Post-Tensioned

Prestressed Concrete

Post-Tensioned
Slab-on-Ground
Construction
Reinforced vs Plain Concrete

It is important to recognize the difference between

reinforced and plain concrete when referring to post-
tensioned or conventionally reinforced concrete slabs-
on-ground. The American Concrete Institute (ACI)
defines reinforced concrete as concrete designed to
satisfy the minimum requirements of the code. The
category of plain concrete was developed by ACI to
refer to concrete used in ground supported construction
where loads are light, stresses are low, life safety
concerns are minimal or non-existent and the minimum
requirements for reinforced concrete are not necessary.
How Prestressing Works
The Basics

Occupancy Loads

Tensi on
on Tensi
Edge Lift Edge Lift

ft = Mc /I or M/Sb
How Prestressing Works

For Slabs-on-Ground

Force
Compression Force

ft = M/Sb – (P/A)
Advantages of Post-Tensioning

• Inherent compressive strength of concrete

• Less structural depth to achieve same design

strength

• Economical use of building materials

• Speed of construction
Applications of Post-Tensioning
Slab-on-Ground Foundations

• Single Family Residential

• Multi-Family Residential
• Commercial / Industrial
• Sports Courts
 Post-Tension Steel
Tonnage Comparison
80000
70000
60000
50000
40000
30000
20000
10000
0
1994

1995

1996

1997

1998

1999

2000

2001

2002

2003
Buildings SOG Bridges R&S Anchors
Foundations Types
Classified by BRAB Report 33

In 1962, The Building Research Advisory

Board (BRAB) issued Report 33 which
classified residential foundations into four
design categories based upon the degree
of severity of the supporting soil:
• Type I: Unreinforced
• Type II: Lightly Reinforced
• Type III: Reinforced and Stiffened
• Type IV: Structural
 PTI Design Procedure
Slab-on-Ground Foundations

The PTI design

procedure for
expansive soil is
based on a ribbed
slab layout.
 The “key-word”
is Slab-on-GROUND
• Slabs-on-Ground are designed to meet a
specific set of soil “parameters”.
• The performance of ANY foundation is
dependent up on obtaining accurate soil
information about the site.
• Expansive Soils
• Plasticity Index (PI) Greater than 15
• Expansion Index (EI) Greater than 20
• Em, Ym, Bearing Capacity
 Site Inspection
Inspect site to look for unusual conditions

• Drainage ditches or low areas that hold water

• Trees that can influence soil moisture
• Anything that appears “out of the ordinary”
• Contact the geotechnical and structural engineer
for recommendations
 Site Preparation
Strip Site of Organics & Trash

The site should be

initially stripped of all
surface vegetation and
other deleterious
material.
 Site Preparation
Recompact Scarified Surface Material

The exposed
subgrade should
be scarified and
recompacted.
 Site Preparation
Identify Voids & Recompact

Remove trees,
including the
root system

Proof roll the

site to identify
any loose soil
 Site Preparation
Drainage

Grade the lot for

positive drainage
away from the
foundation during
and after
construction.
 Site Preparation
Compaction tests should be performed on all fill material used
during the site development phase. The quality, as well as the
compaction, of all fill material should be documented.

Fill should exhibit low expansion properties, be free of organics

and other deleterious material, and be compatible with the
existing soil characteristics.

READ the General Notes sheet prepared by the structural

engineer. This sheet may contain special instructions about
specific site preparation requirements.

Contact the structural engineer should anything be unclear or in

question.
 Components of an
Unbonded PT System

• Unbonded Strand

• Anchorages

• Accessories
 Unbonded P-T Strand
Unbonded strand consists of
three main components:
High Density
• Prestressing Steel Polyethylene
Sheathing

• PT Coating P-T Coating

Corrosion Protection "Grease"

• Sheathing 7 wire Steel

Strand
Anchorage System

Anchor

2-pc Wedge
Standard System
Fixed End Anchorage
 Standard System
Stress End Anchorage

Anchor Pocket Former

Standard System Assembly
Stressing Anchorage

Incorrect Correct
 Stressing Anchorage
Tendon Sheathing Repair
• Replace Sheathing
• Tape
• 1 inch Rule
 Installation
• Follow approved engineers drawings
• Anchors are placed 6 inches from edge
• Anchors are placed at T/2 or 3” below top of slab
• Anchors are securely attached to edge forms
 Installation
• Follow approved engineers drawings
• Anchors are placed 6 inches from edge
• Anchors are placed at T/2 or 3” below top of slab
• Anchors are securely attached to edge forms
 Installation

Horizontal transitions
are smooth, clear all
openings by 3 inches
and are straight past
the opening
 Installation
Chair Placement

Chairs are placed

and tied at each
tendon intersection at
less than 3’-6”
centers
 Installation
Chair Placement

Correct Incorrect
 Installation

Draped tendons are used in some designs to

provide compression in the bottom of beams
resisting tensile stresses caused from edge lift.
 Installation

Drops in Slabs
 Plumbing Blockouts

• Deflect tendons to
avoid blockouts
through the slab.

• Maintain minimum of
3” concrete cover
between tendon and
blockout
 Plumbing Blockouts

Corner blockouts
can cause
concreting
difficulties. Rebar
solutions can
alleviate the
congestion and
prevent corner
failures
Anchorage Zone Penetrations

Penetrations through the anchorage zone

should be sleeved with schedule 40 pipe.
Reentrant Corners

Initial curing tensile

stresses build-up at
reentrant (inside)
corners causing
cracking to occur.
Rebar is typically
installed at these
locations.
 Stressing

• Initial Concrete Strength (2,000 psi MIN)

• Initial Marking (Elongations)

• Calibration of Jack/Gauge

• Stressing Force vs. Gauge Pressure

• Final Elongation Measurement

Cutting Stressing Tails
 Finishing Stressing Recess

• Clean the pocket former recess of any

dirt, grit, oil or other material that will
prevent the grout from bonding to the
concrete

• Grout pocket former recess with non-

shrink cement, sand and water mix that
will reach the minimum compressive
strength of the concrete slab.
Inspections

Inspections should be conducted to insure

the quality of the construction.

• Pre-pour: Installation of P-T and rebar

• Pour: Placement of Concrete

• Stressing: Tensioning of P-T Tendons

Pre-Pour Inspection

• Check the tendon and bar count

• Check the placement of the fixed-end anchors for

the required cover over the end of the steel

• Check to be sure that the stressing ends are

securely nailed to the forms (2 nails) and that the
tendon is perpendicular to the anchor

• Check to be sure that you have adequate

concrete cover over all of the steel
Pour Inspection
• Do not add excessive water at the site

• Place the concrete in one continuous

operation - NO COLD JOINTS

• Consolidate (vibrate) the concrete around the

P-T anchors, especially in the corners where
multiple anchors are located.
Pour Inspection

DO NOT displace or walk on any of the reinforcement

- P-T or rebar
Post-Concrete Placement

• Notify the P-T stressing company the day after

the concrete is placed to schedule stressing

• Remove the forms - ALL OF THEM. Do this

within 3 days after the concrete is placed

• Do NOT damage stressing tails in rough grade

• Do NOT cover tendon tails with dirt or lumber

Trouble-Shooting

• Honeycombs
• Low strength and poor quality concrete
• Plumbing mistakes
Trouble-Shooting
Correct Incorrect
 Foundation Maintenance
• Do not alter the drainage pattern of the site
• Provide a minimum of 3%-5% of slope away from
the foundation with the first 5 feet
• Roof drains should not discharge
water at the perimeter of the
foundation

• Do not plant trees within the tree’s drip line

• Do not cut off natural moisture around the

foundation by constructing decks or pools
Performance

The long-term performance of any

slab-on-ground foundation is dependent
upon good drainage and a moisture
maintenance program by the property
owner.
PTI Certification Program
• Consistency of material quality

• Quality of extrusion and fabrication process

• Traceability of components

• Stressing equipment calibration

• Company commitment to the long term

performance of the system
 Construction & Maintenance
More information concerning the
construction & maintenance of post-
tensioned slabs-on-ground, can be found in
a manual published by the Post-Tensioning
Institute.

The 3rd Editions is currently being reviewed

by committee and will be available in the
next few months.

602-870-7540

www.post-tensioning.org
Design Procedures & Code
New in 2005

602-870-7540
www.post-tensioning.org