Prestressed Concrete Analysis and Design Fundamentals 2nd Ed CAP 12

CHAPTER 12
ANALYSIS ANO DESIGN

OF TENSILE MEMBERS
12.1 TYPES OF TENSION MEMBERS
Prestressed concrete tension members are structural elements predominantly

subjected to axial tensíon. They are mostly linear, circular, or parabolíc (catenary) in
shape. Linear tension elements, commonly called ties, include restraining ties for
arch bridges, soil anchors for retaining structures, and truss members. Circular
elements are part of any figure of revolution and include cylindrical tank:s, silos, and
pressure vessels. Parabolic prestressed concrete tension members, often described as
stress ribbons, follow the same principies as catenary steel cables. They are used in
inverted suspension (or stress-ribbon) bridges. Typical examples of tension
members are shown in Fig. 12. l where only the tensile member is emphasized in its
position with respect to the rest of the structure, schernatically described by a line
configuration.
Prestressed linear tension members are similar to compressive mernbers, except
that they carry a much higher leve! of prestress. They are generally concentrically
prestressed. However, wben a combination of flexure (self-weight) and tension
exists, the prestress may be slightJy eccentric to balance the weight and keep a
uniform state of stress in the section.
731
732 Naaman - PRESTRESSED CONCRETE ANAL YSIS ANO DESIGN
Although experimental data and design information on prestressed concrete

tension members are scarce (perhaps because they are simpler to analyze than other
elements), they are widely used in actual applications. In sorne examples, they
represent the main element that confers to the structure its innovative aspects.
Morandi [Ref. 12.18] built severa! bridges featuring prestressed concrete tensile
elements, used in a cable-stayed configuration. Finsterwalder [Ref. 12.1 O] presented
an innovative design for the Bosphorus Bridge (not built) where a shallow funicular-
shaped prestressed concrete stress-ribbon tensile member spanning 190 m (620 ft)
was proposed. The ribbon was to serve as tensile element and deck in the central
portion ofthe bridge's main span of 408 m (1340 ft). Lin et al. [Ref. 12. 16] designed
and built the inverted suspension Rio Colorado Bridge in Costa Rica, where a
catenary-shaped prestressed concrete ribbon spanning 146 m ( 480 ft) was used to
support the horizontal deck. Such bridges may represent a comparatively low-cost
solution for crossing deep valleys [Refs. 12.5 and 12.17].
(a) (e)
ktillliJ
i i (b)
(e)
(g)
Figure 12.1 Typical examples of tension members.

Chapter 12-ANAL YSIS AND DESIGN OF TENSILE MEMBERS 733
Figure 12.2 Prestressed concrete truss railway bridge: lwahana Bridge, Japan.
(Ref 12.1 l , Courtesy Prestressed Concrete lnstitute.)
Precast prestressed concrete tensile and compressive elements can successfully

be used in trusses where they are assembled on site and connected by post-tensioning
[Refs. 12.8 and 12.11]. Several truss railway bridges bave been built in Japan [Ref.
12. 1 1]. A typical example is shown in Figure 12.2.
Sorne of the advantages of prestressed concrete tensile members are discussed
next.
12.2 ADVANTAGES OF PRESTRESSED CONCRETE TENSION

MEMBERS
Tbe use of concrete in pure tensile members, also called ties, may seem paradoxical,
since concrete is weak in tension. However, a prestressed concrete element can be
treated as a single composite material that can sustain tension, with no reference to
its components, steel and concrete (Fig. 4.5). Prestressed concrete tension members
can present a number of salient advantages over their counterparts made with either
steel or reinforced concrete:
1. A prestressed concrete tie can be designed not to crack under normal service
loads and acceptable levels of service overloads.
2. Because it is crack-free, it offers an excellent corrosion protection for the steel
reinforcernent.
3. The use of concrete offers an inherent fire resistance which, in sorne instances,
rnay be an irnportant design factor.
4. The most significant advantage of using a prestressed concrete tension member is
that the total deformation necessary to develop the full resistance to the applied
externa! load can be controlled practically to any desired degree. This is because
the member behaves essentially as a linear elastic crack-free material and a
change in its cross section leads to a proportional change in its deformation under
load. The total deformation ( elongation or shortening) under load is a very
important design variable. An excessive deformation may lead to distortional
distress and failure in the structure or in sorne of its elements.
Everything else being equal, the deformation of a prestressed concrete tie can be
more than an arder of magnitude smaller than that of a steel tie. This is illustrated in
the following example.
12.2.1 Example: Relative Deformation of Tension Members
Consider a tensile force N of magnitude 100 kips to be carried over a span of 100 ft. Several design
proposals are to be evaluated including a high-strength steel cable rnade of prestressing strands, a
structural steel member, a prestressed concrete member, and a reinforced concrete mernber. A
schernatic representation ofthe problem and typical formula are given in Fig. 12.3.
Assume the steel cable (Fig. 12.3a) is made of six strands with an area Aps = 0.918 in2 andan
elastic modulus E ps = 28.14 x 106 psi. lt can be shown that its elongation under load is given by
f:i.lps =NI/ EpsAps =4.64 in.
Assuming an allowable stress of20,000 psi, the structural steel member (Fig. 12.3b) has a cross-
sectional area A5 = 5 in2 and same elastic modulus as the cable, i.e., Es= 28.14x 106 psi. Using the
same formula as above leads to Ms = 0.85 in.
The prestressed concrete tie (Fig. l 2.3c) has the same area of prestressing steel as the steel cable,
i.e., Ap, = 0.918 in2, a gross sectional area Ag = 100 in2, and a concrete elastic rnodulus
E¿ = 4.69 x 106 psi. The transforrned area of the section is A1 = 104.59 in2. The rnernber's
instantaneous elongation under the same load Nis given by !Me 1 =IN!/ EcA1 = 0.245 in.
1
If we keep the same prestressing steel reinforcement and double the concrete area (Fig. l 2.3d),
the elongation is halved to approximately 0.125 in. This value is less than three percent of that
obtained ifthe free steel cable were used alone. In practice, long-term effects must also be considered
and generally counteract the effect of externa! loads. In the above comparison, the steel cable was
chosen to have the same cross-sectional area as the prestressing tendons in the prestressed concrete
tie. In practice, a free cable will have a substantially lower allowable stress or higher area than the
values assumed above.
The design of a reinforced concrete tie is based on a cracked concrete section. The corresponding
area of steel reinforcement is significantly higher than that of a prestressed tie. Everything else being
the sarne, its elongation under load would be higher than that of a prestressed tie, the difference being
mainly due to the sum of crack widths along the member (Fig. I 2.3e). On the other hand, for the
Chapter 12 - ANAL YSIS ANO DESIGN OF TENSILE MEMBERS 735
same steel area and steel stress, the elongation of a reinforced concrete tie can be expected to be less
than that of a structural steel member.
Example
(ª)
~.... __
".'.J \
Aps
/ ,,-, ------br ___.
u_n_st_re..ssed tendon I
N t:,./ ps
t
4.64 in
I Elongation due to N
Structural steel
(b) a~¡ ¿·~As~t ~t ~~~f' ___. N

0.85 in
t
..t. =:i;:P::re=st=re~ssed concrete 1
(e) 'J: ~==flo ___. N
ª
t==t
\A \A 1 : n pÁps
filc1 = t+..lps A
1 1
ps 11 ~ 0.245 in
i 1 · ti
-t t \
j Prestressed concrete 2 1
(d) ~.A--1 ~,
~__.N
l
Aps "I : ,. ltilc2 I = 2ltilcil 0.12 in
!
~t
Reinforced concrete
(e) J }) } J ~__.:N
> 0.12 in
-i-
I l
Figure 12.3 Relative deformation in tension members made of different materials.
12.3 BEHAVIOR OF PRESTRESSED CONCRETE TENSION MEMBERS
Because prestressed concrete ties are simple structural elements that are expected to
perform in the linear elastic uncracked range of behavior, they have generated little
need for experimental research. An investigation by Wheen [Ref. 12.27] has
clarified the influence of many variables on the load-deformation response of the
composite and allows for sorne comparison and correlation with reinforced concrete
ti es.
When a prestressed concrete tensile member is subjected to a monotonically
increasing tensile load, its load elongation curve is characterized by an initial linear
elastic portian up to first structural cracking. The increase in externa! load is
accompanied by a slow stress increase in the steel and a fast stress decrease in the
concrete which eventually leads to tension in the concrete and subsequent cracking.
Wheen reports that the occurrence of first cracking is dramatic and is invariably
accompanied by a loud bang [Ref. 12.27]. Significant changes in characteristics
occur after cracking. They include a very large reduction in the stiffness of the
composite and a sudden in crease in steel stress ( stress jump) beca use the steel must
resist the additional force released by the concrete. Such a stress jump may lead to a
steel stress in the nonlinear range of behavior. It may cause serious steel debonding
on either side of the crack, thus leading to unusually wide cracks. I f the member is
less than minimally reinforced, that is, if the cracking load is larger than the ultimate
resistance of the tendons alone, cracking will also lead to failure. For normally
reinforced members, the composite resistance after cracking is reduced to that of the
reinforcement alone and the composite load elongation curve is essentially reduced
to that of the reinforcement.
G) Prestressed concrete tie

@ Reinforced concrete tie --- N
Es=Eps .,. .,.
Assumption:
{ Pp =ps
/
,, ,,
,, ., .,
t
_¿__- Prestressing steel
/
/
I
I
I
I
Multiple
fps x Pp ,
-í' cracking
I
I First \
I
I
contribution
contribution
fs x Ps
•
N
Elongation or strain
Figure 12.4 Typical stress-elongation curves of reinforced and prestressed concrete tension
members.
N
f pu ----------------------
1
1
+
l
1
1
1
Reloading path :
after cracking / Stress I
-, / jumpat :
'./ tirst I
/ 1
/ cracking
J; L---=---=-=-=-~-~--=-±-:-.:-~-~-=-1'., - - - - - - - i ---
I
"O
ro
-ºOl 1 1
e: 1 1
·¡¡; 1 1
'
ro 1 1
~
o
1 •
.5 Nn
N
ro 1
ai Axial tension on tie, N

$
en
Ol
e:
·¡¡;
en
~
1ií
~
c.
.5 Ncr
/
/
.¡t
Decom-
Strain, li ps
Figure 12.5 Variation of the stress in the prestressing steel with loading.
A typical stress elongation curve of a prestressed concrete tie is plotted in Fig.

12.4 and compared to that of a reinforced concrete tie having the same reinforcement
ratio. lt can be observed that the reinforced concrete tie will crack in the very early
stages of loading. A slight increase in load after cracking leads to the formation of
multiple cracks soon followed by crack stabilization. No further cracks form
thereafter but the widths of existing cracks increase with the load and the composite
response approaches that of the reinforcing steel alone. A reinforced concrete tie is
designed to resist service loads after cracking, while a prestressed concrete tie is
mostly serviceable before cracking. The contribution of the reinforcement to the
composite response, represented by Pp.fps or Psfs, is also plotted in Fig. 12.4 versus
the elongation. It is assumed, for clarity, that both the prestressing steel and the
reinforcing steel have the same modulus of elasticity. The difference in ordinate
between the composite curve and the reinforcement curve represents the average
contribution of the concrete. Such contribution is substantial prior to cracking.
After cracking, it decreases with the elongation and tends to vanish. Simultaneously,
the composite's response tends toward that of the reinforcement alone. Note that,
because of the extent of concrete contribution to the pre-cracking resistance,
prestressing takes substantial advantage of the presence of the concrete.
~1 1 ~i 7 i
'
1 ~ 1
I• e••• •I
Stressed
O Unstressed
o
8
•I
o
;;; ;;\
I• • o.
o o o
8
I• o. o •I
o o o
"' "' "'
(O
N N N N
8 o
lo • o. ol
o o
o
-e
N ~
o
~ 8
N
o
o
N
N
o o o
jo o. o ol
o o o o
~ ~ ~ ~
lo o o o ol
Figure 12.6 Typical crack patterns in prestressed tension members. (Adaptedfrom R. J. Wheen,
Re.f 12.27.)
If a prestressed tensile member with bonded reinforcement cracks due to an

overload, its response under subsequent loading would be similar to that of the first
loading except that existing cracks will start opening at decompression instead of at
the cracking load. A smoother transition in the steel stress will replace the stress
jump otherwise encountered at first cracking, as illustrated in Fig. 12.5. After
cracking, the stress in the prestressing steel increases in direct proportion to the
applied load N until failure (Fig. 12.5), but the strain increases ata much faster rate,
Chapter 12 - ANAL YSIS AND DESIGN OF TENSILE MEMBERS 739
in accordance with the stress-strain relationship of the steel. In Fig. 12.5, &ce
represents the concrete strain under effective prestress and é~u represents the tensile
fracture strain of concrete.
If the reinforcement is unbonded and cracking occurs, generally only one crack
develops and subsequent reloading will see the stiffness and the response of the
composite reduced to those of the reinforcement alone. Because of this dramatic
reduction in stiffness, the use of unbonded reinforcement in prestressed tensile
members is not recommended.
Typical crack pattems in prestressed concrete tension members using bonded
stressed and unstressed tendons, as reported by Wheen, are shown in Fig. 12.6
(adapted from Ref. 12.27). Note that cracking in these members is very similar to
that generally observed using reinforced concrete. Modeling crack width and
spacing in prestressed tensile members can be done similarly to ferrocement except
that the stress in the steel is replaced by the stress change beyond decompression.
The reader is referred to [Ref. 12.19] for in-depth analysis of the subject.
12.4 ANAL YSIS OF TENSION MEMBERS
The analysis of prestressed concrete tensile members presents little mathematical

difficulty. lt is generally assumed that the member behaves in a linear elastic manner
under service loads and that both the prestressing force and the extemal tensile load
are concentric to the axis of the member, thus leading to uniform stresses in the
section.
In addition to developing the basic analytic equations for prestressed tension
members, criteria usually checked in the "review or investigation" process will also
be covered in this section. They include: maximum allowable compression,
ultimate strength, safety against cracking, safety against decompression, mínimum
reinforcement, and maximum instantaneous and long-term deformations.
Let us consider a prestressed concrete tension member subjected to an axial force
N (Fig. 12. 7). According to our sign convention, compression is positive for
concrete and tension is positive for the steel. As N is applied to the concrete, it is
negative. Standard notation will be used whenever possible.
12.4.1 Service Stresses, Decompression, Cracking and Ultimate Load
The net area of the concrete section subjected to the prestressing force is defined by:
(12.1)
where Ag is the gross sectional area of the concrete section and A ps the area of the
prestressing steel.
7 40 Naaman - PRESTRESSED CONCRETE ANAL YSIS ANO DESIGN
An extemal force N applied to the member causes an equal elongation in the steel
and the concrete and is resisted by both. Equivalently, it can be shown that Nis
resisted by the transformed cross-sectional area of the member defined by:
(12.2)
where n P = E ps / E¿ and E ps and E¿ are the moduli of elasticity of the prestressing

steel and the concrete.
1 1
. N
(-) ~7
N
(-)
.
(a)
.
IJ
. :e>:::::::::::: :::::e>
• 1111..
..
.. :-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:,:-:-:-:-:·:·:.·
.
. ..
: :·: :·:·:· jjf/·:·:·: :
..
:.:-, //
:-:.:·:·:-:-:-:-:·:..:-:,:.:-:.:-:-:-:-:-:_:
(b)
• •
. .. . ..
·.. . .
.. .
).
.
.
(e)
Figure 12.7 (a) Prestressed tensión member: sign convention. (b) Pretensioned section,
posttensioned section, or both. (e) Gross, net, and transformed sections.
The uniform compressive stress in the concrete due to the prestressing force at
release is given by:
F¡ ÁpsÍpi
(Y·=-=~~- (12.3)
gi A A
n n
and the effective stress after all losses is given by:

(12.4)
Note that, in Chapter 4, the gross sectional area Ag was used instead of An to
determine a-g and CYgi in beams.
If allowable stresses are not to be exceeded, the following conditions should be
satisfied:
(12.5)
where a-ci and ci'cs are allowable compressive stresses in the concrete under initial
and effective or final prestress. Since the compression is uniform, their magnitude is
generally not the same as for flexure where only extreme fiber stresses are
considered. The ACI code does not have special provisions for uniform
compression; however, in its altemative design method (App. B of the 1989 code ), it
recommends a maximum bearing stress of 0.30 ¡; . In practice, it seems reasonable
not to exceed such a value in order to minimize creep strains and long-term
deformation. Note that ACI Comrnittee 344 suggests the following allowable
stresses for tanks: a-es =0.45J; and ci'ci =0.55J;¡. These are relatively high
stresses for uniform compression. However, actual stresses under service loads,
which occur when the tank is full, are much smaller [Ref. 12.2 to 12.4].
An externa! tensile force applied to the member induces a stress change of
magnitude N / Ar . The resulting uniform stress in the concrete due to the combined
action of F and Nis:
(12.6)
where N is negative. The corresponding stress in the prestressing steel is given by:
N
Íps = Ípe =n¡ A (12.7)
t
Equation (12.6) can be used to predict the cracking load Ncr for which the stress
CYc becomes equal to the tensile strength of the concrete ft~. It leads to:
N er = At (¡;' _ _f_J = (J;' -

te A
n
At te
Apsfpe)
A
n
(12.8)
The margin of safety against cracking mer is defined by:
(12.9)
A mmnnum margin of safety is generally required in design. When prior

cracking has occurred, subsequent loading of the prestressed member will see cracks
opening ata stress CYc = O instead of ¡;~. This stage is called decompression. The
tensile load at decompression can be computed from:
N __ A1F __ ArApsfpe
dec - A - A (12.10)
n n
The margin of safety against decompression is defined by:
(12.11)
A mínimum value of mdec is often required in design. The stress in the

prestressing steel just before cracking is given by Eq. (12.7) in which Nis replaced
by Ncr· That is:
(12.12)
The stress in the prestressing steel just after first cracking is given by:
(12.13)
It should be less thanfpu if failure is not to accompany cracking.This can be

satisfied by setting a mínimum reinforcement criterion as shown in Sec. 12.5.
The stress in the prestressing steel just after decompression in a previously
cracked member is obtained from:
Chapter 12-ANALYSIS ANO DESIGN OF TENSILE MEMBERS 743
(f ps ) dec
= -Ndec = Atfpe
(12.14)
A A
ps n
At ultimate loading, the nominal tensile resistance of the cracked section is equal
to that of the steel alone. Thus:
(12.15)
Using the ultimate strength design approach prescribed by ACI, the following
condition must be satisfied:
(12.16)
where Nu is the required factored load or design strength, and <jJ is the resistance
factor. Using the 2002 ACI code [Ref. 12.1], we have: Nu =l.2Nn+l.6NL, and
<jJ = 0.90 (see Tables 3.9 and 3.1 O). Absolute values were used in order to keep Eq.
(12.16) in accordance with the general form used for other types of loading.
Otherwise, since tensile forces are negative, we should have algebraically
s; ~ <jJNn-
12.4.2 Short- and Long-Term Deformations
The instantaneous shortening of a concrete element of length l, subjected to a

concentric prestressing force F¡, is given by:
(12.17)
A similar expression can be obtained if the final prestressing force F and

corresponding E¿ are considered.
The instantaneous elongation of a prestressed concrete member subjected to an
axial tension Nis given by:
(12.18)
lt is to be used for short-term loads such as live loads. Note that Nis negative.
Long-term deformations in tensile members depend on many factors, such as the
construction method, the stressing sequence, if any, the age at loading, and the
loading history. For instance, if the member is pretensioned and stored in plant for a
reasonable period of time, a significant portian of prestress losses would have
occurred prior to moving the member to the construction site; also a substantial
portian of the additional time-dependent shortening (due to shrinkage and creep)
would have occurred by the time the member is attached to the rest of the structure.
Thereafter, the application of extemal loading, that is, tension would relax part of the
compression and further reduce additional long-term effect, due to creep recovery.
Thus it can be assumed in this case that the member will not shorten much more
once attached to the structure. Indeed, it is observed from Chapter 8 that about 85%
to 90% of prestress losses will have occurred within the first year of age.
If the tensile member is posttensioned on site, the stress history and deformation
history can be followed through the computation of time-dependent prestress losses
(see Chapter 8). Under no extemal loading, the shortening of the member due to
elastic stresses, shrinkage and creep of concrete, and relaxation of the steel can be
easily followed. Since the steel and the concrete experience the same overall
shortening strain, the shortening of the tensile member can be predicted from the
prestress losses due to the sum of elastic shortening and time dependent losses after
transfer of prestress. Assuming we call that loss iJ/pT, the shortening of the member
after a period corresponding to service life is then given by:
*
tifpT
til¡ifi
I e
= l-- E (12.19a)
ps
lf the tensile member is posttensioned on site, the prestress could also be applied
in stages depending on the progress of the construction of the structure and the
application of the loads. Stage stressing may be designed for an average resulting
compressive stress of the same order as the final sustained stress for which
instantaneous and long-term deformations can be estimated.
In such a case, a shortening due to the combined effects of prestressing and
externa! load can be computed in function of the average resulting compressive
stress ªe· The instantaneous shortening can be obtained from:
ti!· = l
t
ªe
E
(12.19b)
e
and the additional long-term shortening can be taken as the instantaneous value
multiplied by a coefficient, similar to the ultimate creep coefficient discussed in
Chapter 7 for the case of long-term deflection. ·
In summary, there is no general solution to estimating long-term deformations,
and engineering judgment must be exercised depending on the particular
circumstances. The reader may want to review Chapter 7 on deflections and Chapter
Chapter 12 - ANAL YSIS ANO DESIGN OF TENSILE MEMBERS 7 45
8 on prestress losses for further information. Note that the computations of prestress
losses are easier for tensile members than for flexural members, even if the time-step
approach is used. This is because a uniform stress exists in the section and
corresponding computations of deformations due to creep are greatly simplified.
12.4.3 Example: Analysis-Investigation of a Tension Member
Consider the prestressed concrete tensile member of length 100 ft shown in Fig. 12.8. It is subjected
to an axial tensile force in service N = N D + N L = -60, 000 - 40, 000 = -100, 000 lb. The following
material properties are assumed: /~ = 6000 psi, /~; = 4500 psi, ft~ = -4f.j¡ = -31 O psi,
E¿ = 4.69 x 106 psi, Eci = 4.06 x 106 psi, Be; = 2000 psi, Bes = 1500 psi, /p; = 175, 000 psi,
/pe = 145, 000 psi, !pu = 270, 000 psi, E ps = 28.14 x 106 psi, n P = E ps / E¿ = 6, ultimate creep
coefficient of concrete Ccu = 2. Note that the maximum compression stress is taken smaller than
allowed by the ACI code to minimize long-term creep effect.
The following are provided: Ag = 100 in2 and Aps = 0.918 in2. Aps corresponds to the six
half-inch diameter prestressing strands; thus F = Apsfpe = 0.918 x 145, 000 = 133, 11 O lb and
F¡ = Aps/p; = 0.918 X 175,000 = 160,650 lb.
Let us use the equations and criteria in the order presented in Sec. 12.3, Service Stresses;
Cracking and Ultimate Load.
a. Stresses
Equation ( 12.1 ): An = Ag -Aps = 100-0.918 = 99.08 in2
Equation ( 12.2): A1 = Ag + (np - l)Aps = 100+ (6-1)0.918 = 104.59 in2
Equation ( 12.3): CJ' . = F¡ 160, 650 = 1621 psi

g, An 99.08
Equation(l2.4): CJ' =~=133•11º=1343psi

g An 99.08
CJ' gi < CJ'_-ci= 2000 ps.i
Equation ( 12.5):
{ CJ'g < CJ'cs = 1500 psi
..
I•
....................
····················
.........
.................... .
..........
10 in •.•.•.•
....................
········-··-········
· .••.·.•.·.·.··.··.·.·.•.º •.·.·..· •.•.••••.••.•••·
··············-·····
....................
....................
..................
-
I• ~1
10 in
A9 = 100 in2
l = 100 ft Aps = 0.918 in2
(six strands)
(a) (b)
Figure 12.8 lnvestigation example. (a) Tie position within structure. (b) Tie cross section.
Thus, the allowable stress criterion is satisfied. The stress in the concrete under combined final
prestressing force and externa! tension Nis given by Eq. (12.6):
a = 133,110 100,000 =387 si
e 99.08 104.59 p
b. Cracking and Decompression Load

The externa! tensile force that would produce first cracking in the member is given by Eq. (12.8):
N. =A(!,' _ _!_)=104.59(-310-133•11º)=-172 935 lb

e, t te An 99.08 ,
The corresponding margin of safety against cracking is given by Eq. (12.9):
m = Ncr = -172,935 = 1.73
cr N -100,000
and seems sufficient.
The externa! load that would lead to decompression is given by Eq. (12. JO):
N = _ A1F = 104.59xl33,l 10 = _140 512
lb
dec An 99.08 '
and the margin of safety against decompression (Eq. (12.11)) is:
m = Ndec = -140,512 = l.40
dec N -100,000
c. Cracking and Decompression Stresses

The stress in the prestressing steel just before first cracking is given by Eq. ( 12.12):
- f Ncr 6xl72,935 .
(f ps ) cr = pe-np-= A1 145,000+ 104.59
= 154,920 psi
The stress in the prestressing steel just after cracking is given by Eq. (12. 13):
172•935
( ·fps.) cr = -Ncr
Aps
=
0.918
= 188 382 si
' p
and is less than Ípu, the ultimate strength of the steel, with an allowance for an adequate safety
margin.
Note that the stress jump at cracking can be computed from:
(.rpst-(fps[ =188,382-154,920=33,462 psi
This is a relatively high value if debonding on either side of the crack is to be limited. However,
unless cracking is artificially prodnced, such stress jumps cannot be avoided in tensile members.
The stress in the steel just after decompression in a previously cracked member is given by Eq.
(12.14):
( f ps ) dec = -Ndec = 140,512 = 153 063 si

Aps 0.918 ' p
The stress in the prestressing steel just before decompression in a cracked member, or at
decompression in an uncracked member, can also be obtained from Eq. (12.7) in which Nis replaced
by Ndec> thus
6xl40,5I2
( f ps ) dec =f pe -n p Ndec
A1
=145 000+
' 104.59
=153 061 si
' p
This is essentially the same as the previously calculated value indicating that the stress jump
vanishes once first cracking has occurred.
Chapter 12-ANALYSIS AND DESIGN OF TENSILE MEMBERS 747
d. Nominal Tensile Resistance

The nominal resistance ofthe member at ultimate is given by:
Nn = -ApsÍpu = -0.918x270,000 =-247,860 lb
Thus:
</JNn = -0.9x 247,860 = -223,074 lb
Using the 2002 ACJ Code load factors, the design strength is given by:
n; = -l.2x60,000-l.6x40,000= -136,000 lb
Since INu 1 < l</JNn I ultimate strength requirements are satisfied.
e. Deformation
To illustrate deformation computations, let us consider two cases:
Case 1. Assume the member is posttensioned on site and immediately thereafter scaffolding is
removed under the structure and the dead load N D is applied. Using an average prestressing
force (F+F¡)/2=146,880lb, andan average modulus(Ec+Ec¡)l2=4.375xl06psi, the
resulting stress in the concrete can be computed from Eq. (12.6):
Clc = .!_ + N = 146, 880 _ 60, 000 :::: 909 psi
. An A1 99.08 104.59
The corresponding value of average instantaneous shortening (to be used in design) is given
by Eq. (12.19b):
-¡ªe_ 100xl2x909 _025.
t:,.. l1 - . - - m
E¿ 4.375xl06 .
Additional long-term shortening can be obtained, as a first approximation, by multiplying ó¡
by Ccu = 2. Thus:
óladd = 2 x 0.25 = 0.50 in
Note that the live load would produce an elongation given by Eq. (12.18):
t,.l¡ = .!!!____ = -40, 000 X 100 X 12 :::: -O. l in
A,Ec 104.59 x 4.69 x 106
Hence, long-term deformation will be most critica! and its effect on the rest of the structure must
be assessed.
Case 2. Assume the member is pretensioned, stored, and attached to the structure only at one year of
age. Also assume that the dead load ND is applied immediately thereafter. Most of the long-
term shortening of the member would have taken place prior to attaching it to the rest of the
structure. The application of N D would produce an instantaneous elongation given by Eq.
( 12.18):
ól¡ =.!!!____= -60,000xl00xl2 ::::-0.]5 in
A,Ec
104.59 x 4.69 x l 06
Sorne creep recovery will also occur. However, the resulting stress in the concrete remains a
compression and is given by Eq. ( 12.6):
a =.!_+!!_=133,110 60,000::::7?0psi
e An A1 99.08 104.59
One can estímate additional long-term shortening due to this sustained stress, say only about
20 percent of what it would be if prior creep and shrinkage have not occurred over one year of
age. lts value may be estimated from:
Madd = -0.20Ccu (la-e

e,
J = 0.4(1200x
4.69xl0
77~)
==0.08 in
This value partly balances the instantaneous elongation due to N L. Thus, little long-term
shortening is expected for the sustained loading. Defonnation is not critica! in this case.
12.5 OPTIMUM DESIGN OF TENSION MEMBERS
Unless the various design criteria are clearly understood and accounted for, the
design of prestressed concrete tension members may often err on the unsafe side and
may lead to inconsistent results. Most common design criteria have been mentioned
in Section 12.4 on analysis. Depending on the particular problem, other criteria may
be added. For instance, in partially prestressed members, a maximum crack width
criterion may be necessary. Each criterion leads to an analytic relationship to be
satisfied by the design. Only two unknowns are needed in practice, the area of
prestressing steel Aps and the gross sectional area of the concrete Ag. Other
variables may be assumed at first and revised later, if necessary. Generally, it is not
possible to know a priori which criterion or set of criteria will control a particular
design.
A systematic procedure is proposed next, which would guarantee a range of
satisfactory designs and, if desired, an optimum design [Ref. 12.20]. In this
procedure, each design criterion is expressed in function of the two unknown
variables Aps and Ag and a feasibility domain is sought in a way similar to what
was done in Chapter 4 for F¡ and e0. Any point within the domain should provide
an acceptable design, while generally only one point provides an optimum
(minimum cost) design. The various criteria and the corresponding analytic
relationships are given next.
12.5.1 Formulation of Design Criteria
(a) Maximum compressive stress criterion. It stipulates that the maximum

uniform compressive stress in the concrete should not exceed the corresponding
allowable stress. From Eqs. (12.3) to (12.5), we have:
(12.20)
Replacing An by its value from Eq. (12.1) leads to the following inequality
conditions written in terms of Áps and Ag:
(12.21)
These equations, at equality are represented by straight lines on a graph with

Aps as ordinate and Ag as abscissa. Each inequality is satisfied for any point below
the corresponding line. A typical example is shown in Fig. 12.9 where the lines are
marked (a') and (a).
Design criterion limitation:

(a), (a') Maximum compressive stress, effective and initial
(b) Margin of safety against cracking
(e) Margin of safety against decompression
(d) Mínimum reinforcement
(e) Required ultimate strength
(f) Maximum deformation
Gross section area of concrete, Ag
Figure 12.9 Geometric representation ofthe various design criteria and the feasible domain.
750 Naaman - PRESTRESSED CONCRETE ANAL YSIS AND DESIGN
(b) Margin of safety against cracking criterion. Beca use cracking is such a
dramatic event in prestressed tensile members, it is generally wise to design for a
minimum margin of safety against cracking, ñicr, the value of which should depend
on the type of structure, the probability of overload, and the risk associated with
cracking (i.e., a water tank versus a nuclear power containment vessel; a short bridge
versus a long bridge). Thus, we have the following condition:
( 12.22)
Using Eq. (12.8) for Ncr and noting that Nis negative, leads to:
- N >- At
mcr (¡;' -
te ApsÍpe:
A
n
( 12.23)
Replacing An and A1 by their values from Eqs. (12.1) and (12.2) in Eq. (12.23)
leads to the following quadratic equation in Aps :
A~8(np -1)(.fpe + ft~) + Aps[Agfpe -Ag(np -2)ft~ -ñicrN]

(12.24)
+ Ag(ñicrN -Agft~) 2 O
At equality, Eq. ( 12.24) has generally two roots of opposite signs. The positive
root of interest here is given by:
As=-(..!?_)+
P 2a
r'b)2 -~
~l~) --;¡ ( 12.25)
in which:
b _ -Ag [!pe -(np -2)f/c]- ñicrN

(12.26)
2a 2(np -1)(.fpe + f/c)
~= Ag(ñicrN -Agf/c)
(12.27)
a (np-1)(fpe+ft~)
Note that Aps can be plotted in function of Ag on the same x-y graph as was
done for the other criteria. It separates the plane into two regions. The mínimum
required margin of safety is obtained for any point above the curve. A typical such
curve is plotted in Fig. 12.9 and marked b.
(e) Margin of safety against decompressíon criterion. Similarly to the minimum

margin of safety against cracking, a mmrmum margin of safety against
decompression, iñdec, may represent an important safety measure. Thus, the
following condition can be set:
Ndec > m- (12.28)

- dec
N
The treatment of this case is exactly similar to case b above, except that ft~ is
replaced by zero. It leads to:
As=-(_!?_)+
P 2a
Fb )2 _!:.._
~l~) ----;; (12.25)
in which:
b -Agfpe -iñdecN
(12.29)
2a 2(n0 - l)fpe
e AgiñdecN
(12.30)
a (np -l)fpe
Aps is plotted versus Ag and the points of the plane above the curve satisfy the
required margin of safety against decompression. A typical such plot is shown as
curve e in Fig. 12.9.
( d) Mínimum reinforcement criterion. This criterion would ensure that failure

does not occur immediately after cracking. Thus, we can write the following
condition:
(12.31)
where a is a factor not less than one. The ACI code prescribes a similar condition
for tlexure where a = 1.2. Replacing Ncr by its value from Eq. (12.8) leads to:
(12.32)
where An and A1 can be replaced by their values from Eqs. (12.1) and (12.2). The
resulting equation is lengthy but not impossible to solve. Because this condition
seldom controls the design and a high level of accuracy is not needed for a minimum
level of reinforcement, the following approximation is proposed: assume
A1 : : :.A11 : : :.Ag; Eq. (12.32) would lead to:
Aps>
- ( -aft~ JAg (12.33)
r/>fpu -afpe
Typically, it is represented at equality by a straight line marked din Fig. 12.9.

Any point above the line should satisfy the minimum reinforcement criterion.
(e) Required ultimate strength criterion. lt guarantees an ultimate resistance not

less than the factored strength design load. Using Eqs. (12.15) and (12.16), we have:
> -Nu
Aps--- (12.34)
r/>fpu
which is represented at equality by a straight line marked e in Fig. 12.9.
(t) Maximu~ deformation criterion. This criterion guarantees an allowable

deformation 11.l ( elongation or shortening) under a given load or a combination of
loadings. It should be tailored to the particular problem at hand. __!f, for instance, the
instantaneous elongation under live load N L is to be limited to 11.l (negative value ),
we will have the following condition:
(12.35)
and replacing A1 by its value from Eq. (12.2) leads to:
(12.36)
which, at equality, is represented by a straight line markedfin Fig. 12.9.

A similar approach can be used for limiting the additional long-term deformation
by estimating the instantaneous deformation first and multiplying it by an
appropriate factor. A relation similar to Eq. (12.36) is generally obtained and can be
plotted on an Aps versus Ag graph.
A geometric representation of the feasible sets of values of Aps and Ag that
satisfy all the above criteria is shown in Fig. 12.9 and is defined as the feasible
domain. A wide range of possibilities is available. The choice of the design point
should be in a region where both Aps and Ag are minimized (somewhere between B
and C). A more accurate mínimum cost solution can be sought as shown below in
Section 12.5.3.
12.5.2 Design Approximations
Two design approximations are suggested: one is a heuristic rule (also described as
rule of thumb) and should be used with engineering judgment, and the other greatly
simplifies the geometric solution.
(a) Heuristic rule (ar rule ofthumb)for pure tensile members

• Use a value of F 20 percent higher than the tensile load in service, that is
F =1.2INI
• Determine Ag based on a uniform compressive stress a g = 0.25 ¡; under F,
that is Ag:::: F /(0.25/J = i.2INl/(0.25/;) = 4.8INI/ ¡;.
• Compute Aps = F I !pe
• For the tensile member obtained check other criteria, and revise the design
accordingly.
(b) Linearization of the safety criteria against cracking and decompression

All design criteria covered in the preceding subsection led to straight lines in Fig.
12.9, except the two criteria dealing with safety against cracking and decompression.
The computations would gain enormous speed if these two criteria were
approximated by straight lines. This can be simply done by assuming for these
criteria only that A1 :::: An :::: Ag over the range of interest. Equation (12.23) would
then lead to the following conditions:
For the margin of safety against cracking:
Aps >- Ít~ Ag - iñcrN (12.37)

fpe i;
and for the margin of safety against decompression:
(12.38)
Equations (12.37) and (12.38) would replace Eqs. (12.25) to (12.30) and
therefore the geometric feasibility domain, bound entirely by straight lines, can be
easily built. In addition, the solution for mínimum cost becomes readily obtainable
requiring only one additional step as shown next.
12.5.3 Minimum Cost Solution
The cost of the tensile member per unit length, defined by Z, can be expressed as
follows:
(12.39)
where:
Wps = weight of prestressing steel per unit length

UP = unit cost of prestressing steel in place
Ve = volume of concrete per unit length
U¿ = unit cost of concrete in place.
Using U.S. units, Wps will be given in pounds per foot, U P in dollars per pound,
Ve in cubic yards per foot, and U¿ in dollars per cubic yard. Thus, Z is the cost in
dollars per linear foot of member and the coefficients in the following equations are
valid for the U.S. system only. Theoretically, they can be developed for any other
system.
Wps and Ve can be expressed, respectively, in functions of Aps and Ag, leading
to:
z-u
- p
[r 144 J + u [ 144x27 J
_!____P!_
A e Ag (12.40)
where rs is the unit weight of steel in pounds per cubic foot. Equation (12.40) is a
linear equation in Áps and Ag.
The following general optimization problem can be formulated:

Chapter 12-ANALYSIS AND DESIGN OF TENSILE MEMBERS 755
Minimize cost Z =(rsUp

144
)Aps +(!!s_)Ag
3888
(12.41)
subject to a number of constraints given by Eqs. (12.21), (12.33), (12.34), (12.36),

(12.37), and (12.38) and representing the various design criteria. Since the above
objective function and the constraints are linear, the problem is a linear optimization
problem. lt can be solved by any linear programming algorithm. In such a case, it is
known that the optimum solution corresponds to one of the vertices of the feasible
geometric domain, such as points A, B, Cor D of Fig. 12.10. The mínimum cost
solution can be found by inspection or by plotting the objective function (Eq.
(12.41)) on the same graph as the feasible domain; the objective function is written
in the following linear form:
(12.42)
where Aps is the ordinate and Ag the abscissa.
Mínimum
cost
solution
... ...
... ...
... ...
... ...
...
',, Gross section area of concrete, A9 -----.
...
e« ...
... ...
Figure 12.10 Graphical solution for the minimum-cost design problem.
The representative line can be moved graphically parallel to itself from Z = O to

a mínimum Z for which only one point of the line belongs to the feasible domain. As
we mentioned earlier, that point is a vertex and gives the mínimum cost solution
(point B in Fig. 12.1 O). Other approaches or special cases particular to linear
programming problems apply here as well. The method is illustrated in Fig. 12.1 O.
12.5.4 Example
Find the values of Aps and Ag for the Example in Sec. 12.4, assuming they are not given. Ali other
information is the same.
The design has to accommodate the following mínimum requirements: me,. = 1.5, mdec = 1.2,
ultimate resistance at least 20 percent higher than the cracking load, and an instantaneous elongation
not to exceed Sl = - 0.15 in for an overload 50 percent higher than the live load.
Let us write the relationships between Aps and Ag for the various design criteria and build the
corresponding feasible domain graphically.
(a) Maximum compressive stress criterion. Using Eq. (12.21) leads to:
Ag = --3.Q__ A
1+175,000/2000 1770 g
and
Aps:c;--~- Ag Ag =~A
I+fpe!Bcs 1+145,000/1500 1465 g
The corresponding lines at equality are plotted in Fig. 12.11 and marked a' and a, respectively.
Note, a is more critical than a'.
(b) Margin of safety against cracking. Using the linear approximation given by Eq. ( 12.37) leads
to:
A > .ft~ A _ mc,.N = -310 A + l.5xl00,000
ps - f pe g . f pe 145 • 000 g 145,000
that is:
A > __ 3_1 _A + 150
ps - 14,500 g 145
The corresponding line at equality is plotted in Fig. 12.11 and marked b. Also plotted as a dashed
line marked b' is the exact solution corresponding to Eq. (12.25). lt gives the reader the opportunity
to check it.
Note: The approximation obtained using Eq. ( 12.37) is on the safe side.
(e) Margin of safety against decompression. Using the linear approximation given by Eq. ( 12.38)
leads to:
A 2:: _ mdecN = 1.2 x 100,000 = 0.83 in2
ps f pe 145 ' 000
The corresponding line at equality is parallel to the x axis and marked e in Fig. 12.11.
(d) Mínimum reinforcement criterion. Using Eq. (12.33) leads to:

Aps- >( -aft~

i/>fpu -afpe
)A g = 1.2x310
0.9x270,000-l.2xl45,000
Ag =_I!!:_A
69,000
g
The corresponding line at equality is plotted on Fig. 12.11 and marked d.
(e) Ultimate strength criterion. Using Eq. (12.34), we have:

> -Nu = 136,000
A PY -
=056.
. m
2
' i/>fpu O. 9 X 270, 000
and the corresponding line at equality is parallel to the x axis and marked e on Fig. 12.11.
2.0
A Minimum weight
1.8 B Minimum cost solution
0 Actual design
1.6
Objective
t
1.4 function
"'.5 1.2
,j
'
"'
q:
e,
1.0
0.8
0.6
' '
'
0.4
0.2
o ' ' 100 200

Gross section area of concrete, A9, in2 ---.
Figure 12.11 Minimum-cost solution for Example 12.5.4.
(t) Maximum deformation criterion. Using Eq. (12.36) for an overload 50 percent higher than the
live load (-60,000 lb) and a limit LJZ = -0. 15 in, we have:
Ag N¿l Ag 60,000xl00xl2
AP1 2---+ =--+-------
np -1 (np -l)EJ:il 5 5x4.69xl06 x0.15
that is:
Ag
Aps 2--+20.47
5
The corresponding line at equality is plotted in Fig. 12.11 and markedf

The feasible domain is thus identified in Fig. 12.1 l and any point inside the domain is a feasible
solution. Let us try to approach a minimum-cost solution. Assuming U¿ = $80 per cubic yard (this
value is assumed to include the cost of forros for this type of structure ), U P = $1.25 per pound, Ys =
490 pcfand using these values in Eq. (12.42) leads to:
Aps == -0.0048Ag +0.2352
A first dashed line is plotted for Z = O and gives the needed slope of -0.0048. A parallel that
touches the domain at point B gives the mínimum intercept leading to the mínimum cost Z. Thus,
point B corresponds to the minimum-cost solution with Aps == 0.825 in2 and Ag == 98.2 in2.
However, in rounding offthe numbers, a value of Ag = 100 in2 and Aps = 0.918 in2 (corresponding
to six strands) is selected and leads to the same results as used in the example in Sec. 12.4. The
corresponding point is marked Q in Fig. 12.l l. Note that the coordinates of point B can also be
obtained from the point of intersection of lines b and f The mínimum cost Z is then calculated from
Eq. (12.41) in which Aps and Ag are replaced by their optimum values.
12.6 CIRCULAR STRUCTURES: TANKS AND PRESSURE VESSELS
Because it can remain crack-free when sustaining tensile stresses, prestressed

concrete is an ideal material for tanks, reservoirs, pipes, pressure vessels, and
containers in general. Although early applications were mostly for water tanks, they
have expanded to accommodate oíl, gas, chemicals, slurries, liquids at cryogenic
temperatures, and granular materials (silos). Nuclear containment vessels are among
the largest scale applications. Typical elevation cross sections of a nuclear
containment vessel andan open water tank are shown in Figs. 12.12a and 12.12b,
respectively. Typical pressure profiles on the cylindrical wall are shown in Fig.
12.12c. A uniform pressure develops along the wall for a closed tank subjected to
an internal pressure p, such as for the case of a nuclear power vessel or a liquefied
natural gas tank. A triangular pressure profile following the water depth develops
for a water tank. lf an open tank similar to that described in Fig.12.12b is filled with
grain, such as in the case of a silo, the pressure profile would be trapezoidal, building
up rapidly and reaching a threshold value at which it remains constant over the
greater part of the depth due to arching action. Arching action is insured by the
higher ratio of depth to diarneter and the properties of the granular material. The
pressure then decreases again to zero at the bottom of the tank.
Several methods can be used to build cylindrical water tanks [Refs. 12.2 to 12.4,
12.14, 12.23, 12.24, and 12.25]. Most popular in the United States is the wire-
winding technique in which a concrete core (the tank wall) is built first and a single
tendon (wire or strand) is wound around it under stress, thus creating the necessary
prestress in the wall (Figs. 1.18, l 2.13a ano l 2.l 3h). Once the prestressing operation
is completed, the tendons are covered with a layer of mortar generally applied by
"guniting" or "shotcreting" (Fig. 12.13a). Practical provisions for the design and
construction of this type of structures can be found in Refs. [12.2 and 12.3].
Alternatively, as in posttensioned members, the prestressing tendons can be placed in
ducts within the tank wall and posttensioned after the concrete reaches a sufficient
resistance (Fig. 12.13b). The ducts are then grouted to ensure proper bond.
Tensioning is achieved from severa) buttresses ( commonly 3 to 6), distributed along
the periphery ofthe tank, at which the ten<lons overlap, as shown in Fig. 12.13c.
ring
Wall
(biaxial tension)
y
Pressure
~-t-P \
= rY
\
\
o--~ (b)
(a)
=
p p
(e)
Figure 12.12 (a) Typical nuclear containment structure. (b) Typical cylindrical water tank.
(e) Pressure profile on the wall of (from left to right) a containment vessel, a silo filled with
grain, and a water tank
Unbonded tendons can also be used for convenience, provided the criteria for
ultimate strength and stiffness after cracking are satisfied; stiffness is achieved by
addition of non-prestressed conventional bars. In nuclear power vessels, unbonding
the tendons allows for their future replacement should inspection reveal corrosion or
deterioration in these tendons.
Concrete
Tendons Concrete wall
core wall
Mortar Posttensioned
cover lnside
face tendon
.
:..
t
~:
(a) (b)
~~~
(e)
element
(d)
Shotcrete
cover Dome
Elastomeric ring Elastorneric
Felt pad
Circumferential bearing pad bearing pad
prestressing (Neoprene) (Neoprene)
tendons Caulked
joint Wall
Waterstop
(f) (g)
Figure 12.13 (a) Tank wall section using wire-winding technique. (b) Posttensioned wall. (e)
Posttensioning buttress. (d) Wall made of precast elements. (e) Joint detail for precast
elements. (/) and (g) Support details to allow free expansion and contraction.
Another technique of tank construction consists of using precast wall units,

jointed on site to form the wall of the tank, then posttensioned by wire-winding or
regular posttensioning (Fig.12.13d) [Ref. 12.23]. Details of the joints between wall
units are shown in Fig. 12.13e.
In tanks or vessels that are not monolithically cast or rigidly connected, the
foundation mat, the roof structure, and the cylindrical wall are designed as separate
units and simply supported to allow movement of the supports. Examples of support
details are shown in Figs. l 2.13f and 12.13g. The use of elastomeric pads allows for
radial movement of the supports due to expansion or contraction.
Open tanks that are restrained at their base also need structural reinforcement (in
addition to shrinkage and temperature reinforcement) in the vertical direction in the
form of reinforcing bars or prestressed tendons. Pressure vessels need biaxial
prestressing to balance tensile stresses in both the circumferential and meridional
directions.
Alternative 1 for open tanks Alternative 3 for tanks with roof
Alternative 2 for small clearances
Prestressing force and _____. 1-----,1

fluid pressure profile on the 1-------ircc·¡
wall
Figure 12.13 -continued (h) Examples of construction of new tanks and/or repair and
strengthening of existing tanks by the wire-winding technique. These were considered for the
project Erdoelchemie Dormagen, Germany.
12.6.1 Analysis of Stresses
Most prestressed concrete tanks and vessels are figures of revolution, that is, they
have a circular cross section. In the simplest cases, they are subjected to pure tensile
stresses in one or two directions. However, other effects, such as end restraints,
creep, shrinkage, temperature changes, and even swelling under water lead to a more
complex state of stress and should be considered in the final analysis.
For instance, restraining the base of the wall of an open tank causes significant
bending stresses in the vertical (meridional) direction. These must be rationally
evaluated and properly resisted by reinforcing or prestressing in the vertical
direction. Depending on the extent of the restraint at the base, significant reduction
in hoop or ring forces is achieved. As illustrated in Fig. 12.14, a fully fixed base
leads to zero ring force at the base, while a free sliding base leads to a maximum ring
force. While the restraint leads to a reduction in the ring force, it generates a
bending in the vertical wall element.
. +~ ----------------------------·-·
y
Vertical
Pressure moment
(a) Free sliding wall
1 1 Vertical
'1 • I 1 moment
,____ . . . ,__ - . - . - . - . . - . --========---_J

1 1
1 1
(b) Wall fixed at base
(e) Wall hinged at base
Figure 12.14 Influence ofbase restraints on ring forces and bending moments in tank walls.
The analysis of prestressed concrete tanks and vessels should be based on

accepted methods of shell analysis (generally elastic) where stresses and
deformations can be determined for the specified loads and boundary conditions. In
the following discussion, only one type of tank will be discussed, that is, a tank with
a sliding base ( and top, if applicable) in which the wall acts as apure tensile element.
The reader is referred to other specialized documents for additional information on
the design of tanks having different boundary conditions [Refs. 12.6, 12.7, 12.9,
12.13, 12.21, and 12.26].
lnside
(a) pressure, p
(b) Equilibriumin
half ring
t
~-----,------------------------~Ion Ring
(e) 1iliill_ _t_~-~~~-----------------Jfilfilr dimensions
Figure 12.15 (a) Circumferential cross section of tank or ring. (h) Prestressing steel location
and corresponding C line. (e) Ring dimensions.
Once the tensile stresses have been determined in the wall of a tank (stress
profile obtained from ring stresses ), the analysis and design of the tensile elements
follow the approaches developed in Sections 12.4 and 12.5. This is illustrated next
for the simple case where the wall of a tank can be designed similarly to a ring.
Ring Stresses. Let us considera free circular ring (Fig. 12.15) with thickness t,
small relative to its radius R and height h. Such a ring can be considered to represent
a slice of a cylindrical tank wall (Fig. 12.14) with unit height h = l. If the ring is
subjected to an interna! pressure p, a tensile hoop stress (also called tangential or
circumferential stress) develops normally to the cross section of the ring and is given
by:
pR
0-1 =-- (12.43)
t
The corresponding tensile force in the ring is:
N = O"] X t X h = - pRh (12.44)
and for h = 1
N=-pR (12.45)
Table 12.1 Stresses in thin wall containers.

Shape Loadinz Stresses+
Long cylinder,
_____.
CY2 Uniform interna!
(JI=-- tpR
(1 1)
closed ends, pressure,p
radius, R,
wall thickness, t (J,~J
CY2 =--
pR
..
2t
Closed sphere, ' ' Uniforrn intemal
1'
radius, R,
----r-··r----
pressure,p
= --pR2t
1
1
1 ••
wall thickness, t CYJ =CY2
1-
CY1 ,
1 '
............... -a..._,._1---''
• 1
\ 0-2/
' '
Open cylinder, Liquid
= - --
yHR
T
( CYJ )rnax
...... ---
radius, R, pressure, yH t
---.........------------
wall thickness, t
.....
---------- --- t 2
___
CY¡
: (J
(y = liquid density CY2 = Ü
L., '-------1
t CY1 = tangen tia!, circumferential or hoop stress, ( does not account for the effects of end restraints ).
CY2 = meridian stress (direction normal to CY¡ ).
To balance such tensile force, circular prestressing is used around the ring. Note
that a circular prestressing force F, placed anywhere in the ring section, including its
outer periphery, produces a C-line or pressure line that coincides with the centroid of
the ring section. This is because the ring is a statically indeterminate structure and
the linear transformation theorem explained in Section 10.6 for continuous beams is
applicable to a ring. That is, a tendon along the centroid of the ring section is a
concordant tendon. A tendon parallel to it, with a smaller or larger diameter, can be
considered linearly transformed (by a translation) and thus produces the same C-line
as the concordant tendon. Thus, the prestressing force F can be considered to act
along the centroid of the ring section. The resulting stress, due to F and N, is given
by Eq. ( 12.6):
(12.6)
where Nis obtained from Eqs. (12.44) and (12.45).

For a spherical ring and for closed tanks subjected to an interna! pressure p, a
meridian tensile stress cr2 develops in addition to cr1 ; corresponding expressions are
summarized in Table 12.1 and compared to the case of an open tank subjected to a
liquid pressure; in ali cases it is assumed that the wall thickness is small in
comparison to the diameter. The corresponding values of tensile force N in either
direction can be readily determined and the resulting stresses due to F and N can be
calculated from Eq. (12.6). Subsequent analysis of tension members follows the
approach covered in Sec. 12.4.
12.6.2 Design
All the design criteria covered in Sec. 12.5 apply to circular structures. Because
excessive cracking and subsequent leakage can be considered a failure state in tanks
and pressure vessels, the criterion specifying the margin of safety against cracking is
often critica! in the design. If the maximum allowable compression criterion is also
assumed binding (for economic reasons), these two criteria can be used to determine,
at least in a preliminary design, the two unknowns of the problem, Aps and Ag.
Aps gives the prestressing force F and Ag gives the wall thickness t when a unit
height is assumed. The solution for such a case is covered next.
Let us define:
A = the larger of ·/ji or f pe (12.46)

O'ci O"cs
lf maximum allowable compression is attained under prestressing, we have from

Eqs. (12.3) to (12.5):
(12.47)
lfthe margin of safety against cracking is satisfied, we have from Eq. (12.23):
: + iñ~.N = i: (12.48)
n t
Replacing, in Eq. (12.48), F by ApsÍpe, A1 by An + npAps, An by AÁps, and

solving for Aps leads to:
(12.49)
in which Nis the applied tensile force. Once Aps is obtained from Eq. (12.49), An
can be computed from Eq. (12.47) and Ag from:
( 12. l)
For a cylindrical ring of unit depth h = 1 subjected toan interna! pressure p, Eq.
( 12.49) leads to:
(12.50)
and the corresponding wall thickness is given by
(12.51)
The above solution by Eq. (12.50) was first proposed by Lin [Ref. 12.15]. The
use of Eq. (12.50) leads to a very fast design. However, other criteria will have to be
checked according to Sec. 12.5 before finalizing the design. Two examples
illustrating the use of Eq. ( 12.50) in the preliminary dimensioning of a pressure
vessel and a water tank are given next.
A logical flow chart summarizing the preliminary design steps is given in Fig.
12.16.
Radial Deflection. The elongation or shortening of a ring along its own

circumferential axis is computed similarly to that of a linear member. However, for a
cylindrical wall, the radial shortening is important for the design of the supporting
pads (Fig. 12.13.f) at the base of the wall to allow such movement. The radial
shortening can be obtained from the relation between the perimeter of a circle and its
radius. So if 111¡ is the instantaneous shortening of the ring along its axis (i.e. circle
perimeter), the radial movement of the wall will be given by M¡ / 21r.
Input material properties, allowable stresses, wall radius R, and

maximum pressure p
i
!· fpe
Á = the larger of _!1 or -
O"ci O"cs
i
A = -iñcrPR
ps (Á+np)(ft~-fpe/).,)
+
Ag = Án + Aps = A.Áps + Aps =(A.+ l)Aps
1 1
i
A A
t = _J{_ = _J{_
h 1
i
Check other criteria ( decompression, ultimate,
deformation, etc .. ) and revise if needed.
Figure 12.16 Preliminary design steps for a cylindrical wall.
12.6.3 Example: Preliminary Design of Cylindrical Wall Thickness
(a) Nuclear Containment Vessel. Determine the wall thickness and the prestressing force in the
hoop direction of a cylindrical nuclear containment vessel (similar to that in Fig. 12.12a), assuming
the following information is given: .r;
= 5000 psi, ejci = 2000 psi, ejes = 1500 psi, .fpi = 190, 000
psi, .fpe = 150,000 psi, ft~ = -283 psi, np = 6.54, R = 70 ft. The design calls for an accidental
interna! pressure p = 60 psi for which a margin of safety against cracking, ir1cr = 1.5 , is specified.
Consider a ring slice of wall having h = 1 inch in height and located sufficiently far away from
the ends ofthe vessel to be assumed free and thus subjected to the full ring forces induced by p.
Using Eq. (12.46):
f·
A = the larger of _!1 or -.fpe = t h e l arger o f 190,000 or 150,000 = 100
(J'ci ejes 20000 1500
Using Eq. (12.50):
A = -mc,PR -l.5x60x70xl2 =0.40 in2
ps (A+np)(ft~ - .fpe / A) (100 + 6.54)(-283-150, 000 /100)
The corresponding prestressing force per inch ofheight is:
F = Apsf pe = 0.40 x 150, 000 = 60, 000 lb or 60 kips

From Eq. (12.47):

An = ÁÁps = lOOx0.40 = 40 in2
Thus:
Ag = An + Aps = 40.4 in2
and the required thickness ofthe wall will be (Eq. 12.51):
A A
t = __JJ_ = __JJ_ = 40 .4 in
h 1
The actual design will probably use t = 42 in. or 3.5 ft.
For comparison, Jet us assume that, instead of prestressed concrete, a steel vessel is proposed.
Using an allowable stress in the steel of 15,000 psi will lead to a steel thickness:
(t x h) x 15,000 = INI
= pR
t = 60x70x12 = 3_36 in
lxl5,000
While such a thickness is possible for small elements, it is not practica) for a large structure
where extensive welding would be required.
(b) Cylindrical Water Tank. Consider exactly the same data as for (a) above, except that a 30-ft
high water tank with a free sliding base is considered.
The pressure at the base of the tank is given by:
p = r H = 62.4 x 30 = 1872 psf == 13 psi
The required area of prestressing steel per inch of height is given by Eq. ( 12.50):
A = -íñc,-PR -l.5xl3x70xl2 =0.086 in2
ps (A+np)(ft~ - Ípe ! Á) (100+6.54)(-283-150,000/IOO)
which corresponds to a prestressing force:
F = ApsÍpe = 0.086 x 150,000 = 12, 900 lb= 12.9 kips/in
The corresponding net concrete area is given by Eq. (12.47):
Án =ÁÁps =lOOx0.086=8.6 in2
Thus, the minimum required wall thickness at the base will be:
A
t = __JJ_ = 8.6 in
l
Actual design will probably use t = 9 in.
Assuming a 0.5 inch diameter prestressing strand is used (spirally wrapped around the wall), the
spacing ofthe strands (or pitch of the spiral) at the base ofthe wall will be:
s = 0.153 = 0.153 = 1.78 in
Áps 0.086
The pitch will be gradually increased the closer the tendon gets to the top ofthe wall.
12.6.4 Practical Considerations for Design
The cost of a water tank depends on the cost of its three main components: 1) the
foundation slab, 2) the cylindrical wall, and 3) the roof cover which could be dome
shaped or other shape. For an open cylindrical water tank (without root), assuming a
required capacity and everything else being equal, generally the total cost decreases
when the diameter increases, up to a certain reasonable limit. Indeed the height of
the wall decreases when the diameter increases, and the tensile force decreases due a
decrease in water pressure. Thus if land is available with good soil bearing, the
largest diameter possible is the most economical approach (the volume varíes with
the square of the diameter); prestressing ( or reinforcing) may even not be needed. A
needed mínimum pressure may become the controlling criterion. However, in the
case where the tank must be covered by a roof structure, the cost of the roof
increases significantly with the span, and thus it becomes an important component of
the design decision. In such a case a mínimum cost solution must be sought in a way
similar to that described in Section.12.5, but with inclusion of the cost of the roof
and the foundation.
12.7 COMBINED TENSION AND BENDING
Throughout the analysis developed in this chapter, it was assumed that only axial
loads were applied. However, it is common to have sorne bending moment in linear
tensile elements in addition to the axial load, such as induced from their own weight.
If the bending moment M is small, there may be no need to have an eccentric
prestress to counteract its effects. In such a case, the stresses on the top and bottom
fibers are obtained by adding the value of M / Z1 or -M / Zb to the uniform stress of
Eq. (12.6). The smaller value is used in the design procedure to determine Aps· In
computing Z1 and Z b» the moment of inertia of the transformed section should be
used.
If the bending moment is significant, it may be more appropriate to use eccentric
prestress to balance that moment (see Section 10.13). For this, the eccentricity e0 of
the prestressing force is selected such that the moment due to prestressing is equal in
magnitude to the extemal moment M, that is:
(12.52)
or
M
e=- (12.53)
º F
The resulting stress in the section becomes again uniform, as the effect of
moment is eliminated. Let us illustrate this result by expressing the stress on the
bottom fiber of the concrete due to the combined effects of F, N, and a positive
momentM:
(12.54)
As Fe0 = M, O'b is reduced to the value of O'c given by Eq. (12.6). Note that
one assumption is implied here and is acceptable: the Zb obtained for the net
section and used in Fe0 / Zb is the same as that used in M / Zb for the transformed
section.
REFERENCES
12.1 ACI Committee 318, Building Code Requirements for Reinforced Concrete (ACJ 318-02) and
Commentary (318R-02), American Concrete Institute, Farmington Hills, MI, 2002.
12.2 ACI Committee 344, "Design and Construction of Circular Prestressed Concrete Structures,"
ACI Journal, 67(9): 1970.
12.3 ACI Committee 344, "Design and Construction of Circular Wire and Strand Wrapped
Prestressed Concrete Structures," ACI 344R, Manual of Concrete Practice, American Concrete
Institute, Farmington Hills, MI, 1989.
12.4 ACI Committee 344, "Design and Construction of Circular Prestressed Concrete Structures
with Circumferential Tendons," ACI 344.2R, Manual of Concrete Practice, American
Concrete Institute, Farmington Hills, MI, 1989.
12.5 Anonymous, "Inverted Suspension Span is Simple and Cheap," Engineering News Record,
May 11, 1972, pp. 27-31.
12.6 Billington, D. P., Thin Shell Concrete Structures. New York: McGraw-Hill Book Co., 1965.
12.7 Brondum-Neilsen, T, "Prestressed Tanks," ACI Journal, July-August 1985, pp. 500-509.
12.8 Carroll, W. T., F. W. Beaufait, and R. H. Byran, "Prestressed Concrete Trusses," AC! Journal,
75(8), 1978.
12.9 Creasy, L. R., Prestressed Concrete Cylindrical Tanks. New York: John Wiley & Sons, 1961.
12.10 Finsterwalder, U., "Prestressed Concrete Bridge Construction," ACJ Journal, 62(9), 1965.
12.11 Gerwick, Jr., B. C., "Prestressed Concrete Developments in Japan," PCI Journal, 23(6): 66- 76,
1978.
12.12 Gerwick, Jr., B. C., Construction of Prestressed Concrete Structures. New York: Wiley-
Interscience, 1971. Also 2ºd ed., Wiley Professional Paperback Series, 1993, 591 pp.
12.13 Ghali, A., Circular Storage Tanks and Silos. London: E. & F. N. Spon; NJ: Methuen, Inc.,
Distributor, 1979, 21 O pp.
12.14 Lennen, R., G. Miller, and C. Prussack, "Precast Prestressed Concrete - Solution ofChoice for
Lincoln Heights Water Tanks," PCI Journal, 41(1): 20-23, 1996.
12.15 Lin, T. Y., and N. Bums, Design of Prestressed Concrete Structures," 3rd ed. New York: John
Wiley & Sons, 1981. See also, T. Y. Lin, Design of Prestressed Concrete Structures, 2ºd ed.
New York: John Wiley & Sons, 1963.
12.16 Lin, T. Y., and F. Kulka, "Construction ofRio Colorado Bridge," PCI Journal, 18(6): 92-!01,
1973.
12.17 Matsushita, H., and M. Sato, "The Hayahi-No-Mine Prestressed Bridge," PCJ Journal, 24(2):
90-109, 1979.
12.18 Morandi, R., "Sorne Types of Tied Bridges in Prestressed Concrete," First lntemational
Symposium on Concrete Bridge Design, American Concrete Institute, Special Publication SP-
23, Detroit, Michigan, 1969, pp. 447-465.
12.19 Naaman, A. E., Ferrocement and Laminated Cementitious Composites. Ann Arbor, MI:
Techno Press 3000, 2000, 372 pp.
12.20 Naaman, A. E., "Optimum Design of Prestressed Concrete Tension Members," Journal of the
Structural Division, ASCE, 108(ST8): 1722-38, 1982.
12.21 Nawy, E. G., Prestressed Concrete: a Fundamental Approach, 3rd ed. Upper Saddle River, NJ:
Prentice Hall, 2000.
12.22 Nigels, M. C., "Prestressed Concrete Tension Piles and Their Connections," PCI Journal,
43(4): 138-40, 1998.
12.23 PCI Committee on Precast Prestressed Concrete Storage Tanks, "Recommended Practice for
Precast Prestressed Concrete Storage Tanks," Prestressed Concrete lnstitute, Chicago, 1987.
12.24 Posttensioning lnstitute, "Post-Tensioning Manual," 61h ed., Phoenix, Arizona, 2003.
12.25 Raymond, R. E., and C. Prussack, "Design-Construction of Glennaire Water Tank No. 2," PCI
Journal, 38(1): 28-39, 1993.
12.26 Timoshenko, S. P., Theory of Piafes and Shells, 2"d ed. New York: McGraw-Hill Book Co.,
1959.
12.27 Wheen, R. J., "Prestressed Concrete Members in Direct Tension," Journal of the Structural
Division, ASCE, 105(ST7): 1471-87, 1979.
PROBLEMS
12.1 Go back to subsection (b) ofthe Example in Sec. 12.6.3. Assume the tank is closed at its top by
a spherical dome-shaped roof with a prestressed concrete tension ring at its base. The ring is
supported on the tank wall by elastomeric pads (Fig. Pl2. l) and, thus, is free to move. The dome
radius is R* = 140 ft and its opening angle e
is 30º. Assume the load on the dome is uniform overa
horizontal projection of the dome surface and leads to a total load W = WD + WL = 770 + 462 = 1232
kips. Provide a complete design for the ring assuming same materials properties and requirements as
for the tank. As a first approximation, consider either a square cross section or a rectangular cross
section with a ratio of depth to width equal 2.
Total load W
+ + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +
[N[=H
H = WcosB R = 70 ft
2Jr sin B
R*= 140ft
Lw 2JrsinB
B= 30°
Figure P12.I
12.2 Go back to subsection (b) of the example in Sec. 12.6.3. Assume that the base of the tank is
partially fixed to its foundation and that the ring forces and vertical bending moments in the wall are
the arithmetic average of those for which the tank is either free at the base or fully fixed. As a first
approximation assume that the ring force is maximum at a distance equal to (2/3)H from the top.
(a) Design the tank wall, that is, determine its thickness and the corresponding prestressing in the
hoop direction.
(b) Determine the vertical prestressing needed and the corresponding eccentricity. Revise the design
if necessary. Use the same design information as given in the example in Section l 2.6.3(b ).
12.3 Because of limited clearance under a planned railway bridge, a truss bridge is proposed as
shown in Fig. P12.3. Severa! solutions are considered and include a truss made out of prestressed
concrete elements. Assume that the lower cord of the truss is to be designed as a single precast
prestressed concrete element and that connection details with other elements have been worked out.
Maximum joint loadings in service are shown in Fig. P 12.3. Fifty percent of service load is due to
dead loads and the remainder to live loads. Provide a design for the lower cord assuming the
following information is given:
¡; =9000psi, J;¡ =6300psi, ft~ =-4Jl: =-380psi, s, =5.75x!06psi, Eci =4.8lx!06psi,
o'ci = 3150 psi, o'cs = 2700 psi, Ípi = 175, 000 psi, Ípe = 145, 000 psi, !pu = 270, 000 psi,
Eps = 24 x l 06 psi, Ccu = 2, ii'c,, = 1.5, iñdec = 1.2.
Make any other reasonable assumptions if needed. Note that the allowable compression stress in
service is taken smaller than that usually considered for bending because it corresponds to a sustained
uniform load.
6 X 15 = 90 ft
1 1
15 ftI 1 45º 1
+
p
+
p
+
p
+
p
+ 77
P = 50 kips
Figure P12.3
Towers of tbe Statfjord B Condeep offshore oil platform. (Co1111esy Nowegian Contractors.)
Columbia River Brigde built in balanced cantilever with up to 600-ft (183-m) long spans. The
hollow-cored píers are designed as columns. (Courtesy Engineering News Record.)

Prestressed Concrete Analysis and Design Fundamentals 2nd Ed CAP 12

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Prestressed Concrete Analysis and Design Fundamentals 2nd Ed CAP 12

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CHAPTER 12

ANALYSIS ANO DESIGN

12.1 TYPES OF TENSION MEMBERS

Prestressed concrete tension members are structural elements predominantly

Although experimental data and design information on prestressed concrete

Figure 12.1 Typical examples of tension members.

Precast prestressed concrete tensile and compressive elements can successfully

12.2 ADVANTAGES OF PRESTRESSED CONCRETE TENSION

12.2.1 Example: Relative Deformation of Tension Members

(b) a~¡ ¿·~As~t ~t ~~~f' ___. N

Figure 12.3 Relative deformation in tension members made of different materials.

12.3 BEHAVIOR OF PRESTRESSED CONCRETE TENSION MEMBERS

G) Prestressed concrete tie

ai Axial tension on tie, N

A typical stress elongation curve of a prestressed concrete tie is plotted in Fig.

If a prestressed tensile member with bonded reinforcement cracks due to an

12.4 ANAL YSIS OF TENSION MEMBERS

The analysis of prestressed concrete tensile members presents little mathematical

12.4.1 Service Stresses, Decompression, Cracking and Ultimate Load

where n P = E ps / E¿ and E ps and E¿ are the moduli of elasticity of the prestressing

and the effective stress after all losses is given by:

N er = At (¡;' _ _f_J = (J;' -

The margin of safety against cracking mer is defined by:

A mmnnum margin of safety is generally required in design. When prior

The margin of safety against decompression is defined by:

A mínimum value of mdec is often required in design. The stress in the

It should be less thanfpu if failure is not to accompany cracking.This can be

The instantaneous shortening of a concrete element of length l, subjected to a

A similar expression can be obtained if the final prestressing force F and

12.4.3 Example: Analysis-Investigation of a Tension Member

Equation ( 12.2): A1 = Ag + (np - l)Aps = 100+ (6-1)0.918 = 104.59 in2

Equation ( 12.3): CJ' . = F¡ 160, 650 = 1621 psi

Equation(l2.4): CJ' =~=133•11º=1343psi

b. Cracking and Decompression Load

N. =A(!,' _ _!_)=104.59(-310-133•11º)=-172 935 lb

c. Cracking and Decompression Stresses

( f ps ) dec = -Ndec = 140,512 = 153 063 si

d. Nominal Tensile Resistance

Madd = -0.20Ccu (la-e

12.5 OPTIMUM DESIGN OF TENSION MEMBERS

12.5.1 Formulation of Design Criteria

(a) Maximum compressive stress criterion. It stipulates that the maximum

These equations, at equality are represented by straight lines on a graph with

Design criterion limitation:

Gross section area of concrete, Ag

A~8(np -1)(.fpe + ft~) + Aps[Agfpe -Ag(np -2)ft~ -ñicrN]

b _ -Ag [!pe -(np -2)f/c]- ñicrN

(e) Margin of safety against decompressíon criterion. Similarly to the minimum

Ndec > m- (12.28)

replaced by zero. It leads to:

( d) Mínimum reinforcement criterion. This criterion would ensure that failure

Typically, it is represented at equality by a straight line marked din Fig. 12.9.

(e) Required ultimate strength criterion. lt guarantees an ultimate resistance not

which is represented at equality by a straight line marked e in Fig. 12.9.

(t) Maximu~ deformation criterion. This criterion guarantees an allowable

and replacing A1 by its value from Eq. (12.2) leads to:

which, at equality, is represented by a straight line markedfin Fig. 12.9.

12.5.2 Design Approximations

(a) Heuristic rule (ar rule ofthumb)for pure tensile members

(b) Linearization of the safety criteria against cracking and decompression

Aps >- Ít~ Ag - iñcrN (12.37)

12.5.3 Minimum Cost Solution

Wps = weight of prestressing steel per unit length

The following general optimization problem can be formulated:

,__ . . . , - . - . - . - . . - . --========---_J