For additional information on Tarmacs precast products

please contact us on the number below.

Other technical information for each individual precast
unit is available for the following products:
box culverts
Charcon tunnels
double tee beams
retaining walls and barriers
thermocast
Literature covering our full range of products
for specific industry sectors is available on request.
commercial
energy
rail
road
sport and leisure
water
Tarmac Precast Concrete Limited
Tallington
Stamford
Lincolnshire
PE9 4RL

t 01778 381000
f 01778 348041
e precastenquiries@tarmac.co.uk
www.tarmacprecast.co.uk

Tarmac and the T mark are registered trademarks of the Tarmac Group.

Although Tarmac Limited does its best to ensure that any advice, recommendations or information it may give is accurate, no liability or responsibility of any kind (including liability for
negligence) is accepted in this respect by Tarmac Limited, its staff or agents. Claims and statements made by Tarmac Limited regarding its products refer to those which have been properly
handled on site. Tarmac Limited cannot accept any liability or responsibility of any kind (including liability for negligence) for problems caused by the acts or omissions of third parties or
by poor site practices.

0251 / 806

prestressed beams
Tarmac Precast Concrete product overview

product specifications
Tarmac prestressed concrete beams can be used to form
bridge decks with bearings and expansion joints as well as
integral bridges.
Integral bridges, which bear directly onto their abutments
and against the soil on each side, without bearings or joints,
are now a modern, economical option.
Prestressed concrete beams can be used conveniently in the
construction of elevated decks, podia, jetties and in forming
slabs to cover shafts and other excavated voids.

This brochure contains an overview of the technical specifications for our full range of standard bridge beams
with further technical information contained on a CD on the inside back cover.

further
technical information
On the attached CD
you will find the following
supplementary technical
information:

Beam section
properties
Strand layout
Detailing advice
Installation advice

bridge designers checklist

The following design notes are offered for guidance purposes and
reflect our standard manufacturing techniques. Should you have other
requirements our technical department will be pleased to offer advice.
Bearings

Quality Assurance

As a general rule the edge of the bearing closest to the

abutment should be detailed a minimum of 150mm from
the end of the beam.

Tarmac Precast Concrete is a BSI Registered Company. The Quality

System fully complies with the requirements of BS EN ISO 9001:2000.

Camber
Due to the properties of prestressed concrete units upward
camber will be present. As our standard beams are cast on flat
bases built in cambers cannot normally be accommodated.

Cast in items
Cast in items can be included providing that they do not
project through the sides or soffit of our standard mouldage.
Care should be taken to ensure that any cast in items do not
conflict with reinforcement or prestressing of strand locations.

Concrete
The use of cementitious materials other than RHPC may require
a longer curing period prior to detensioning and therefore are
to be avoided. Our standard concrete mixes have been designed
to attain a transfer strength of 40N/mm2 and a 28 day strength
of 60N/mm2. Other concrete strengths can be considered.

Ends

Links are tied to the prestressing strand using stainless steel tying wire
as standard. Links must be dimensioned to take account of strand
positions and link diameters when considering cover requirements.
For skewed beams links should be detailed square to the beam
centreline and skewed only at the beam ends. Two piece links of
different diameters and/or centres should be avoided.
To avoid displacement of reinforcement in complex cages during casting
it may be necessary to use tack welding. Reinforcement projecting
through the sides and soffit should be avoided and reinforcement
couplers should be considered as an alternative. Reinforcement
projecting from the beam end should be straight where possible.
Special stop ends/couplers may be provided to accommodate a bob
on the projecting bar.

Stacking Bearers
Stacking bearers are generally located at lifting positions or 500mm
from beam end.

Strand

Skews up to 45 can normally be incorporated within

our standard manufacturing procedures. The acute corner
will be blocked out above 240 to avoid the risk of spalling.
0

At the beam ends chamfers are provided across the soffit

to prevent spalling on detensioning. Scarfed ends and solid
end blocks should be avoided where possible. Where dowel
slots are specified account should be taken of the implications
of reinforcement and cover detailing.

Finishes
Top finish will be as cast with the side and soffit finishes to
the DTp Highway Specification or BS 5400. Colour variations
between units may occur and also between our units
and any site insitu works.

Lifting
Our standard lifting methods are as detailed on the attached CD.

Lengths
The overall length after transfer should be specified.
Small variations in length should be avoided.

Reinforcement

Our preferred strand sizes and types are indicated on the design
drawings on the attached CD. Standard strand positions are as shown
on the attached CD and debonding techniques can be used.

Testing
Our high standards of quality control make routine load testing
unnecessary.

Tolerances

Solid Slab Decks

Solid slab bridges are the most economical solution
for short spans, up to 18m.
The beams are laid side by side, bottom steel
is placed transversely through specially cast holes
in the beam and a top mat of steel is then fitted.
The deck is then completed with a pour of
insitu concrete.

TY beam
DECK SECTION

T Beam
typical applications:

profile

Short and medium span bridges and

commercial developments.

span range (in metres)

2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 22 24 26 28 30 32 34 36 38 40

advantages:
Provides a closely assembled soffit.
No need for formwork.

TY Beam
typical applications:

profile

Short and medium span bridges,

commercial developments, jetties
and marine decks.

span range (in metres)

2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 22 24 26 28 30 32 34 36 38 40

advantages:
Provides a closely assembled soffit with
lower number of beams required and less
insitu concrete. No need for formwork.

Tolerances should be to either DTp Highways Specification or BS 5400.

Web Openings
Web holes are provided at 900 to the beam sides for both square
and skewed beam ends at centres as given on the attached CD
for all beam types. The centres of the end web holes should be at least
400mm from the beam end to avoid the risk of horizontal splitting.

TYE Beam
typical applications:

Weight

Complementary edge beam to the

TY beam.

The weight of the beams used for handling and erection purposes
is that indicated on the design drawings on the attached CD.

advantages:

profile

span range (in metres)

2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 22 24 26 28 30 32 34 36 38 40

Can be used for a solid infill deck.

Increased section properties to support
parapet loading.
2

Solid Slab Decks

(cont.)

Solid Box Beam

profile

typical applications:
Short to long span bridges. Ideal for
use over busy railway lines.

span range (in metres)

2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 22 24 26 28 30 32 34 36 38 40

advantages:
Provides a quick, safe working
platform.

SBB Beam

(Standard Bridge Beam)

typical applications:
Ideal for short span bridges and
commercial developments.

advantages:
Provides a closely assembled soffit
and less insitu concrete. No need for
formwork. Can be readily designed
for continuity.

profile

span range (in metres)

2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 22 24 26 28 30 32 34 36 38 40

why use

precast concrete
Well first, it's renowned for its strength,
durability and versatility.
Then there are the significant cost savings precast concrete reduces initial construction
costs, accelerates build programmes and
requires lower levels of maintenance
over a project's life.
Precast concrete units are also quick and
easy to install, minimising on-site labour
time, and because there's no need to
wait for the concrete to cure allow you
to progress to the next stages immediately.

ten good reasons for

using precast concrete:
1.

Lowest whole-life cost

2.

Fast and efficient build

3.

Factory quality with engineered

tolerances

4.

Low maintenance

5.

Long spans

6.

Strong and durable

7.

Low noise transmission

8.

Environmentally friendly

9.

Built-in fire protection

10. Efficiency of thermal mass

3
7

Voided Slab Decks

technical
services
Tarmac can provide a full range
of technical services including:

A voided slab deck is useful where service decks

are required and in situations with very high skews.

U beam with rebate

Advice on TAI Certificate content

Deck analysis and design including
beam design and detailing

DECK SECTION

U Beam
typical applications:

Beam design and detailing

from clients analysis output
Advice on installation

Medium and long span bridges.

advantages:

profile

span range (in metres)

2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 22 24 26 28 30 32 34 36 38 40

Suitable for skew decks where torsion

is high. Provides a ready made edge
detail and easy provision for services.

Arrangement for provision of

Category 1, 2 or 3 checks

the leading
UK manufacturer
of precast concrete
offering our customers
a unique package
of benefits
7

1
4

Beam & Slab Decks

Beam & Slab Decks

Beam and slab bridges are economical from 18m to 40m.

The beams are parallel spaced at 2.0m centres
(depending on layout) and a top deck or end diaphragm
is cast insitu to connect them.

SY Beam
typical applications:

(cont.)

profile

Longer spans. Major motorway

schemes.

span range (in metres)

2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 22 24 26 28 30 32 34 36 38 40

advantages:
Provides a practical and economical
solution for spans up to 40 metres.

TY beam with rebate

TYE beam with rebate

DECK SECTION

DECK SECTION

Y Beam
typical applications:

typical applications:
profile

Medium and long span bridges

and commercial developments.

span range (in metres)

2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 22 24 26 28 30 32 34 36 38 40

The beams are spaced apart,

facilitating easy access to
the underside of the structure.

profile

Complementary edge beam

to the Y beam.

span range (in metres)

2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 22 24 26 28 30 32 34 36 38 40

typical applications:

profile

Complementary edge beam

to the TY beam.

span range (in metres)

2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 22 24 26 28 30 32 34 36 38 40

UM Beam

M Beam

Closed soffit to underside ideal for

pseudo-box type construction.

advantages:

Can be used for beam and slab

construction. Increased section
properties to support parapet loading.

Can be used for either a solid infill

deck or beam and slab construction.
Increased section properties to support
parapet loading.

advantages:

2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 22 24 26 28 30 32 34 36 38 40

advantages:

advantages:

Provides voided bridge deck

for medium and long span road
bridge construction.

span range (in metres)

TYE Beam with rebate

YE Beam

typical applications:

profile

Short and medium span bridges

and commercial developments.
The beams are spaced apart,
facilitating easy access to
the underside of the structure.

advantages:

typical applications:

TY Beam with rebate

profile

span range (in metres)

2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 22 24 26 28 30 32 34 36 38 40

typical applications:
Complementary edge beam
to the M beam.

profile

span range (in metres)

2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 22 24 26 28 30 32 34 36 38 40

advantages:
Provides a clean vertical face
with a variety of finishes
along with a channel void
for incorporation of services.

Beam & Slab Decks

Beam & Slab Decks

Beam and slab bridges are economical from 18m to 40m.

The beams are parallel spaced at 2.0m centres
(depending on layout) and a top deck or end diaphragm
is cast insitu to connect them.

SY Beam
typical applications:

(cont.)

profile

Longer spans. Major motorway

schemes.

span range (in metres)

2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 22 24 26 28 30 32 34 36 38 40

advantages:
Provides a practical and economical
solution for spans up to 40 metres.

TY beam with rebate

TYE beam with rebate

DECK SECTION

DECK SECTION

Y Beam
typical applications:

typical applications:
profile

Medium and long span bridges

and commercial developments.

span range (in metres)

2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 22 24 26 28 30 32 34 36 38 40

The beams are spaced apart,

facilitating easy access to
the underside of the structure.

profile

Complementary edge beam

to the Y beam.

span range (in metres)

2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 22 24 26 28 30 32 34 36 38 40

typical applications:

profile

Complementary edge beam

to the TY beam.

span range (in metres)

2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 22 24 26 28 30 32 34 36 38 40

UM Beam

M Beam

Closed soffit to underside ideal for

pseudo-box type construction.

advantages:

Can be used for beam and slab

construction. Increased section
properties to support parapet loading.

Can be used for either a solid infill

deck or beam and slab construction.
Increased section properties to support
parapet loading.

advantages:

2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 22 24 26 28 30 32 34 36 38 40

advantages:

advantages:

Provides voided bridge deck

for medium and long span road
bridge construction.

span range (in metres)

TYE Beam with rebate

YE Beam

typical applications:

profile

Short and medium span bridges

and commercial developments.
The beams are spaced apart,
facilitating easy access to
the underside of the structure.

advantages:

typical applications:

TY Beam with rebate

profile

span range (in metres)

2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 22 24 26 28 30 32 34 36 38 40

typical applications:
Complementary edge beam
to the M beam.

profile

span range (in metres)

2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 22 24 26 28 30 32 34 36 38 40

advantages:
Provides a clean vertical face
with a variety of finishes
along with a channel void
for incorporation of services.

Voided Slab Decks

technical
services
Tarmac can provide a full range
of technical services including:

A voided slab deck is useful where service decks

are required and in situations with very high skews.

U beam with rebate

Advice on TAI Certificate content

Deck analysis and design including
beam design and detailing

DECK SECTION

U Beam
typical applications:

Beam design and detailing

from clients analysis output
Advice on installation

Medium and long span bridges.

advantages:

profile

span range (in metres)

2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 22 24 26 28 30 32 34 36 38 40

Suitable for skew decks where torsion

is high. Provides a ready made edge
detail and easy provision for services.

Arrangement for provision of

Category 1, 2 or 3 checks

the leading
UK manufacturer
of precast concrete
offering our customers
a unique package
of benefits
7

1
4

Solid Slab Decks

(cont.)

Solid Box Beam

profile

typical applications:
Short to long span bridges. Ideal for
use over busy railway lines.

span range (in metres)

2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 22 24 26 28 30 32 34 36 38 40

advantages:
Provides a quick, safe working
platform.

SBB Beam

(Standard Bridge Beam)

typical applications:
Ideal for short span bridges and
commercial developments.

advantages:
Provides a closely assembled soffit
and less insitu concrete. No need for
formwork. Can be readily designed
for continuity.

profile

span range (in metres)

2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 22 24 26 28 30 32 34 36 38 40

why use

precast concrete
Well first, it's renowned for its strength,
durability and versatility.
Then there are the significant cost savings precast concrete reduces initial construction
costs, accelerates build programmes and
requires lower levels of maintenance
over a project's life.
Precast concrete units are also quick and
easy to install, minimising on-site labour
time, and because there's no need to
wait for the concrete to cure allow you
to progress to the next stages immediately.

ten good reasons for

using precast concrete:
1.

Lowest whole-life cost

2.

Fast and efficient build

3.

Factory quality with engineered

tolerances

4.

Low maintenance

5.

Long spans

6.

Strong and durable

7.

Low noise transmission

8.

Environmentally friendly

9.

Built-in fire protection

10. Efficiency of thermal mass

3
7

bridge designers checklist

The following design notes are offered for guidance purposes and
reflect our standard manufacturing techniques. Should you have other
requirements our technical department will be pleased to offer advice.
Bearings

Quality Assurance

As a general rule the edge of the bearing closest to the

abutment should be detailed a minimum of 150mm from
the end of the beam.

Tarmac Precast Concrete is a BSI Registered Company. The Quality

System fully complies with the requirements of BS EN ISO 9001:2000.

Camber
Due to the properties of prestressed concrete units upward
camber will be present. As our standard beams are cast on flat
bases built in cambers cannot normally be accommodated.

Cast in items
Cast in items can be included providing that they do not
project through the sides or soffit of our standard mouldage.
Care should be taken to ensure that any cast in items do not
conflict with reinforcement or prestressing of strand locations.

Concrete
The use of cementitious materials other than RHPC may require
a longer curing period prior to detensioning and therefore are
to be avoided. Our standard concrete mixes have been designed
to attain a transfer strength of 40N/mm2 and a 28 day strength
of 60N/mm2. Other concrete strengths can be considered.

Ends

Links are tied to the prestressing strand using stainless steel tying wire
as standard. Links must be dimensioned to take account of strand
positions and link diameters when considering cover requirements.
For skewed beams links should be detailed square to the beam
centreline and skewed only at the beam ends. Two piece links of
different diameters and/or centres should be avoided.
To avoid displacement of reinforcement in complex cages during casting
it may be necessary to use tack welding. Reinforcement projecting
through the sides and soffit should be avoided and reinforcement
couplers should be considered as an alternative. Reinforcement
projecting from the beam end should be straight where possible.
Special stop ends/couplers may be provided to accommodate a bob
on the projecting bar.

Stacking Bearers
Stacking bearers are generally located at lifting positions or 500mm
from beam end.

Strand

Skews up to 45 can normally be incorporated within

our standard manufacturing procedures. The acute corner
will be blocked out above 240 to avoid the risk of spalling.
0

At the beam ends chamfers are provided across the soffit

to prevent spalling on detensioning. Scarfed ends and solid
end blocks should be avoided where possible. Where dowel
slots are specified account should be taken of the implications
of reinforcement and cover detailing.

Finishes
Top finish will be as cast with the side and soffit finishes to
the DTp Highway Specification or BS 5400. Colour variations
between units may occur and also between our units
and any site insitu works.

Lifting
Our standard lifting methods are as detailed on the attached CD.

Lengths
The overall length after transfer should be specified.
Small variations in length should be avoided.

Reinforcement

Our preferred strand sizes and types are indicated on the design
drawings on the attached CD. Standard strand positions are as shown
on the attached CD and debonding techniques can be used.

Testing
Our high standards of quality control make routine load testing
unnecessary.

Tolerances

Solid Slab Decks

Solid slab bridges are the most economical solution
for short spans, up to 18m.
The beams are laid side by side, bottom steel
is placed transversely through specially cast holes
in the beam and a top mat of steel is then fitted.
The deck is then completed with a pour of
insitu concrete.

TY beam
DECK SECTION

T Beam
typical applications:

profile

Short and medium span bridges and

commercial developments.

span range (in metres)

2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 22 24 26 28 30 32 34 36 38 40

advantages:
Provides a closely assembled soffit.
No need for formwork.

TY Beam
typical applications:

profile

Short and medium span bridges,

commercial developments, jetties
and marine decks.

span range (in metres)

2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 22 24 26 28 30 32 34 36 38 40

advantages:
Provides a closely assembled soffit with
lower number of beams required and less
insitu concrete. No need for formwork.

Tolerances should be to either DTp Highways Specification or BS 5400.

Web Openings
Web holes are provided at 900 to the beam sides for both square
and skewed beam ends at centres as given on the attached CD
for all beam types. The centres of the end web holes should be at least
400mm from the beam end to avoid the risk of horizontal splitting.

TYE Beam
typical applications:

Weight

Complementary edge beam to the

TY beam.

The weight of the beams used for handling and erection purposes
is that indicated on the design drawings on the attached CD.

advantages:

profile

span range (in metres)

2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 22 24 26 28 30 32 34 36 38 40

Can be used for a solid infill deck.

Increased section properties to support
parapet loading.
2

product specifications
Tarmac prestressed concrete beams can be used to form
bridge decks with bearings and expansion joints as well as
integral bridges.
Integral bridges, which bear directly onto their abutments
and against the soil on each side, without bearings or joints,
are now a modern, economical option.
Prestressed concrete beams can be used conveniently in the
construction of elevated decks, podia, jetties and in forming
slabs to cover shafts and other excavated voids.

This brochure contains an overview of the technical specifications for our full range of standard bridge beams
with further technical information contained on a CD on the inside back cover.

further
technical information
On the attached CD
you will find the following
supplementary technical
information:

Beam section
properties
Strand layout
Detailing advice
Installation advice

For additional information on Tarmacs precast products

please contact us on the number below.
Other technical information for each individual precast
unit is available for the following products:
box culverts
Charcon tunnels
double tee beams
retaining walls and barriers
thermocast
Literature covering our full range of products
for specific industry sectors is available on request.
commercial
energy
rail
road
sport and leisure
water
Tarmac Precast Concrete Limited
Tallington
Stamford
Lincolnshire
PE9 4RL

t 01778 381000
f 01778 348041
e precastenquiries@tarmac.co.uk
www.tarmacprecast.co.uk

Tarmac and the T mark are registered trademarks of the Tarmac Group.

Although Tarmac Limited does its best to ensure that any advice, recommendations or information it may give is accurate, no liability or responsibility of any kind (including liability for
negligence) is accepted in this respect by Tarmac Limited, its staff or agents. Claims and statements made by Tarmac Limited regarding its products refer to those which have been properly
handled on site. Tarmac Limited cannot accept any liability or responsibility of any kind (including liability for negligence) for problems caused by the acts or omissions of third parties or
by poor site practices.

0251 / 806

prestressed beams
Tarmac Precast Concrete product overview