several construction. PT allows longer spans and keeps
advantages over standard reinforcing steel (rebars): cracks tight.
▪ It reduces or eliminates shrinkage cracking-therefore no joints,
or fewer joints, are needed Concrete water tanks are often post-tensioned to
▪ Cracks that do form are held tightly together reduce crack width and leakage. The companies
▪ It allows slabs and other structural members to be thinner that make prestressed concrete tanks are Crom,
▪ It allows us to build slabs on expansive or soft soils DYK, Natgun, and Preload.
▪ It lets us design longer spans in elevated members, like floors
or beams

Common Applications for PT Masonry walls can be post-tensioned-this is usually

Post-tensioning, or PT, has become increasingly popular done with a solid steel bar fastened to the
over the past 30 years or so as the technology has been foundation and stressed with a nut at the wall's top.
perfected. At one time there were problems with corrosion
of the cables, especially in deicing-salt-laden parking
structures, but better materials and construction methods
(plus good training and certification programs) have One interesting application is for a concrete
eliminated most problems. countertop that needed to span 6 feet and carry a
heavy load.
A recently developed application of PT is external
post-tensioning for strengthening of existing structures,
especially as an upgrade to resist seismic forces.
Method of post-tensioning:

I. Tendons

● Tensioning of Tendons

ii. Hydraulic Jack

iii.Wedges
● Filling of holes by Grouting

Grouting through grout holes in the lining segments (e.g. hard rock)

❑ Post-Tensioning of slabs:
● Post-tensioned (PT) slabs are typically flat slabs, band beam and slabs or ribbed slabs. PT slabs
offer the thinnest slab type, as concrete is worked to its strengths, mostly being kept in
compression. Longer spans can be achieved due to prestress, which can also be used to
counteract deflections.

● Post-tensioned slabs use high-strength tensioned steel strands to compress the slabs, keeping the
majority of the concrete in compression. This gives a very efficient structure which minimises
material usages and decreases the economic span range when compared to reinforced concrete.
Benefits
• Fire resistance
• Cost
• Reduced material use
• Sound control
• Thermal mass
 Post-Tensioned concrete slab will require the following items:
1. Post-Tensioning Tendon
2. Anchorage Devices (at stressing, intermediate, fixed ends)
3. Reusable Pocket Formers (at stressing ends)
4. Split Pocket Formers (at intermediate ends)
5. Wedges (at stressing, intermediate, fixed ends)
6. Stressing Equipment (jack, pump, gauge)

❑ Post – Tensioning of Beams:

● The tensile strength of concrete is only about 10% of its compressive strength.
As a result, plain concrete members are likely to crack when loaded.
Reinforcing steel can be embedded in the concrete members to accept tensile
stresses which plain concrete cannot resist.
● Reinforcing is selected assuming that the tensile zone of the concrete carries no
load and that tensile stresses are resisted only by tensile forces in the
reinforcing bars. The resulting reinforced concrete members may crack, but it
can effectively carry the design loads.
Reinforced Concrete Beam Under Load Post Tensioning of beam

(a) shows a plainly reinforced concrete

simple span beam and fixed cantilever
beam cracked under applied load.
(b) shows the same unloaded beams
with prestressing forces applied by
stressing post-tensioning tendons. By
placing the prestressing low in the
simple-span beam and high in the
cantilever beam, compression is induced
in the tension zones; creating upward
camber.
c) shows the two prestressed beams
under the action of post-tensioning and
applied loads. The loads cause both the
simple-span beam and cantilever beam
to deflect down, creating tensile stresses
in the bottom of the simple-span beam
and top of the cantilever beam.
 The design balances the effects of load and prestressing in such a way that
tension from the loading is compensated by compression induced by the
prestressing. Tension is eliminated under the combination of the two and
tension cracks are prevented. As a result, durability is increased and more
efficient, cost effective construction is realized.

❑ POST-TENSIONING of FRAMES
• Steel moment resisting frames with post-tensioned connections use
post-tensioned high strength strands running parallel to the beam to
compress the beam flanges against the column flange.

• The posttensioning produces a resisting moment to service loading and

provides a restoring force that returns the frame to its pre-earthquake
position. The behavior and design of a PT connection and PT frame system
is described, where a PT frame system is interacting with the floor system.

• Frames with PT connections “expand”, and this expansion requires that the
floor system be designed to accommodate the expansion,

• The interaction of the floor system with the PT frame produces axial forces
in the beams that add to those caused by post-tensioning. This paper
proposes a performance based design approach for steel PT frame
systems.
 (a)Schematic elevation of one floor of a PT frame, (b) connection details, (c) moment - rotation behavior, and (d)
deformed configuration of one floor of a PT frame.

(a) The post-tensioning strands run through the column,

and are anchored against a column flange .
(b) Connection details.
 Difference between pre- tensioning and post-tensioning

s/no Types Pre - tensioning Post - tensioning

1. Concept Stards are tensioned before casting the Stards are enclosed in a duct then concrete
concrete Is casted and then the process of
tensioning is carried out after concrete
attains sufficient strenght

2. Where it can Industries On site and industries depends on scale

be done
3. Size Size of section is limited due to the Size is not restricted & long span
transportation issues and cranes are construction can be done onsite itself
limitations used in placing the section
4. Members Similar prestressed members are Member will change according to the size
designed
s/no Types Pre - tensioning Post - tensioning

5. Suitability Small and easy to transport heavy

6. Durability More reliable and durable Durability depends on two anchorage

Mechanisms

7. Loss in Not more then 18% Not more than 15%

prestress
8. Cost Cheaper because cost of sheathing is costlier
not involved

9. Method This method is developed due to the This method is developed due to bearing.
bonding between the concrete and
adopted due steel tendons.
to
Source :https://youtu.be/MIvfc6xScMo
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