Introduction to Pre-
Stressed Concrete
TCE 1151 CE TECHNICAL ELECTIVE 2
PRESTRESSED CONCRETE
•A prestressed concrete structure is different from a conventional
reinforced concrete structure due to the application of an initial
load on the structure prior to its use. The initial load or
‘prestress’ is applied to enable the structure to counteract the
stresses arising during its service period.
•Prestressed concrete is a type of reinforced concrete in which
the steel reinforcement has been tensioned against the concrete.
•Tensioning operation results in self-equilibrating system of
internal forces.
PRESTRESSED CONCRETE
Strain differential exists between concrete and reinforcement.
Total strain = ε
Concrete Strain = ε = εcf + εcr + εsh
Pre-stressing strain = ε = εpf - Δ εp
Disadvantages of Ordinary RC Structure
•Cracking in tensile region as concrete is weak in tension
•Excessive deflection as stiffness decreases due to cracking
•Excessive cracking can create durability problems
•High strength steel is not used effectively
PRESTRESSED CONCRETE
Why do we prestress concrete?
•Concrete is weak in tension.
•After cracking, considerable loss in stiffness.
•Precompression substantially increases the external load
required to crack the concrete resulting in a member that is
strong, tough and stiff.
OBJECTIVES OF PRESTRESSING
•Control or eliminate tensile stresses in the concrete (cracking) at
least up to service load levels.
•Control or eliminate deflection at some specific load level.
•Allow the use of high strength steel and concrete.
PRESTRESSED CONCRETE
•Prestressed concrete also have higher shear capacity compared
to the ordinary reinforced concrete
•Prestressed concrete can improve the flexural capacity in
columns (for typical design region where ku<kub) as shown in
the M-N interaction diagram below.
Axial Load N
Typical design region
Bending moment
ADVANTAGES OF PRESTRESSED CONCRETE
•Flexural cracking is delayed. In the case of fully prestressed
members, which are free from tensile stresses under working
loads, the cross-section is more efficiently utilized
•A prestressed concrete flexural members are stiffer under
working loads compared to RC members
•Camber (upward deflection) due to prestressing reduces
deflection
•Prestressed members posses improved resistance to shear, as
principal tensile stresses are reduced due to prestressing
•The use of high strength concrete and steel in prestressed
members results in lighter and slender members
LIMITATIONS OF PRESTRESSED CONCRETE
•Cost is relatively higher for normal structures as it requires
special site operation
•Loss of prestress due to shrinkage and creep of concrete and
relaxation of steel stresses can reduce useable prestressing force
•Loss also result from anchorage slip
•Design and construction is more difficult
PRESTRESSED CONCRETE-Materials
Prestressed concrete makes efficient use of high strength steel
and concrete
High-strength steel (tendons and bars)
Earlier attempts at producing prestressed concrete using normal
strength reinforcement had been unsuccessful due to losses in
the prestressing forces
These days, high strength tensile steel is used for prestressed
concrete in te form of prestressing wire (5,7mm), prestressing
strand and high strength alloy bars
PRESTRESSED CONCRETE
PRESTRESSED CONCRETE-Materials
Forms of prestressing steel
•Tendon - a stretched element used in a concrete member to
impart prestress to the concrete
•Wires - prestressing wire is a single unit made of steel
•Strands - two, three or seven wires are wound to form a
prestressing strand
•Cable - a group of strands form a prestressing cable
•Bars - a tendon can be made up of a single steel bar. The
diameter of a bar is much larger than that of a wire
PRESTRESSED CONCRETE
Concrete
Concrete with a 28day compressive cylinder strength of at least
35MPa is generally specified and much higher strengths are often
used (typically in the range of 50-70MPa)
PRESTRESSED CONCRETEAPPLICATIONS
Prestressed concrete is used in
•Buildings
•Underground structures
•Towers
•Water storage
•Offshore structures
•Numerous types of bridge system including cable-stayed and
segmental bridges
•Nuclear reactor vessels
METHOD OF PRESTRESSING
Pre-tensioning
The tension is applied to the tendons before casting of the
concrete. The pre-compression is transmitted from steel to
concrete through bond over the transmission length near the
ends.
•The tendons are anchored temporarily in the stressing bed and
tensioned before the concrete is cast
•Concrete is then cast around the stressed tendons
•When it has gained strength, the tendons are released from the
temporary anchorages and the bond between the concrete and
steel transfers the force to the concrete
METHOD OF PRESTRESSING
Limitations of pre-tensioning
Heavy casting beds are required but no permanent end
anchorages are necessary
Tendon diameter should be small enough and the surface rough
enough for a good bond. Normally multiple-wire stranded
tendons are used
Tendons cannot be easily curved to vary the eccentricity, but this
can be overcome by curving the beam itself or by harping
(deflecting tendons after tensioning)
The bond between the concrete and steel transfers the force to
the concrete and anchoring of the tendons at the end like that in
the post tensioning members are not required in pretensioned
members/structures
METHOD OF PRESTRESSING
Post-tensioning
•Ducts are placed in the concrete at the required cgs (center of
gravity of steel)
•Concrete is cast. Tendons are inserted into the ducts and are
tensioned at the site after the concrete has gained strength
•Permanent end anchorage is required through which
prestressing force is transferred
•The tendons after tensioning are grouted by pumping cement
water into the duct to provide proper bond between prestressing
steel and concrete and for protection of tendons from corrosion
•PVC or plastic sheaths can also be used as ducts.
•The tendons can be draped (curved) to any profiles, typically the
shape of bending moment diagram is followed.
EXTERNAL POST-TENSIONING
•Tendons can be placed outside the concrete section
•Prestressing force transferred by end anchorage and deviators
POST-TENSIONING IN SEGMENTAL
CONSTRUCTION
Post-tensioning method can be used for segmental construction of
structures which is commonly used method for bridge construction.
POST-TENSIONING IN PRECAST BUILDING
CONSTRUCTION
•Post-tensioning are also adopted in building construction like in
dry beam column joints
PRESTRESSED CONCRETE
PRESTRESSED CONCRETE
PRESTRESSED CONCRETE
