Post-Tensioned Prestressed Concrete

Post-Tensioned Slab-on-Ground Construction

Reinforced vs Plain Concrete

It is important to recognize the difference between reinforced and plain concrete when referring to posttensioned or conventionally reinforced concrete slabson-ground. The American Concrete Institute (ACI) defines reinforced concrete as concrete designed to satisfy the minimum requirements of the code. The category of plain concrete was developed by ACI to refer to concrete used in ground supported construction where loads are light, stresses are low, life safety concerns are minimal or non-existent and the minimum requirements for reinforced concrete are not necessary.

How Prestressing Works

The Basics

Occupancy Loads
Tensi on on Tensi

Edge Lift ft = Mc /I or M/Sb

Edge Lift

How Prestressing Works

For Slabs-on-Ground
Force

Compression
ft = M/Sb (P/A)

Force

Advantages of Post-Tensioning
Inherent compressive strength of concrete Less structural depth to achieve same design strength Economical use of building materials Speed of construction

Applications of Post-Tensioning
Slab-on-Ground Foundations
Single Family Residential Multi-Family Residential Commercial / Industrial Sports Courts

Post-Tension Steel Tonnage Comparison

80000 70000 60000 50000 40000 30000 20000 10000 0

2001

Buildings

SOG

Bridges

R&S Anchors

2002

1994

1999

2003

1995

1996

1997

1998

2000

Foundations Types
Classified by BRAB Report 33
In 1962, The Building Research Advisory Board (BRAB) issued Report 33 which classified residential foundations into four design categories based upon the degree of severity of the supporting soil: Type I: Unreinforced Type II: Lightly Reinforced Type III: Reinforced and Stiffened Type IV: Structural

PTI Design Procedure

Slab-on-Ground Foundations
The PTI design procedure for expansive soil is based on a ribbed slab layout.

The key-word is Slab-on-GROUND

Slabs-on-Ground are designed to meet a specific set of soil parameters. The performance of ANY foundation is dependent up on obtaining accurate soil information about the site. Expansive Soils Plasticity Index (PI) Greater than 15 Expansion Index (EI) Greater than 20 Em, Ym, Bearing Capacity

Site Inspection
Inspect site to look for unusual conditions
Drainage ditches or low areas that hold water Trees that can influence soil moisture Anything that appears out of the ordinary Contact the geotechnical and structural engineer for recommendations

Site Preparation
Strip Site of Organics & Trash
The site should be initially stripped of all surface vegetation and other deleterious material.

Site Preparation
Recompact Scarified Surface Material
The exposed subgrade should be scarified and recompacted.

Site Preparation
Identify Voids & Recompact
Remove trees, including the root system Proof roll the site to identify any loose soil

Site Preparation
Drainage
Grade the lot for positive drainage away from the foundation during and after construction.

Site Preparation
Compaction tests should be performed on all fill material used during the site development phase. The quality, as well as the compaction, of all fill material should be documented. Fill should exhibit low expansion properties, be free of organics and other deleterious material, and be compatible with the existing soil characteristics. READ the General Notes sheet prepared by the structural engineer. This sheet may contain special instructions about specific site preparation requirements. Contact the structural engineer should anything be unclear or in question.

Components of an Unbonded PT System

Unbonded Strand Anchorages Accessories

Unbonded P-T Strand

Unbonded strand consists of three main components: Prestressing Steel PT Coating Sheathing
High Density Polyethylene Sheathing

Corrosion Protection "Grease"

P-T Coating

7 wire Steel Strand

Anchorage System

Anchor

2-pc Wedge

Standard System Fixed End Anchorage

Standard System Stress End Anchorage

Anchor

Pocket Former

Standard System Assembly

Stressing Anchorage
Incorrect Correct

Stressing Anchorage
Tendon Sheathing Repair
Replace Sheathing Tape 1 inch Rule

Installation
Follow approved engineers drawings Anchors are placed 6 inches from edge Anchors are placed at T/2 or 3 below top of slab Anchors are securely attached to edge forms

Installation
Follow approved engineers drawings Anchors are placed 6 inches from edge Anchors are placed at T/2 or 3 below top of slab Anchors are securely attached to edge forms

Installation
Horizontal transitions are smooth, clear all openings by 3 inches and are straight past the opening

Installation
Chair Placement
Chairs are placed and tied at each tendon intersection at less than 3-6 centers

Installation
Chair Placement
Correct Incorrect

Installation
Draped tendons are used in some designs to provide compression in the bottom of beams resisting tensile stresses caused from edge lift.

Installation
Drops in Slabs

Plumbing Blockouts
Deflect tendons to avoid blockouts through the slab. Maintain minimum of 3 concrete cover between tendon and blockout

Plumbing Blockouts
Corner blockouts can cause concreting difficulties. Rebar solutions can alleviate the congestion and prevent corner failures

Anchorage Zone Penetrations

Penetrations through the anchorage zone should be sleeved with schedule 40 pipe.

Reentrant Corners
Initial curing tensile stresses build-up at reentrant (inside) corners causing cracking to occur. Rebar is typically installed at these locations.

Stressing
Initial Concrete Strength (2,000 psi MIN) Initial Marking (Elongations) Calibration of Jack/Gauge Stressing Force vs. Gauge Pressure Final Elongation Measurement

Cutting Stressing Tails

Finishing Stressing Recess

Clean the pocket former recess of any dirt, grit, oil or other material that will prevent the grout from bonding to the concrete Grout pocket former recess with nonshrink cement, sand and water mix that will reach the minimum compressive strength of the concrete slab.

Inspections
Inspections should be conducted to insure the quality of the construction. Pre-pour: Installation of P-T and rebar Pour: Placement of Concrete Stressing: Tensioning of P-T Tendons

Pre-Pour Inspection
Check the tendon and bar count Check the placement of the fixed-end anchors for the required cover over the end of the steel Check to be sure that the stressing ends are securely nailed to the forms (2 nails) and that the tendon is perpendicular to the anchor Check to be sure that you have adequate concrete cover over all of the steel

Pour Inspection
Do not add excessive water at the site Place the concrete in one continuous operation - NO COLD JOINTS Consolidate (vibrate) the concrete around the P-T anchors, especially in the corners where multiple anchors are located.

Pour Inspection
DO NOT displace or walk on any of the reinforcement - P-T or rebar

Post-Concrete Placement
Notify the P-T stressing company the day after the concrete is placed to schedule stressing Remove the forms - ALL OF THEM. Do this within 3 days after the concrete is placed Do NOT damage stressing tails in rough grade Do NOT cover tendon tails with dirt or lumber

Trouble-Shooting
Honeycombs Low strength and poor quality concrete Plumbing mistakes

Trouble-Shooting
Correct Incorrect

Foundation Maintenance
Do not alter the drainage pattern of the site Provide a minimum of 3%-5% of slope away from the foundation with the first 5 feet Roof drains should not discharge water at the perimeter of the foundation Do not plant trees within the trees drip line Do not cut off natural moisture around the foundation by constructing decks or pools

Performance
The long-term performance of any slab-on-ground foundation is dependent upon good drainage and a moisture maintenance program by the property owner.

PTI Certification Program

Consistency of material quality Quality of extrusion and fabrication process Traceability of components Stressing equipment calibration Company commitment to the long term performance of the system

Construction & Maintenance

More information concerning the construction & maintenance of posttensioned slabs-on-ground, can be found in a manual published by the Post-Tensioning Institute. The 3rd Editions is currently being reviewed by committee and will be available in the next few months. 602-870-7540 www.post-tensioning.org

Design Procedures & Code

New in 2005

602-870-7540 www.post-tensioning.org