1.

1 Advantages of post tensioned floors

The main advantages of post tensioned floors over conventional reinforced concrete in-situ floors, may be summarized as follows: Increased clear spans Thinner slabs Lighter structures Reduced cracking and deflections Reduced storey height Rapid construction Better water tightness These advantages can results in significant saving in overall costs. There are also some situations where the height of the building is limited, in which the reduced storey height has allowed additional storeys to be constructed within the building envelope.

1.2 amount of prestress

The amount of prestress provided is not usually sufficient to prevent tensile stresses occurring in the slab under designed load conditions. The structure should therefore to considered to be partially prestressed. The amount of prestress selected affects the un-tensioned reinforcement requirements. The greater the level of prestress, the less reinforcement is likely to be required. Unlike reinforced concrete structures, a range of acceptable designs are possible for given geometry and loading. The optimum solution is depends on the relative costs of prestressing and un-tensioned reinforcement and on the ratio of live load to dead load. Average prestress levels usually vary from 0.7 to 2.5 N/mm2 for solid slabs and occasionally up to 6 N/mm2 for ribbed or waffle slabs. However, when the prestress exceeds approximately 2 N/mm2 or the floor is very long, the effect of restraint to slab shortening by supports may become

important. If the supports are stiff a significant proportion of prestress force goes into the supports so that the effective prestressing of the slab is reduced.

1.3 bonded or unbounded tendons

Post-tensioned floors can be constructed using either bonded or unbounded tendons. The relative merits of two techniques are subjected to debate. The following points may be made in favour of each: Bonded: - develops higher ultimate flexural strength - does not depend upon the anchorage after grouting - localises the effect of damage Unbounded: - provides greater available lever arm - reduces friction losses - simplifies prefabrication of tendons - grouting not required - can be constructed faster - generally cheaper