PRE-STRESSED CONCRETE

Pre-stressing is generally a way to overcome concrete weakness in tension. Generally, the

concrete undergoes compression on top flange and tension at bottom flange. In pre-stressing the
tendons are stretched along the axis and cement is poured, later when the tendons are released the
compression is generated at the bottom which tries to counter-balance the compression due to loading
at the top part of the beam. The upward force along the length of the beam counteracts the service
loads applied to the member. The unique characteristics of pre-stressed concrete allow predetermined,
engineering stresses to be placed in members to counteract stresses that occur when the unit is
subjected to service loads.
Pre-stressing removes a number of design limitations conventional concrete faces on span and
load and also permits the building of roofs, floors, bridges, and walls with longer unsupported spans.
This allows architects and engineers to design and build lighter and shallower concrete structures
without sacrificing strength. This also helps in the construction of longer spans thereby reducing the
intermediate pier construction and making bridge construction economical.

APPLICATIONS OF PRE-STRESSED CONCRETE

Pre-stressed concrete has experienced the greatest growth in the field of commercial buildings.
For buildings such as shopping centers, pre-stressed concrete is an ideal choice because it provides the
span length necessary for flexibility and alteration of the internal structure. Pre-stressed concrete is also
used in school auditoriums, gymnasiums, and cafeterias because of its acoustical properties and its
ability to provide long, open spaces. One of the most widespread uses of pre-stressed concrete is
parking garages.
Prestressed concrete can be used in a wide range of residential and commercial construction
products on the interior and exterior of buildings. For example, cast stone panels can be created for
both interior and exterior walls. These can be decorated through a wide range of methods, which may
include scoring, stamping, staining and more. The unique combination of strength and decorative detail
of the prestressed concrete makes these types of wall panels a popular option. Prestressed concrete can
also be used to create cast stone and numerous other architectural products. It can even be used for
landscaping design. For example, preformed concrete retaining walls can be customized based on
length, width and height, and the look of the concrete can be customized as well to create a strong,
decorative landscaping retaining wall.
PRE TENSIONING
Pre-tensioning is accomplished by stressing wires or strands, called tendons, to predetermined
amount by stretching them between two anchorages prior to placing concrete. The concrete is then
placed and tendons become bonded to concrete throughout their length.
After concrete has hardened, the tendons are released by cutting them at the anchorages. The tendons
tend to regain their original length by shortening and in this process transfer through bond a
compressive stress to the concrete.
The tendons are usually stressed by the use of hydraulic jacks. The stress in tendons is
maintained during the placing and curing of concrete by anchoring the ends of the tendons to
abutments that may be as much as 200m apart. The abutments and other formwork used in this
procedure are called prestressing bench or bed.
Most of the pre-tensioning construction techniques are patented although the basic principle
used in all of them is common and is well known.

APPLICATIONS OF PRE-TENSIONING
In this form, concrete is cast around steel bars or cables under tension. The concrete naturally
bonds to these “tendons” while it cures. Compression by static friction transfers the tension to the
concrete once it is released. Subsequently, any tension on the concrete transfers readily to the tendons.
Pre-tensioned concrete elements are common in beams, lintels, and floor slabs.
It is most commonly used for the fabrication of structural beams, floor slabs, hollow-core planks,
balconies, lintels, driven piles, water tanks and concrete pipes.
POST TENSIONING
The alternative to pre-tensioning is post-tensioning. In a post-tensioned beam, the tendons are
stressed and each end is anchored to the concrete section after the concrete has been cast and has
attained sufficient strength to safely withstand the prestressing force.
In post-tensioning method, tendons are coated with grease or a bituminous material to prevent
them from becoming bonded to concrete. Another method used in preventing the tendons from
bonding to the concrete during placing and curing of concrete is to encase the tendon in a flexible metal
hose before placing it in the forms. The metal hose is referred to as sheath or duct and remains in the
structure.
After the tendon has been stressed, the void between the tendon and the sheath is filled with
grout. Thus the tendons become bonded to concrete and corrosion of steel is prevented.
Post-tension prestressing can be done at site. This procedure may become necessary or desirable in
certain cases. For heavy loads and large spans in buildings or bridges, it may be very difficult to transport
a member from pre-casting plant to a job site. On the other hand, pre-tensioning can be used in precast
as well as in cast-in-place construction.
In post-tensioning it is necessary to use some types of device to attach or anchor the ends of the
tendons to the concrete section. These devices are usually referred to as end anchorages. There are a
large number of patents for different types of anchorages. They may also differ n the details of
construction

APPLICATIONS OF POST-TENSIONING
Post-tensioning, or PT, has become increasingly popular over the past 30 years or so as the technology
has been perfected. At one time there were problems with corrosion of the cables, especially in deicing-
salt-laden parking structures, but better materials and construction methods (plus good training and
certification programs) have eliminated most problems.
The applications for post-tensioning are almost endless, but what holds it back is the lack of experience
among designers and builders. Some of the more common applications are:
• Slabs on ground: Today, PT is used extensively for slabs on grade where soils are likely to move
(expansive soils)-especially in the American southwest. Jim Rogers, editor and publisher of Post Tension
Magazine, says that until housing construction ground to a halt last year, about half of all post-
tensioning work was slabs-on-ground for homes. Residential Concrete magazine had a good review of
this in its September 2006 issue.
• Another good application for PT slabs is producing crack-free tennis courts.
• A recently developed application of PT is external post-tensioning for strengthening of existing
structures, especially as an upgrade to resist seismic forces. The best review of this is available from the
International Concrete Repair Institute, "Guideline for the Selection of Strengthening Systems for
Concrete Structures."
• Bridge designers have used PT both for cast-in-place concrete and for precast segmental
construction. PT allows longer spans and keeps cracks tight.
• Masonry walls can be post-tensioned-this is usually done with a solid steel bar fastened to the
foundation and stressed with a nut at the wall's top.
• One interesting application is for a concrete countertop that needed to span 6 feet and carry a
heavy load.