1

FLEXURAL DESIGN OF PRERSTRESS MEMBERS

(EXAMPLES)

CASE C: LIMIT ZONE FOR TENDON CENTROID

PROBLEM STATEMENT

Determine the limiting tendon zone for the 40-ft span post-tensioned beam of 28-in. depth designed in
case A.

SOLUTION

Results of that design are summarized as follows:

fci = - 2,520 psi Mo = 50 ft-kips S1 = 1,422 in3.

fti = + 195 psi Mt = 350 ft-kips S2 = 1,422 in3.

fcs = -2,700 psi Pi = 279 kips Ac = 240 in2.

fts = + 465 psi Pe = 237 kips r2 = - 82.9 kips

Moment Distribution

Since the member self-weight and all superimposed loads are uniformly distributed, the variation of all
moments is parabolic in nature, from maximum at midspan to zero at supports. Accordingly, the
moment ordinates will be established:

Mid span Quarter span Support

Mo 50 ft-kips 37.5 ft-kips 0

Mt 350 ft-kips 262.5 ft-kips 0

Lower Limit of Steel Centroid from Eq. 4.10

e (x) < fti S1 / Pi + S1 / Ac + Mo (x) / Pi

At Support:

e (x) = 195 x 1422/279,000 + 1422/240 + 0 = 6.92 in.

 2

At Quarter Span

e (x) = 6.92 + 37.5 x 12, 000/279,000 = 8.53 in.

At Mid span

e (x) = 6.92 + 50 x 12, 000/279,000 = 9.07 in.

Lower Limit of Steel Centroid from Eq. 4.11

e (x) < - fci S2 / Pi - S2 / Ac + Mo (x) / Pi

At Support:

e (x) = 2520 x 1422/279,000 - 1422/240 + 0 = 6.92 in.

At Quarter Span

e (x) = 6.92 + 37.5 x 12, 000/279,000 = 8.53 in.

At Mid span

e (x) = 6.92 + 50 x 12, 000/279,000 = 9.07 in.

Identical results from 2 equations simply confirm that the prestress force has been choosen to exactly
satisfy the stress limits fti and fci.

Upper Limit of Steel Centroid from Eq. 4.12

e (x) > fcs S1 / Pe + S1 / Ac + Mo (x) / Pe

At Support:

e (x) = - 2700 x 1422/237,000 + 1422/240 + 0 = - 10.28 in.

At Quarter Span

e (x) = - 10.28 + 263 x 12, 000/237,000 = 3.04 in.

At Mid span

e (x) = - 10.28 + 350 x 12, 000/237,000 = 7.44 in.

Upper Limit of Steel Centroid from Eq. 4.13

 3

e (x) > fts S2 / Pe - S2 / Ac + Mt (x) / Pe

At Support:

e (x) = - 465 x 1422/237,000 + 1422/240 + 0 = - 8.72 in.

At Quarter Span

e (x) = - 8.72 + 263 x 12, 000/237,000 = 4.60 in.

At Mid span

e (x) = - 8.72 + 350 x 12, 000/237,000 = 9.00 in.

The second equation based on limiting tension, will control in the loaded stage.

Eq. 4.10 or 4.11

4
5