CH-4

INTRODUCTION TO PRESTRESSED CONCRETE

Haromaya University
Department of Civil Engineering

DEFINITION OF PRESTRESSING
It

consists of preloading the structure before

application of design loads in such a way so as
to improve its general performance.

The

prestress is introduced by tensioning steel

within the concrete either before the concrete is
cast (pre-tensioning) or after casting in which
case ducts are cast into the section and steel
tendons are then passed through the ducts,
tensioned and anchored putting the concrete into
compression (post-tensioning).
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DEFINITION OF PRESTRESSING
In

prestressed concrete, the compressive

stresses introduced into areas where tensile
stresses develop under load will resist or annul
these tensile stresses.
So the concrete beam behaves as if it has a high
tensile strength of its own. Provided the tensile
stresses do not exceed to pre-compression
stresses, cracking cannot occur in the bottom of
the beam.
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DEFINITION OF PRESTRESSING
Example

Stack of books &

Wooden Barrel

DEFINITION OF PRESTRESSING

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.
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NET RESULT OF PRESTRESSING

Improved

performance of concrete in
ordinary design situations (compared to
R/C).
Extended range of application of structural
concrete (longer spans).
Innovative forms of structures.

MATERIALS: TYPES OF PRESTRESSING STEEL

Materials
High strength steel (prestressing tendons)
High Strength Concrete

Prestressing tendons:
Prestressing tendon may be in the form of stands , wires ,
round bar or threaded rods

MATERIALS: TYPES OF PRESTRESSING STEEL

COMMON SHAPES OF PRESTRESSING

TENDONS

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COMMON SHAPES OF PRESTRESSING TENDONS

Among these 7-wire strand is most

popular

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Typical stress-strain curves of reinforcing and prestressing steel

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METHODS OF PRESTRESSING
Pretensioning:
In pretension , the tendons are tensioned against some
abutments before the concrete is placed.
After the concrete hardened , the tension force is
realeased.
The tendon tries to shrink back to the intial length but the
concrete resist it through the bond between them , thus
compression force is induced in concrete.

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METHODS OF PRESTRESSING
Pretensioning:

Ideally suited for mass

production. Precast members

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PRETENSIONING

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PRETENSIONING
This

method produces a good bond between

the tendon and concrete, which both protects
the tendon from corrosion and allows for direct
transfer of tension.
The cured concrete adheres and bonds to the
bars and when the tension is released it is
transferred to the concrete as compression by
static friction.
Since the concrete is always under
compression, it is less subject to
cracking and failure.

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PRESTRESSING METHODS

Post-Tensioning:

In posttensioning , the tendons are tensioned

after the concrete has hardened.
Metal or plastic ducts are placed inside the
concrete before casting. After the concrete
hardened and had enough strength , the tendon
was placed inside the duct stressed and
anchored against concrete.

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PRESTRESSING METHODS
Jacking

against the member and the eccentricity

is easily varied along the length of the member.

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POST-TENSIONING SEQUENCE
Place

reinforcing cage and post-tensioning

ducts inside the formwork.
After casting and curing of the concrete, the
tendons are tensioned and anchored with
special jacks that react against the member.
Unless tendons are being used, the duct is
then grouted to complete the posttensioning operation.
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PROFILES OF POST-TENSIONED TENDONS

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ADVANTAGES OF PRESTRESSING
The use of prestressed concrete offers distinct advantages over
ordinary reinforced listed as follows:

General advantages:

Prestressing minimises the effect of cracks in concrete

elements by holding the concrete in compression.

Prestressing allows reduced beam depths to be achieved for

equivalent design strengths.

Prestressed concrete is resilient and will recover from the

effects of a greater degree of overload than any other 21
structural material.

ADVANTAGES OF PRESTRESSING

If the member is subject to overload, cracks, which may

develop, will close up on removal of the overload.

Prestressing enables both entire structural elements and

structures to be formed from a number of precast units,
e.g. Segmented and Modular Construction.

Lighter elements permit the use of longer spanning

members with a high strength to weight characteristic.

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ADVANTAGES OF PRESTRESSING

The ability to control deflections in prestressed beams and

slabs permits longer spans to be achieved.

Prestressing permits a more efficient usage of steel and

enables the economic use of high tensile steels and
high strength concrete.
Better shear resistance
Good for liquid retaining structures and nuclear power plants

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APPLICATIONS OF PRESTRESSED CONCRETE:

Bridges
Slabs in buildings
Water Tank
Concrete Pile
Thin Shell Structures
Offshore Platform
Nuclear Power Plant
Repair and Rehabilitations

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Limitations of Prestressing
Although prestressing has advantages, some aspects need to be
carefully addressed.
Prestressing needs skilled technology. Hence, it is not as common
as reinforced concrete.
The use of high strength materials is costly.
There is additional cost in auxiliary equipments.
There is need for quality control and inspection.

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