RAMDEOBABA COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING AND
TECHNOLOGY NAGPUR
Course:- Construction Technology
Course Code:- CETH3100
Presented By:-
Names Roll No.
1. Mohammad Faraz 73
2. Mithilesh Patil 69
Under The Guidance of
Dr. Aashish Mehta Sir
Dept. of Civil Engineering, RCOEM, Nagpur
Prestressed
Concrete
Construction
Prestressed concrete construction revolutionizes building practices.
It combines the strength of concrete with the tensile properties of
steel. This innovative technique allows for longer spans, thinner
sections, and enhanced durability in structures.
Introduction to Prestressed Concrete
Prestressed concrete is defined as concrete in
which internal stresses of suitable magnitude
and distribution are introduced so that the
stresses resulting from the external loading is
counter balanced to a desired degree.
Materials Used in Prestressed Concrete
Wire Strands or Cables Prestressing Steel Bars
High-tensile strength steel wires, High tensile steel bars of diameter 10mm
A strand or cable is made of a bundle of wires
or more are also used in prestressed
strands, or bars are employed for
spun together. The overall diameter of a cable concrete.
tensioning.
or stand is from 7 to 17mm. They are used for
post-tensioning systems.
Wire strands tendons
Comparison of non-prestressed
beam (top) and prestressed concrete
beam (bottom) under load:
1.Non-prestressed beam without load
2.Non-prestressed beam with load
3.Before concrete solidifies, tendons
embedded in concrete are tensioned
4.After concrete solidifies, tendons apply
compressive stress to concrete
5.Prestressed beam without load
6.Prestressed beam with load
Advantages of Prestressed
Concrete
1 Increased Span 2 Reduced Cracking
Lengths
Compressive forces
Prestressing allows for minimize tensile stresses,
longer spans, reducing resulting in fewer and
the need for intermediate smaller cracks.
supports.
3 Improved Durability 4 Material Efficiency
Enhanced crack Thinner sections can be
resistance leads to better used, reducing overall
protection against material consumption
corrosion and weathering. and structural weight.
Disadvantages of Prestressed Concrete
Higher Initial Costs Complex Design
Specialized materials, equipment, and skilled labor Prestressed concrete requires advanced engineering
increase upfront expenses. knowledge and precise calculations.
High Labour Cost Limited Modifications
A high degree of workmanship and control is required. Altering prestressed elements post-construction can be
challenging and potentially dangerous.
Types of Prestressed Concrete
Pre-Tensioning
Pre-tensioned Post-tensioned
Tendons are stressed before Tendons are stressed after
concrete is cast, typically in a concrete has hardened, often
factory setting. on-site.
Post-Tensioning
Difference Between Pre-tensioning and Post-tensioning
Aspect Pre-tensioning Post-tensioning
Timing Before concrete casting After concrete hardening
Location Factory On-site or factory
Bonding Bonded Bonded or unbonded
Element size Limited by transportation Can be larger
Pre-Tensioning
Pre-tensioning is accomplished by stressing wires or strands, called tendons, to
predetermined amount by stretching them between two anchorages prior to placing
concrete as shown in fig. the concrete is then placed and tendons become bounded to
concrete throughout their length. After concrete has hardened, the tendons are released by
cutting them at the anchorages. The tendons tend to regain their original length by
shortening and in this process transfer through bond a compressive stress to the concrete.
Post-Tensioning
The tension is applied to the tendons (located in a duct) after hardening of the concrete.
The pre-compression is transmitted from steel to concrete by the anchorage device (at the
end blocks). In a post-tensioned beam, the tendons are stressed and each end is anchored
to the concrete section after the concrete has been cast and has attained sufficient
strength to safely withstand the prestressing force as shown in fig. In post-tensioning
method, tendons are coated with grease or a bituminous material to prevent them from
becoming bonded to concrete.
Box Girder
Losses in Prestressed Concrete
Elastic Shortening
Occurs immediately upon transfer of prestress force to concrete.
Creep and Shrinkage
Time-dependent deformations in concrete cause gradual prestress
loss.
Steel Relaxation
Prestressing steel experiences stress reduction under constant strain.
Friction and Anchorage Set
Affects post-tensioned systems due to tendon curvature and
anchorage slip.
Construction Techniques
1 Formwork and Reinforcement
Precise placement of formwork, reinforcement, and prestressing
tendons is crucial.
2 Concrete Placement
High-strength concrete is carefully poured and vibrated to ensure
proper consolidation.
3 Tensioning
Hydraulic jacks apply precise forces to tendons, monitored by load
cells.
4 Grouting and Finishing
Post-tensioning ducts are grouted, and final surface treatments are
applied.
Applications of Prestressed Concrete
Bridges Parking Structures Water Tanks
Prestressed concrete enables longer Thin floor slabs and long spans Prestressing provides excellent
spans and reduced pier create efficient, column-free parking crack control for watertight liquid-
requirements in bridge construction. areas. containing structures.
Applications of Prestressed Concrete
Railway Sleepers Precast Sections Industrial Structures
Railway sleepers are prestressed These are flat panels that can be Warehouses and factories benefit
to withstand repeated impact used as floors or roofs in buildings. greatly from prestressed concrete.
loads and transfer the weight of
a train from the rails to the
ground.
