Prestressed Concrete Structures Dr. Amlan K Sengupta and Prof.

Devdas Menon

7.1 Transmission of Prestress (Part I)

This section covers the following topics.
• Pre-tensioned Members

7.1.1 Pre-tensioned Members

The stretched tendons transfer the prestress to the concrete leading to a self
equilibrating system. The mechanism of the transfer of prestress is different in the pre-
tensioned and post-tensioned members. The transfer or transmission of prestress is
explained for the two types of members separately.

For a pre-tensioned member, usually there is no anchorage device at the ends. The
following photo shows that there is no anchorage device at the ends of the pre-
tensioned railway sleepers.

Figure 7-1.1 End of pre-tensioned railway sleepers

(Courtesy: The Concrete Products and Construction Company, COPCO, Chennai)

For a pre-tensioned member without any anchorage at the ends, the prestress is
transferred by the bond between the concrete and the tendons. There are three
mechanisms in the bond.
1) Adhesion between concrete and steel
2) Mechanical bond at the concrete and steel interface

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Prestressed Concrete Structures Dr. Amlan K Sengupta and Prof. Devdas Menon

3) Friction in presence of transverse compression.

The mechanical bond is the primary mechanism in the bond for indented wires, twisted
strands and deformed bars. The surface deformation enhances the bond. Each of the
type is illustrated below.
Pitch

Elliptical indentations

Circular indentations

Examples of indented wires

Twisted strand Deformed bar

Figure 7-1.2 Indented wires, twisted strands and deformed bars

The prestress is transferred over a certain length from each end of a member which is
called the transmission length or transfer length (Lt). The stress in the tendon is zero
at the ends of the members. It increases over the transmission length to the effective
prestress (fpe) under service loads and remains practically constant beyond it. The
following figure shows the variation of prestress in the tendon.

Indian Institute of Technology Madras

Prestressed Concrete Structures Dr. Amlan K Sengupta and Prof. Devdas Menon

fpe

Lt
Figure 7-1.3 Variation of prestress in tendon along transmission length

Hoyer Effect
After stretching the tendon, the diameter reduces from the original value due to the
Poisson’s effect. When the prestress is transferred after the hardening of concrete, the
ends of the tendon sink in concrete. The prestress at the ends of the tendon is zero.
The diameter of the tendon regains its original value towards the end over the
transmission length. The change of diameter from the original value (at the end) to the
reduced value (after the transmission length), creates a wedge effect in concrete. This
helps in the transfer of prestress from the tendon to the concrete. This is known as the
Hoyer effect. The following figure shows the sequence of the development of Hoyer
effect.

Indian Institute of Technology Madras

Prestressed Concrete Structures Dr. Amlan K Sengupta and Prof. Devdas Menon

Diameter
Original after
diameter stretching
a) Applying tension to tendon

Diameter
Original after
diameter stretching

b) Casting of concrete

Sinking of tendon

fp0 Diameter
Original after
diameter stretching

c) Transferring of prestress
Figure 7-1.4 Hoyer effect

Since there is no anchorage device, the tendon is free of stress at the end. The
concrete should be of good quality and adequate compaction for proper transfer of
prestress over the transmission length.

Transmission Length
There are several factors that influence the transmission length. These are as follows.

1) Type of tendon
¾ wire, strand or bar
2) Size of tendon
3) Stress in tendon
4) Surface deformations of the tendon

Indian Institute of Technology Madras

Prestressed Concrete Structures Dr. Amlan K Sengupta and Prof. Devdas Menon

¾ Plain, indented, twisted or deformed

5) Strength of concrete at transfer
6) Pace of cutting of tendons
¾ Abrupt flame cutting or slow release of jack
7) Presence of confining reinforcement
8) Effect of creep
9) Compaction of concrete
10) Amount of concrete cover.

The transmission length needs to be calculated to check the adequacy of prestress in

the tendon over the length. A section with high moment should be outside the
transmission length, so that the tendon attains at least the design effective prestress
(fpe) at the section. The shear capacity at the transmission length region has to be
based on a reduced effective prestress.

IS:1343 - 1980 recommends values of transmission length in absence of test data.

These values are applicable when the concrete is well compacted, its strength is not
less than 35 N/mm2 at transfer and the tendons are released gradually. The
recommended values of transmission length are as follows.

Table 7-1.1 Values of transmission length

For plain and intended wires Lt = 100 Φ
For crimped wire Lt = 65 Φ
For strands Lt = 30 Φ

Here, Φ is the nominal diameter of the wire or strand.

To avoid the transmission length in the clear span of a beam, IS:1343 - 1980
recommends the following.
1) To have an overhang of a simply supported member beyond the support by a
distance of at least ½ Lt.

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Prestressed Concrete Structures Dr. Amlan K Sengupta and Prof. Devdas Menon

½ Lt

Figure 7-1.5 End of a simply supported member

2) If the ends have fixity, then the length of fixity should be at least Lt.

Lt
Figure 7-1.6 End of a member with fixity

Development Length
The development length needs to be provided at the critical section, the location of
maximum moment. The length is required to develop the ultimate flexural strength of the
member. The development length is the minimum length over which the stress in
tendon can increase from zero to the ultimate prestress (fpu). The development length is
significant to achieve ultimate capacity.

If the bonding of one or more strands does not extend to the end of the member (de-
bonded strand), the sections for checking development of ultimate strength may not be
limited to the location of maximum moment.

The development length (Ld) is the sum of the transmission length (Lt) and the bond
length (Lb).
Ld = Lt + Lb (7-1.1)

Indian Institute of Technology Madras

Prestressed Concrete Structures Dr. Amlan K Sengupta and Prof. Devdas Menon

The bond length is the minimum length over which, the stress in the tendon can
increase from the effective prestress (fpe) to the ultimate prestress (fpu) at the critical
location.

The following figure shows the variation of prestress in the tendon over the length of a
simply supported beam at ultimate capacity.

fpu
fpe

Lt
Figure 7-1.7 Variation of prestress in tendon at ultimate

The calculation of the bond length is based on an average design bond stress (τbd). A
linear variation of the prestress in the tendon along the bond length is assumed. The
following sketch shows a free body diagram of a tendon along the bond length.
τbd
fpeAp fpuAp

fpu
fpe

Lb
Figure 7-1.8 Assumed variation of prestress in tendon along the bond length

The bond length depends on the following factors.

1) Surface condition of the tendon
2) Size of tendon
3) Stress in tendon

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Prestressed Concrete Structures Dr. Amlan K Sengupta and Prof. Devdas Menon

4) Depth of concrete below tendon

From equilibrium of the forces in the above figure, the expression of the bond length is
derived.

Lb =
( fpu - fpe ) φ
(7-1.2)
4τ bd

Here, Φ is the nominal diameter of the tendon.

The value of the design bond stress (τbd) can be obtained from IS:456 - 2000, Clause
26.2.1.1. The table is reproduced below.

Table 7-1.2 Design bond stress for plain bars

Grade of concrete M30 M35 M40 and above
τbd (N/mm2) 1.5 1.7 1.9

End Zone Reinforcement

The prestress and the Hoyer effect cause transverse tensile stress (σt). This is largest
during the transfer of prestress. The following sketch shows the theoretical variation of
σ t.

σt

σt

Lt
Figure 7-1.9 Transverse stress in the end zone of a pre-tensioned beam

To restrict the splitting of concrete, transverse reinforcement (in addition to the

reinforcement for shear) needs to be provided at each end of a member along the

Indian Institute of Technology Madras

Prestressed Concrete Structures Dr. Amlan K Sengupta and Prof. Devdas Menon

transmission length. This reinforcement is known as end zone reinforcement.

The generation of the transverse tensile stress can be explained by the free body
diagram of the following zone below crack, for a beam with an eccentric tendon.
Tension (T), compression (C) and shear (V) are generated due to the moment acting on
the horizontal plane at the level of the crack. The internal forces along the horizontal
plane are shown in (a) of the following figure. The variation of moment (due to the
couple of the normal forces) at horizontal plane along the depth is shown in (b).

Lt

T C

Lt
Variation of moment
Free body diagram of at horizontal plane
zone below crack along depth
Figure 7-1.10 Forces in the end zone

The end zone reinforcement is provided to carry the tension (T) which is generated due
to the moment (M). The value of M is calculated for the horizontal plane at the level of
CGC due to the compressive stress block from the normal stresses in a vertical plane
above CGC. The minimum amount of end zone reinforcement (Ast) is given in terms of
the moment (M) as follows.

2.5M
Ast = (7-1.3)
fs h

Indian Institute of Technology Madras

Prestressed Concrete Structures Dr. Amlan K Sengupta and Prof. Devdas Menon

In the previous equation,

h = total depth of the section
M = moment at the horizontal plane at the level of CGC due to the
compressive stress block above CGC
fs = allowable stress in end zone reinforcement.
The lever arm for the internal moment is h/2.5. The value of fs is selected based on a
maximum strain.

The end zone reinforcement should be provided in the form of closed stirrups enclosing
all the tendons, to confine the concrete. The first stirrup should be placed as close as
possible to the end face, satisfying the cover requirements. About half the
reinforcement can be provided within a length equal to ⅓Lt from the end. The rest of the
reinforcement can be distributed in the remaining ⅔Lt.

References:

1) Krishnamurthy, D. “A Method of Determining the Tensile Stresses in the End Zones

of Pre-tensioned Beams”, Indian Concrete Journal, Vol. 45, No. 7, July 1971, pp. 286-
297.

2) Krishnamurthy, D. “Design of End Zone Reinforcement to Control Horizontal

Cracking in Pre-tensioned Concrete Members at Transfer”, Indian Concrete Journal, Vol.
47, No. 9, September 1973, pp. 346-349.

Indian Institute of Technology Madras

Prestressed Concrete Structures Dr. Amlan K Sengupta and Prof. Devdas Menon

Example 7-1.1

Design the end zone reinforcement for the pre-tensioned beam shown in the
following figure.

The sectional properties of the beam are as follows.

A = 46,400 mm2
I = 8.47 × 108 mm4
Z = 4.23 × 105 mm3

There are 8 prestressing wires of 5 mm diameter.

Ap = 8 × 19.6 = 157 mm2
The initial prestressing is as follows.
fp0 = 1280 N/mm2.
Limit the stress in end zone reinforcement (fs) to 140 N/mm2.

200

60
80
400 CGC
90
CGS

Cross-section at end
Solution

1) Determination of stress block above CGC

Initial prestressing force

P0 = Ap.fpo
= 157 × 1280 N
= 201 kN

Indian Institute of Technology Madras

Prestressed Concrete Structures Dr. Amlan K Sengupta and Prof. Devdas Menon

Stress in concrete at top

P0 P0e
ft = - +
A Z
201×103 201×103 ×90
=- +
46400 4.23 ×105
≈ 0 N/mm2

Stress at bottom

P0 P0e
fb = - -
A Z
201×103 201×103 ×90
=- -
46400 4.23×105
= -8.60 N/mm2

200

60 C1
1.29 C2
80 140 C3
CGC 4.30
y3 y2 y1
CGS

8.60

Stress profile Components of

compression
block
2) Determination of components of compression block
C1 = ½ × 1.29 × 200 × 60
= 7.74 kN
y1 = 140 + ⅓ × 60
= 160 mm
C2 = ½ × 1.29 × 140 × 80
= 7.22 kN
y2 = ⅔ × 140
= 93.3 mm
C3 = ½ × 4.3 × 140 × 80
= 24.08 kN
y3 = ⅓ × 140
= 46.7 mm

Indian Institute of Technology Madras

Prestressed Concrete Structures Dr. Amlan K Sengupta and Prof. Devdas Menon

200

60
1.29
80 140
4.30

8.60

3) Determination of moment
M = Σ Ci.yi
= C1.y1 + C2.y2 + C3.y3
= (7.74 × 160) + (7.22 × 93.3) + (24.08 × 46.7)
= 3036.6 kN-mm

4) Determination of amount of end zone reinforcement

2.5M
Ast =
fs h
2.5M
=
140 × 400
2.5 ×3036.6×103
=
140 × 400
= 135.6 mm2

With 6 mm diameter bars, required number of 2 legged closed stirrups

= 135.6 / (2 × 28.3) ⇒ 3.

For plain wires, transmission length

Lt = 100 Φ
= 500 mm.

Provide 2 stirrups within distance 250 mm (Lt/2) from the end. The third stirrup is in the
next 250 mm.

Indian Institute of Technology Madras

Prestressed Concrete Structures Dr. Amlan K Sengupta and Prof. Devdas Menon

Designed end zone reinforcement

(3) 6 mm diameter stirrups

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