THEORY OF STRUCTURE

POST-TENSIONED SLABS

Submitted To: Submitted By:

Er. Kavita Revo Yash Sharma
Abhishek Aggarwal
Puru Vashistha
Priyanka Kashyap
Post-tensioned (PT) slabs
Post-tensioned (PT) slabs are typically flat slabs, band beam and slabs or
ribbed slabs. PT slabs offer the thinnest slab type, as concrete is worked to its
strengths, mostly being kept in compression. Longer spans can be achieved
due to pre stress, which can be used to counteract deflections
Post-tensioned slabs use high strength tensioned steel strands to compress
the slabs, keeping the majority of the concrete in compression. This gives a
very efficient structure which minimizes material usages and decreases the
economic span range when compared to reinforced concrete.

Post-tensioning is a method of reinforcing concrete or other

construction materials with high-strength steel strands/wires/cables generally
known as tendons. In post tensioning, the tension is applied to the tendons
after hardening of the concrete or other materials.
Considerations
Building an enduring post-tensioned structure requires care to ensure that the same forces that hold it together do not cause it to age prematurely.
Properly implemented, post-tensioned construction can be a cost-effective way to build flexible, useful design

Process of Post-tensioning
The various stages of the post-tensioning operation
are summarised as follows.
1) Casting of concrete.
2) Placement of the tendons.
3) Placement of the anchorage block and jack.
4) Applying tension to the tendons.
5) Seating of the wedges.
6) Cutting of the tendons.

Component of Post-tensioning
The various components of the post-tensioning
operation are summarised as follows.
A) Formwork
B) Concrete
C) Strands
D) Tendons
E) Ducts
F) Anchorages
G) Wedges
IS CODES 1343 AND IS CODE 6461
Slab profile where you can see the draping of the tendons. By draping the tendons you maximize the strength of the
post tension slab.
Arrangements of Post-Tensioned Precast Frames
Partly Precast Frame Partly Precast Frame: Section through Beam

Alternating Tendon Arrangement

with Stressing Pocket

Details of Connections between Post-Tensioned

Slabs and Previously Cast Walls or Edge Beams
Details of Wall Panel

(b) Vertical Joint

Vertical joint with overlapping
hair pins and a vertical reinforcing Restraint-Free Slab-
bar, filled with grout or insitu concrete to-Wall Connections
Expansion Joint
Details
 Advantages
Post-tensioning can give architects greater freedom to create large open spaces between support columns. It also can mean thinner concrete slabs, less
structural weight and greater floor-to-ceiling heights or shallower excavations. It can cut costs and save construction time.

Disadvantages
If post-tensioned concrete isn't built exactly as it was designed, it can be pulled apart by internal stresses. Exposure to moisture during construction can cause
internal deterioration over time, too. These problems can be hard to spot and difficult to repair.

Benefits
The advantages of prestressed concrete include crack control and lower construction costs; thinner slabs
- especially important in high rise buildings in which floor thickness savings can translate into additional
floors for the same (or lower) cost and fewer joints, since the distance that can be spanned by
post-tensioned slabs exceeds that of reinforced constructions with the same thickness. Increasing span
lengths increases the usable unencumbered floor space in buildings; diminishing the number of joints
leads to lower maintenance costs over the design life of a building, since joints are the major focus of
weakness in concrete buildings.
Benefits
In slabs two categories of pt systems are used :

• Fire resistance
• Reduced material use
• Sound control
• Robustness
• Thermal mass
• Minimal deliveries
• Longer Spans Un -Bonded Bonded
• Flat Soffits
• Flexibility of Layout & system system
Services
• Deflection & Crack Control
• Thinner Slabs
• Reduced Storey Height
• Lighter Structure
• Fast Construction
• Cost Saving

IS CODES 1343 AND IS CODE 6461

 Unbonded Tendons
Plastic sheeting Unbonded post-tensioned concrete differs from bonded post-tensioning by providing
each individual cable permanent freedom of movement relative to the concrete. To
achieve this, each individual tendon is coated with a grease (generally lithium based)
and covered by a plastic sheathing formed in an extrusion process. The transfer of
tension to the concrete is achieved by the steel cable acting against steel anchors
embedded in the perimeter of the slab. The main disadvantage over bonded
post-tensioning is the fact that a cable can destress itself and burst out of the slab if
Corrosive
Inhibiting coating damaged (such as during repair on the slab).

Strand

Flat corrugated duct Strand position in a circular duct

 
 
 
Un-bonded post-tensioned system varies from bonded
post-tensioning system by providing each individual cable coated
with grease (generally lithium based) and covered by a plastic
sheathing, after concreting the stressing is processed.
when concreting is done using ducts for the tendons, then
tendons doesn't comes in contact with concrete, and hence no
bonds formed. All the forces transferred to the concrete by end
blocks.
Advantage
• Reduces friction losses • Single strand coated with corrosion
inhibiting grease and encased in
• Grouting not required polyethylene sheathing
• Smaller diameter • PT force is transferred to the concrete
• Provides greater lever arm by the anchors provided at the ends
• Simplifies prefabrications of tendons
• Faster Construction
The advantages of this system over bonded post-tensioning are:
•The ability to individually adjust cables based on poor field conditions (For example:
shifting a group of 4 cables around an opening by placing 2 to either side).
•The procedure of post-stress grouting is eliminated.
•The ability to de-stress the tendons before attempting repair work.
Bonded Tendons
When bonded prestressing steel is cut it behaves similar to rebar in that the loss of force is
localized. These systems are used in a variety of applications, including parking deck slabs to
enhance long-term durability, transfer slabs, containment structures, and bridge decks

Bonded post-tensioned concrete is the descriptive term for a method of applying

compression after pouring concrete and the curing process (in situ). The concrete is cast
around plastic, steel or aluminum curved duct, to follow the area where otherwise tension
would occur in the concrete element..

Advantage
 
• Large reduction in conventional reinforcement.
• Tendons cannot distress in accidents.
• Tendons can be easily 'introduced' allowing a more efficient design approach.
• Bond generated b/w the strand and concrete leads higher ultimate stress.
• No issues with maintaining the integrity of the anchor/dead end.

the advantages of this system over unbonded post-tensioning are:

Bonded system tendon detail for beams &
slabs
• Bond is achieved throughout the length of the tendon by a
cementitious matrix called grout
• PT force along the tendon is a function of the deformation
of the Concrete
•Large reduction in traditional reinforcement requirements as tendons cannot
destress in accidents.
•Tendons can be easily "woven" allowing a more efficient design approach.
•Higher ultimate strength due to bond generated between the strand and concrete.
•No long term issues with maintaining the integrity of the anchor/dead end.
Post tensioning over pre-tensioning
Concept
In the case of pre-tensioning, the prestressing cables also called as strands are tensioned before casting the concrete. Latter concrete is cast enclosing the
tensioned cables, so in this method, we can say first tensioning and then casting.
Whereas in case of post-tensioning the strands are enclosed within a duct and then concrete is cast. The process of tensioning the strands is carried out
after the concrete attains its sufficient strength so in this method we can say first casting and then tensioning.

Size limitations
In case of pre-tensioning, the size of the sections is limited due to transportation restrictions and also due to the availability of cranes capable of lifting the
sections into place.
Whereas in the case of post-tensioning the size of the member is not restricted. long-span bridges can be constructed with the help of this method.
Members
In case of pre-tensioning similar prestressed members are prepared in a factory if the size variation happens then we have to manufacture a separate
mould of that size, whereas post-tensioning can be done at site hence products are changed according to a structure.

Suitability
Pre-tensioning is suitable for small structural elements which are easy to transport, whereas post-tensioning is preferred when the structural element is
heavy.
Durability
Pre-tensioning is more reliable and durable as compared to post-tensioning, whereas in the case of post-tensioning the durability depends upon the two
anchorage mechanisms.
Loss in prestress
While tensioning the cables the cable gets contracted due to several causes which affects the reduction in pre-stress this reduction in prestressing force is
called as loss in prestress. In the case of pre-tensioning, the loss of prestressing is not less than 18 %, whereas in the case of post-tensioning the loss of
prestressing is not more than fifteen per cent.

Cost
Pre-tensioning is cheaper because the cost of sheathing is not involved in this method, whereas post-tensioning is costlier because of the use of
sheathing.
Applications
Prestressed concrete is the main material for floors in high-rise buildings and the entire containment vessels of nuclear reactors.
Unbonded post-tensioning tendons are commonly used in parking garages as barrier cable. Also, due to its ability to be stressed and then
de-stressed, it can be used to temporarily repair a damaged building by holding up a damaged wall or floor until permanent repairs can be made.

Prestressing can also be accomplished on circular concrete pipes used for water transmission. High tensile strength steel wire is helically-wrapped
around the outside of the pipe under controlled tension and spacing which induces a circumferential compressive stress in the core concrete. This
enables the pipe to handle high internal pressures and the effects of external earth and traffic loads.

Application of Post tensioning

Buildings used post tensioning

● Fire resistance
● Reduced material use
● Sound control
● Robustness
● Thermal mass
● Minimal deliveries
● Longer Spans
● Flat Soffits
ITPL- Bangalore Marathon-Futurex-Mumbai
● Flexibility of Layout &
Services
● Deflection & Crack Control
● Thinner Slabs
● Reduced Storey Height
● Lighter Structure
● Fast Construction
● Cost Saving

WTT- Delhi Shangrila-Bangalore One Horizon Centre- Delhi

 CASE STUDY One Museum Park West
The 55-story high-rise condominium tower was originally designed with an 8 in. (203 mm) thick
concrete flat plate using reinforcing bar. A multitude of very deep transfer girders on the sixth floor
were also designed without post-tensioning (PT). Because the project was over budget, the concrete
and forming contractor requested that the PT supplier conduct a Value Engineering Analysis (VEA) to
reduce the cost of the structure, though there were some concerns by a few members of the
construction team about using PT in a floor system with a complex, irregular shape
Two value-engineered options were presented to the construction team:
1. Option A:
(a) Retain all the interior columns.
(b)Use a 6 in. (152 mm) thick flat plate slab with PT.
(c) Use PT in the transfer girders.
2. Option B:
(a) Retain the 8 in. (203 mm) slab thickness but with an unbonded PT system.
(b) Delete some transfer girders.
(c) Delete some interior columns.
(d) Use PT in the transfer girders.
(e) Reduce the depth of the transfer girders. In Option A, the transfer girder depths would decrease due
to the reduction in dead load resulting from the use of thinner slabs.

The main disadvantage in this option was that a 7.5 in. (191 mm) slab would still be required for plumbing in the bathrooms per code requirements of the
city of Chicago. Accordingly, this would have increased the forming costs. Ultimately, the Owner chose Option B, based on the enhanced value (described in
the following) and the reduction in the overall cost. Even though it used more concrete and had a taller building height than Option A, Option B had less
concrete and building height than the original design. Initially, the decision was to use PT in all floors; but in the end, PT was only used in the sixth floor
(transfer floor) to roof level due to the construction schedule of the first five floors. To meet the construction schedule deadlines, a consulting structural
engineering company was hired to design the structural floor system in partnership with the PT supplier. Together, they ensured that the quantities of the PT
and reinforcing bar materials were in compliance with the initial VEA. This alternate structural design was incorporated into the Structural Engineer of
Record’s design documents. The 8 in. (203 mm) thick flat plate floor had banded tendons in the east-west direction and the uniform Fig. 1—One Museum
Park West, Chicago, IL.
CASE STUDY One Museum Park West

The concrete contractor indicated that the value engineering resulted in a savings of $4
million due to the items listed as follows:
● Reduction in the number of columns, which reduced the concrete, reinforcing bar,
and forming costs.
● Deletion of several transfer girders.
● Reduction of the depth of remaining transfer girders.
● Reduction of the reinforcing bar in slabs.
● Reduction of the number of caissons, though the size of the remaining caissons did
increase.
● Reduction of building height due to the reduction of transfer girder depths.
● As a result, there were cost savings in the shear walls, curtain walls, elevator, and
vertical mechanical/electrical/ plumbing and piping/conduit.