Lecture 24 Prestressed Concrete

Prestressed concrete refers to concrete that has applied stresses induced into
the member. Typically, wires or tendons are stretched and then blocked at the
ends creating compressive stresses throughout the members entire crosssection. Most Prestressed concrete is precast in a plant.
Advantages of Prestressed concrete vs. non-Prestressed concrete:

More efficient members (i.e., smaller members to carry same loads)

Much less cracking since member is almost entirely in compression
Precast members have very good quality control
Precast members offer rapid field erection

Disadvantages of Prestressed concrete vs. non-Prestressed concrete:

More expensive in materials, fabrication, delivery

Heavy precast members require large cranes
Somewhat limited design flexibility
Small margin for error
More complicated design

Typical Precast Prestressed concrete members

Lecture 24 Page 1 of 12

Pre-Tensioned Prestressed Concrete:

Pre-tensioned concrete is almost always done in a precast plant. A pretensioned Prestressed concrete member is cast in a preformed casting
bed. The BONDED wires (tendons) are tensioned prior to the concrete
hardening. After the concrete hardens to approximately 75% of the
specified compressive strength fc, the tendons are released and axial
compressive load is then transmitted to the cross-section of the member.
Tendons tensioned
between bulkheads

Dead end

Casting bed

Live end

Prestress
force Ps

Step 1

Fresh concrete placed in bed

Tendons anchored at Live

end and Dead end

Step 2
Hardened concrete
Prestress
force Ps
Tendons released at Live end
and Dead end creating an
axial force along length of
precast member

Lecture 24 Page 2 of 12

Step 3

Post-Tensioned Prestressed Concrete:

A post-tensioned member has UNCOATED tendons cast into concrete in
draped patterns. After the concrete hardens to about 75% fc, the tendons
are tensioned and try to straighten out. This creates an upward camber of
the member which offsets anticipated downward deflection due to gravity
loads. Post-tensioning can be accomplished on-site as necessary.

Tendons tensioned
between bulkheads
Prestress
force Ps
Dead end

Live end

Step 1

Tendons creating an
upward force along
length of member

Tendons anchored at
Live end

Dead end

Step 2

Lecture 24 Page 3 of 12

Analysis of Rectangular Prestressed Members:

The analysis of a member is typically done for various stages of loading
under SERVICE LOADS. Stresses f are obtained as follows:
f=

Ps Ps ey

Ag
Ig

where: Ps = prestress force

Ag = gross cross-sectional area of member
e = eccentric distance between prestressing tendons
and member centroid
y = distance from centroid to extreme edge of
member
Ig = gross moment of inertia of member about N.A.

Mu = 0.9Apsfps(dp -

a
)
2

where: Mu = usable moment capacity of prestressed beam

Aps = area of prestressed tendons

p
f pu
fps = f pu 1 p

'

f
c
1
fpu = ultimate tensile strength of prestressing tendon

p = factor based on the type of prestressing steel

= 0.40 for ordinary wire strand
= 0.28 for low-relaxation wire strand
1 = 0.85 for concrete fc = 4000 PSI
= 0.80 for concrete fc = 5000 PSI
p =

A ps
bd p

Lecture 24 Page 4 of 12

a=

A ps f ps

0.85 f ' c b
b

yt
h

dp
N.A.
e

yb

Aps
Rectangular Prestressed Beam

Lecture 24 Page 5 of 12

Example
GIVEN: The rectangular prestressed concrete beam as shown below. Use the
following:

Concrete fc = 5000 PSI

Concrete strength = 75%(fc) at time of prestressing
Aps = 3 dia. 7-wire strands @ 0.153 in2 per strand = 0.459 in2
fpu = 270 KSI (using an ordinary 7-wire strand)
Initial prestress force, Ps = 70%(fpu)(Aps)
Service dead load, (NOT including beam weight) = 400 PLF
Service beam weight = 188 PLF
Service live load = 1500 PLF

REQUIRED:
1) Determine the location of the neutral axis and prestress eccentricity e.
2) Determine the moment of inertia about the neutral axis, Ig.
3) Determine the stresses during prestressing.
4) Determine the stresses during initial applied service beam weight.
5) Determine the stresses due to service applied dead load + live load.
6) Determine the final stresses due to all service loads and prestressing.
7) Determine the maximum actual factored moment on the beam Mmax.
8) Determine the factored usable moment capacity Mu of the beam.

22-0
10

yt
18

16
N.A.
e

yb

Rectangular Prestressed Beam

Aps = 0.459 in2

Lecture 24 Page 6 of 12

Step 1 Determine the location of the neutral axis and prestress

eccentricity e:
Using a datum as measured from the top of the beam:
10

Datum
18/2 = 9

yt

dp =16

h = 18
e

Yb

nAps = 3.30 in2

n=

E steel
E conc

29,000,000 PSI
57,000 f ' c = 5000 PSI

= 7.2
nAps = 7.2(0.459 in2)
= 3.30 in2

yt =

A y
A
(10" x18" )9"+(3.30in 2 )16"
(10" x18" ) + (3.30in 2 )
yt = 9.13

yb = 18 9.13
yb = 8.87
e = dp yt
= 16 9.13
e = 6.87

Lecture 24 Page 7 of 12

Step 2 Determine the moment of inertia about the neutral axis, Ig:
2

bh 3
h

+ bh y t + nA ps (e) 2
Ig =
12
2

(10" )(18" ) 3
18"

2
2
+ (10" )(18" ) 9.13"
+ (3.30in )(6.87" )
12
2

= 4860 in4 + 3.0 in4 + 155.7 in4

Ig = 5018.7 in4
Step 3 Determine the stresses during prestressing:
f=

Ps Ps ey

Ag
Ig
where: Ps = prestress force
= 70%(fpu)(Aps)
= 0.70(270 KSI)(0.459 in2)
= 86.8 KIPS
y = yt for tensile stresses at top of beam
= yb for compressive stresses at bottom of beam

a) Check stresses at TOP of beam:

ftop = stress at top of beam
=-

Ps Ps ey t
+
Ag
Ig

86.8KIPS (86.8KIPS )(6.87" )(9.13" )

+
(10" x18" )
5018.7in 4

= -0.48 KSI + 1.08 KSI

ftop = 0.60 KSI Tension

Lecture 24 Page 8 of 12

b) Check stresses at BOTTOM of beam:

fbottom = stress at bottom of beam
=

Ps Ps eyb

Ag
Ig

86.8KIPS (86.8 KIPS )(6.87" )(8.87" )

(10" x18" )
5018.7in 4

= -0.48 KSI - 1.05 KSI

fbottom = -1.53 KSI Compression
Step 4 Determine the stresses during initial applied service beam weight:

f=

M beam ( y )
Ig
where: Mbeam = maximum unfactored moment due to beam wt.
=

wbeam ( L) 2
8

(188PLF )(22'0" ) 2
=
8
= 11,374 Lb-Ft
= 11.4 KIP-FT
y = yt for compression in top
= yb for tension in bottom
a) Check stresses at TOP:
ftop =

M beam ( y t )
Ig
(11.4 KIP FT (12" / ft ))(9.13" )
5018.7in 4
ftop = -0.25 KSI Compression

Lecture 24 Page 9 of 12

b)

Check stresses at BOTTOM:

Fbottom = +

= +

M beam ( y b )
Ig

(11.4 KIP FT (12" / ft ))(8.87" )

5018.7in 4
fbottom = 0.24 KSI Tension

Step 5 Determine the stresses due to service applied dead load + live load:

f=

M DL + LL ( y )
Ig

where: MDL+LL = maximum unfactored moment due to DL+LL

=

wDL + LL ( L) 2
8

(400 PLF + 1500 PLF )(22'0" ) 2

8

= 114,950 Lb-Ft
= 115.0 KIP-FT
y = yt for compression in top
= yb for tension in bottom
a) Check stresses at TOP:
ftop =

M DL + LL ( y t )
Ig
(115.0 KIP FT (12" / ft ))(9.13" )
5018.7in 4
ftop = -2.51 KSI Compression

Lecture 24 Page 10 of 12

b) Check stresses at BOTTOM:

fbottom = +

= +

M DL + LL ( y b )
Ig

(115.0 KIP FT (12" / ft ))(8.87" )

5018.7in 4

fbottom = 2.44 KSI Tension

Step 6 Determine the final stresses due to all service loads and prestressing:

NOTE: All stresses

shown have units of KSI
-0.48C

18

+
-0.48C

Ps
Ag

-0.25C

+1.08T

+
-1.05C

+0.35T

=
+0.24T
Beam Wt.

+ Ps ey
Ig

-2.51C

-1.29C
Transfer

-2.16C

=
+2.44T
DL + LL

+1.15T
Final

ACI dictates the following

maximum permissible stresses
at service loads:
a) Compression = 0.60fc
b) Tension = 6 f ' c

Initial Prestress

Step 7 Determine the maximum actual factored moment on the beam Mmax:

Mmax =

wu L2
8
wu = 1.2D + 1.6L
= 1.2(400 PLF + 188 PLF) + 1.6(1500 PLF)
= 3106 PLF
= 3.1 KLF

Mmax =

3.1(22'0) 2
8

Mmax = 188 KIP-FT

Lecture 24 Page 11 of 12

Step 8 Determine the factored usable moment capacity Mu of the beam:

Mu = 0.9Apsfps(dp -

a
)
2

where:

p
f pu
fps = f pu 1 p

f ' c
1
fpu = ultimate tensile strength of prestressing tendon
= 270 KSI

p = factor based on the type of prestressing steel

= 0.40 for ordinary wire strand
1 = 0.80 for concrete fc = 5000 PSI
p =

A ps
bd p

0.453in 2
=
(10" )(16" )

= 0.00283

0.40
270 KSI
(0.00283)

fps = 270 KSI 1

5KSI
0.80
= 249.4 KSI
a=

A ps f ps
0.85 f ' c b

(0.453in 2 )(249.4 KSI )

=
0.85(5 KSI )(10" )

= 2.66
Mu = 0.9Apsfps(dp -

a
)
2

= 0.9(0.453 in2)(249.4 KSI)(16 -

2.66"
)
2

= 1492 Kip-In
Mu = 124.3 KIP-FT < Mmax = 188 KIP-FT NOT ACCEPTABLE
Lecture 24 Page 12 of 12