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FLEXURAL DESIGN OF PRERSTRESS MEMBERS

(EXAMPLES)

CASE F: DESIGN OF BEAM USING SINGLE T-BEAMS HAVING EXCESS CAPACITY

PROBLEM STATEMENT

A post-tensioned prestressed concrete roof deck is to be designed using 8-ft width single-T beams
spanning 70 ft between simple supports. Service loads include live load of 88 psf, superimposed
dead load of 10 psf, and estimated self-weight of 75 psf.. Normal density concrete will be used with
design strength fc/ = 5,000 psi and strength at time of prestressing, fci/ = 3,500 psi. The
prestressing force will be provided using ½ -in diameter, grade 270, low relaxation strands with fpu
= 270 ksi, and fpy = 243 ksi. The effectiveness ratio can be assumed to be R = 0.85. Select an
appropriate standard single-T section beam, and determine the required magnitude and eccentricity
of prestress force based on ACI Code stress limitations.

SOLUTION:

Data

L.L. = Live Load = 88 psf

D.L. = Superimposed Dead Load = 10 psf
Mo = Self weight = 75 psf
l = Span = 70 ft
fc/ = Compressive strength of concrete = 5,000 psi
fci/ = Compressive strength of concrete at the time of initial prestress = 3,500 psi
R = Effectiveness Ratio = 0.85
Concrete Dimensions = ?
Initial Prestress Force = Pi = ?
Eccentricity of steel centroid (measured downward from the concrete centroid )= e = ?

PERMISSIBLE STRESSES (From Table 3.1) in the concrete immediately after transfer and at
service loads

fci = Extreme fiber stress in compression immediately after transfer

= - 0.60 fci/ = - 0.6 x 3,500 = - 2,100 psi
fti = Extreme fiber stress in tension immediately after transfer
= + 3 √ fci/ = + 3 x √ 3,500 = + 177 psi
fcs = Extreme fiber stress in compression, after all prestress losses
= - 0.45 fc/ = - 0.45 x 5,000 = - 2, 250 psi
fts = Extreme fiber stress intension, after all prestress losses
= + 12 √ fc/ = + 12 x √ 5,000 = + 849 psi
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MOMENT CALCULATIONS

(Assume self weight of the girder as 250 plf)

Wo = 75 x 8 = 600 plf = 0.600 klf,

Wd = 10 x 8 = 80 plf = 0.080 klf
Wl = 88 x 8 = 704 plf = 0.704 klf

Mo = 1/8 Wo l2 = 1/8 x 0.6 x 702 = 368 ft-kips

Md + Ml = 1/8 (D.L. + L.L.) l2 = 1/8 x (0.08 + 0.704) x 702 = 480 ft-kips
Mt = 368 + 480 = 848 ft-kips

SECTION MODULI (with respect to the top and bottom surfaces of the concrete beam)

S1 > (1 – R) Mo + Md + Ml / R fti - fcs = (0.15 x 368 + 480) 12,000 / (0.85 x 177) + 2,250
= 2,675 in3

S2 > (1 – R) Mo + Md + Ml / fts - R fci = (0.15 x 368 + 480) 12,000 / 849 + (0.85 x 2,100)
= 2,438 in3

Consulting table A.12 regarding section properties of standard single-T sections found in Appendix A,
it is noted that the smallest section that can be used is a 36-in depth member with the dimensions
shown in Figure below.
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For that cross section, complete section properties of the selected cross section are

SECTION PROPERTIES

From Table A.12, the 28 in. depth I-section shown in figure will meet the requirements and has the
following properties:
h = Total Depth = 36 in
b = Flange width = 96 in.
C1 = Centroid distance from top = 9.99 in.
C2 = Centroid distance from bottom = 26.01 in.
Ic = Moment of I nertia of concrete cross section = 68, 917 in4
S1 = Ic / C1 = Section Modulus from top = 6, 899 in3.
S2 = Ic / C2 = Section Modulus from bottom = 2, 650 in3.
Ac = Area of concrete cross section = 570 in2
r2 = Radius of gyrayion = 120.9 in2
It may be noted that the section modulus S2 = 2,650 in3 is somewhat above the requirement, and S2 =
6,899 in3 is greatly above the required value, hence, the name, “SECTION HAVING EXCESS
CAPACITY”.

Tendon eccentricity (at the maximum moment section)

For members of this type, it is probable that the eccentricity will be controlled by the maximum
available depth. Allowing for 3.5 in. from the tendon centroid to the bottom face of the beam:
emax = 26.01 - 3.5 = 22.51 in.

PRESTRESS FORCE

1 / Pi = R (1 + eC2 / r2) / (-fts + Mt / S2) Ac ------------------------------------------ (4.20)

= 0.85(1 + 22.51 x 26.01 / 120.9) / (-849 + 848 x 12,000 / 2,650)570
Pi = 343,000 lbs = 343 kips, Pe = 343 x 0.85 = 403 kips

PRESTRESS REINFORCEMENT

According to the ACI Code (Table 3.2), the permissible strength in the wire immediately after
transfer must not exceed

(a) 0.82 fpy = 0.82 x 243 = 200 ksi or

(b) 0.74 fpu = 0.74 x 270 = 200 ksi, which one is lesser.
Both are identical in this case.

The required area of prestress steel = Ap = Pi / 200 = 343 / 200 = 1.715 in2

The cross-sectional area of one 1/2-in diameter strand is 0.153 in2 (Table A.1 of Appendix A),
hence the number of strands required is
Number of strands = 1.715 / 0.153 = 11.21
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Twelve strands will be used in a single tendon having eccentricity e = 22.51 in. at midspan,
decreasing parabolically to zero at the supports.

CHECK FOR PERMISSIBLE STRESS LIMITS

It is required to check the calculations by confirming that permissible stress limits are not exceeded at
critical load stages.

The top and bottom surface concrete stresses produced (f1 & f2) at midspan, by separate loadings will
be as under:

(a) At Initial Prestress Force (Pi)

f1 = Concrete stress at the top face = - Pi/Ac (1 - eC1/r2)

= - 343,000/570 (1 - 22.51 x 9.99/120.9) = +517 psi

f2 = Concrete stress at the bottom face = - Pi/Ac (1 + eC2/r2)

= - 343,000/570 (1 + 22.51 x 26.01/120.9) = -3,516 psi

(b) At Effective Prestress Force (Pe)

f1 = Concrete stress at the top face = 0.85 x 517 = 439 psi

f2 = Concrete stress at the bottom face = 0.85 x (-3,516) = - 2,989 psi

(c) At Self weight Moment (Mo)

f1 = Concrete stress at the top face = - Mo / S1 = - 368 x 12,000 / 6,899 = - 640 psi
f2 = Concrete stress at the bottom face = + Mo / S2 = + 368 x 12,000 / 2,650 = + 1,666 psi

(c) At Full Service Load Moment (Md + Ml )

f1 = Concrete stress at the top face = - Md + Ml / S1 = - 848 x 12,000 / 6,899 = - 1,475 psi
f2 = Concrete stress at the bottom face = + Md + Ml / S2 = + 848 x 12,000 / 2,650 = +3,840 psi

When the initial prestress force of 343 kips is applied and only the beam self weight acts, the top
and bottom stresses in the concrete at midspan are, respectively:
Pi + Mo f1 = + 517 - 6402 = -123 psi
f2 = - 3,516 + 1,666 = -1,850 psi

When the prestress force has reduced to its effective value of 403 kips and the full service load is
applied, the concrete stresses are:
Pe + Mt f1 = + 439 - 1,475 = - 1,036 psi
f2 = -2,989 + 3,840 = + 851 psi

Comparison with the specified limit stresses confirms that the design is satisfactory.
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