Fabrication of post-tensioning tendons

and conventional reinforcement in beam-

and-column intersection. Detailing for
locations such as this must be done
carefully to control congestion of steel
and avoid conflicts in location.

Details and and comply with the Specifications and Drawings pre -
pared by him.
Once the submission is given to him, the Engineer

shop drawings for approves or disapproves of it to the extent that it is or

is not responsive to the data given in the contract doc -
uments. The Owner and the Contractor are entitled to
post-tensioned rely upon the Engineer approving or disapproving
these submissions.
These quotations are presented to emphasize the im-
buildings portance of detailing and shop drawings in the con-
struction process as well as to suggest the fundamental
responsibilities of the design engineer. While post-ten-
A s is common in other types of construction, details
for post-tensioned buildings are first developed by
the design engineer or architect. Following award of the
sioning materials fabricators do routinely review pro-
jects from an engineering perspective in development of
shop drawings, their awareness of the intent of the de-
contract more specific detail drawings, called shop
sign engineer is usually limited to the information com-
d ra w i n g s, are developed by the post-tensioning sub-
contractor as well as by the subcontractors for the oth-
er materials to be embedded in the project. The shop
drawings for post-tensioning materials are normally
p re p a red in much more detail than the design draw-
ings and are submitted for review and approval by the
design professional before fabrication of tendons is ini-
tiated.

Designer’s responsibility
Where construction difficulties, problems or acci-
dents develop on a project, litigation may develop rela-
tive to liability for financial losses. Such litigation some-
times questions whether the material supplied in
accordance with approved shop drawings conforms to
the design concept of the project and complies with the
project specifications and drawings as prepared by the
design engineer. The National Society of Professional
Engineers in 1974 took the following position relative to
the engineer’s responsibility in such a case:
In approving Shop Drawings, catalog data, sched -
ules and samples, the Engineer should indicate that Typical details for tendon anchorage installation at corner
these items conform to the design concept of the Project column of waffle slab structure.
municated by the design drawings and contract docu-
ments. The post-tensioning subcontractor normally
does not have design calculations or other information
on the project necessary for complete determination of
s t ru c t u ral adequacy. For these reasons, the post-ten-
sioning subcontractor as well as the general contractor
must rely on the engineer to determine that the infor-
mation submitted on the shop drawings is structurally
adequate and responsive to the intent of the contract
documents.
Beam-column intersection showing reinforcement location
relative to tendon anchorage. Note that bundled bars have
been selected to help reduce congestion at this
intersection.
Conflict with services
Details of the post-tensioning tendons, nonpre-
stressed reinforcement, under-floor ducting for electri-
cal or telephone services and any other embedded items
must be reviewed for conflicts during the detailing stage.
It often develops that final details for these different ma-
terials are shown on separate shop drawings produced
by different subcontractors, and that these drawings
show two or more items occupying the same space. The
ultimate responsibility for eliminating such conflicts be-
tween shop drawings is considered to rest with the engi-
neer, architect or other agency responsible for construc-
tion supervision. In most cases details can be rather
easily adjusted at the shop drawing stage to accommo-
date all embedded items. When conflicts do arise during
the development of shop drawings, or during construc-
tion, preferential consideration should be given to the
primary structural system which normally includes the
post-tensioning tendons.
The Post-Tensioning Manual shows examples of de-
sign detailing practices for buildings, including typical
one-way slabs and supporting beams, one-way and two-
way joist floors, two-way flat plates, and flat plates with
drop panels. Detailing of beam-column intersections
must be carefully developed to avoid undue congestion
or conflicts between the post-tensioning system and the
main column reinforcement. Also, adequate clearance
must be provided to permit access by stressing equip-
ment. Stressing equipment clearance requirements for
various tendon sizes are provided by suppliers, and a
number of typical details for the different post-tension-
ing systems are available in the Post-Tensioning Manual.
Detailing of anchorage zones
Design and detailing of the concrete member and re-
inforcement in the area of tendon anchorages requires
special attention. These matters are not generally under
control of the builder, although his work may be seri-
ously affected by them. Reinforcement details in an-
chorage zone areas should be reviewed to assure that
sufficient space is provided to permit careful placement
and vibration of concrete behind anchorage plates.
Voids or honeycombing behind anchor plates resulting
from overly congested reinforcement, or lack of vibra-
tion, can result in movement of the anchor plate into the
member at the time of stressing. This in turn could cause
a more serious failure, or, at a minimum, necessitate re-
pair and delay in construction.
Acknowledgment
Information and illustrations in this article were taken from
the Post-Tensioning Manual with permission of the publish-
er, the Post-Tensioning Institute. The manual is available
from PTI, 301 W. Osborn, Phoenix, Arizona 85013 or from
Concrete Construction Publications, Inc., 426 South West-
gate, Addison, Illinois 60101.
PUBLICATION #C830327
Copyright © 1983, The Aberdeen Group
All rights reserved