INTRODUCTION

•Prestressing is the application of initial load on a structure, to enable it to counteract

the stresses arising from the subsequent loads during its service loads. That means
the structure initially is loaded before any load is applied. Next, when the external
load is applied, the previous stresses counteract the stresses due to external loads.

•Prestressed concrete is basically concrete in which internal stresses of a suitable

magnitude and distribution are introduced so that the stresses resulting from the
external loads are counteracted to a desired degree.

•Pre-stress is introduced by stretching steel wire and anchoring them against

concrete.

PRESTRESSED CONCRETE DESIGN 2020

INTRODUCTION
Main difference between Reinforced concrete & pre-stressed concrete

Both utilizes the structural capabilities of steel and concrete. Concrete is very strong in
compression, but relatively weak in tension.

Ordinary reinforced concrete: Beam supports a load by developing compressive stresses at the top,
but since the concrete cannot resist the tension at the bottom, it cracks there.
Reinforcing steel bars are placed within this tension zone to resist the tension and control the
cracking.

PRESTRESSED CONCRETE DESIGN 2020

INTRODUCTION
Pre-stressed Concrete
• It involves the application of forces tending to bend and compress a concrete element in order
to counteract bending which results from loading.
• The forced applied is the tensioning or stretching of the steel component which usually in the
form of high tensile strands, wires or bars.

Reinforced Concrete

Prestressed Concrete
Before Loading

Prestressed Concrete
After Loading

PRESTRESSED CONCRETE DESIGN 2020

INTRODUCTION
Why do we need prestressing for concrete?

The main reason is that concrete is basically a compressive material with tensile strength only 8
to 14 percent of its compressive strength. For flexural members, cracks develop at early stages of
loading. If we gradually load the structure, we shall observe that cracks are being generated in the
flexural members. This adverse characteristic of concrete in flexural members have been mostly
overcome by the development of prestressed concrete.

To prevent such cracks, compressive forces can be suitably applied in the longitudinal direction,
either concentrically or eccentrically. Prestressing counteracts these tensile stresses and reduces
the chances of formation of these cracks.

PRESTRESSED CONCRETE DESIGN 2020

HISTORY OF PRESTRESSED CONCRETE
In 1886, Jackson of USA introduced the concept of tightening steel rods in artificial stone and concrete
arches. He introduced the use of steel rod within the arch to increase its capacity by tightening the steel rod.
Putting a steel rod and tightening it will further increase compression and hence, the capacity of the also
increased.

In 1888, Doehring of Germany manufactured concrete slabs and small beams embedded tensioned steel.
In 1908, Stainer of USA recognized the losses due to shrinkage and creep. This was a major breakthrough to
understand the problem of reduction of the effective prestress with time. The phenomenon of creep and
shrinkage was identified, and Stainer retightening the rods to recover the loss of prestress after a certain
time.
In 1925, Dill of USA used high strength unbonded steel rods. The concept of unbonded means, that there
was no bond or, there was no physical stress transfer between the steel and the concrete at the interface.
The transfer of stress was only at the ends. The reason of using an unbonded steel rod was that the rods
could be tensioned and anchored after hardening of the concrete, and they could be again tightened so as to
counteract the drop in the prestress.

PRESTRESSED CONCRETE DESIGN 2020

HISTORY OF PRESTRESSED CONCRETE
In 1926, Eugene Freyssinet of France Used high tensile steel wires,
with ultimate strength as high as 1725 MPa and yield stress over
1240 MPa. In 1939, he developed conical wedges for end anchorages
for posttensioning and developed double-acting jacks. He is often
referred to as the Father of Prestressed concrete.

In 1939, he developed conical wedges for end anchorages of

post-tensioning and developed double-acting jacks. Freyssinet
developed and patented devices like jacks and anchorages, which are used in applying prestressing on the
concrete.
During the Second World War, the applications of prestress and precast concrete increase rapidly.

PRESTRESSED CONCRETE DESIGN 2020

METHODS OF PRESTRESSING
TERMINOLOGY:
Tendon: A stretched element used in a concrete member of structure to impart prestress to the concrete
Anchorage: A device generally used to enable the tendon to impart and maintain prestress in concrete.

TWO GENERAL METHODS OF PRESTRESSING

Pre-Tension & Post-Tension
These two differ in the method of stressing the elements. A description of the construction
sequences will help bring out this difference.
1.) Pre-tensioning: A method of prestressing concrete in which the tendons are tensioned before
the concrete is placed. In this method, the concrete is introduced by bond between steel and
concrete.
2.) Post-tensioning: A method of prestressing concrete by tensioning the tendons against
hardened concrete. In this method, the prestress is imparted to concrete by bearing.

PRESTRESSED CONCRETE DESIGN 2020

METHODS OF PRESTRESSING
Pre-tensioned concrete
The beams or elements are constructed on a stressing bed and stranded cable is placed between
two buttresses anchored to a stressing bed which holds the force in the stretched cables.

After stretching the steel with hydraulic jacks,

concrete is placed in forms around the cables
and allowed to harden. When the concrete
reaches sufficient strength, the pre-stress
forced is transferred to the concrete by bond
when the steel strand at the ends of the beam
is cut loose from buttresses.

PRESTRESSED CONCRETE DESIGN 2020

METHODS OF PRESTRESSING
Post-tensioned concrete

Steel cables inside plastic ducts or sleeves, are positioned in the forms before the concrete is
placed. Afterwards, once the concrete has gained strength, the cables are pulled tight and
anchored against the outer edges of the concrete.

Process of Post-tensioning

Rolls of post-tensioning cables 1.) Pulling anchors for post- tensioning cables

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 METHODS OF PRESTRESSING
Process of Post-tensioning

2.) Positioned post- tensioning cables 3.) Post-tensioning cable 4.) Hydraulic Jack are used to pull the Cables
end extending from freshly
poured concrete

PRESTRESSED CONCRETE DESIGN 2020

FORMS OF PRESTRESSING STEEL
Wires
A prestressing wire is a single unit made of steel. The nominal diameters of wires are 2.5, 3.0, 4.0, 5.0, 7.0 and 8.0.
The different types of wires are as follows.
1.) Plain wire: No indentations on the surface
2.) Indented wire: There are circular or elliptical indentations on the surface.

Strands
A few wires are spun together in a helical form to form a prestressing strand. The different types of strands are as
follows.
1.) Two-wire strand: Two wires are spun to form the strand.
2.) Three-wire strand: Three wires are spun to form the strand.
3.) Seven-wire strand: In this type of strand, six wires are spun around a central wire. The central wire is larger than
the other wires.

Tendons
A group of strands or wires are placed together to form a prestressing tendon.
The tendons are used in post-tensioned members. The figure shows the cross
section of a typical tendon. The strands are placed in a duct which may be filled
with grout after post-tensioning operation is completed.

PRESTRESSED CONCRETE DESIGN 2020

FORMS OF PRESTRESSING STEEL
Cables
A group of tendons form a prestressing cable. The cables are used in bridges.

Bars
A tendon can be made up a single steel bar. The diameter of a bar is much larger than that of a wire. Bars are
available in the following sizes; 10, 12, 16, 20, 22, 25, 28 and 32mm.

Different forms of
Prestressing steel

PRESTRESSED CONCRETE DESIGN 2020

EQUIPMENTS
Air Powered Grout Pump
Pumps cement grout only, no sand. 32 Gallon Mixing
Tank. Mixes up to 2 sacks of material at once and
allows for grout to be pumped during mixing or mixed
without pumping.
Colloidal Grout Plant
The heavy duty, high volume Colloidal Grout Plant is favored for
precision post-tension grouting. The unit features a high speed shear
mixer that thoroughly wets each particle and discharges the mixed
material into a 13 cubic foot capacity agitating holding tank. A direct
coupled progressing cavity pump delivers slurries at a rate of up to 20
gpm and pressures of up to 261 psi. The unit easily mixes and pumps
slurries of Portland cement, fly ash, bentonite, and lime flour. All
controls are conveniently located on the operator platform for easy one-
man control.
PRESTRESSED CONCRETE DESIGN 2020
EQUIPMENTS
Hydraulic Jacks
Post-Tensioning Jacks
Used for testing and pre-stressing anchor bolts.
With the T80 series the enclosed bearing
Available with up to 5-1/8" center hole. Unit comes
housing contains a geared socket drive to
with ram, pump, gauge, hoses, jack stand, high
tighten the bolt hex nut during tensioning.
strength coupling, high strength test rod, plate, hex
Test jack housing will accommodate up to a
nut and knocker wrench. Calibrations are available
9” deep pocket.
upon request.

PRESTRESSED CONCRETE DESIGN 2020

EQUIPMENTS
Hydraulic Torque Wrench Torque Wrench
The hydraulic torque wrench is used for tensioning For applying torque to the anchor bolt when setting the
anchors in tight fitting locations where it would be difficult anchor.
to use an hydraulic jack. The wrench is also
recommended for use when setting the large diameter
Spin-Lock anchors. The torque wrenches are light weight
and can achieve a maximum of 8,000 ft-lbs.

T1Z & T2Z Long Fitting Tool Adapters

For driving hex nuts and setting tools, typically with our
Spin-Lock anchor systems. Works with torque wrench or
impact gun.

PRESTRESSED CONCRETE DESIGN 2020

ADVANTAGES OF PRESTRESSED CONCRETE
Controlled or Reduced Cracking
Prestressing process involves application of an initial compressive pre-stress on a structure to
minimize or eliminate the internal tensile forces this will help to control or eliminate cracking.

Stiffer Members
The prestressing force is transferred and sustained by highly tensioned steel reinforcement
usually referred as tendons, reacting on the concrete. This will reduce or eliminate cracking thus a
prestressed concrete section is significantly stiffer than the equivalent cracked reinforced section.

Controlled Deflections
Prestressing will impose internal forces which are of reverse in sign to the external loads and
therefore it will significantly reduce or even eliminate deflection in the member.

PRESTRESSED CONCRETE DESIGN 2020

ADVANTAGES OF PRESTRESSED CONCRETE
Structurally Efficient
Service load behavior of the members are improved with reduced cracking and deflection, thus
the use of high-strength steel reinforcement and concrete becomes economical and structurally
efficient.

Lighter and Longer Members

Compared to RC counterparts, Prestressing results in lighter members, longer spans and increase
in the economy of application of reinforced concrete. Pre stressing provides higher strength to
depth ratios

PRESTRESSED CONCRETE DESIGN 2020

DISADVANTAGES OF PRESTRESSED
CONCRETE
• The major problem with prestressed concrete is that it needs specialized construction
machineries like jacks anchorage etc.

• Advanced technical knowledge and strict supervision is very important.

• For concrete prestressing, high tensile reinforcement bars are needed which costs greater than
generally used mild steel reinforcement bars.

• Highly skilled labor is needed for prestressed concrete constructions.

PRESTRESSED CONCRETE DESIGN 2020

STAGES OF LOADING
1. ) Initial Stage – member is prestressed but not subjected to any superimposed loads.

A. Before prestressing

B. During prestressing

C. At transfer of prestress

D. Decentering and de tensioning

2.) Intermediate Stage – transportation and erection

3.) Final Stage – actual working loads came on the structure

PRESTRESSED CONCRETE DESIGN 2020

PRESTRESS LOSSES
From the time the prestress is applied, the prestress force gradually reduces over time to an equilibrium
level. The sources of these losses depend on the method by which prestressing is applied.
1.) Elastic shortening of the concrete
The member shortens due to the force and this relieves some of the prestress. The loss of prestress due to
deformation of concrete depends on the modular ratio and the average stress in concrete at the level of
steel.
2.) Shrinkage of concrete
The concrete shrinks as it further cures. The loss due to shrinkage of concrete results in shortening of
tensioned wires and hence contributes to the loss of stress.
The shrinkage of concrete is influenced by the type of cement, aggregate and the method of curing used.
Use of high steel strength concrete with low water cement ratio results in reduction in shrinkage and
consequent loss of prestress.
The different shrinkage prestress in the concrete of a prestress member results in creep of concrete which is
effectively reduces the stress in high tensile steel.

PRESTRESSED CONCRETE DESIGN 2020

PRESTRESS LOSSES
3.) Creep of concrete
The sustained prestress in the concrete of a prestress member results in creep of concrete which is
effectively reduces the stress in high tensile steel.

4.) Relaxation or Creep of the Tendons

The steel relaxes, which means the steel stress reduce overtime

5.) Slippage in post tensioning and anchorage system

6.) Friction along the ducts used in post tensioning

Losses also may caused by the friction between the tendons and the duct and also initial imperfections
in the duct setting out.

PRESTRESSED CONCRETE DESIGN 2020