PRESTRESS DESIGN

Basic Principles of Prestressing Beams

Prestressed concrete
Structural concrete in which internal stresses have been introduced to
reduce potential tensile stresses in concrete due to the imposed loads.

Method of prestressing
1. Pre tensioning
tendons are tensioned before concrete is placed
2. Post tensioning
tendons are tensioned after concrete has hardened;
can be applied to members either pre cast or cast in place

Tendons
is a prestressing steel used in pre tensioned application
in post tension applications, the tendon is a complete assembly
consisting of
a) anchorages
b) prestressing steel
c) sheating with coating for unbounded application
or ducts with grout for bonded application

Types of Tendons
1. Bonded tendons
bonded throughout their length to the surrounding concrete
non end-anchored tendons are necessarily bonded
end-achored tendons may either bonded or unbounded to the concrete
prestressing tendons are bonded to concrete directly or through grouting
2. Unbonded tendons
prestressing steel is prevented from bonding to the concrete
free to move relative to the concrete
prestressing force is permanently transferred to the concrete at the tendon
ends by anchorage only

Common Method of Stressing the Tendons

tendons are stressed by jacking for both pretensioning and post tensioning
jacks are used to pull the steel with the reaction acting against the hardened concrete
in pre tensioning, jacks pull the steel with the reaction against end bulkheads
hydraulic jacks are used because of their high capacity to apply the pressure
jack should be properly mounted at the end of the bearing plates; there is enough
room at the tensioning ends to accommodate the jacks.

Loss of Prestress
Sources of loss of Prestress
1. Tendon seating at transfer
2. Elastic shortening of concrete
3. Creep of concrete
4. Shrinkage of concrete
5. Relaxation of tendons stress
6. Friction losses due to intended or un intended
curvature in post-tensioning tendons

Permissible Stress In Prestressing Tendons

Tensile stress in prestressing tendons shall not exceed the following:
1. Due to prestressing tendon jacking force 0.94 f py
f
but not greater than the lesser of 0.80 pu
2. Immediately after prestress transfer 0.82 f py
But not greater than 0.74 f pu
3. Post tensioning tendons, at anchorage devices
And coupler, immediately after force transfer 0.70 f pu
NOTATIONS IN PRESTRESSED CONCRETE

A ps = area of prestressed reinforcement in tension zone, mm 2

dp = distance from extreme compression fiber to centroid of prestressed reinforcement, mm
f 'ci = compressive strength of concrete at time of initial prestress, MPa
f pc = average compressive stress in concrete due to effective prestress force only (after allowance
for all prestress losses), MPa
f ps =stress in prestressed reinforcement at nominal strength, MPa
f pu = specified tensile strength of prestressing tendons, MPa
f py = specified yield strength of prestressing tendons, MPa
f se = effective stress in prestressed reinforcement (after allowance for all prestress losses), MPa
lx = length of prestressing tendon element from jacking end to any point x
n = number of monostrand anchorage devices in a group
Ps = prestressing tendon force at jacking end
Px = prestressing tendon force at any point x
Psu = factored post-tension tendon force at the anchorage device
α = total angular chage of prestressing tendon profile in radians from tendon jacking end to any
point x
γp = factor for type of prestressing tendon
= 0.55 for f py / f punot less than 0.80
= 0.40 for f py / f punot less than 0.85
= 0.28 for f py / f punot less than 0.90
μ = curvature friction coefficient
ρp = ratio of prestressed reinforcement
ω = ρ f y /f 'c
'
ω' = ρ ' f y /f c
ωp = ρ p f ps / f 'c
ω w , ω pw , ω'w = reinforcement indices for flanged sections computed as for ω , ω pand ω ' except that b shall
be the web width, and reinforcement shall be that required to develop compressive strength of
web only

Ultimate Stress Design

Determination of stress in prestressed reinforcement at nominal strength ( f ps ¿ as an alternative to a more

accurate determination based on strain compatibility, the following approximate values shall be permitted to
be used if f seis not less than 0.5 f pu:

1.) For members with bonded tendons:

γp f d
f ps=f pu 1−
( [ β1 f c dp ])
ρ p pu' + ( ω−ω ' ) if f pe ≥0.5 f pu

f ps < f py (applicable for general zones)

If any combination reinforcement is taken into account when calculating f ps, the term:
f pu d (
[ ρp
f '
c
+
dp ]
ω−ω ' ) ¿shall be taken not less than 0.17 and d’ shall be no greater than 0.15 d p

Where:

β 1=0.85 if f 'c is less than 28 MPa

0.05 '
β =0.85-
7
( f c −28 ) but not less than 0.65
γ p= factor for type of prestressing tendon
γ p= 0.55 for f py / f pu not less than 0.80
γ p= 0.40 for f py / f pu not less than 0.85
γ p= 0.28 for f py / f pu not less than 0.90
ρ p =A ps /bd
d p= distance from extreme compression fiber to centroid of prestressed reinforcement, mm
d =distance from extreme compression fiber to centroid of non prestressed tension reinforcement, mm
ω= ρ f y /f 'c
'
ω '= ρ ' f y /f c

2.) For members with unbonded tendons:

a) For members with unbonded tendons and with a span-to-depth ratio of 35 or less:
f 'c
f ps=f se +70+
100 ρ p
but f ps shall not be taken greater than f py, nor greater than ( f se + 415 )

b) For members with unbonded prestressing tendons and with a span-to-depth ratio greater than 35:
f 'c
f ps=f se +70+
300 ρ p
but f ps shall not be taken greater than f py, nor greater than ( f se +210 )

Minimum Bonded Reinforcement

1.) A minimum area of bonded reinforcement shall be taken as:
A s=0.004 A ct

where:
Act = area of that part of cross section between the flexural tension face and center of gravity of gross
section.

2. ) Bonded reinforcement shall not be required in positive moment areas where f t , the extreme fiber stress
in tension in the pre-compressed tensile zone at service load (after allowance for prestress losses) does
not exceed 0.17√ f ci '

3.) In positive moment areas where computed tensile stress in concrete at service load exceeds 0.17 √ f ci '
minimum area of bonded reinforcement shall be computed by:
Nc
A s=
0.5 f y

where :
f y should be less than 415 MPa
N c = tensile force in concrete due to unfactored dead load plus live load

4.) In negative moment areas at column supports, minimum area of bonded reinforcement A s in the top of
the slab in each direction shall be computed by:
A s=0.00075 A cf

where:
Acf = the larger gross cross-sectional area of the slab-beam strips in two orthogonal equivalent frames
intersecting at a column in a two-way slab.

Bonded reinforcement required shall be distributed between lines that are 1.5h outside opposite faces of
the column support. At least four bars or wires shall be provided in each direction. Spacing of bonded
reinforcement shall not exceed 300 mm.

5.) In positive moment areas, minimum length of bonded reinforcement shall be one-third the clear span
length, l n , and centered in positive moment area.

6.) In negative moment areas, bonded reinforcement shall extend one-sixth the clear span, l n , on each side of
support.
Reinforcement Index (ω p)

1.) when ω p<0.36 β (under reinforced )

C=T
0.85 f c ' ab= A ps f ps
A ps f ps
a=
0.85 f c ' b

( a2 )
M u=∅ T d−

a
M =∅ A f ( d − )
u ps ps
2

2.) when ω p>0.36 β (¿ reinforced )

A ps f ps
a=
0.85 f c ' b
ρ bd f ps
a= p
0.85 f c ' b
ρ p d f ps
a=
0.85 f c '
ωp d
a=
0.85
0.36 βd
a=
0.85
a=0.423 βd
M u=∅ C d− ( a2 )
Bonded Tendons
Case 1 When the stress block depth is less than the average flange thickness

Sample problem:
The prestressed I-beam shown in cross section with bonded tendons is pretensioned using seven ordinary
stress-relieved strands Grade 250 ( f pu=1728 MPa) carrying an effective prestress f pe=988 MPa, f py=1480
MPa, f c ' =27.6 MPa
Total depth of beam = 600 mm
Distance from centroid of tendons to the top of the beam = 440 mm
A ps =650 mm2
Average flange thickness = 150 mm
Width of flange = 300 mm
Thickness of web = 100 mm
4400

a) What is the value of the stress in prestressed reinforcement?

b) What is the depth of the compression block?
c) What is the nominal flexural strength of the beam?
d) What is the design strength of the beam?
e) Is the beam over reinforced or under reinforced?

Solution:

a ¿ f ps
Check if f pe >0.5 f pu
0.5 f pu=0.5 ( 1728 )=864 MPa
f pe=988 MPa
therefore , f pe >0.5 f pu
f py 1480
= =0.856
f pu 1728
f
γ p=0.4 for py ≮0.85
f pu
A 650
ρ p = ps = =0.00492
bd 300(440)
γ f d
( [
f ps=f pu 1− p ρ p pu' + ( ω−ω ' )
β1 f c dp ])
γp f
( [
f ps=f pu 1−
β1 fc ])
ρ p pu' +0 d=0 whenthere is no non− prestressed reinforcement

0.40 1728
f ps=1728 1−( 0.85 [
0.00492
27.6 ])
=1477.51 MPa Ans .

b¿a
ifˇ the stress block depth is greater ∨less thanthe ave . flange thickness of 150 mm
C=T
0.85 f 'c ab= A ps f ps
0.85 ( 27.6 ) a ( 300 )=650 ( 1477.51 )
a=136.46 mm<150 mm
c ¿ Mn
0.85 a
< ¿0.36 β 1
d
ω p< 0.36 β 1
0.36 β 1=0.36 ( 0.85 ) =0.306
0.85 a 0.85(136.46)
= =0.26362<¿0.36 β 1
d 440
ρpf 0.00492(1477.51)
ω p= ' = ps
=0.26338< ¿0.36 β 1 , therefore
fc 27.6
a
M n= A ps f ps d−( )2
M n=650( 1477.51) ¿

d ¿ Mu
M u=∅ M n=0.90 ( 357.04 )=321.34 kN −m Ans .

e ¿ under reinforced
¿
0.85 a
< ¿0.36 β 1 under reinforced
d
ω p< 0.36 β 1 under reinforced

Bonded Tendons
Case 2 When the stress block depth is greater than the average flange thickness

The prestressed I-beam shown is pretensioned by ordinary stress relieved strands having a specified tensile
strength f pu=1750 MPa, f py=1480 MPa, f c ' =27.6 MPa, β =0.85. The beam has a total depth of 600 mm with a
distance from the centroid of the tendons to the top of the beam equal to 440 mm. Area of prestressed
reinforcement in tension is 650 mm2. Width of the flange is 300 mm and web thickness of 100 mm. The
average flange thickness is 127 mm.

a) Compute the stress in the prestress reinforcement when the beam fails in flexure.
b) What is the depth of the compression block?
c) Compute the nominal flexural strength of the beam.
d) Compute the design strength of the beam.
e) Is the beam under or over reinforced?

Solution:

a ¿ f ps
f py 1480
= =0.84571
f pu 1750
f
γ p=0.55 for py ≮ 0.80
f pu
A ps 650
ρp= = =0.00492
bd 300(440)
 γp f d
( [
f ps=f pu 1−
β1
ρ p pu' + ( ω−ω ' )
f c dp ])
γp f
( [
f ps=f pu 1−
β1 fc ])
ρ p pu' +0 d=0 whenthere is no non− prestressed reinforcement

0.55 1750
f ps=1750 1−
( 0.85[0.00492
27.6( )])=1396.76 MPa Ans .

b¿a
ifˇ the stress block depth is greater ∨less than the ave . flange thickness of 127 mm
C=T
0.85 f 'c ab= A ps f ps
0.85 ( 27.6 ) a ( 300 )=650 ( 1396.76 )
a=129 mm>127 mm

A pf f ps=0.85 f 'c ( b−b w ) h f

0.85 ( 27.6 )( 300−100 ) 127
A pf = =426.62
1396.76
A pw = A ps −A pf =650−426.62=223.28
A pw f ps=0.85 f 'c a bw
223.28 ( 1396.76 )=0.85 ( 27.6 ) a ( 100 )
a=132.94

c ¿ Mn
0.85 a
< ¿0.36 β 1
d
ω p< 0.36 β 1
0.36 β 1=0.36 ( 0.85 ) =0.306
0.85 a 0.85(132.94)
= =0.25682<¿0.36 β 1
d 440
ρpf 0.00492(1396.76)
ω p= ' = ps
=0.24899<¿0.36 β 1 , therefore
fc 27.6
a h
( )
M n= A pw f ps d− + A pf f ps d− f
2 2 ( )
132.94 127
M n=223.28 ( 1396.76 ) 440− ( 2 ) (
+ 426.62 (1396.76 ) 440−
2 )
=340.84 kN−m Ans .

d ¿ Mu
M u=∅ M n=0.90 ( 340.84 )=306.76 kN −m Ans .

e ¿ under reinforced
¿
0.85 a
< ¿0.36 β 1 under reinforced
d
ω p< 0.36 β 1 under reinforced