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Investigation on allowable compressive stresses in pretensioned concrete

members at transfer

Article  in  KSCE Journal of Civil Engineering · July 2013

DOI: 10.1007/s12205-013-0309-x

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KSCE Journal of Civil Engineering (2013) 17(5):1083-1098 Structural Engineering
DOI 10.1007/s12205-013-0309-x
www.springer.com/12205

Investigation on Allowable Compressive Stresses in

Pretensioned Concrete Members at Transfer
Jeong Yeon Lee*, Deuck Hang Lee**, Jin-Ha Hwang***, Min-Kook Park****,
Heung-Youl Kim*****, and Kang Su Kim******
Received June 18, 2012/Accepted September 19, 2012

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Abstract
Modern structural concrete members have become longer and slender, and the prestressed concrete method is an efficient way for
sufficiently satisfying the strength and serviceability requirements of such members. Particularly, pretensioned concrete members are
typically produced as a precast system that can reduce the construction time and waste significantly by minimizing on-site work.
Thus, the pretensioned precast concrete structure is an effective method that can meet both environmental and economic demands in
international society. Productivity of the pretensioned members, however, is significantly influenced by the timing of releasing
prestress, because prestressing forces can be transferred when the target compressive strength of early age concrete is attained.
Unfortunately, the allowable compressive stress at transfer specified in current design code provisions may not be reliable in some
practical situations, and those stress limits were determined by empirical methods without a theoretical basis. To overcome such
problems, a reasonable estimation equation for allowable compressive stress at transfer was proposed in this paper using extensive
analyses based on the Strength Design Method (SDM), in which the eccentricity ratio of the tendon, the sectional size and shape, the
level of prestress, and the self-weight moment were considered. The allowable releasing compressive stresses specified in international
design codes and based on the proposed equation were compared to test results collected from literature. These comparisons indicated
that the allowable stresses specified in current design codes provided unconservative evaluation results for pretensioned members with
low eccentricity ratios and conservative results for those with high eccentricity ratios, while the proposed equation reasonably
evaluated the allowable compressive stresses of pretensioned members with rectangular, tee, and inverted tee sections.
Keywords: prestress, pretension, concrete, allowable compressive stress, strength design method
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1. Introduction
Precast Concrete (PC) structures are manufactured at the factory
in advance and then assembled on-site. They are economical and
eco-friendly because the PC construction can reduce construction
time and minimize construction waste compared to conventional
Reinforced Concrete (RC) structures. There is also growing
interest in the application of Prestressed Concrete (PSC) structures
(Collins and Mitchell, 1991; Nawy, 1994; Lin and Burns, 1981)
as modern structural members that get longer and slender.
Pretensioned concrete members can be manufactured in a well-
equipped factory as the precast-type structure, and thus, they are
highly effective in terms of mass production and quality control.
(Hale and Russell, 2006); However, since the prestressing force is
released to the young (i.e., early-age) concrete in pretensioned
members, compressive damage at the end of the member or
tensile cracks in the tension side of the member can be caused by
the introduction of huge compressive forces. Thus, the allowable
compressive stress is specified in international codes of practice
to prevent these negative effects. Generally, the allowable
compressive stress is the dominant condition that determines the
minimum required compressive strength of young concrete (i.e.,
introduction time of prestressing) as well as the productivity of
pretensioned precast members at the production facility.
Therefore, its economic impact is very significant in practical
situations. (Collins and Mitchell, 1991) However, current code
provisions on the allowable compressive stress at transfer (ACI,
2008; AASHTO, 2004; CSA, 2004; KCI, 2007; CEN, 2002; AIJ,
1998) tend to be set conservatively based on past experiences,
which can result in long production time and reduced productivity
because of the additional steam curing time required to achieve the
required concrete strength. Furthermore, structural performance

*Graduate Student, Dept. of Architectural Engineering, University of Seoul 130-743, Seoul Korea (E-mail: matthew513@uos.ac.kr)
**Member, Ph.D. Candidate, Dept. of Architectural Engineering, University of Seoul 130-743, Seoul Korea (E-mail: dklee@uos.ac.kr)
***Member, Ph.D. Candidate, Dept. of Architectural Engineering, University of Seoul 130-743, Seoul Korea (E-mail: asorange@nate.com)
****Ph.D. Candidate, Dept. of Architectural Engineering, University of Seoul 130-743, Seoul Korea (E-mail: mkpark@uos.ac.kr)
*****Research Fellow, Fire Safety Research Division, Korea Institute of Construction Technology, Ilsan 411-712, Korea (E-mail: hykim@kict.re.kr)
******Member, Associate Professor, Dept. of Architectural Engineering, University of Seoul 130-743, Seoul Korea (Corresponding Author, E-mail:
kangkim@uos.ac.kr)

− 1083 −
 Jeong Yeon Lee, Deuck Hang Lee, Jin-Ha Hwang, Min-Kook Park, Heung-Youl Kim, and Kang Su Kim
degradations of pretensioned members can be also caused by a
debonding (Collins and Mitchell, 1991; Nawy, 1994; Lin and
Burns, 1981; Hale and Russell, 2006) of tendons, which
artificially removes a bond between concrete and tendon at the
end of members to satisfy the required allowable compressive
stress where the huge compressive stress occurs with the spalling
stress and flexural tension cracks. Because such problems have
recently been pointed out by various researchers (Lin, 1958;
Siess, 1960), CSA-04 (2004) specifies that the allowable
compressive stress at transfer can be increased in cases when
experimental or analytical verifications have been achieved (refer
to CSA-04 A. 18.3.1.2). In addition, the allowable compressive
stress specified in the revised ACI 318-08 (2008) was recently
adjusted from the previous value of 0.6 f ci′ to 0.7 f ci′ based on test
results (Hale and Russell, 2006; Castro et al., 2004; Dolan and
Krohn, 2007). where, f ci′ is the compressive strength of concrete
when releasing prestress. The revised ACI 318-08 provision,
however, did not reflect the effect of primary parameters - such
as section shape and size, eccentricity ratio (e/h), magnitude of
prestress, and the self-weight moment - on the allowable
compressive stress. Therefore, in this study, extensive analyses
were conducted using the Strength Design Method (SDM)
(Noppakunwijai et al., 2001 and 2003) considering the key
factors, and a simple equation for estimating the allowable
compressive stress at transfer was proposed and verified.
2. Background of Allowable Compressive Stress
The code provisions for the allowable compressive stress of
Reinforced Concrete (RC) members were initially determined
based on test results in early 1900. (Kerekes and Reid, 1954) As
shown in Table 1, the allowable compressive stress of Prestressed
Concrete (PSC) structures was presented in the standard on civil
infrastructures, such as PSC bridges, proposed by the Bureau of
Public Roads (BPR) in 1954, as well as the design specifications
for pretensioned members published by the Precast/Prestressed
Concrete Institute (PCI, 1954). The allowable compressive stress
specified in these design specifications was 0.50 f c′ and 0.55 f c′
for bridges and buildings, respectively. Later, the allowable
compressive stresses for PSC members were also proposed by
various institutes. At the World Conference on Prestressed
Concrete held in 1957, many researchers proposed the allowable
compressive stresses based on their experiences and test results;
for example,0.45 f ci′ by Hajnai-Konyi, 0.50 fci′ by Debell, and
0.60 f ci′ by Holley and Simpson, etc. (Erickson, 1954). Erickson,
who was chair of the BPR Bridge division at that time, designated
0.60 f ci′ as the standard allowable compressive stress and as the
unified standard for the bridge design based on the values
proposed by the researchers mentioned above (Erickson, 1954).
In 1958, the ACI-ASCE Committee 323 (ACI-ASCE, 1958)
expanded the scope of its application to general buildings as well
as civil structures and presented the allowable compressive
stresses of 0.60 f ci′ for pretensioned members and 0.55 f ci′ for
post-tensioned members. In 1961, PCI (1961) adopted the
− 1084 −
′
allowable compressive stress of 0.60 f ci , and the AASHTO
′
standard specification (1961) also revised to 0.60 f ci for the
′
pretensioned members and 0.55f ci for post-tensioned members.
′
ACI318 (ACI, 1963) set allowable compressive stress to 0.60f ci
in 1963, which has been used till 2008, and recently published
ACI318-08 (2008) revised the allowable compressive stress for
′
the end of simple-supported prestressed members to 0.70f ci . As
previously explained, the historical background of the allowable
compressive stress of PSC members showed that the code
provisions were determined in an extremely empirical manner,
(Lin, 1958; Siess, 1960) and lacked a theoretical basis. Additionally,
considering the recent advanced manufacturing technology of
pretensioned members and the improved reliability of the
analysis capability, the past empirical provisions for allowable
compressive stress at transfer may be quite excessively limited.
Many researchers also proposed the equations for the allowable
compressive stress at release in addition to the design standards
mentioned above. Russell and Pang (1997) conducted basic
experiments on concrete cylinders with the magnitude of the
released compressive stress as a key parameter. Based on their
test results, they reported that raising the allowable compressive
′
stress up to 0.70f ci would not cause any serviceability-related
problems. Noppakunwijai et al. (2001 and 2003) developed the
SDM and proposed the equation for allowable compressive
stress at release indirectly considering the effect of the centroid
ratio (yb/h) as well as the effect of the section shape on the
allowable compressive stress.
Castro et al. (2004) tested various pretensioned specimens
having rectangular, inverted-Tee, and Tee shaped sections with
′
prestress level ranging from 0.50f ci to 1.0f ci′ . Particularly, they
monitored the long-term camber of these specimens and reported
that the specimens showed different camber values in the first ten
days depending on the sectional shape and the concrete age at
which the prestress was introduced. However, there was little
difference after 90 days. On the basis of these observations, they
proposed 0.70f ci′ as the allowable compressive stress at transfer
(Castro et al., 2004).
Dolan and Krohn (2007) conducted a survey of 44 producers
(46%) and experts (54%) among PCI members who worked in
the precast industry. As a result, the largest 17 members
responded that they introduced compressive stress up to 0.70f ′ci
when producing pretensioned members. They also stated that
visible cracks were not observed immediately after prestress, and
no serviceability or structural performance degradations were
reported after the members were installed at the site. Dolan and
Krohn, therefore, recommended an increase of the allowable
compressive stress at releasing the prestressing forces.
For one year, Hale and Russell (2006) measured the prestress
loss of the four I-shaped prestressed specimens with prestress
′
levels ranging from 0.57f ci to 0.82f ci′ . No compressive damage
or performance degradation was observed in all specimens at
prestress release, and despite the different prestress release times,
all four specimens showed almost same amount of prestress loss.
Thus, they concluded that the provision for the allowable
KSCE Journal of Civil Engineering
 Investigation on Allowable Compressive Stresses in Pretensioned Concrete Members at Transfer

′ ′
compressive stress at release need to be increased to 0.70f ci . the allowable compressive stress ( Kf ci ), as follows:
As described above, many researchers have pointed out the
Kf ci′ ≥ f b (1)
practical problems and the need to revise existing allowable
compressive stress at transfer that are specified in codes (ACI, where K is the allowable compressive stress coefficient. Table 1
2008; AASHTO, 2004; CSA, 2004; KCI, 2007; CEN, 2002; shows the stress limits in code provisions and the limit values
AIJ, 1998), and also have made efforts to present a reasonable proposed by researchers; the stress limits of most of the recent
and theoretical basis for this topic. As part of such efforts, ACI code provisions are between 0.60f ci′ and 0.70f ′ci . Based on Eq.
changed the allowable compressive stress at end of pretensioned (1), the maximum value of the allowable compressive stress
members from 0.60f ′ci to 0.70f ′ci based on the recommendations coefficient (K) can be expressed as:
by Castro et al. (Lin, 1958), Dolan and Krohn (2007), and Hale
f
and Russell (2006) in 2008. However, the raised maximum K = ----b′- (2)
compressive stress in AIC318-08 (2008) is also based on test f ci
results considering only the concrete compressive strength; where f ci′ is the specified compressive strength of concrete when
consequently, an estimation equation for allowable compressive the prestress is released. The value of fb can be estimated as
stress at transfer has to be developed to reflect key influential follows:
factors, such as section shape (centroid ratio, yb/h, more broadly),
P Pi e M
the magnitude of prestress, eccentricity ratio (e/h), self-weight fb = -----i + ------
- y – ------g y (3)
A g Ig b Ig b
moment, and so on.
where Pi is the initial prestressing force ( 0.75fpu A ps was used in
3. Comparison of Allowable Compressive Stresses this study), fpu is the tensile strength of prestressing steel, Aps is
the sectional area of prestressing steel, Ag is the gross sectional
In various design codes (ACI, 2008; AASHTO, 2004; CSA, area of the concrete, e is the eccentricity of prestressing steel
2004; KCI, 2007; CEN, 2002; AIJ, 1998), the stress in the from the centroid of the section, Ig is the moment of inertia of the
bottom fiber of the cross-section (fb) at transfer is limited below gross section, and yb is the distance between the centroid of the
section and the extreme bottom fiber. In this study, the specified
compressive strength of concrete at transfer ( f ci′ ) was estimated
Table 1. Allowable Compressive Stresses at Transfer Specified in using the SDM proposed by Noppakunwijai et al. (2001 and
Codes and Previous Researches
2003). As presented in Fig. 1, f ci′ can be determined by the force
Allowable stresses equilibrium equation in the longitudinal direction and the
Year Institute
at transfer
0.50 f ′ci *
flexural moment equilibrium equation when the compressive
1954 PCI
0.55 f ′ci ** failure occurs by prestressing force transferred to the section, and
0.60 f ′ci § these equations can be expressed as follows, respectively:
1954 BPR
0.55 f ′ci §§
0.45 f ′ci 1.2P
Hajnai-Konyi 0.85f ′ci A cc + A ps ∆fps – As fs = ------------i (4)
Dobell 0.50 f ′ci φ
1957 Holley 0.60 f ′ci κ
Simpson 0.60 f ′ci 0.85f ′ci A cc ycc + A ps ∆fps d′p – A s fs ds = --- ( Pi d′p + Mg ) (5)
φ
Erickson 0.60 f ′ci
ACI-ASCE Joint 0.60 f ′ci § where Acc is the area of concrete in compression, ∆fps is the
1958
Committee 323 0.55 f ′ci §§ stress change in the prestressing steel due to the application of
1961 PCI 0.60 f ′ci † factored prestress and self-weight, Asis the sectional area of the
0.60 f ′ci § nonprestressed reinforcement, fs is the stress in the nonprestressed
1961 AASHTO
0.55 f ′ci §§
1963 ACI 0.60 f ′ci †
1998 AIJ-98 0.45 f ′ci †
2002 Eurocode 2 0.70 f ′ci †
2004 CSA-04 0.60 f ′ci †
2004 Noppakunwijai et al. (0.6+yb/5h) f ′ci ≤0.75 f ′ci
2006 Hale and Russell 0.70 f ′ci §
2007 Dolan and Krohn 0.70 f ′ci
2007 AASHTO LRFD 0.60 f ′ci †
2007 KCI-07 0.60 f ′ †
ci

2008 ACI318-08 0.70 f ′ §

ci Fig. 1. Sectional Analysis based on the Strength Design Method:
*
Building, **Bridge, §Pre-tension member, §§Post-tension member, †Pre- (a) Section Detail, (b) Strain Distribution at Section, (c) Force
tension and Post-tension member and Moment Equilibrium

Vol. 17, No. 5 / July 2013 − 1085 −

 Jeong Yeon Lee, Deuck Hang Lee, Jin-Ha Hwang, Min-Kook Park, Heung-Youl Kim, and Kang Su Kim

reinforcement, φ is the strength reduction factor [this study used

0.7 to achieve sufficient margin of safety (Noppakunwijai et al.,
2001, 2003)], and 1.2 was taken as the load factor on the initial
prestressing force, Pi, which is generally used at the anchorage
zone of the posttensioned members by reflecting the uncertainty
when releasing prestress. (ACI, 2005, 2008; KCI, 2007) ycc is the
distance from the extreme bottom fiber of the section to the
centroid of the equivalent stress block of concrete, d′p is the
distance from the extreme bottom fiber to the centroid of the
prestressing steel ( yb – e ), ds is the distance from the extreme
bottom fiber to the centroid of the nonprestressed reinforcement,
Mg is the moment due to self-weight of the member at the critical
section, and κ is the load factor of the self-weight moment,
which was set to 1.2. The values ∆fps and fs can be expressed by
Fig. 2. Comparison of Codes and Existing Models on Allowable
(Collins and Mitchell, 1991; Nawy, 1994): Stresses at Transfer of Prestress
0.975
∆fps = fpi –Ep ( εpi – ∆εps ) 0.03 + ------------------------------------------------------------
10 0.1
- ≤ fpu
{ 1 + [ 118 ( εpi – ∆εps ) ] } 16% larger value. AIJ (1998) presents the allowable compressive
(6)
stress at transfer, not by the compressive strength of concrete at
fs = Es εs ≤ fy (7) transfer ( f ci′ ), but by the specified compressive strength of
concrete ( f c′ ). Therefore, it was presented for the cases in which
where Ep is the modulus of elasticity of prestressing steel, εpi is
f ci′ is 0.50 f c′ , 0.65 f c′ , and 0.80 f c′ . An f c′ of 0.65 f c′ gave a
an initial prestrain, ∆εps is the compressive strain in prestressing
similar allowable compressive stress to that given in the revised
steel when the concrete compressive strain of extreme bottom
ACI318-08. (2008) While the allowable stress in these code
fiber reaches ultimate, and Es and εs are the modulus of elasticity
provisions are constant for all ranges of the centroid ratio (yb/h),
and the strain of the nonprestressed reinforcement, respectively.
the allowable compressive stress proposed by Noppakunwijai et
Using the strain compatibility, ∆εps and εs can be expressed as
al. (2001, 2003) increases as yb/h increases. For reference, the
follows:
yb/h values are about 0.4, 0.5, and 0.65 for the inverted T-shaped
c – d′ section, the rectangular section, and the T-shaped section,
∆εps = εcu ⎛ --------------p⎞ (8)
⎝ c ⎠ respectively. Fig. 2 also shows that the code provisions (ACI,
2008; AASHTO, 2004; CSA, 2004; KCI, 2007; CEN, 2002;
ds – c⎞
εs = εcu ⎛ -----------
- (9) AIJ, 1998) do not reflect the effect of section shape on the
⎝ c ⎠
allowable compressive stress, whereas the equation proposed by
where εcu is the maximum strain in concrete at failure, which is Noppakunwijai et al. (2001 and 2003) reflects this effect using
assumed to 0.003 in this study, and c is the depth of the neutral the centroid ratio (yb/h). However, the equation proposed by
axis from the extreme compression fiber. Noppakunwijai et al. (2001 and 2003) did not include the effect
The value of f ci′ , which is determined by simultaneously of the eccentricity of the prestressing steel or the magnitude of
solving Eq. (4) and Eq. (5), can be defined as the minimum prestress on the allowable compressive stress at transfer.
required compressive strength at transfer. Noppakunwijai et al.
(2001 and 2003) proposed the allowable compressive stress at 4. Analysis of Allowable Compressive Stresses
transfer ( Kf ci′ ), as follows: at Transfer
y
Kf ci′ = ⎛ 0.6 + -----b-⎞ f ′ci ≤ 0.75f ci′ (10) 4.1 Influential Factors And Analysis Cases
⎝ 5h⎠
As shown in Eq. (4) and Eq. (5), the minimum compressive
This equation indirectly reflects the shape of the section by strength required at transfer ( f ci′ ) is influenced by the
using the centroid ratio (yb/h) and limits the maximum value of K eccentricity ratio of prestressing steel ( e ⁄ h ), the section shape
to 0.75. and size, the magnitude of the self-weight moment ( Mg , in other
Figure 2 shows comparisons of the allowable compressive words, the change in the length of members) and the introduction
stresses at release specified in the design codes and proposed by level of prestress, etc. Thus, as shown in Table 2, an extensive
researchers against the centroid ratio (yb/h, the ratio of the analysis program was planned in this study considering all
distance between the centroid and extreme bottom fiber to the possible tendon eccentricity ratios with section shape, magnitude
section height). AASHTO-LRFD (2004), CSA-04 (2004) and of prestress, and self-weight moment as the key parameters. The
KCI-07 (2007) show a relatively low allowable compressive section size on each section shape (i.e., rectangular, T, and
stress of 0.60 f ci′ , and ACI-318-08 (2008) and CEN (2002) show inverted T shape) is carefully selected based on the PCI

− 1086 − KSCE Journal of Civil Engineering

 Investigation on Allowable Compressive Stresses in Pretensioned Concrete Members at Transfer

Table 2. Cases of Analysis

Average
Length of Eccentricity
Section Details of compressive
member ratio
of Type section stress (fave,
(m) (e/h)
MPa)
1. 0
2. 0.05
1. R1 3. 0.1
1. 4.5 1. 5.0 4. 0.15
2. R2 2. 7.5 2. 7.5
3. R3 5. 0.2
Rectangular 3. 10.0 3. 10.0 6. 0.25
4. R4 4. 12.5 4. 12.5
7. 0.3
8. 0.35
9. 0.4
Number of rectangular sections: 576
1. 0
2. 0.05
3. 0.1
4. 0.15
1. T1 1. 4.5 1. 5.0
2. 7.5 2. 7.5 5. 0.2
Tee 2. T2 6. 0.25
3. T3 3. 10.0 3. 10.0
4. 12.5 4. 12.5 7. 0.3
8. 0.35
9. 0.4
10. 0.45
11. 0.5
Number of T sections: 528
1. 0
2. 0.05
1. IT1 1. 4.5 1. 5.0
2. IT2 2. 7.5 2. 7.5 3. 0.1
4. 0.15
3. IT3 3. 10.0 3. 10.0
Inverted Tee 4. IT4 4. 12.5 4. 12.5 5. 0.2
6. 0.25
7. 0.3
Number of Inverted T sections: 448
Total number of analysis cases: 1552

Fig. 3. Dimensional Details of Members for Analysis: (a) Details of

Handbook (2004), which provides the realistic section size used
in practice as shown in Fig. 3 and Table 2. The size of the
rectangular section was fixed at 12 inch (304.8 mm) in width,
and the gross area of the concrete section (Ag) ranged from 240
in2 (154,838 mm2) to 384 in2 (247,741 mm2). The sectional area
of the inverted T-shaped members was between 624 in2
(402,579.8 mm2) and 840 in2 (541,934.4 mm2), and that of the T-
shaped (double T-shaped) section was between 567 in2
(365,805.7 mm2) and 640 in2 (412,902.4 mm2). The range of the
eccentricity ratio ( e ⁄ h ) was between 0 and 0.4 for the
rectangular-shaped sections, 0 and 0.5 for the T-shaped sections,
and 0 and 0.3 for the inverted T-shaped sections. The range of
e/h of the T-shaped sections was largest because the distance
from the bottom fiber to the centroid of the section (yb) is the
largest. The yb value of the inverted T-shaped section was
smallest, therefore, e/h was the smallest in the inverted T-section
among the three types of section shapes considered in this study.
In order to represent the magnitude of prestress, the average
compressive stress (fave) can be defined as:
P
fave = -----i
Ag
The tendon used in the analysis was a seven-wire low-relaxation
Rectangular Section, (b) Details oF Inverted Tee Section,
(c) Details of Double Tee Section
strand with a nominal diameter of 12.7 mm, the nominal cross
sectional area (Aps) of 98.7 mm2, and tensile strength (fpu) of 1860
MPa. As shown in Table 2, the range of the average compressive
stress (fave) was between 4.5 MPa and 12.5 MPa, which is typically
used in practical structural design (Collins and Mitchell, 1991;
Nawy, 1994; Lin and Burns, 1981). In addition, considering the
effect of the self-weight moment (Mg), the length of members (l)
ranges from 5 m to 12.5 m, and the effect of Mg on determining the
allowable compressive stress at transfer was considered to be the
worst at the section located at transfer length ( lt ) from the end of
members as shown in Fig. 4. In this study, the transfer length was
adopted from the ACI318-89 (1989), as follows:
lt = 0.048fpe db (12)
where db is the tendon diameter, and fpe is the effective prestress,
(11) which is assumed to 0.9 f pi in this study. When releasing
prestress, the (tensile) stress at the top fiber of the cross-section
(ft) can be estimated as:

Vol. 17, No. 5 / July 2013 − 1087 −

 Jeong Yeon Lee, Deuck Hang Lee, Jin-Ha Hwang, Min-Kook Park, Heung-Youl Kim, and Kang Su Kim

Fig. 4. Bending Moment Diagram of a Pre-tensioned Member

Subjected to Self-weight

P Pie M
ft = -----i – ------
- y + ------g y (13)
A g Ig t Ig t
where yt is the distance from the extreme top fiber to the centroid
axis. Design code provisions (ACI, 2008; KCI, 2007) stipulate
that bonded reinforcement(s) should be provided to control the
tensile cracks if the tensile stress at the top extreme fiber (i.e.,
tension fiber at transfer) of cross-section (ft) exceeds the tensile
′
strength ( fct = 0.5 f ci ), and the required amount of nonprestressed
reinforcement (As) is calculated by (ACI, 2008; KCI, 2007):
Nc
A s = ----------
- (14)
0.6fy
Fig. 5. Flow chart of Analysis Procedure
where Nc is the total tension force when prestress is transferred, fy
is the yield strength of the bonded reinforcement and 400 MPa
was used in this study. concrete ( εcu ) and changing the tensile strain at the extreme top
Figure 5 shows the flowchart of the calculation procedure to fiber. By substituting fb resulting from Eq. (3) and the calculated
get the required compressive strength of concrete at release ( f ci′ ), f ci′ into Eq. (2), the allowable compressive stress coefficient (K)
which can be determined by iteratively calculating the whole can be determined easily. A total of 576 cases for rectangular
procedure until the horizontal force and moment equilibrium sections, 448 cases for inverted T-shaped sections, and 528 cases
(Eqs. (4) and (5)) are satisfied, while fixing the compressive for T-shaped sections were analyzed and are discussed in paper.
strain at the extreme bottom fiber to the maximum strain of As shown in Table 3, the names of analyzed sections consist of

Table 3. Designation of Analysis Member

Section of concrete area (in2) Self-weight moment Magnitude of prestress
Average compressive stress
R T IT Name Self-weight moment Name
(MPa)
1 240 567 624 A 0.52 Mtot* a 4.5
2 288 615 696 B 0.37 Mtot ** b 7.5
3 336 640 768 C 0.28 Mtot§ c 10.0
4 384 N/A 840 D 0.23 Mtot§§ d 12.5
*
l = 5 m, **l = 7.5 m, §l = 10 m, §§l = 12.5 m

− 1088 − KSCE Journal of Civil Engineering

 Investigation on Allowable Compressive Stresses in Pretensioned Concrete Members at Transfer

four characters, each of which expresses the shape and size of the
section, the magnitude of the self-weight moment (Mg), and the
average compressive stress (fave). For example, member R1Aa is
a rectangular-shaped section with and area of 288 in2 (188,744
mm2), a member length of 5 m, and an average compressive
stress (fave) of 4.5 MPa.
4.2 Analysis Results based on the Strength Model
Figure 6 shows the distribution of the allowable compressive
stress coefficient (K) of the rectangular sections estimated from
SDM according to the eccentricity ratio (e/h). From Fig. 6(a) to
Fig. 6(d), the section height (or section size) increases from 20 in
(508 mm) to 32 in (813 mm), and from left to right in each series;
for example, from Graphs No.1 to No. 4 in Fig. 6(a), the average
compressive stress (fave) increases from 4.5 MPa to 12.5 MPa.
Also, the magnitude of the self-weight moment (Mg) of each
series is ranged from 23% to 52% of the bending moment in the
center of the member (Mtot) (refer to Fig. 4). As shown in Fig. 6,
all series from R1 to R4 show almost identical distributions of K
regardless of the section size (from Fig. 6a to Fig. 6d), and there
are small fluctuations of K within 10% depending on the
magnitude of prestress (from No. 1 to No. 4) and the effect of
self-weight moment. Conversely, K are affected significantly by
the eccentricity ratio (e/h), and K increases considerably in a

Fig. 6. Analysis Results for Rectangular Members: (a) R1 Series, (b) R2 Series, (c) R3 Series, (d) R4 Series

Vol. 17, No. 5 / July 2013 − 1089 −

 Jeong Yeon Lee, Deuck Hang Lee, Jin-Ha Hwang, Min-Kook Park, Heung-Youl Kim, and Kang Su Kim

Fig. 7. Analysis Results for Tee Sectioned Members: (a) T1 Series, (b) T2 Series, (c) T3 Series

linear manner as e/h increases when e/h is below 0.15. When e/h
is over 0.15, K shows a smaller increase with a lower slope
compared to when e/h is below 0.15. The reason for such a
drastic slope change around 0.15 of e/h is that when the
eccentricity ratio is below 0.15, the stresses in the tensile zone of
the section (ft) are small, and the bonded tension reinforcement is
not required, whereas when e/h is over 0.15, as the eccentricity
of tendons (e) increases, the concrete stress at the tension zone of
the section exceeds its tensile strength (fct). Therefore, the
nonprestressed reinforcements are required to control the tensile
crack. In other words, depending on the existences of the bonded
reinforcements, the change in f ci′ is significant at the junction of
0.15 of e/h, which causes a drastic change in the slope of the K
curve.
Figure 7 shows the estimated K values of the T-shaped section
according to e/h, and Figs. 7(a), 7(b) and 7(c) show the analysis
results of T1, T2 and T3 series, respectively. Similar to the
rectangular section, the magnitude of the self-weight moment
(Mg) of each series is ranged from 23% to 52% of the bending
moment at the center of span (Mtot) due to the self-weight. The
gross section area (Ag) increases from Fig. 7(a) to 7(c), and the
average compressive stress (fave) increases from 4.5 MPa to 12.5
MPa from Graphs No. 1 to No. 4 in each series. As with the
analysis results of the rectangular members, the eccentricity ratio
(e/h) was most influential on K of the pretensioned members
with T-shaped section among the considered key parameters. K
increases linearly when e/h is between 0 and 0.25, and K is about
0.84 at maximum when e/h is at 0.25, and K tends to decrease as
e/h increases when e/h is over 0.25. This is because, when e/h is
over 0.25, while the bonded reinforcement is provided according
to the code of practice, yt is relatively smaller than that of the
rectangular (or inverted T-shaped sections), resulting in the
smallest tensile stress calculated by Eq. (13). Since the amount of
tension reinforcement (As) is small, compared to the rectangular
(or inverted T-shaped sections), K tends to decrease as e/h
increases.
Figure 8 shows the distribution of K of the inverted T-shaped
section against the eccentricity ratio (e/h). For the estimated
results of the inverted T-shaped sections, K increases as e/h
increases when e/h is below 0.3. Especially, when e/h is below
0.15, K increases linearly and steeply, whereas when e/h is
between 0.15 and 0.3, K increases nonlinearly. As mentioned

− 1090 − KSCE Journal of Civil Engineering

 Investigation on Allowable Compressive Stresses in Pretensioned Concrete Members at Transfer

Fig. 8. Analysis Results for Inverted Tee Sectioned Members: (a) IT1 Series, (b) IT2 Series, (c) IT3 Series, (d) IT4 Series

earlier for rectangular and T-shaped sections, this is because
nonprestressed reinforcements are placed when e/h is greater
than 0.15.
The estimated K values according to e/h by section shapes
show that K changes depending on the e/h in all section types,
and the slope of the K graph is drastically changed at the specific
value of e/h. Without the bonded reinforcement, K of the
inverted T-shaped section was the largest at around 0.76,
whereas that of the T-shaped section was the largest at about
0.84. The required bonded tensile reinforcement for the
pretensioned concrete members with inverted T and rectangular
section are greater than those with Tee section due to their small
sectional area in tension at transfer, which results in the increase
of fci estimated from Eq. (4) that should lead to the decrease of
their K values. It is, however, estimated that K values of the
members with inverted T section and rectangular section
estimated from SDM do not decrease as the provided bonded
reinforcement increases; instead, their K values increase as the
eccentricity ratio increases. This is because the increase of fb due
to the high level of prestressing force is greater than that of fci due
to the large amount of bonded tensile reinforcement at the high
level of eccentricity ratios. In the case of pretensioned members

Vol. 17, No. 5 / July 2013 − 1091 −

 Jeong Yeon Lee, Deuck Hang Lee, Jin-Ha Hwang, Min-Kook Park, Heung-Youl Kim, and Kang Su Kim
Fig. 9. Effect of Sectional Area on Allowable Stress Coefficients: (a) Allowable Compressive Stress of Each Section, (b) Stress Ratio of
Each Section
with Tee section, in which the required tensile reinforcement is
small relative to the inverted T and rectangular section, showed a
decrease trend of K values at the high eccentricity ratios due to
the larger increase in fci than that in fb. In addition, K changes not
only with the section shape and eccentricity ratio, but also with
the size of the section, the magnitude of prestress, and the self-
weight moment. Thus, it is necessary to examine in detail how K
is affected by the size of the section, the average compressive
stress (fave), and the self-weight moment (Mg) based on the
analysis results shown in Figs. 6, 7, and 8.
4.3 Effect of Section Size
To examine the effect of section size on the allowable
compressive stress coefficient (K), we selected the sections for
analysis whose parameters were identical except the section size.
Graph No. 1 in Fig. 9(a) shows the analysis results in the Bc
series, where the members are identical in that they have
rectangular sections with about 10 MPa of the average compressive
stress (fave) and 0.37Mtot of Mg (i.e., 7.5 m in length), except that the
gross section area (Ag) is ranged between 240 in2 (154838.4 mm2)
and 384 in2 (247741.4 mm2). When e/h is below about 0.15, K
increases as the sectional area of the member (that is, the section
size) increases. When e/h is between 0.15 and 0.25, K decreases as
the member size increases, and when e/h is over 0.25, K increases
as the section size increases. As shown in Graph No. 1 of Fig. 9(b),
when e/h is below 0.15, the ratio of f ci′ for R1Bc to f ci′ for R4Bc
( f ci′ , R1Bc ⁄ f ci′ , R4Bc ) is greater than the ratio of fb for R1Bc to fb for
R4Bc ( fb, R1Bc ⁄ fb, R4Bc ). Thus, the ratio of K for R1Bc to K for R4Bc
( KR1Bc ⁄ KR4Bc ) can be expressed, as follows:
KR1Bc fb, R1Bc ⁄ fb, R4Bc
------------ = ------------------------------- < 1
KR4Bc fci, R1Bc ⁄ fci, R4Bc
Thus, K increases as the sectional area of the member
increases. Conversely, when e/h is between 0.15 and 0.25,
f ci′ , R1Bc ⁄ f ci′ , R4Bc is less than fb, R1Bc ⁄ fb, R4Bc , and KR1Bc ⁄ KR4Bc
becomes greater than unity; thus, as the section area increases, K
decreases in this range of e/h. When e/h exceeds 0.25,
f ci′ , R1Bc ⁄ f ci′ , R4Bc is greater than f b, R1Bc ⁄ fb, R4Bc and KR1Bc ⁄ KR4Bc
becomes less than unity, as in the case when e/h is below 0.15.
Thus, as the section area increases, K increases.
Graph No. 2 in Fig. 9(a) shows the analysis results of the Ba
series, the members of which are identical in that they have T-
shaped sections with the average compressive stress (fave) of 10
MPa and 0.37 Mtot of Mg (i.e., 7.5 m in length), except that the
range of the section area (Ag) is between 567 in2 (365805.7 mm2)
and 640 in2 (412902.4 mm2). The effect of section size on K was
opposite to that of the rectangular section. It is believed that this
result is due to the relative reduction of the section height (h)
despite the increase of section area (Ag) in T3Ba compared to
T1Ba. Graph No. 3 in Fig. 9(a) shows the analysis result of the
Bb series with the inverted T-shaped section selected from Fig. 8,
where the members have the same variables, such as the average
compressive stress (fave) of approximately 7.5 MPa and 0.37 Mtot
of Mg (i.e., 7.5 m in length), except that the section area (Ag) is
distributed between 624 in2 (402579.8 mm2) and 840 in2
(541934.4 mm2). The overall features were similar to those of the
rectangular section results.
The analysis of the effect of section size on K indicates that K
of all three section shapes considered in this study differ only
slightly (within ±10%) as the section size increases. The effect of
section size appears to be somewhat greater in the T-section than
in the other two section shapes. However, such a difference is
(15) negligible compared to the difference in K of up to 77% depending
on the eccentricity ratio (e/h).
− 1092 − KSCE Journal of Civil Engineering
 Investigation on Allowable Compressive Stresses in Pretensioned Concrete Members at Transfer
Fig. 10. Effect of Prestress on Allowable Stress Coefficients: (a) Allowable Compressive Stress of Each Section, (b) Stress Ratio of Each
Section
4.4 Effect of Prestress Magnitude
To investigate the effect of the magnitude of prestress on K,
analysis sections whose parameters were identical except for the
average compressive stress (fave) are selected as shown in Fig.
10(a). Graph No. 1 in Fig. 10(a) shows the R2B series selected
from the analysis results of the rectangular section shown in Fig.
6. The main parameters of the R2B series are identical to 0.37
Mtot for Mg and a section size of 288 in2 (185806 mm2), whereas
the average compressive stress (fave) ranges between 4.5 MPa and
12.5 MPa. When e/h is between 0 and 0.15, K increases as fave
increases, and when e/h is between 0.15 and 0.4, K decreases as
fave increases. As shown in Graph No. 1 in Fig. 10(b), this is
because when e/h is between 0 and 0.15, the ratio of f ci′ in R2Ba
to f ci′ in R2Bd ( f ci′ , R2Ba ⁄ f ′ci, R2Bd ) is greater than that of fb in R2Ba
to fb in R2Bd ( fb, R2Ba ⁄ f b, R2Bd ), which causes KR2Ba ⁄ KR2Bd , the
ratio of K in R2Ba to K in R2Bd, to become less than unity;
Therefore, K increases as fave increases. On the other hand, when
e/h is over 0.15, f ci′ , R2Ba ⁄ f ci′ , R2Bd is greater than fb, R2Ba ⁄ fb, R2Bd ;
therefore, K decreases as fave increases. The estimated K curves in
Fig. 10 show the reverse trend at e/h of around 0.15, because
while the ratio of fb ( fb, R2Ba ⁄ f b, R2Bd ) calculated by Eq. (3) is
almost fixed when the average compressive stress (fave) increases,
the ratio of f ci′ ( f ci′ , R2Ba ⁄ f ci′ , R2Bd ) calculated by Eqs. (4) and (5),
decreases nonlinearly.
Graphs No. 2 and No. 3 in Fig. 10(a) show the relation
between K of the T-shaped and inverted T-shaped sections
estimated by SDM and the average compressive stress (fave). As
shown in Graph No. 2 in Fig. 10(a), in the case of T-shaped
section, K increases as fave increases when e/h is between 0 and
0.2. As shown in Graph No. 3 in Fig. 10(a), in the case of the
inverted T-shaped section, K increases as fave increases when e/h
is between 0 and 0.1. On the other hand, in the T-shaped section,
Vol. 17, No. 5 / July 2013 − 1093 −
K decreases as fave increases when e/h is over 0.25, and in the
inverted T-shaped section, K also decreases as fave increases when
e/h is over 0.15. The estimated K curves for both T-shaped and
inverted T-shaped sections also show the drastic slope change
around the specific eccentricity ratio (e/h), which is almost
identical to the effect of fave on K explained in rectangular section
cases.
As the magnitude of the prestress changes, the K curves show
only a small difference, within ±10%, similar to the effect of
section size described in previous section.
4.5 Effect of Self-weight Moment
To examine the effect of the magnitude of the self-weight
moment on K, the sections whose parameters were identical,
except for the self-weight moment (Mg), are selected and are
shown in Fig. 11(a). Graph No. 1 in Fig. 11(a) shows the R2c
series which represents the effect of Mg among all the analysis
series of the rectangular section shown in Fig. 6. The main
parameters are identical with a fave of 10 MPa and a section size
of 288 in2 (185806 mm2), except that Mg is distributed between
0.23 Mtot and 0.52 Mtot. When e/h is below 0.15, K decreases as
Mg increases, and when e/h is over 0.15, K increases as Mg
increases. As shown in Graph No. 1 in Fig. 11(b), this is because
the ratio of f ci′ in R2Ac to in R2Dc ( f ci′ , R2Ac ⁄ f ci′ , R2Dc ) is less than
that of fb in R2Ac to fb in R2Dc ( fb, R2Ac ⁄ fb, R2Dc ) when e/h is
below 0.15. This causes KR2Ac ⁄ KR2Dc to become greater than
unity; therefore, K decreases as Mg increases. On the other hand,
when e/h is over 0.15, K increases as Mg increases. This is
because the amount of bonded reinforcement required for the
control of cracks decreases as Mg increases, which causes
f ci′ , R2Ac ⁄ f ci′ , R2Dc to become greater than f b, R2Ac ⁄ fb, R2Dc , making
KR2Ac ⁄ KR2Dc less than unity. Both T-shaped and inverted T-
 Jeong Yeon Lee, Deuck Hang Lee, Jin-Ha Hwang, Min-Kook Park, Heung-Youl Kim, and Kang Su Kim
Fig. 11. Effect of Self-weight Moment on Allowable Stress Coefficients: (a) Allowable Compressive Stress of Each Section, (b) Stress Ratio
of Each Section
shaped sections show the reverse trend of K at the particular
eccentricity ratio, at which the bonded reinforcement begins to
be placed, this trend is almost identical to that of the rectangular
section.
The estimated K values of the sections considered in this
research appear to be almost identical regardless of the
magnitude of Mg, except when the eccentricity is extremely low.
The estimated K shows a difference within ±10% for rectangular
and inverted T-shaped sections, and ±20% for the T-shaped
section.
5. Proposed Coefficients for Allowable Com-
pressive Stress at Transfer
Figures 12(a) to (c) show the envelope curves that link the
minimum K values and the maximum K values against the
eccentricity ratio (e/h) of pretensioned members with rectangular
(from Fig. 6), T-shaped (from Fig. 7), and inverted T-shaped
sections (from Fig. 8), respectively. Based on these minimum
and maximum envelope curves, the estimation equation of the
allowable compressive stress coefficient at transfer (K) is derived
as follows:
K = 2.25 ( e ⁄ h ) + γ1 ≤ γ2 (16)
where, γ1 is 0.48, 0.35, and 0.5 for rectangular, T-shaped, and
inverted T-shaped sections, respectively; and γ2 is 0.75, 0.8, and
0.7 for rectangular, T-shaped, and inverted T-shaped sections,
respectively. As explained in the previous section, the effects of
gross section area (Ag), average compressive stress (fave), and
magnitude of self-weight moment (Mg) on K are much smaller
than the effect of the eccentricity ratio (e/h); therefore, these
effects are reflected indirectly in the proposed equation using the
− 1094 −
minimum and maximum envelope curves, and a simple linear
equation is derived as the function of eccentricity ratio (e/h) so
that it can be easily applied to the practical design situation. The
maximum value of K is also limited to 0.75, 0.8 and 0.7 for
rectangular, T-shaped, and inverted T-shaped section, respectively.
As shown in Figs. 12(a), (b), and (c), there are some regions, in
which the proposed equation is greater than the minimum
envelope curves at very low and large eccentricity ratios. This
can be overcome by attaining a sufficient margin of safety with
the self-weight moment load factor (κ) and strength resistance
factor (φ) which were introduced when calculating f ci′ in the
analysis procedures based on SDM. Fig. 12 also shows the
existing design code provisions by section shape for comparison
with the proposed equation. When these provisions are evaluated
based on the proposed equation derived from the SDM, they
(ACI, 2008; AASHTO, 2004; CSA, 2004; KCI, 2007; CEN,
2002; AIJ, 1998) tend to evaluate the allowable transfer stress
coefficient (K) of pretensioned members as unconservative when
e/h is small, or as extremely conservative when e/h is large.
6. Verification of Proposed Allowable Compres-
sive Stress Coefficient at Prestress Transfer
The estimated results according to Eq. (16) proposed in this
study are compared to test results from Castro et al. (2004) to
verify the proposed equation. Fig. 13 shows the comparison
between the proposed equation and test results separately by
section shape, and Table 4 shows the details of these specimens.
The design for bursting and spalling forces at the end of the
members was done properly in all specimens; however the
bursting reinforcement was not provided in the specimen R2-75-2.
In the rectangular section shown in Fig. 13(a), the compressive
KSCE Journal of Civil Engineering
 Investigation on Allowable Compressive Stresses in Pretensioned Concrete Members at Transfer

Table 4. Details of Specimens used for Verifications (Castro et al.,

2004)

Specimen e/h
Kf ′ci f ci′ Top bonded Test
(MPa) (MPa)† reinforcement results††
R2-75-2 0.070 0.65 f ci ′
32.5 No B
R3-76-3 0.194 0.75 f ci′ 28.0 No N
R3-82-3 0.222 0.78 f ci′ 28.0 No C
R3-76-4 0.194 0.78 f ci′ 26.2 No N
R3-82-4 0.222 0.83 f ci′ 26.2 No C
R3-76-5 0.193 0.75 f ci′ 27.9 No N
R3-82-5 0.220 0.8 f ci′ 27.9 No C
T1-74-2 0.357 0.68 f ci′ 29.1 No N
T1-82-2 0.393 0.62 f ci′ 29.1 No N
T2-76-3. 0.292 0.79 f ci′ 27.2 No N
T2-85-3 0.340 0.86 f ci′ 27.2 No N
T2-76-4 0.292 0.81 f ci′ 26.2 No N
T2-85-4 0.340 0.85 f ci′ 26.2 No N
T2-76-5 0.297 0.91 f ci′ 23.9 No N
T2-85-5 0.341 1.0 f ci′ 23.9 No N
IT1-76-2 0.174 0.68 f ci′ 26.3 No N
IT1-84-2 0.209 0.73 f ci′ 26.3 No C
IT3-85-3 0.193 0.79 f ci′ 29.8 Yes C
IT2-85-3 0.193 0.76 f ci′ 28.0 No C
IT3-85-4 0.193 0.83 f ci′ 26.2 Yes C
IT2-85-4 0.193 0.83 f ci′ 26.2 No C
IT3-85-5 0.194 0.79 f ci′ 27.9 Yes C
IT2-85-5 0.193 0.8 f ci′ 27.9 No C
†
Compressive strength of concrete at release
‡
C : cracking at top fiber of critical section
N : crack is not observed
B : bursting cracking

showed tensile cracks at the end region of the specimens

Fig. 12. Analysis Results and the Simplified Equations for K Coeffi-
cients: (a) Rectangular Section, (b) Tee Section, (c)
Inverted Tee Section
strength of concrete at the time of prestressing ( f ci′ ) ranged
between 26.2 MPa and 32.5 MPa, and the minimum and
maximum introduced compressive stresses in the specimens with
rectangular sections were 0.65 f ′ci and 0.83 f ′ci , respectively. The
maximum introduced stress in this experimental program was
about 18% larger than the limit stress specified in ACI318-08
(2008). In R2-75-2, which has no bursting and spalling
reinforcement with a very low eccentricity ratio (e/h), multiple
bursting cracks occurred at the end of the pretension member
immediately after the release of prestressing forces. No crack or
damage was observed after the transfer in R3-76-3, R3-76-4 and
R3-76-5 specimens, which had e/h values of 0.194. Conversely,
R3-82-3, R3-82-4, and R3-82-5, which had e/h values over 0.2,
immediately after transfer. The R3-82 series, whose level of
introduced prestress is similar to that of R3-76 but whose e/h is
greater than that of R3-76, also showed tensile cracks, which
indicates the significant effect of e/h on the determination of the
allowable compressive stress of pretensioned member at transfer.
Furthermore, KCI-07 (2007), AASHTO-LRFD (2004), and
CSA-04 (2004) showed considerably conservative results, and the
revised ACI318-08 (2008) showed a relatively accurate K for the
cases with high eccentricity ratios. Under low e/h, however,
ACI318-08 (2008) overestimated the allowable releasing stress of
the R2-75-2 specimen without bursting reinforcement. Conversely,
the proposed equation accurately evaluated the allowable
compressive stress of the specimens without bursting reinforcement;
even when e/h was over 0.15, it provided accurate estimation of
the allowable compressive stress of the specimens in which
tensile cracks occurred. However, there were limited test results
with a low eccentricity ratio (e/h) in literature; thus, additional
test verifications are still required.
Figure 13(b) shows the comparison between the test results
and the proposed equation for T-shaped pretensioned members.
The compressive strengths of concrete at release ( f ci′ ) were
between 23.9 MPa and 29.1 MPa, the eccentricity ratios (e/h)

Vol. 17, No. 5 / July 2013 − 1095 −

 Jeong Yeon Lee, Deuck Hang Lee, Jin-Ha Hwang, Min-Kook Park, Heung-Youl Kim, and Kang Su Kim
Fig. 13. Verifications of Proposed Equations by Comparison with
Existing Test Results: (a) Rectangular Section, (b) Tee
Section, (c) Inverted Tee Section
were between 0.292 and 0.393, and the minimum and maximum
introduced compressive stresses were 0.62 f ci′ and 1.0 f ci′ ,
respectively. None of the T-shaped specimens showed any damage
or cracks. In other words, this shows not only that the allowable
compressive stress at transfer ( Kf ′ci ) of the T-shaped section is
higher than that of the rectangular section, but also that the
proposed equation can rationally estimate Kf ′ci of such T-shaped
sections. However, it was appeared that KCI-07 (2007),
AASHTO-LRFD (2004) and CSA-04 (2004) limit the allowable
compressive stress at transfer of T-shaped pretension members in
an excessively conservative manner, while ACI318-08 (2008)
and CEN (2002) estimated the allowable compressive stress
closer to the actual value than KCI-07 (2007), AASHTO-LRFD
− 1096 −
(2004), and CSA-04 (2004). However, there was no test result on
T-shaped specimens with a low eccentricity ratio; thus the
validity of the proposed equation needs to be further examined.
Figure 13(c) shows the comparison between the test results of
inverted T-shaped pretensioned members and the evaluation
results of the proposed equation. The compressive strengths of
concrete at transfer ( f ci′ ) were between 26.3 MPa and 29.8 MPa,
and the eccentricity ratios (e/h) were between 0.174 and 0.194.
The minimum and maximum released compressive stresses were
0.68 f ci′ and 0.83 f ci′ , respectively. All specimens showed cracks
in the tensile region at end of the member except for IT1-76-2,
which were accurately estimated by the proposed equation.
However, as shown in Fig. 13(c), cracks occurred in IT1-84-2
even though its K value was lower than the minimum envelope
curve estimated by SDM. This is because IT1-84-2 specimen did
not have the bonded tension reinforcement. In other words, this
is because the maximum and minimum envelope curves shown
in Fig. 13(c) were determined from analysis results of the
sections with the bonded tension reinforcement when it is
required by design codes for crack control. If IT1-84-2 without
bonded reinforcement is estimated by SDM, its K value becomes
0.71 f ci′ , which is lower than test value of 0.73 f ci′ .
Test results showed that the proposed equation (Eq. 16) as well
as ACI318-08 (2008) and CEN (2002) accurately evaluated the
allowable releasing compressive stress of the inverted T-shaped
specimens, in which some damages were observed after transfer.
It also showed that, as with the T-shaped section members, the
code provisions in AASHTO-LRFD (2004), CSA-04 (2004),
and KCI-07 (2007) limit the allowable compressive stress of
pretensioned members with inverted T-shaped sections in an
excessively conservative manner. Test results of the inverted T-
shaped specimens with a low eccentricity ratio were very limited
in literature; therefore, further validation of the proposed
equation is still required for the inverted T-shaped section.
Even though the highest level of prestress, 1.0 f ci′ , was
introduced in T2-85-5 with the T-shaped section, no damage had
been reported. Moreover, although both rectangular-shaped R3-
76-3 and inverted T-shaped IT2-85-3 specimens had identical e/h
value of about 0.193 and introduced compressive stress level of
about 0.75 f ci′ , only IT2-85-3 showed tensile cracks. This result
implies that K of T-shaped specimens should be set to the highest
value, whereas K of inverted T-shaped specimens should be set
to the lowest value. It is considered that the proposed equation in
this study estimates the allowable releasing compressive stress of
specimens accurately with rational consideration of the eccentricity
ratio and section shape.
7. Conclusions
In this study, extensive analyses considering the eccentricity
ratio (e/h), section shape, section size, and prestress and self-
weight moment as the key parameters, was performed to
determine the allowable compressive stress of pretensioned
members at prestress transfer. It was confirmed that the section
KSCE Journal of Civil Engineering
 Investigation on Allowable Compressive Stresses in Pretensioned Concrete Members at Transfer
shape and the eccentricity ratio (e/h) are the most influential
factors in determination of the allowable compressive stress
coefficient (K) of the pretensioned members at prestress release.
Based on the analysis results, a unified equation for the
allowable compressive stress coefficient, which reflects the
section shape and the eccentricity ratio (e/h), was proposed and
verified by comparing it to test results. Finally, the following
conclusions were made:
1. In all three section shapes considered in this research, the
allowable compressive stress coefficient at transfer (K) was
affected significantly by the eccentricity ratio (e/h), which
means that e/h is the most influential factor in determining K.
2. While the section size (Ag), the average compressive stress
(fave), and the magnitude of the self-weight moment (Mg)
also affected the determination of K of pretensioned
members, they were relatively less influential than eccentricity
ration (e/h).
3. In regions of low eccentricity ratios in which bonded
reinforcement was not required, K increased as the average
introduced compressive stress (fave) increased in all three
section shapes. However, K decreased as fave increased in
regions of high eccentricity ratios with bonded reinforcement.
4. For e/h without bonded reinforcement, K decreased as Mg
increased in the rectangular, T-shaped, and inverted T-
shaped sections, whereas for e/h with the bonded reinforcement,
K increased as Mg increased.
5. Based on the minimum and maximum envelope curves of
analysis results using the SDM, this study proposed an
equation for the allowable compressive stress coefficient at
transfer (K) as a function of e/h, and its maximum values
were limited to 0.75 for the rectangular section, 0.8 for the
T-shaped section, and 0.7 for the inverted T-shaped section.
6. Validations of the proposed equation by comparing the
existing test results showed that the proposed equation more
properly estimated the allowable compressive stress of the
specimens at release compared to existing models.
Acknowledgements
This work was supported by the Korea Research Foundation
Grant funded by the Korean Government (MOEHRD, General
Research Promotion Fund) (KRF-2010-0003728).
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