09/09/2014 – GBB – Le béton post-contraint

Practical applications of
post-tensioned concrete in buildings
François LEPERS
CEO of GAMACO Ingénieurs-Conseils
 Practical applications of post-tensioned concrete in buildings

I. PT slabs
I. Flat PT slabs
II. Flat PT slabs with drop panels
III. Slabs with PT beams
IV. Waffle PT slabs
V. Lightened PT slabs
VI. PT slabs on wide slabs
VII. PT Foundation rafts
II. PT transfer structures
I. PT transfer beams
II. PT transfer slabs
III. Special PT applications
I. Wall prestressing
II. Hangers
III. External reinforcement of existing structures
IV. Post-tensioned concrete in silo’s
Post-tensioned slabs (PT slabs) (1)
Sketches from commercial documentation Freyssinet

2 effects of the post-tensioning on the structures:

• Compression force
• Balanced loads

Global impact on the building design:

PT slabs can be used in all kind of buildings : office buildings , apartment's building, hospital,
commercial center's, parking's, sport infrastructures, …
Post-tensioned slabs (PT slabs) (2)
Specific design consideration regarding to PT structures

Sketches from PT-structures.com

The slab has to be able to shorten freely at jacking

(elastic shortening due to the compressive forces)

When unfavorable cases occurs, specific execution details can be adopted to maximize the
compression force in the slab.
Post-tensioned slabs (PT slabs) (3)
Execution design studies :
usually in charge of specialized sub-contractors, as it is also the practice in the industry for
precast elements
 Practical applications of post-tensioned concrete in buildings

I. PT slabs
I. Flat PT slabs
II. Flat PT slabs with drop panels
III. Slabs with PT beams
IV. Waffle PT slabs
V. Lightened PT slabs
VI. PT slabs on wide slabs
VII. PT Foundation rafts
II. PT transfer structures
I. PT transfer beams
II. PT transfer slabs
III. Special PT applications
I. Wall prestressing
II. Hangers
III. External reinforcement of existing structures
IV. Post-tensioned concrete in silo’s
Flat PT slabs (1)
bi-directional behavior – no beams

Classical Span/depth ratio : Overloads Span/Depth

(Hyperstatic slabs)
1.5 kPa Up to L/45
2.5 kPa Up to L/40
5.0 kPa Up to L/35
Admissible spans : usually 6 to 12 m, but 16m often used in parking structures
Typical passive reinforcement :
general bottom mesh, top bars over the columns only, punching shear reinforcement and
bursting/edge reinforcement
Flat PT slabs (3)
110 000 m² of flat PT slabs: AZ GROENINGE - KORTRIJK
30000m² in 2004 (Cordeel)
75000m² in 2013 (CEI De Meyer & Jan De Nul)
Flat slab 250mm
Typical grid : 8.1m x 8.1m
Typical overloads : 6.0 kPa
Unbonded & bonded system

75000m² = 7 months on site !

+- 600m²/week/crane
(5 cranes)
Flat PT slabs (4)
EUROMED CENTER II – MARSEILLE - FRANCE

45 000 m² of flat PT slabs

Mixed building : parking, hotel, gardens, shopping mall & offices
Spans from 6.0m to 8.5m
Flat PT slabs (5)
DOCKS DE LYON – LYON - FRANCE

3 000 m² of flat PT slabs (currently in progress)

6 levels of offices
Spans : max 8.5m
Cantilevers : max 3.5m
Slab depth : 300mm, including integrated heating/cooling system (active floor)
Flat PT slabs (6)
BANK ACCORD – CROIX - FRANCE

8 000 m² of flat PT slabs (2013)

- parking (2.5 kPa)
- offices (6.0 kPa)
Spans : 10.m x 8.5 m
Slab depth : 250 / 260mm
Flat PT slabs (7)
MAISON DES SCIENCES HUMAINES – BELVAL - LUXEMBURG

30 000m² of flat PT slabs (2011-2012)

Spans :
12.0m isostatic & 12.0m x 8.0 m
Overloads : 6.1 kPa
Slab depth : 360 mm
Main engineer : BEST

12m 8m

12m
Flat PT slabs (7)
ARENDT HOUSE – KIRCHBERG - LUXEMBURG

8000m² of flat PT slabs (2013)

Spans : Maximum 17.0m
Overloads: 6.0 kPa
Slab depth : 35 cm
Main engineer : INCA

17m
Flat PT slabs (8)
GHELAMCO ARENNA - GENT

10000m² of flat PT slabs (2013)

Spans : 10m x 10 m
Overloads : 5.0 kPa
Slab depth : 300 mm
Flat PT slabs (9)
PUBLIC PARKING – LA GARDE - FRANCE
12500m² of flat PT slabs (2012)
2 levels of parking
1 roof level with high loadings
Spans : 16.0m x 6.0 m
Overloads :
Parking 2.5 kPa
Roof 22.0 kPa
Slab depth :
Parking 350 mm
Roof 550 mm
Flat PT slabs (10)
PUBLIC PARKING – BETHUNE - FRANCE

10000m² of flat PT slabs

2 levels of parking
1 roof level with high loadings
Spans : 16.0m x 6.0 m
Overloads :
Parking 2.5 kPa
Roof 25 to 30 kPa
Slab depth :
Parking 350 mm
Roof 550 mm
Flat PT slabs (11)
PUBLIC PARKING – BETHUNE - FRANCE
 Practical applications of post-tensioned concrete in buildings

I. PT slabs
I. Flat PT slabs
II. Flat PT slabs with drop panels
III. Slabs with PT beams
IV. Waffle PT slabs
V. Lightened PT slabs
VI. PT slabs on wide slabs
VII. PT Foundation rafts
II. PT transfer structures
I. PT transfer beams
II. PT transfer slabs
III. Special PT applications
I. Wall prestressing
II. Hangers
III. External reinforcement of existing structures
IV. Post-tensioned concrete in silo’s
Flat PT slabs with drop panels (1)
bi-directional behavior – no beams

Classical Span/depth ratio : Overloads Span/Depth

(Hyperstatic slabs)
2.5 kPa Up to L/45
5.0 kPa Up to L/40

Admissible spans : from 10 to 16m

Flat PT slabs with drop panels (2)
COMMERCIAL CENTER IKEA – MOSCOW - RUSSIA

15 000m² of flat PT slabs

Project of commercial center
Spans : 16.0m x 16.0 m
Overloads : 15 kPa
Slab depth : 400mm + capital 4000x4000x300mm
 Practical applications of post-tensioned concrete in buildings

I. PT slabs
I. Flat PT slabs
II. Flat PT slabs with drop panels
III. Slabs with PT beams
IV. Waffle PT slabs
V. Lightened PT slabs
VI. PT slabs on wide slabs
VII. PT Foundation rafts
II. PT transfer structures
I. PT transfer beams
II. PT transfer slabs
III. Special PT applications
I. Wall prestressing
II. Hangers
III. External reinforcement of existing structures
IV. Post-tensioned concrete in silo’s
slabs with PT beams (1)
one-directional behavior bi-directional behavior

Classical Span/depth ratio :

(Hyperstatic slabs)

Overloads Slab Beams

Classical Span/depth ratio : Span/Depth Span/Depth
(Hyperstatic slabs)
2.5 kPa Up to L/45 Up to L/30
Overloads PT Slab Beams
5.0 kPa Up to L/40 Up to L/25
Span/Depth Span/Depth
2.5 kPa Up to L/45 Up to L/25 Typical example : square grids from 12.0m
5.0 kPa Up to L/40 Up to L/20 to 20.0 m

Typical example : grid 16.0m x 8.0m

Slabs with PT beams (2)
PARKING & COMMERCIAL CENTER LECLERC – ROQUES (TOULOUSE) - FRANCE

35 000 m²
Spans : 16.0m x 8.0 m
Overloads : 2.5 kPa
Slab depth : 200 mm
Beams : 1000x600mm
Slabs with PT beams (3)
PARKING OF THE AIRPORT – ISTANBUL - TURKIE

35 000 m²
Spans : 16.0m x 16.0 m
Overloads : 5.0 kPa
Slab depth : 30cm
Flat beams : 300x60cm
 Practical applications of post-tensioned concrete in buildings

I. PT slabs
I. Flat PT slabs
II. Flat PT slabs with drop panels
III. Slabs with PT beams
IV. Waffle PT slabs
V. Lightened PT slabs
VI. PT slabs on wide slabs
VII. PT Foundation rafts
II. PT transfer structures
I. PT transfer beams
II. PT transfer slabs
III. Special PT applications
I. Wall prestressing
II. Hangers
III. External reinforcement of existing structures
IV. Post-tensioned concrete in silo’s
Waffle PT slabs (1)
bi-directional behavior

Classical Span/depth ratio :

Overloads Span/Depth
(Hyperstatic slabs)
2.5 kPa Up to L/30
5.0 kPa Up to L/25

Admissible spans : up to 16m

Waffle PT slabs (2)
PARKING OF A COMMERCIAL CENTER - AIX-EN-PROVENCE - FRANCE

Parking 28 000 m²
Grid 16.0m x 7.0m
Waffle slab 400mm
Waffle PT slabs (2)
ERNST&YOUNG - KIRCHBERG - LUXEMBURG

Ovoïdal shape in plan view

Waffle slab with variable thickness
 Practical applications of post-tensioned concrete in buildings

I. PT slabs
I. Flat PT slabs
II. Flat PT slabs with drop panels
III. Slabs with PT beams
IV. Waffle PT slabs
V. Lightened PT slabs
VI. PT slabs on wide slabs
VII. PT Foundation rafts
II. PT transfer structures
I. PT transfer beams
II. PT transfer slabs
III. Special PT applications
I. Wall prestressing
II. Hangers
III. External reinforcement of existing structures
IV. Post-tensioned concrete in silo’s
Lightened PT slabs (1)
Basic solution : polystyrene blocs (IMEC tower)
Other solutions : Cobiax, Uboot, Bubbledeck, …

The self-weight reduction is typically about 20% to 30% with this kind of solution.
This allows to reduce the PT and RC ratios in the slabs.

The economical balance has to be checked between material earnings and weight-reducing element
costs.
Lightened PT slabs (2)
PARKING ARLEQUIN – GRENOBLE - FRANCE

11 000 m² of lightened slabs (2013)

Isostatic spans : 10.5 m
Overloads : 2.5 kPa
Slab depth : variable from 30 to 35 cm
Lightening elements : Uboot
Lightened PT slabs (3)
TWARDA TOWER – WARSAW - POLAND

25 000 m² of lightened slabs (2012)

High-rise building – 44 floors
max spans : 9.20m
Slab thickness : 230 mm + Cobiax SL 120
Overloads : 5.0 kPa
 Practical applications of post-tensioned concrete in buildings

I. PT slabs
I. Flat PT slabs
II. Flat PT slabs with drop panels
III. Slabs with PT beams
IV. Waffle PT slabs
V. Lightened PT slabs
VI. PT slabs on wide slabs
VII. PT Foundation rafts
II. PT transfer structures
I. PT transfer beams
II. PT transfer slabs
III. Special PT applications
I. Wall prestressing
II. Hangers
III. External reinforcement of existing structures
IV. Post-tensioned concrete in silo’s
PT slabs on wide slabs (1)
MAISON DU SAVOIR – BELVAL - LUXEMBURG
Cable profile

Typical section
PT slabs on wide slabs (2)
MAISON DU SAVOIR – BELVAL - LUXEMBURG
PT slabs on wide slabs (2)
BRUSSELS AIRPORT - ZAVENTEM

Terminal & Pier B

150 000 m²
Grid 8.0m x 8.0m
 Practical applications of post-tensioned concrete in buildings

I. PT slabs
I. Flat PT slabs
II. Flat PT slabs with drop panels
III. Slabs with PT beams
IV. Waffle PT slabs
V. Lightened PT slabs
VI. PT slabs on wide slabs
VII. PT Foundation rafts
II. PT transfer structures
I. PT transfer beams
II. PT transfer slabs
III. Special PT applications
I. Wall prestressing
II. Hangers
III. External reinforcement of existing structures
IV. Post-tensioned concrete in silo’s
PT Foundation rafts (1)
WATER TREATMENT PLANT OF BRUSSELS NORTH - BRUSSELS

Foundation raft on piles : 25 000 m²

Other PT slabs : 50 000m²
General contractor : Jan De Nul
Piled raft supporting 10m of water
PT Foundation rafts (2)
HALA CZYZYNY - POLAND

Sport hall (Hockey)

Foundation raft : 12 500m²
Spans : up to 12m
Thickness : 1000mm
 Practical applications of post-tensioned concrete in buildings

I. PT slabs
I. Flat PT slabs
II. Flat PT slabs with drop panels
III. Slabs with PT beams
IV. Waffle PT slabs
V. Lightened PT slabs
VI. PT slabs on wide slabs
VII. PT Foundation rafts
II. PT transfer structures
I. PT transfer beams
II. PT transfer slabs
III. Special PT applications
I. Wall prestressing
II. Hangers
III. External reinforcement of existing structures
IV. Post-tensioned concrete in silo’s
PT transfer structures (1)
Particularities :
• Initial stage is often critical (reversed moment conditions) Finitial = 0
High tensile stresses + cracks

100% PT force

• Staging of the construction / jacking sequences

0100%
Finitial = 40%

50% PT force
100%
 Practical applications of post-tensioned concrete in buildings

I. PT slabs
I. Flat PT slabs
II. Flat PT slabs with drop panels
III. Slabs with PT beams
IV. Waffle PT slabs
V. Lightened PT slabs
VI. PT slabs on wide slabs
VII. PT Foundation rafts
II. PT transfer structures
I. PT transfer beams
II. PT transfer slabs
III. Special PT applications
I. Wall prestressing
II. Hangers
III. External reinforcement of existing structures
IV. Post-tensioned concrete in silo’s
PT transfer beams (1)
8 isostatic beams 32 m AUDITORIUM - BORDEAUX
Superior building with 4 concrete level to support over a spectacle hall
Beams 200 x 220 cm
PT transfer beams (2)
HOTEL DE REGION – TOULOUSE - FRANCE

PT truss beam
PT in the tie elements of the truss
Cantilever 6.0m
 Practical applications of post-tensioned concrete in buildings

I. PT slabs
I. Flat PT slabs
II. Flat PT slabs with drop panels
III. Slabs with PT beams
IV. Waffle PT slabs
V. Lightened PT slabs
VI. PT slabs on wide slabs
VII. PT Foundation rafts
II. PT transfer structures
I. PT transfer beams
II. PT transfer slabs
III. Special PT applications
I. Wall prestressing
II. Hangers
III. External reinforcement of existing structures
IV. Post-tensioned concrete in silo’s
PT transfer slabs (2)
APPARTMENT BUILDING - TEMSE

PT transfer slabs
240 mm
PT transfer slabs (2)
Bi-directional flat slab CITE JUDICIAIRE - LUXEMBURG
Max spans : 17.0m
Slab thickness : 130 cm
Loadings : 6 levels height building
 Practical applications of post-tensioned concrete in buildings

I. PT slabs
I. Flat PT slabs
II. Flat PT slabs with drop panels
III. Slabs with PT beams
IV. Waffle PT slabs
V. Lightened PT slabs
VI. PT slabs on wide slabs
VII. PT Foundation rafts
II. PT transfer structures
I. PT transfer beams
II. PT transfer slabs
III. Special PT applications
I. Wall prestressing
II. Hangers
III. External reinforcement of existing structures
IV. Post-tensioned concrete in silo’s
 Practical applications of post-tensioned concrete in buildings

I. PT slabs
I. Flat PT slabs
II. Flat PT slabs with drop panels
III. Slabs with PT beams
IV. Waffle PT slabs
V. Lightened PT slabs
VI. PT slabs on wide slabs
VII. PT Foundation rafts
II. PT transfer structures
I. PT transfer beams
II. PT transfer slabs
III. Special PT applications
I. Wall prestressing
II. Hangers
III. External reinforcement of existing structures
IV. Post-tensioned concrete in silo’s
Wall post tensioning (1)
2 cantilevers : 25m each MAISON DU SAVOIR – BELVAL - LUXEMBURG
1 central span > 50m
Main engineer : Jan Van Aelst
Wall post tensioning (2)
MAISON DU SAVOIR – BELVAL - LUXEMBURG

2 facade walls
2 inner walls
 Wall post tensioning (3)
MAISON DU SAVOIR – BELVAL - LUXEMBURG
Inner walls

Central span 50 m Tower basement Right cantilever

25 m

Dilatation joint
Wall post tensioning (4)
MAISON DU SAVOIR – BELVAL - LUXEMBURG
Inner walls
 Wall post tensioning (5)
MAISON DU SAVOIR – BELVAL - LUXEMBURG
Facade walls

Central span 50 m Tower basement Right cantilever

25 m

Dilatation joint
 Practical applications of post-tensioned concrete in buildings

I. PT slabs
I. Flat PT slabs
II. Flat PT slabs with drop panels
III. Slabs with PT beams
IV. Waffle PT slabs
V. Lightened PT slabs
VI. PT slabs on wide slabs
VII. PT Foundation rafts
II. PT transfer structures
I. PT transfer beams
II. PT transfer slabs
III. Special PT applications
I. Wall prestressing
II. Hangers
III. External reinforcement of existing structures
IV. Post-tensioned concrete in silo’s
Hangers
High-rise building (160m) TWARDA TOWER – WARSAW - POLAND
44 levels
Cantilever 11m
PT Hangers
 Practical applications of post-tensioned concrete in buildings

I. PT slabs
I. Flat PT slabs
II. Flat PT slabs with drop panels
III. Slabs with PT beams
IV. Waffle PT slabs
V. Lightened PT slabs
VI. PT slabs on wide slabs
VII. PT Foundation rafts
II. PT transfer structures
I. PT transfer beams
II. PT transfer slabs
III. Special PT applications
I. Wall prestressing
II. Hangers
III. External reinforcement of existing structures
IV. Post-tensioned concrete in silo’s
External PT reinforcement of existing structures (1)
EXHIBITION HALLS - CHARLEROI

Legend:
Main beams
Carbon fiber reinforcement of the main beams
External PT reinforcement of the secondary beams
External PT reinforcement of existing structures (2)
EXHIBITION HALLS - CHARLEROI

Vertical component of the equivalent loads due to PT

External PT reinforcement of existing structures (3)
EXHIBITION HALLS - CHARLEROI
External PT reinforcement of existing structures (4)
Particular anchor system have been developed for reinforcement of existing structures
 Practical applications of post-tensioned concrete in buildings

I. PT slabs
I. Flat PT slabs
II. Flat PT slabs with drop panels
III. Slabs with PT beams
IV. Waffle PT slabs
V. Lightened PT slabs
VI. PT slabs on wide slabs
VII. PT Foundation rafts
II. PT transfer structures
I. PT transfer beams
II. PT transfer slabs
III. Special PT applications
I. Wall prestressing
II. Hangers
III. External reinforcement of existing structures
IV. Post-tensioned concrete in silo’s
PT concrete in silo’s (4)
WATER TREATMENT PLANT – BEAURADE - FRANCE
Annular compression = reduced cracks
Practical applications of post-tensioned concrete in buildings

Thank you for your attention

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PLATINIUM TOWERS - WARSAW POLAND