PRE-STRESSED CONCRETE

Although prestressed concrete was patented by a San Francisco engineer in 1886, it did not
emerge as an accepted building material until a half-century later. The shortage of steel in Europe after
World War II coupled with technological advancements in high-strength concrete and steel made
prestressed concrete the building material of choice during European post-war reconstruction. North
America's first prestressed concrete structure, the Walnut Lane Memorial Bridge in Philadelphia,
Pennsylvania, however, was not completed until 1951.
Untitled-1In conventional reinforced concrete, the
high tensile strength of steel is combined with concrete's great
compressive strength to form a structural material that is strong in both compression and tension. The
principle behind prestressed concrete is that compressive stresses induced by high-strength steel
tendons in a concrete member before loads are applied will balance the tensile stresses imposed in the
member during service.

Prestressing removes a number of design limitations conventional concrete places on span and load
and permits the building of roofs, floors, bridges, and walls with longer unsupported spans. This
allows architects and engineers to design and build lighter and shallower concrete structures without sacrificing strength. Prestressed
concrete is structural concrete in which internal stresses have been introduced to reduce potential tensile stresses in the concrete resulting
from loads. This introduction of internal stresses is called “prestressing” and is usually accomplished through the use of tendons that are
tensioned or pulled tight prior to being anchored to the concrete. Common pretensioned members in buildings and parking garages include
hollow core sections and double-tee sections.
DIFFERENCE BETWEEN PRE-TENSIONING AND POST-TENSIONING

Pre-Tensioning Post-Tensioning

1 Pre-tensioning is done in the factories thus suitable for precast
construction works
2 In this type of concrete, the pre-stressing cables called the
strands are tensioned before casting the concrete and then
concrete is casted enclosing the tensioned cables.
3 Small sections are to be constructed
4 Loss of prestressing isn’t less (about 18 %)
5 In this method, similar prestressed members are prepared.
6 Pre-tensioning members are produced in a mold.
7 In this method, the concrete is prestressed with tendons before
it is placing in position
8 This method is developed due to the bonding between the
concrete and steel tendons.
9 Pre-tensioning is preferred when the structural element is small
and easy to transport.
10 It is cheaper because the cost of sheathing is not involved
11 It is more reliable and durable
EXAMPLES
PRE-TENSIONING – TAZ Publishing House in Germany
POST-TENSIONING - Qatar National Convention Centre
Post-tensioning can be done in factories as well as on the site
In this type of concrete, the strands are enclosed within a duct in
the form and then concrete is casted. The process of tensioning
the strands is carried out after the concrete attains its sufficient
strength.
Size of a member is not restricted, long span bridges are
constructed by post-tensioning
Loss of prestressing isn’t more (about 15 %)
In this method, products are changed according to a structure.
Cables are used in place of wires and jacks are used for
stretching.
In this method prestressing is done after the concrete attains
sufficient strength.
This method is developed due to bearing.
Post-tensioning is preferred when the structural element is
heavy.
It is costlier because of use of sheathing
The durability depends upon the two-anchorage mechanism
REFERENCES
https://www.cement.org/cement-concrete/products/prestressed-
concrete
https://www.designingbuildings.co.uk/wiki/Prestressed_concrete
https://www.civillead.com/prestressed-concrete/
https://civiljungle.com/difference-between-pre-tensioning-and-
post-tensioning/
https://www.constructionweekonline.com/business/article-
32762-wired-for-strength
https://structurae.net/en/structures/taz-publishing-house