Structural and Construction Systems VI

Unit II
Prestressed Concrete
Introduction
 A pre-stressed concrete structure is different from a
conventional reinforced concrete structure due to the
application of an initial load on the structure prior to its
use.
 The initial load or ‘pre-stress’ is applied to enable the
structure to counteract the stresses arising during its
service period.
 Pre-stressing is a technique of introducing stresses of
predetermined magnitude into a structural member to
improve its behavior

The metal bands induce a
state of initial hoop
compression, to counteract the
hoop tension caused by filling
of liquid in the barrels.
The pre-tension of a
spoke in a bicycle wheel
is applied to such an
extent that there will
always be a residual
tension in the spoke.
Necessity of Pre-stressing in Concrete
▪ The tensile strength of concrete is only about 8% to 14%
of its compressive strength.
▪ Cracks tend to develop at early stages of loading in
flexural members such as beams and slabs. To prevent such
cracks, compressive force can be suitably applied in the
perpendicular direction.
▪ Pre-stressing enhances the bending, shear and torsional
capacities of the flexural members.
▪ In pipes and liquid storage tanks, the hoop tensile stresses
can be effectively counteracted by circular pre-stressing.
Development of Building Materials
 Purpose of pre-stressing:
1. To eliminate cracking in reinforced concrete.
2. To reduce deflections.
3. To increase shear strength.
 Methods of pre-stressing:
1. Post-tensioning -By tensioned wires fixed at their ends
2. Pre-tensioning - By tensioned wires gripped by the
concrete
3. External pre-stressing - By applying an external load
Behaviour of Pre-stressed Beam
Behaviour of RC Beam and Pre-stressed
Beam
Advantages of Pre-stressing
 The pre-stressing of concrete has several advantages
as compared to traditional reinforced concrete (RC)
without pre-stressing. A fully pre-stressed concrete
member is usually subjected to compression during
service life. This rectifies several deficiencies of
concrete.
1) Section remains uncracked under service loads
2) High span-to-depth ratios.
3) Suitable for precast construction
Materials for Pre-stressed Concrete

➢ High strength steel

• High tensile steel bar conforming to IS:
2090- 1962
➢ High strength concrete:
• According to IS 1343-1980 ;
For pre-tensioned pre-stressed
concrete, the grade of concrete shall
be not less than M 40
Pre-tensioning Systems and Devices
 In pre-tensioning system, the high-strength steel tendons
are pulled between two end abutments (also called
bulkheads) prior to the casting of concrete. The abutments
are fixed at the ends of a pre-stressing bed.
 The various stages of the pre-tensioning operation are
summarised as follows.
▪ Anchoring of tendons against the end abutments
▪ Placing of jacks
▪ Applying tension to the tendons
▪ Casting of concrete
▪ Cutting of the tendons
Stages of pre-tensioning
Advantages
The relative advantages of pre-tensioning as
compared to post-tensioning are as follows.
• Pre-tensioning is suitable for precast members
produced in bulk.
• In pre-tensioning large anchorage device is not
present.
Disadvantages
• A pre-stressing bed is required for the pre-
tensioning operation.
• There is a waiting period in the pre-stressing
bed, before the concrete attains sufficient
strength.
• There should be good bond between
concrete and steel over the transmission
length.
Devices : Pre-tensioning
The essential devices for pre-tensioning are
• Pre-stressing bed
• End abutments
• Shuttering / mould
• Jack
• Anchoring device
• Harping device (optional)
Pre-stressing Bed, End Abutments and Mould

• The basic system is the Hoyer system

Pre-stressing Bed, End Abutments and Mould

• The system is the Hoyer system. It is also called the Long Line
Method.
• Generally used for mass production.
• End abutments are kept sufficient distance apart, and several
members are cast in a single line
• End abutments have to be sufficiently stiff and should have have
good foundations
 Jacks
• The jacks are used to
apply tension to the
tendons
• Hydraulic jacks are
commonly used.
• These jacks work on oil
pressure generated by
a pump
• The principle behind the design of jacks is Pascal’s law
 Anchoring Devices
• Anchoring devices are often made on the wedge and
friction principle.
• In pre-tensioned members, the tendons are to be held
in tension during the casting and hardening of
concrete.
• Simple and cheap
quick-release
grips are
generally
adopted.
 Harping Devices

• The tendons are frequently bent, except in cases of slabs-

on-grade, poles, piles etc.
• The tendons are bent (harped) in between the supports
with a shallow sag.
• The tendons are harped using special hold-down.
• Hold-down anchor
for harping of
tendons
 Post-tensioning Systems

• The ducts for the tendons (or strands) are placed along with the
reinforcement before the casting of concrete.
• The tendons are placed in the ducts after the casting of concrete.
• The duct prevents contact between concrete and the tendons during
the tensioning operation.
• Unlike pre-tensioning, the tendons are pulled with the reaction acting
against the hardened concrete
The various stages of the Post-Tensioning
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.
 Advantages of Post-tensioning
• Post-tensioning is suitable for heavy cast-in-place
members.
• The waiting period in the casting bed is less.
• The transfer of pre-stress is independent of transmission
length.
➢ The relative Disadvantage of post-tensioning as
compared to pre-tensioning is
• Requirement of anchorage device and
grouting equipment.
Devices

The essential devices for post-tensioning are

1) Casting bed
2) Mould/Shuttering
3) Ducts
4) Anchoring devices
5) Jacks
6) Grouting equipment (optional).
Casting Bed, Mould and Ducts

Anchoring Devices
In post-tensioned members the anchoring devices transfer the pre-
stress to the concrete. The devices are based on the following
principles of anchoring the tendons.
1) Wedge action
2) Direct bearing
3) Looping the wires
Wedge action
• The anchoring device based on wedge action consists
of an anchorage block and wedges.
• The strands are held by frictional grip of the wedges in
the anchorage block.
 Direct bearing
• The rivet or bolt heads or button heads formed at
the end of the wires directly bear against a block.

• The BBRV post-

tensioning system
and the Prescon
system are based
on this principle.
Sequence of Anchoring
Final form of an anchoring
device
 Grouting
• Grouting can be defined as
the filling of duct, with a
material that provides an anti-
corrosive alkaline environment
to the pre-stressing steel and
also a strong bond between
the tendon and the surrounding
grout.
• The major part of grout comprises of water and cement, with a
water-to-cement ratio of about 0.5, together with some water-
reducing admixtures, expansion agent and pozzolans.
EXAMPLES