WHAT IS POST TENSIONING

The principle idea of Prestressed concrete is to introduce compression in the

Tension zone or reinforced concrete in order to reduce deflection and cracking

PRESTRESSED CONCRETE

PRE-TENSIONING
( usually pre-cast )

POST-TENSIONING
(cast insitu )

UNBONDED SYSTEM

BONDED SYSTEM

Post tensioning construction procedure

1- post tensioning ducts are placed in the slab according to the design profile
2- high strength strands inserted inside
3- Dead ends are made by special machine at one end of the strands
4- live ends anchors are placed at the other ends of the strands
5- minimum reinforcement are placed according to the design
6- concrete are poured in normal way of reinforced concrete slabs
7- after 12 hours initial stress of 20% are done in order to reduce the plastic cracks
8- full stress of the tendons are done after 3 days when the concrete strength reach
at least 25 N/mm2
9- The tendons are grouted with special grout in the bonded system
10- The anchors places are closed with a grout
11- The scaffolding can be removed for further construction

BONDED AND UNBONDED SYSTEMS

Bonded system
Flat duct usually galvanized steel 20m By 70mm is used
Multi strands are inserted inside ( 3 to 5 strands)
The duct is grouted with non-shrinking grout after full tensioning of the strands
One end is dead end and the other is live end unless the tendon is too long

Un-bonded system
Round Sheathing ducts (usually plastic) are used
Single strand is inserted in the duct
The duct if full grease for corrosion protection
Two live ends anchors are used

Deference between bonded and un-bonded system

Bonded system:
1- The ducts and strands are integrated with the concrete in similar way of ordinary
Reinforcement
2- The failure of anchorages and local cut of the strands will not resulted in total
failure of the post tensioning forces
3- Need no maintenance during the useful life of the structure
4- demolition can be done as in ordinary reinforced concrete
5- less flexible to deflect tendons horizontally around opening

Un-bonded system :
1- more flexibility in placing tendons in the plan
2- anchorage failure or strands cuts will result in total loss of the prestressing forces
3- Needs maintenance during the life of the structure
4- needs two live ends for all tendons
5- demolition need special care and safety as it can be explosive

Advantages of post tensioning system

1- Construction proceed like ordinary cast in place reinforced concrete
2- Less time is required for the placement of the PT and conventional reinforcement
3- Faster construction can be achieved because scaffoldings can be removed after
3 days
4- It more economic than reinforced concrete

5- Less deflection and cracks under service loads

6- less slabs thickness is required which resulted in saving of the floor heights
and loads on the columns and footings in addition to giving more flexibility
in AC design

Live ends of tendons ( bonded system )

Dead end of tendon ( bonded system )

Post tensioning machines

The Grouting pump

Dead End Machine ( onion machine )

PT Strands

Actual Construction photos ( UAE )

PT Circular beam at Al Wahda mall ( Abu Dhabi )

Dead End (3 strand)

Live End

Tendons and reinforcement layout (Ajman site)

Post tensioning operations

Post tensioning slabs types

Almost all types of

Slabs can be used
In post tensioning
systems

Comparison study of RC and PT slabs systems

The study based on 300 Dh. For one cubic meter of concrete and 2.5 Dh. For
One kilogram of reinforcement including fixing , the price of the post tensioning are
takenFrom the actual construction practice in Dubai

A- 6 meters span slab

1- R.C. System :
-Slab thickness is 25 cm
-Concrete cost
75 Dh./m2
- Reinforcement ( 140 kg/m3)
87.5Dh/m2
-Total cost
162.5 Dh/m2
2- PT System :
-Slab Thickness is 20 Cm , reinforcement content is 40 kg/m3
- Concrete cost
60 Dh./m2
-Steel cost (40kg/m3)
20 Dh./m2
-PT cost
45 Dh./m2
-Total cost
125 Dh./m2
-Saving

37.5 Dh./m2

B- 8 meters span solid slab

1- RC system 30 cm thick
-Concrete cost
-Steel cost (150kg/m3)
-Total cost

90 Dh/m2
112.5 Dh/m2
202.5 Dh/m2

2- PT system 22cm thick

-Concrete cost
-Steel cost ( 45kG/m3)
-PT cost
- Total cost

66 Dh/m2
25 Dh/m2
46 Dh/m2
137 Dh/m2

-Saving

65.5 Dh./m2

C- 10 meters solid slab

1- RC slab system 40cm thick

- Concrete cost
-Steel cost (170 kg/m2)
- Total cost

120 Dh./m2
170 Dh/m2
290 Dh./m2

2- PT system 28 cm thick
-Concrete cost
-Steel cost (50 kg/m3 )
-PT cost
-Total cost

84 Dh./m2
35 Dh./m2
52 Dh./m2
171 Dh./m2

Total saving

119 Dh./m2

Post tensioning design

The post tensioning design mainly done by sophisticated structural software

Using either equivalent frame method or finite element method , In both case
An accurate results are obtained and the concern code requirement are satisfied
The tendons and steel are accurately located and the stresses and the deflections
Are calculated

3D model by computer

Tendon location and profiles

Are done by the software

Tendons can be visualized in

3D for checking

Deflection can be visualized graphically

Stress can be displayed graphically

For accurate design

Code requirement can be checked

Automatically by the software

Reinforcement locations and

Amount can be drawn by the
software

Sample PT Buildings

Thank You