DESIGN FOR

SERVICEABILITY
Minimum section
Prestress Force

WEEK 5: DESIGN FOR SERVICEABILITY 1

LESSON OUTCOMES

At the end of this lecture, students

should be able to:

v Understand the stresses involved in

the prestressed concrete design
v Propose the size of the prestressed
concrete section based on the
minimum section moduli
v Determine the minimum required
prestress force for specified
eccentricity
DESIGN OF PSC MEMBER
• Based on maintaining concrete stresses within
specified limits – at all stages during the service life

• Primary design – based on SLS, considering:

ü Concrete stress limits
ü Acceptable degree of flexural cracking
ü Prevent excessive creep
ü Ensure excessive compression – do not result in longitudinal
and micro cracking
LIMITS IN COMPRESSIVE STRESS based on EC2
i) 0.6 fck under action of characteristic loads
ii) 0.45 fck under action of the quasi-permanent loads

Quasi permanent load = Gk (permanent load) + Pm,t (prestressing load)

+ 𝝍 Qk (proportion of characteristic variable load)
For quasi-permanent loads
LIMITS IN TENSILE STRESSES (EC2)

Limit of tensile stress in concrete:

Condition Assumption
≤ fctm (Table 3.1) Section is designed as uncracked,
gross concrete section resist bending
> fctm Section is designed as cracked section

Permitted cracking in a member depends on:

§ Depends on pre-tensioned or post-tensioned structure

§ Conditions of exposure
§ Nature of loading
Table 3.1: Strength and deformation characteristics for concrete (EC2)
CRACK LIMITS
ü Prestressed member with bonded tendons
- Crack width limited to 0.2 mm under frequent loading
combination
ü In aggressive exposure conditions
- Possibility of decompression under quasi-permanent load may
be considered
ü Precast segments with mortar joints
– cracks not permitted
- Designed to be in compression under all load conditions
ü Minimum amount of bonded reinforcement
- provided to control cracking
- Calculated as the minimum requirement for reinforced
concrete, As,min (with allowance)
CONDITIONS AT TRANSFER STAGE

• Prestress force is higher at transfer than the value in

long-term
• Only subjected to immediate losses
• Represents transitory stage in the member’s life
• Limits should be considered in both compressive and
tensile stresses
• Concrete is relatively immature / not at full strength
(critical stage)stress limit
Compressive Tensile stress limit
0.6 fck (t) 1 N/mm2 for sections designed not
fck (t) = strength of the concrete at to be in tension in service
transfer
CONDITIONS AT TRANSFER STAGE BS EN 1992-1-1:2004
EN 1992-1-1:2004 (E)

5.10.2.2 Limitation of concrete stress BS EN 1992-1-1:2004

EN 1992-1-1:2004 (E)
(1)P Local concrete crushing or splitting at the end of pre- and post-tensioned members shall
be avoided. n
c
f 1 1 for 0 (3.17)
rsity of Teknologi Mara, University of Teknologi Mara, Version correct as of 07/06/2011 02:41, (c) BSI

(2) Local
c cd
concrete crushing
c2
or splittingc behind
c2
post-tensioning anchors should be avoided in
accordance with the relevant European Technical Approval.
c f cd for c2 c cu2 (3.18)
(3) The strength of concrete at application of or transfer of prestress should not be less than
University of Teknologi Mara, University of Teknologi Mara, Version correct as of 07/06/2011 02:41, (c) BSI

where:
the minimum
n value
is the definedaccording
exponent in the relevant European
to Table 3.1 Technical Approval.
c2 is the strain at reaching the maximum strength according to Table 3.1
(4) If prestress
cu2 is the in an individual
ultimate tendon is applied
strain according to Tablein3.1
steps, the required concrete strength may
be reduced. The minimum strength fcm(t) at the time t should be k4 [%] of the required concrete
strength for full prestressing given in the European Technical Approval. Between the minimum
c

strength fand the required concrete strength for full prestressing, the prestress may be
ck

interpolated between k5 [%] and 100% of the full prestressing.

Note: The values of k4 and k5 for use in a Country may be found in its National Annex. The recommended
value for k4 is 50 and for k5 is 30.
fcd
(5) The concrete compressive stress in the structure resulting from the prestressing force and
other loads acting at the time of tensioning or release of prestress, should be limited to:
σc 0,6 fck(t) (5.42)
where fck(t) is the characteristic compressive strength of the concrete at time t when it is
subjected to the prestressing force.
0 c2 cu2 c

For pretensioned
Figure 3.3: elements the stress atdiagram
Parabola-rectangle the time for
of transfer of prestress
concrete may be increased to
under compression.
k6· fck(t), if it can be justified by tests or experience that longitudinal cracking is prevented.
(2) Other simplified stress-strain relationships may be used if equivalent to or more
conservative
Note: Thethan
valuethe
of kone defined in (1), for instance bi-linear according to Figure 3.4
6 for use in a Country may be found in its National Annex. The recommended value is
(compressive
0,7. stress and shortening strain shown as absolute values) with values of c3 and cu3
according to Table 3.1.
If the compressive
c stress permanently exceeds 0,45 fck(t) the non-linearity of creep should be
taken into account.
5.10.2.3
f c k Measurements

(1)P In post-tensioning the prestressing force and the related elongation of the tendon shall be
checked by measurements and the actual losses due to friction shall be controlled.
BASIC EXPRESSIONS IN PSC DESIGN

% '!"# %)
𝑓$ = + − ; 𝑎𝑡 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑡𝑜𝑝 1
& ($ ($
𝑀!"# % '!"# %)
𝑓* = − + ; 𝑎𝑡 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑏𝑜𝑡𝑡𝑜𝑚 2
& (% (%
Based on stress
distribution of the
𝑃 𝑀!+, 𝑃𝑒 section
𝑓$ = + − ; 𝑎𝑡 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑡𝑜𝑝 3
𝐴 𝑧$ 𝑧$
𝑀!+,
𝑃 𝑀!+, 𝑃𝑒
𝑓* = − + ; 𝑎𝑡 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑏𝑜𝑡𝑡𝑜𝑚 4
𝐴 𝑧* 𝑧*

Can be derived based on

the stress block
STILL
REMEMBER???
PRESTRESSED DESIGN REQUIREMENTS
vBased on stress distribution across the concrete section
vUsed together with permissible stresses appropriate for
member

vConditions:

1. Initial transfer of prestress force with the associated loading (usually

just the beam’s self-weight)
2. At service, after prestress losses, with minimum and maximum
characteristic loading
3. At service with the quasi permanent loading (with only a proportion
of charac. variable load).

Ø Loadings: all loads that will be encountered by the member

throughout it design life
Ø Minimum values: governed by the construction techniques used
DESIGN REQUIREMENTS

Ø For beam with cantilever span or continuous beam

ü Consider the loading patterns of the live loads at service
ü To determine the minimum and maximum moments

Ø For single span (simply supported beam)

ü Minimum moment at transfer
ü Maximum moment at service

Condition Compressive stress limit Tensile stress limit

At transfer f’max = 0.6 fck (t) f’min = -1.0 N/mm2

At service fmax = 0.6 fck fmin = 0 N/mm2

DESIGN REQUIREMENTS
w min (self-weight of beam)
Tensile stress
f’t ≥ f’min

P0 P0
Transfer
f’b ≤ f’max
w max (s/weight + external load) Compressive
ft ≤ fmax
stress

KP0 KP0
fb ≥ fmin
Tensile stress
Service

𝑓′!"# , 𝑓′!$%, 𝑓!"# , 𝑓!$% = appropriate permissible stresses at transfer and at service
P0 = prestress force at transfer
K = loss factor (corresponds to the prestress losses)
EQUATIONS FOR SINGLE SPAN BEAM
At transfer

𝑃' 𝑃' 𝑒 𝑀!"#

− + = 𝑓 ) ( ≥ 𝑓′!"# 5
𝐴 𝑧( 𝑧(
𝑃' 𝑃' 𝑒 𝑀!"#
+ − = 𝑓 ) * ≤ 𝑓′!$% 6
𝐴 𝑧* 𝑧*

At service

𝐾𝑃' 𝐾𝑃' 𝑒 𝑀!$%

− + = 𝑓( ≤ 𝑓!$% 7
𝐴 𝑧( 𝑧(

𝐾𝑃' 𝐾𝑃' 𝑒 𝑀!$%

+ − = 𝑓* ≥ 𝑓!"# 8
𝐴 𝑧* 𝑧*

NOTE: The prime sign (‘) is to represent the

stress at transfer
MINIMUM SECTION PROPERTIES
v Combine the two pairs of expressions for top and bottom fibres
5 & 7

Use simultaneous
𝑀!$% − 𝐾𝑀!"# ≤ (𝑓!$% − 𝐾𝑓 ) !"# )𝑧(
equation to drive these
equations
6 & 8

𝑀!$% − 𝐾𝑀!"# ≤ (𝐾𝑓′!$% − 𝑓!"# )𝑧*

Preliminary sizing of PSC beam

𝑀!$% : Service load (imposed & self-weight)
𝑀!$% − 𝐾𝑀!"# 𝑀!"# : Self-weight only
𝑧((!"#) ≥ Note: to cancel out the effect of self-weight
(𝑓!$% − 𝐾𝑓 ) !"# )

𝑀!$% − 𝐾𝑀!"# Satisfactory design:

𝑧*(!"#) ≥
(𝐾𝑓′!$% − 𝑓!"# ) Combination of min section moduli
with shape requirements
*Minimum section moduli
SPAN – DEPTH RATIO
vCannot be categorized on the basis of deflections

o Conservative design for post-tensioned members:

𝑠𝑝𝑎𝑛
𝑠𝑝𝑎𝑛 ≤ 36 𝑚 ℎ= + 0.1
25
𝑠𝑝𝑎𝑛
𝑠𝑝𝑎𝑛 > 36 𝑚 ℎ=
20

o For short span members,

It is possible to use much greater span-depth ratios, although the resulting

prestress force might be higher
o Other factors to be considered:

ü Slenderness ratio of the beams (similar criteria as RC)

ü Possibility of web and flange splitting in flanged members
EXAMPLE 1: SELECTION OF CROSS SECTION
vSelect a rectangular section for a post-tensioned beam to
carry a uniformly distributed load (UDL) of 3 kN/m over a
simply supported span of 10 m.
vThe member is to be designed with a concrete strength class
of C40/50 and is restrained against torsion at the ends and
mid span. Assume 20% loss of prestress.

SOLUTION
1. Calculate the limitation of concrete stresses
At transfer:
𝑓′!$% = 0.6 𝑓-. 𝑡 = 0.6 × 60% 40 = 16 𝑁/𝑚𝑚/
𝑓′!"# = −1.0 𝑁/𝑚𝑚/ Consider at transfer, concrete strength is only 2/3
of fck => approximately 60%
At service:
𝑓!$% = 0.6 𝑓-. = 0.6 40 = 24 𝑁/𝑚𝑚/
𝑓!"# = 0 𝑁/𝑚𝑚/ Assume that the section is in fully in compression
Example 11.2, Mosley et al., 2012
EXAMPLE 1: SELECTION OF CROSS SECTION

Preliminary sizing of PSC beam

𝑀!$% − 𝐾𝑀!"# 3 × 10/
𝑧((!"#) ≥ (𝑀!$% −𝐾𝑀!"# ) = = 37.5 𝑘𝑁𝑚
(𝑓!$% − 𝐾𝑓 ) !"# ) 9 8
The self-weight has been cancelled out
𝑀!$% − 𝐾𝑀!"#
𝑧*(!"#) ≥ 10
(𝐾𝑓′!$% − 𝑓!"# )

2. Calculate the minimum section modulus (top and bottom)

𝑀!$% − 𝐾𝑀!"# 37.5 × 100

𝑧((!"#) ≥ = = 1.51 × 100 𝑚𝑚/
𝑓!$% − 𝐾𝑓 ) !"# 24 − 0.8 −1

𝑀!$% − 𝐾𝑀!"# 37.5 × 100

𝑧*(!"#) ≥ = = 2.93 × 100 𝑚𝑚/
𝐾𝑓 ) !$% − 𝑓!"# 0.8 × 16 − 0
EXAMPLE 1: SELECTION OF CROSS SECTION

3. Take a trial dimension (rectangular section for this question)

z = bh2/6 = 200 h2/6 ≥ 2.93 x 106 Use the higher value of z

∴ℎ ≥ 2.93 × 100 × 6/200 = 297 mm

The minimum beam depth is 297 mm.

Allow a margin in the detailed design – take a depth of 350 mm as the first attempt.

4. Check the beam slenderness (EC2: Cl 5.9)

𝑙1( 50
𝑙1( 50 = 2 = 41.5
≤ 2/4 with h/b ≤ 2.5 𝑏 !$%
𝑏 ℎM 350M 4
𝑏 200
𝑙1( 5000 𝑙1(
Where lot = distance between torsional = = 25 <
𝑏 $-(5$6 200 !$% 𝑏
restraints = 10/5 = 5 m (for this
question) Therefore, the chosen dimension is satisfactory as
initial estimate of the required beam size
(200 x 350)
BS EN1990-1-1:2002

BACK
MINIMUM PRESTRESS FORCE
Equations 5 to 8 can be rearranged to produce expressions to
determine minimum required prestress force for a given eccentricity.
At transfer
(𝑧( 𝑓′!"# − 𝑀!"# )
𝑃' ≥ 𝑧( 11
−𝑒
𝐴
(𝑧* 𝑓′!$% + 𝑀!"# )
𝑃' ≤ 𝑧* 12
+𝑒
𝐴

At service
(𝑧( 𝑓!$% − 𝑀!$% )
𝑃' ≤ 13
𝑧
𝐾 ( −𝑒
𝐴
(𝑧* 𝑓!"# + 𝑀!$% )
𝑃' ≥ 𝑧 14
𝐾 *+𝑒 Derivation of equation (example)
𝐴
MINIMUM PRESTRESS FORCE
Equations 5 to 8 can be rearranged to produce expressions to
determine minimum required prestress force for a given eccentricity.
At transfer
Note: It is possible that the denominator
(𝑧( 𝑓′!"# − 𝑀!"# ) might be negative for Equations 11 and
𝑃' ≥ 𝑧( 11
−𝑒 13 if e > zt/A.
𝐴 In this case, the sense of inequality
(𝑧* 𝑓′!$% + 𝑀!"# )
𝑃' ≤ 𝑧* would have to change
12
+𝑒 - effect of dividing an inequality by a
𝐴
negative number
At service
(𝑧( 𝑓!$% − 𝑀!$% ) Range of prestress force
𝑃' ≤ 13
𝑧 - Ensure the allowable stress
𝐾 ( −𝑒
𝐴 conditions are met at all stages in the
(𝑧* 𝑓!"# + 𝑀!$% ) life of the member
𝑃' ≥ 𝑧 14
𝐾 *+𝑒 - Eccentricity must lie within the beam
𝐴
MINIMUM PRESTRESS FORCE – Eccentricity limit
• Maximum practical value for the section
• Consideration of the required minimum cover to the prestressing
tendons
- depends on exposure and structural class in the design

• The eccentricity limitation (emax) mainly affects the maximum moments,

Mmax action on the section.

𝑧(
𝑀!$% ≤ 𝑓!$% 𝑧( − 𝐾𝑃' − 𝑒!$% 15
𝐴
𝑧*
𝑀!$% ≤ 𝐾𝑃' + 𝑒!$% − 𝑓!"# 𝑧* 16
𝐴

Linear relationship between Mmax and P0

MINIMUM PRESTRESS FORCE – Eccentricity limit
Beam under sagging moments => emax will be generally positive
=> Eq 16 – positive slope
=> lower limit to P0

For most practical cases [(zt / A) – emax] < 0 => gives lower limit of positive with
smaller slope

Mmax
16
15 ü Intersection of Eq 15 and 16 gives the
maximum economic prestress force
o Any increase offers small increase in the
Max moment moment-carrying capacity
inequalities satisfied
within this zone
ü If higher prestress force is required than
this limit
P0 o More economic to increase the size of
P0 the section
(economical
limit)
EXAMPLE 2: PRESTRESS FORCE CALCULATION
v Similar section as Example 1.
Design data:
Span length = 10 m
Beam size = 200 x 350 mm (zb = zt = 4.08 x 106 mm3)

Determine the minimum initial prestress force, P0 required assuming the

maximum eccentricity of 75 mm.

1. Calculate Mmin and Mmax

Self-weight of beam = 0.2 x 0.35 x 25 = 1.75 kN/m

Mmin = wl2/8 = 1.75 x 102 / 8 = 21.9 kNm
Mmax = wl2/8 = 3.0 x 102 / 8 + 21.9 = 59.4 kNm

Example 11.3, Mosley et al., 2012

EXAMPLE 2: PRESTRESS FORCE CALCULATION
2. Calculate the prestress force, P0
(𝑧( 𝑓 ) !"# − 𝑀!"# ) 16 N/mm2
𝑃' ≥ 𝑧(
−𝑒
𝐴

4.08 × 100 × −1 − (21.9 × 100 )

≥
4.08 × 100
− 75
200 × 350
Negative value
≤ +1555 𝑘𝑁
Change the sense of inequality

𝑃' ≤ 1555 𝑘𝑁 11

𝑃' ≤ 654 𝑘𝑁 12
Range of
prestress
𝑃' ≥ −2881 𝑘𝑁 13
values
14
𝑃' ≥ +557 𝑘𝑁
EXAMPLE 2: PRESTRESS FORCE CALCULATION

Minimum value of
prestress force
557 kN ≤ P0 ≤ 654 kN

-2881 0 +557 +654 +1555

11

12

13

14
EXAMPLE 2: PRESTRESS FORCE CALCULATION
3. Check the upper economic limit to prestress force

16 N/mm2

7! 7"
𝑓!$% 𝑧( − 𝐾𝑃' − 𝑒!$% = 𝑃' + 𝑒!$% − 𝑓!"# 𝑧*
8 8

𝑓!$% 𝑧( + 𝑓!"# 𝑧*
𝑃' ≤ 𝑧 + 𝑧(
𝐾 *
𝐴 0
0
24 (4.08 × 10 ) + 𝑓!"# 𝑧*
≤
2 × (4.08 × 100 )
(0.8)
200 𝑥 350
≤ 1050 kN
This value is greater than the limit established earlier,
Therefore, this 557 kN ≤ P0 ≤ 654 kN range is acceptable.