Wisconsin PT Workshop Notes

University of Wisconsin
WELCOME
Gary Whited
Construction and Materials Support Center, U.W.
Scot Becker
Chief Development Engineer, WisDOT
What is P/T?
Method of applying a large compression force

to a structure (concrete) before loading occurs.
Applying that force AFTER the concrete has
already hardened.
May also apply bending forces - to try to
counteract bending created when load is
applied.
Basics
of
Prestressing
Basics of Prestressing
pre-tensioning
2 methods:
post-tensioning
bonded
2 types:
unbonded
tendon = a group of tension

strands or bars used
for prestressing;
Pre-tensioned:
Tendons are stretched and

anchored to strong bulkheads,
then concrete is placed around
the stretched tendon.
Tendons are stretched and

anchored to strong bulkheads,
Anchoring
bulkhead
strands
run
between
the plates
and
anchored
Anchoring bulkhead
with strands placed
strand
chuck
then concrete is placed around

the stretched tendon.
Long line
precasting
bed;
stirrups for
embedment
in slab,
composite
action
Multiple
girders cast at
once and
separated by
bulkheads;
spacing
bulkhead
strands
Post-tensioned:
The concrete is first placed

around embedded tubes or ducts
after the concrete is hardened
tendons are placed in the ducts,
stretched to desired tension,
and then anchored against the
concrete at the ends.
The concrete is first placed

around embedded tubes or ducts
End anchorages for tendons
Draped P/T ducts
after the concrete is hardened tendons are placed in the ducts,

stretched, and then anchored against the concrete at the ends.
P/T strands anchored at end

Bonded:
The tendon is bonded to the concrete

pre-tensioned: concrete is placed directly
around the bare exposed steel;
post-tensioned: grout is pumped into the
duct after the strand is stretched.
BA
RE
ST
RA
ND
S
pre-tensioned: concrete is placed directly

around the bare exposed steel;
P/
TS
UC
TD
Bare
pre-tens
strand
Post-ten
ducts
post-tensioned: grout is pumped into the

duct after the tendon is stretched.
GROUT FLOWS
OUT OPPOSITE
END
GROUT
MIXER/PUMP
PUMP END OF
DUCT
Unbonded:
The tendon is coated to prevent

bonding to the concrete pre-tensioned: usually strand is covered
with a plastic sheath;
post-tensioned: the duct is NOT grouted
but the steel is protected by pumping
grease or another coating into the duct.
10
pre-tensioned: usually strand is covered

with a plastic sheath;
Plastic sheathed/greased strand

11
BRIDGES
Pretensioning and post-tensioning both used;
Pretensioning: almost always bonded, unless
special conditions require less
prestress strands partially
unbonded;
Post-tensioning: should be bonded or very
specials measures taken to
prevent tendon corrosion
Calculating
Effects
of
Prestress
on a
Concrete Member
12
Internal forces in prestressed beam no external loading:

No external load applied to beam: there cannot be any internal moment.
M=0
Since there is no internal

moment from loads the resultant C in concrete must
act on the same line of action
as the T in the strand.
strand
We separate the C and T:

C is the compression created in the CONCRETE
T is the tension applied to the TENDON
Internal forces in prestressed beam - no external loading:

Axial load eccentricity in concrete
Considering only forces in the concrete:
No axial load,
so C = T
Resulting eccentric compression causes an axial force and a moment: M = Ce

13
internal concrete stresses

When the strand is eccentric,
below the cgc,
the moment is opposite that shown
= a negative moment.
y
eI
T
TA
fy
the stress in concrete at any

height y above the cgc:
(compression is +)
Stress due prestressing alone
y
MI
y
eI
T
TA
fy
When loads are applied, the

additional moments M create
added stress,
final stress at y:
Total stress at any fiber y
14
15
Load Balancing:
Draping strand:
Total stress at any fiber y
If the moment due prestress, (Te), is opposite in

sign to the moment created by the loading (M) the bending stresses cancel out and pure axial
compression is left.
So, want: (Te) + M = 0
or, strand eccentricity e: e = - M / T
the strand location e should vary opposite to the
moment diagram due to applied loads.
16
For a typical moment diagram on a simply supported beam (above)

the strand should be draped as below:
side view of
beam and strand
Precasters, however, cannot obtain a curved drape in pre-tensioned beams.

The strand pattern in a precast beam is likely to look like:
Plotting the resulting moment diagrams:
There are critical locations where the moments do not cancel

and bending stresses must be controlled!
some strands draped
others
straight
second girder
si
le
ng
rd
gi
er
17
For a typical moment diagram on a simply supported beam (above)

the strand should be draped as below:
side view of
beam and strand
With post-tensioning:
It is easy to get the tendon in exactly the shape desired
to cancel out the bending!
A hollow duct is placed in the beam in the desired shape.
Since the tendon is not tightened yet, it doesnt try to
go into a straight line shape.
18
Prestressing:
From the calculations we can see that the actual
stresses in a member can be
CONTROLLED
by adjusting the tendon location
e and the applied prestress
force T.
19
Aim of Prestressing
control amount of tension in concrete
limit concrete tension to a level below cracking
keep uncracked cross section
moment of inertia stays = Igross
ed
crack
Igross
Igross
Why use post tensioning?

durability / crackfree
stiffness / crackfree
allows longer spans
can possibly reduce substructures/piers
lower maintenance
elimination of joints
20
summary
pretension & post-tension .
both create prestress,
-- pretension in precasting plant,

-- post-tension at job site,
post-tensioning .
can exactly cancel out the bending effect

from loads,
aim to prevent cracking: increased I allows

spanning longer distances,
better durability;
Purpose of Workshop
what is post-tensioning?
PROGRAM: - best situations for using P/T

DESIGN: - special designs steps
CONSTRUCTION: - components and use
21
How is P/T Applied?
feed strands through duct,

place anchor head and wedges
anchor casting
embedded in
concrete
figures from VSL Inc.
22
jack & anchor head
anchor head
(bears on anchor
casting)
wedges
seated in
conical holes
23
place jack feed strands thru

over anchor head and wedges
jack pulls set of strands

second head and wedges
grip strands here
24
jack pulls set of strands
extended strands are locked in position
after strands are pulled

(to desired force/elongation)
mix grout and pump grout

into duct to protect strand
2nd jack pushes against wedges

anchoring strands against head
---- then main jack is released
25
alternate to strand
pull bar with jack,
tighten nut in place
bearing plate applies

compression to concrete
figures from DSI
when to use
CRACKING -- possible situation where
cracking might develop and
affect:
durability, or
performance
26
ideal application of post-tensioning with bars
plan from WisDOT
target piers
plan from WisDOT
27
section BB
plan from WisDOT
Section
BB
36 - #11
epoxy
coated
rebar
plan from WisDOT
28
girder
girder
GIRDER 4
29
Girder 4
Girder 3
30
Between 2 & 3
pier
deflection
Cracking:
due to weight of girders alone
(deck not formed or poured)
31
6-8 above footing
10-11 above footing
32
cracking =
reduced moment of inertia &
increased deflections
pier cracking
additional softening and deflection
cracking =
reduced moment of inertia &
increased deflections
deflection (inch)
pier 2 deflections
0.2
0
-0.2
-0.4
-0.6
-0.8
-1
-1.2
-1.4
measured
cracked sub
100
200
300
400
distance from end of cap (inch)
1.2 end deflection
33
thread bars
live end
jacking
dead end
embedded
anchor
36 - #11
epoxy
coated
rebar
post-tension
to prevent
cracking
Replace 36 - #11 bars

with
20 1.25 threadbar
no cracking
much more efficient
dead end
embedded
anchor
Other Prime Applications

Brady Street Bridge: pedestrian pathway on Milw lakeshore
LONG SPAN
125 ft center span eliminated need for a midspan pier
5 tendons, each with nine 0.6 strands
from ASPIRE W2007
34
Lakeshore State Park Bridge - near Milw lakeshore
from AECOM
from AECOM
35
from AECOM
MUST HAVE:
vent tubes
at high point
to allow air
escape as
grout is
pumped in
from AECOM
36
feed strand through ducts

1. strand spool
3. into duct
2. feeder
from AECOM
anchor head
& wedges
from AECOM
37
grout vents
grout
tubes
from AECOM
38
Post-Tensioning Bridge Workshop
EXAMPLE
Bridge Design
&
Construction Controls
Spliced Girder Bridge
using precast girders

to allow long span construction
to improve long term durability
to simplify transport of girders
Florida - Choctawhatchee Bay
Spliced girders
Cantilevered
girders
post-ten ducts
PCI J V38, N4
back span support
LONG SPAN POSSIBILITIES

Florida - Choctawhatchee Bay
Spliced girders
drop-in span
girder
PCI J V38, N4
tapered cantilever girder
Spliced girders
I-15
Salt Lake City
Ascent, Sp 99
over 200 ft.

span
Ascent, Sp 99
Spliced girders
Rock Cut Bridge, Washington
Ascent, F 97
Spliced girders
Ascent, F 97
Rock Cut Bridge, three 63, 40 ton girders spliced for 190 span
Spliced girders
eliminated a
center pier
in stream bed
Twist bridge, Washington

176 span, 95 girder
Spliced girders
Methow River, WA, double 180 spans, 83 girder

Spliced girders
PCI Journal Nov-Dec 06
Nebraska Bridge: 207 ft. span, 79 I-girders
Spliced girders
Spliced girders
splicing girders is particularly effective if:
1. it is possible to completely eliminate

a middle pier by using long spans ($$$)
2. it makes shipping long span girders possible
design & construction problem:
-- a single 180ft girder weighs 92 tons

-- a 180 ft. length is difficulty to
transport around turns in a road
Temporary bents - support girders
joints
filled
when
decked
Spliced girders
I-15
Salt Lake City
temporary const.
supports at
splice points
Ascent, Sp 99
3 95 precast girders spliced for a single span over 200
Alternate to temporary supports:
post-tension
decking
girder hangs from steel

strut beam
suspended girder
10
good for situations where

P/T is applied before deck
is placed
(then deck has no prestress)
temp supports struts:
1. capacity to carry beam + deck?

2. interfere with deck placement
11
after deck and joints are placed:

post-tension strands are fed through ducts
** the deck is prestressed with the girders:

we cant easily rip it off and replace it in 20 years,
make provision for an overlay in design loads
(similar to method used in segmental box bridges)
12
13
14
FOR DESIGN:
analyze this structure

with girder and deck weight
(solve for internal moments and

initial locked-in stresses in girder)
girder carries all load, deck is wet
15
FOR DESIGN: all loads that are applied

after the deck has hardened
and P/T applied create moments in this two span
continuous composite beam
Construction Sequence:
the construction sequence

directly affects the design process
16
Design Process:
the design process shown

here follows
the same steps as
shown in WBM
design of W72 beam
in Chapter 19
17
18
19
20
after deck and joints are placed:

post-tension strands are fed through ducts
then tendons are pulled with the jack

- tendency is for strand to straighten
post-tensioning lifts girders off temp supports!
simulate the effect of temporary

support removal
by applying reverse loads
21
temp support moment

4000
3000
1000
0
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
140
160
180
-1000
-2000
-3000
moments from
removal of
temporary supports
(reaction gone)
-4000
-5000
-6000
distance (ft)
actual int
actual ext
Moment from Girder and Deck

(on temporary supports)
3500
3000
moment (kip-ft)
2500
temp
bent
reaction
on girder
2000
1500
1000
500
0
-500 0
20
40
60
80
100
120
140
160
180
200
-1000
-1500
distance (feet)
temp support moment

4000
moment (ft-kip)
moment (ft-kip)
2000
2000
0
0
50
100
150
-2000
-4000
-6000
distance (ft)
unit load
actual int
actual ext
22
Service 1 Moment due DL on non-composite girder
Service 1 DL M on composite girder
3500
4000
3000
2000
2500
moment (kip-ft)
1500
1000
500
0
-500
20
40
60
80
100
120
140
160
0
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
140
160
180
-2000
-4000
180
-6000
-1000
-1500
-8000
Service 1 Total DL
M
distance (feet)
distance (feet)
8000
6000
4000
moment (kip-ft)
moment (kip-ft)
2000
2000
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
140
160
180
-2000
-4000
-6000
-8000
distance (feet)
23
How to approach the design? where to start
se
g ca n
n
i
l
l
ro
io
cont retens
for p esign
d
pretension in girders only needs to be
sufficient to carry girder and deck
weight on the initial short temp spans!
24
:
case l
s
i
h
kt
t ro
chec ly to con
ik e
not l design
l l be
this wi case
lling
contro design
f or P / T
cracking in deck over pier (-M)
& comp in bottom flange at pier
25
summary design approach:
design pre-tension to eliminate

cracking of girders when simply
supported, girder + deck weight
design P/T to avoid tension in deck

over top of pier
26
Temporary bents - support girders
concrete deck is placed
Temporary bents - support girders and deck

27
girder weight plus concrete deck
non-composite girders
4000
before
deck is
hardened
weight is
carried by
girders
(non-composite)
3500
2500
2000
1500
1000
500
0
-500 0
20
40
60
80
100
120
140
160
180
200
-1000
distance (ft)
interior
exterior
4000
3500
3000
moment (kip-ft)
moment (kip-ft)
3000
2500
2000
1500
1000
500
0
-500 0
20
40
60
80
100
120
140
160
180
200
-1000
distance (ft)
interior
exterior
28
Initial Stresses due Non-Comp. DL

(without pretension)
2
stress (ksi)
1.5
1
0.5
0
-0.5
20
40
60
80
100
120
140
160
180
-1
-1.5
-2
distance (ft)
top
bottom
ten allow
high tension on bottom is unacceptable = cracking

29
e approx.
Note: dont us
in WBM,
as
on
loss equati
)
losses (75yrs
overestimates
30
ksi
1.266 d
e
d
e
ne
pre-tensioned
Temp: Girder and Deck Weight Initial Stresses

(with pretension)
2
stress (ksi)
1.5
1
0.5
0
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
140
160
180
-0.5
-1
distance (ft)
top
bottom
ten allow
bottom tension is acceptable = no cracking

31
4000
3500
moment (kip-ft)
3000
2500
2000
1500
1000
500
0
-500 0
20
40
60
80
100
120
140
160
180
200
-1000
distance (ft)
interior
exterior
IF - the girder is lifted

at its ends:
high bending at middle
would require bottom
pre-tension
moment diagram
BUT: later on with

full loading on the
structure the M over
the pier will create
high compression at bottom
- dont want comp. at bottom
from pre-tension -
32
IF - the girder is lifted

at its ends:
moment diagram
moment diagram
equal +M an M
both smaller
33
Pre-tension design
Summary:
the 2 end span girders have 12 strands
for pre-tension at the bottom;
the middle span girder does not
require any pre-tension;
Post-tension Design
34
Note:
with W82 girder
web is 6.5 wide,
3.4 duct is largest
to fit!! limit ~ 12 strands
35
ducts over pier

girder end - anchorages
note:
the e is less than the kern,
that means that the P/T will cause compression
at the bottom of the beam, the pier moments will also!
36
37
Post-Tensioning
38
Post-Tensioning
39
Post-Tensioning
unit load
225k
moment diagram
A tendon that was in the exact shape of

the moment diagram shown is concordant.
BUT - there is a big kink over the pier
40
unit load
225k
Need to eliminate the 225k reaction:
unit load
upward 6.25k/ft
moments
4000
moment (ft-k)
3000
2000
1000
0
-1000 0
50
100
150
200
250
300
350
-2000
-3000
distance
resulting moment diagram
41
tendon profile
40
inches
20
+18.4 in.
0
-20
-13.2 in.
-40
-60
-80 0
50
100
150
200
250
300
350
250
300
350
distance (ft)
tendon profile
40
inches
20
+18.4 in.
0
-20
-13.2 in.
-40
-60
-80 0
50
100
150
200
distance (ft)
42
43
44
18ft
162ft
45
46
47
stress (ksi)
jack at
this end
Tendon Stress
(with friction loss)
215
100
210
80
205
60
200
40
195
20
190
185
0
40
80
120
160
200
240
280
320
-20
360
distance (ft)
tendon stress
tendon profile
48
Friction loss
49
50
Tendon Stress
100
215
--- sl
stress (ksi)
210
ope
---
80
205
60
200
40
195
20
190
185
0
40
80
120
160
200
240
280
320
-20
360
distance (ft)
tendon stress
tendon profile
Tendon Stress
stress (ksi)
215
100
210
80
205
60
200
40
195
20
190
0
-20
185
0
40
80
120
160
200
240
280
320
360
distance (ft)
tendon stress
tendon profile
51
Tendon Stress
stress (ksi)
215
100
210
80
205
60
200
40
195
20
190
185
-20
0
40
80
120
160
200
240
280
320
360
distance (ft)
tendon stress
tendon profile
Tendon Stress
stress (ksi)
215
100
210
80
205
60
200
40
195
20
190
185
-20
0
40
80
120
160
200
240
280
320
360
distance (ft)
tendon stress
tendon profile
52
Tendon Stress
210
100
205
80
200 ksi allowed

max stress
200
60
40
195
20
190
0
-20
185
0
40
80
120
160
200
240
280
320
360
distance (ft)
tendon stress
tendon profile
Tendon Stress
(with friction and seating loss)
100
210
80
205
stress (ksi)
stress (ksi)
200 ksi allowed max stress
200
60
40
195
20
190
0
-20
185
0
40
80
120
160
200
240
280
320
360
distance (ft)
tendon stress
tendon profile
53
Tendon Stress
100
210
80
ra
e xt s e
a
e
rel
stress (ksi)
205
200 ksi allowed max stress
200
move
down
60
40
195
20
190
0
-20
185
0
40
80
120
160
200
240
280
320
360
distance (ft)
tendon stress
tendon profile
54
Adjusted Tendon Stress

(with initial release, friction, seating and all time dependent loss)
198
100
196
80
stress (ksi)
194
60
192
40
190
20
188
186
-20
184
0
40
80
120
160
200
240
280
320
360
distance (ft)
tendon stress
tendon profile
55
Elevation at beam end:
56
57
733.9
328.7
Tpt0
590.3
442.3
58
STRUTS:
Add ties:
59
Add secondary members triangulation:
Co-ords for computer model:
60
61
EXAMPLE
Bridge Design
&
Construction Controls
OTHER DESIGNS
62
Multi Span Slab Bridges:
Multi Span Slab Bridges:
longitudinal reinforcing
is replaced with post-tensioning
ducts
63
with P/T:
length of middle span can be extended as

long as 80-90ft.
piers can be moved from in water to stream sides

Same design process is used:

1. find maximum eccentricity for tendon at critical section
2. solve for prestress force needed at that section
3. find a concordant tendon layout using a M diagram shape
64
Simpler than previous example:

no need for temporary supports;
no pretensioning combined with P/T;
no variation between non-composite
and composite sections;
P/T Concepts
65

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University of Wisconsin

Construction and Materials Support Center, U.W.

Chief Development Engineer, WisDOT

Method of applying a large compression force

tendon = a group of tension

Tendons are stretched and

Tendons are stretched and

then concrete is placed around

The concrete is first placed

The concrete is first placed

End anchorages for tendons

Draped P/T ducts

after the concrete is hardened tendons are placed in the ducts,

P/T strands anchored at end

The tendon is bonded to the concrete

pre-tensioned: concrete is placed directly

post-tensioned: grout is pumped into the

The tendon is coated to prevent

pre-tensioned: usually strand is covered

Plastic sheathed/greased strand

Internal forces in prestressed beam no external loading:

Since there is no internal

We separate the C and T:

Internal forces in prestressed beam - no external loading:

Considering only forces in the concrete:

Resulting eccentric compression causes an axial force and a moment: M = Ce

internal concrete stresses

the stress in concrete at any

Stress due prestressing alone

When loads are applied, the

Total stress at any fiber y

If the moment due prestress, (Te), is opposite in

For a typical moment diagram on a simply supported beam (above)

Precasters, however, cannot obtain a curved drape in pre-tensioned beams.

Plotting the resulting moment diagrams:

There are critical locations where the moments do not cancel

some strands draped

For a typical moment diagram on a simply supported beam (above)

Why use post tensioning?

both create prestress,

-- pretension in precasting plant,

can exactly cancel out the bending effect

aim to prevent cracking: increased I allows

PROGRAM: - best situations for using P/T

How is P/T Applied?

feed strands through duct,

figures from VSL Inc.

jack & anchor head

place jack feed strands thru

figures from VSL Inc.

jack pulls set of strands

figures from VSL Inc.

jack pulls set of strands

figures from VSL Inc.

extended strands are locked in position

after strands are pulled

mix grout and pump grout

2nd jack pushes against wedges

figures from VSL Inc.

bearing plate applies

figures from DSI

ideal application of post-tensioning with bars

plan from WisDOT