Possibilities of Pre-stressed concrete in

construction (April 2016)

Vivek Paul, SEM VI student, KMEA College of Architecture


Abstract—pre-stressed concrete can be considered as one of the II. WHAT IS PRE -ST RESSED CONCRET E .
greatest innovations in the field of concrete construction. This
innovation lead to replace the conventional method of concrete Pre-stressed concrete is a form of reinforced concrete that
construction (reinforced concrete) with lots of merits mainly in builds in compressive stresses during construction to oppose
terms of possibilities of making long span structures, abi lity to those found when in use. So it works on an application of an
resist impact, high live load carrying capacity and its tensile stress initial load on the structure so as to enable the structure to
free character. Pre-stressed concrete members are pre-casted and counteract the stresses arising during its service period.
are helpful in decreasing the time for completion of a work. This This combination of steel and concrete that takes
method is mainly used for large scale projects such as metro,
flyovers where completion time is very crucial. This in turn leads
advantages of the strengths of each materials .
to more effective structural members and effective use of resources
in a way which is less harmful to the environment.

Index Terms—pre stress concrete, off site construction

I. INT RODUCT ION

A. Concept of pre-stressing.
Pre-stressed concrete is basically concrete in which internal
stresses of a suitable magnitude and distribution are introduced The concept of pre stressing was invented years ago
so that the stresses resulting from the external loads are when metal brands were wound around wooden pieces to
counteracted to a desired degree. form barrels.
Used high tensile steel wires, with ultimat e
strength as high as 1725 MPa and yield stress over 1240 MPa.
In 1939, he developed conical wedges for end anchorages for
post-tensioning and developed double-acting jacks. He is often
referred to as the Father of Pre-stressed concrete.

The metal bands were tighten under tensile stress which

creates compression between the staves allowing them to resist
internal liquid pressure.
Eugene Freyssinet (France)

1938 Hoyer, E., (Germany) B. Principles of pre-stressing.

Developed ‘long line’ pre-tensioning method.

1940 Magnel, G., (Belgium)  Pre-stressing is a method in which compression force

Developed an anchoring system for post-tensioning, is applied to the reinforced concrete section.
using flat wedges.  The effect of pre stressing is to reduce the tensile stress
in the section to the point till the tensile stress is below
the cracking stress. Thus the concrete does not crack.
  It is then possible to treat concrete as an elastic
material.
 The concrete can be visualized to have two
compressive force

i. Internal pre-stressing force.

ii. External forces

These two forces must counteract A group of strands or A tendon can be made up
Each other. wires are wound to form of a single steel bar. The
a pre-stressing tendon. diameter of a bar is much
III. MAT ERIALS USED FOR P RE-ST RESSING. larger than that of a wire.

Pre-stressed concrete was started to be used in building frames, IV. T YPES OF PRE -ST RESSING.
parking structures, stadiums, railway sleepers, transmission line
poles and other types of structures and elements. 1. Pre-tensioning

Materials for pre-stress concrete member

In Pre-tension, the tendons are tensioned against some
1. Cement, abutments before the concrete is place. After the concrete
hardened, the tension force is released. The tendon tries to
2. Concrete, shrink back to the initial length but the concrete resists it
through the bond between them, thus, compression force is
3. Steel. induced in concrete. Pretension is usually done with precast
1. Cement: members

Ordinary Portland cement,

Portland slag cement,
Rapid hardening Portland cement,
High strength ordinary Portland cement.

2. Concrete:

Pre-stress concrete requires high strength concrete,

which has high compressive strength comparatively higher
tensile strength than ordinary concrete. The concrete is a
material should be compose of gravels or crushed stones, sand,
cement.

In pre-stress concrete minimum grade of concrete M20.

3. Steel:

High tensile steel, tendons, strands.In pre-stress concrete 2. Post tensioning.

high tensile steel with tensile strength around 2000MPa.
According to IS: 1343-1980 pre-stress concrete is design
In post tension, the tendons are tensioned after the concrete has
hardened. Commonly, metal or plastic ducts are placed inside
the concrete before casting. After the concrete hardened and
had enough strength, the tendons was placed inside the duct,
stressed and anchored against concrete. Grout may be injected
into the duct later. This can either done in factories or in site
itself.

Pre-stressing wire is a single

Unit made of steel. Two, three or seven wires are wound to form a pre-
stressing strand.
  It has high fatigue resistance.
 It has high live load carrying capacity.
 It free from cracks from service loads and enable entire
section to take part in resisting moments.
 M ember are free from the tensile stresses.

VII. DISADVANT AGES OF PRE-ST RESSED CONCRET E .

 Required skilled builders & experienced engineers.

 Initial equipment cost is very high.
 Availability of experienced engineers is less.
 Required complicated formwork.
 It requires high strength concrete & steel.
 Pre-stressed concrete is less fire resistant.

VIII. ADVANT AGES OF PRE -ST RESSED CONCRET E .

 Bridges
 Slabs in buildings
 Water Tank
 Concrete Pile
 Thin Shell Structures
 Offshore Platform
V. COMPARISON BET WEEN P RE-T ENSIONED AND POST
T ENSIONED.
 Nuclear Power Plant
 Repair and Rehabilitations

VI. ADVANT AGES OF PRE -ST RESSED CONCRET E .

 Factory products are possible.

 Long span structure are possible so that saving of wt is
significant & thus it become economical.
 Pre-stressed member are tested before use.
 Dead load are get counter balanced by eccentric pre-
stressing
 It has high ability to resist the impact.