Advanced Structural Engineering

B.3 Prestressed Concrete Beams – Design

for Serviceability
Module Lead: Dr Marco Baiguera
Department of Civil, Maritime &
Environmental Engineering
M.Baiguera@soton.ac.uk

Lecture Set B
Summary
• Design for Serviceability
• Permissible Ranges of Tendon Force
• Member Sizing
• Allowable Tolerance in Tendon Position
• Example 1
• Deflection
• Example 2 – Continuous Beam Deflection
• Prestressed Concrete Design Procedure

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Design for Serviceability
The following assumptions are made in the following slides:
• Concrete is post-tensioned.
• The strands are bonded to the concrete.
• The concrete section remains uncracked when supporting
SLS loads (fully prestressed members).

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Design for Serviceability
In the design for Service Limit State (SLS), the aim is to prevent
cracking due to tensile stresses and crushing due to excessive
compressive stresses.
There are two critical stages in the SLS design:
• At transfer, i.e. immediately after the prestress is transferred
to the concrete.
• Full SLS loads, i.e. after the full service load is applied.

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Design for Serviceability
In each design stage, there are different types of loss of
prestress:
• Short-term (or immediate) losses occur during the tensioning
and anchoring operation (before transfer) and include
friction, elastic shortening and anchorage draw-in
• Long-term (or time-dependent) losses (before full SLS loads)
are from shrinkage and creep of the concrete and relaxation
of the steel.

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Design for Serviceability
At transfer the level of prestress is defined as follows:
𝑃 = 𝛼 × 𝑃j
where 𝛼 is the short-term loss factor, accounting for short-term
losses. Concrete stresses should be checked for cracking (top
fibre) and crushing (bottom fibre):
𝑃 𝑃𝑒 𝑀0
− + 𝑦 − 𝑦 ≤ 𝑓ct,0 [Eq. 6.1]
𝐴 𝐼 T 𝐼 T
𝑃 𝑃𝑒 𝑀0
− − 𝑦B + 𝑦B ≥ 𝑓cc,0 [Eq. 6.2]
𝐴 𝐼 𝐼
where 𝑓ct,0 is the tensile stress limit at transfer (positive
quantity), 𝑓cc,0 is the compressive stress limit and 𝑀0 is the
moment at transfer (dead load only).
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Design for Serviceability
Under full SLS loads the level of prestress is defined as follows:
𝑇𝑒𝑛𝑑𝑜𝑛 𝑓𝑜𝑟𝑐𝑒 = 𝛽 × 𝑃
where 𝛽 is the total loss factor, accounting for short and long-
term losses. Concrete stresses should be checked for crushing
(top fibre) and cracking (bottom fibre):
𝛽𝑃 𝛽𝑃𝑒 𝑀sls
− + 𝑦 − 𝑦 ≥ 𝑓cc,sls [Eq. 7.1]
𝐴 𝐼 T 𝐼 T
𝛽𝑃 𝛽𝑃𝑒 𝑀sls
− − 𝑦 + 𝑦 ≤ 𝑓ct,sls [Eq. 7.2]
𝐴 𝐼 B 𝐼 B
where 𝑓cc,sls is the compressive limit stress for full service load,
𝑓ct,sls is the tensile limit stress and 𝑀sls is the SLS moment (dead
and imposed loading).
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Permissible Ranges of Tendon Force
Rearranging equations Eqs. 6.1 & 7.1 (top fibre):
𝑀
𝑃 𝑃𝑒 𝑀 𝑓ct,0 + 0
𝑍T
− 𝐴 + 𝑍 − 𝑍 0 ≤ 𝑓ct,0 → 𝑃 ≤ 1 𝑒
T T − +
𝐴 𝑍T

𝑀
𝛽𝑃 𝛽𝑃𝑒 𝑀sls 𝑓cc,sls + 𝑍sls
T
− + − ≥ 𝑓cc,sls → 𝑃 ≥ 1 𝑒
𝐴 𝑍T 𝑍T 𝛽 −𝐴+𝑍
T

And Eqs. 6.2 & 7.2 (bottom fibre):

𝑀
𝑃 𝑃𝑒 𝑀 𝑓cc,0 − 0
𝑍B
− 𝐴 − 𝑍 + 𝑍 0 ≥ 𝑓cc,0 → 𝑃 ≥ 1 𝑒
B B −𝐴−𝑍
B

𝑀
𝛽𝑃 𝛽𝑃𝑒 𝑀sls 𝑓ct,sls − 𝑍sls
B
− − + ≤ 𝑓ct,sls → 𝑃 ≤ 1 𝑒
𝐴 𝑍B 𝑍B 𝛽 − −
𝐴 𝑍B

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Member Sizing
By equating the right hand-sides of the equations, information
is obtained about the section modulus of the minimum sized
cross-section:
𝑀
𝑓ct,0 + 𝑍 0
T
𝑃≤ 1 𝑒
− +
𝐴 𝑍T
𝑀sls − 𝛽𝑀0
𝑀 𝑍T,min =
𝑓cc,sls + 𝑍sls
T
𝛽𝑓ct,0 − 𝑓cc,sls
𝑃≥ 1 𝑒
𝛽 −𝐴+𝑍
T

𝑀
𝑓cc,0 − 𝑍 0
B
𝑃≥ 1 𝑒
−𝐴−𝑍
B
𝑀sls − 𝛽𝑀0
𝑀
𝑓ct,sls − 𝑍sls
𝑍B,min =
B 𝑓ct,sls − 𝛽𝑓cc,0
𝑃≤ 1 𝑒
𝛽 −𝐴−𝑍
B
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Allowable Tolerance in Tendon Position
Finally, tolerances for the tendon position can be found
rearranging equations Eqs. 6.1 & 7.1:
𝑃 𝑃𝑒 𝑀 𝑀0 +𝑓ct,0 𝑍T 𝑍T
− 𝐴 + 𝑍 − 𝑍 0 ≤ 𝑓ct,0 → 𝑒 ≤ +
T T 𝑃 𝐴

𝛽𝑃 𝛽𝑃𝑒 𝑀sls 𝑀sls +𝑓cc,sls 𝑍T 𝑍T

− + − ≥ 𝑓cc,sls → 𝑒 ≥ +
𝐴 𝑍T 𝑍T 𝛽𝑃 𝐴

and Eqs. 6.2 & 7.2:

𝑃 𝑃𝑒 𝑀 𝑀0 −𝑓cc,0 𝑍B 𝑍B
− 𝐴 − 𝑍 + 𝑍 0 ≥ 𝑓cc,0 → 𝑒 ≤ −
B B 𝑃 𝐴

𝛽𝑃 𝛽𝑃𝑒 𝑀sls 𝑀sls −𝑓ct,sls 𝑍B 𝑍B

− − + ≤ 𝑓ct,sls → 𝑒 ≥ −
𝐴 𝑍B 𝑍B 𝛽𝑃 𝐴

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Example 1
A 500 mm wide rectangular simply-supported beam spans 12 m and
supports a 5 kN/m imposed load. The limiting stresses and prestress
loss factors are listed in the basic data below.
1. Determine the minimum beam depth required to support the load.
2. If the depth of the beam is set at 0.35 m and the tendons are
located 0.125 m below the centroid at midspan, determine the
minimum and maximum values of tendon force.
Basic data
• Loss factors: α = 0.92 and β = 0.82
• At transfer: 𝑓ct,0 = 1.0 N/mm2 (tension) and 𝑓cc,0 = -18 N/mm2
• At SLS: 𝑓ct,sls = 0.0 N/mm2 and 𝑓cc,sls = -20 N/mm2

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Example 1
1. Determine the minimum beam depth required to support the load.
– Calculate the dead load:
𝑤0 = 25 × 0.5 × ℎ = 12.5ℎ kN/m
– Calculate the dead load and SLS load midspan moments:
12.5ℎ × 122
𝑀0 = = 225ℎ kNm
8
5 × 122
𝑀sls = 𝑀0 + = (225ℎ + 90) kNm
8
– Calculate the section modulus (in m3):
0.5 × ℎ2 ℎ2 3
𝑍= = m
6 12

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Example 1
– Calculate the minimum section moduli (in m and kN):
𝑀sls − 𝛽𝑀0 225ℎ + 90 − 0.82 × 225ℎ
𝑍T,min = =
𝛽𝑓ct,0 − 𝑓cc,sls 0.82 × 1.0 × 103 − (−20.0) × 103
𝑀sls − 𝛽𝑀0 225ℎ + 90 − 0.82 × 225ℎ
𝑍B,min = =
𝑓ct,sls − 𝛽𝑓cc,0 0.0 × 103 − 0.82 × (−18.0) × 103
– Determine the minimum ℎ by solving the following inequalities
ℎ2 225ℎ + 90 − 0.82 × 225ℎ
≥
12 0.82 × 103 + 20.0 × 103

ℎ2 225ℎ + 90 − 0.82 × 225ℎ

≥
12 0.82 × 18.0 × 103

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Example 1
1735ℎ2 − 40.5h − 90 ≥ 0 → ℎ ≥ 0.240 𝑚 and ℎ ≤ −0.216 𝑚
1230ℎ2 − 40.5h − 90 ≥ 0 → ℎ ≥ 0.287 𝑚 andℎ ≤ −0.254 𝑚
→ ℎmin = max ℎ = 0.287 m

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Example 1
2. If the depth of the beam is set at 0.35 m and the tendons are
located 0.125 m below the centroid at midspan, determine the
minimum and maximum values of tendon force.
– Calculate the dead load (self-weight):
𝑤0 = 25 × 0.5 × 0.35 = 4.375 kN/m
– Calculate the dead load and SLS load midspan moments:
4.375 × 122 5 × 122
𝑀0 = = 78.75 kNm & 𝑀sls = 𝑀0 + = 168.75 kNm
8 8
– Calculate the section area and section modulus:
0.5 × 0.352
𝐴 = 0.5 × 0.35 = 0.175 m2 & 𝑍= = 0.01021 m3
6

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Example 1
– Calculate the limits on P:
𝑀
𝑓ct,0 + 0 78.75
1.0×103 +0.01021 8713
𝑍T
• 𝑃≤ 1 𝑒
= 1 0.125 = 6.528 = 1334 kN
𝛼 −𝐴+𝑍 −0.175+0.01021
T

𝑀
𝑓cc,sls + 𝑍sls 168.75
−20.0×103 +0.01021 −3472
• 𝑃≥ 1 𝑒
T
= 1 0.125 = = −648 kN
𝛽 −𝐴+𝑍 0.82 −0.175+0.01021 5.353 The sign of an
T
inequality changes
𝑀
𝑓cc,0 − 𝑍 0 78.75 when divided by a
−18.0×103 −0.01021 −25713
• 𝑃≥ B
= = → 𝑃 ≤ 1431 kN negative number
1 𝑒 1 0.125
𝛼 −𝐴−𝑍 −0.175−0.01021 −17.96 −2 𝑃 ≥ −4
B
4
𝑀 →𝑃≤
𝑓ct,sls − 𝑍sls 168.75
0.0×103 −0.01021 −16527 2
• 𝑃≤ 1 𝑒
B
= 1 0.125 = → 𝑃 ≥ 1122 kN
𝛽 −𝐴−𝑍 0.82 −0.175−0.01021 −14.72
B

→ 1122 kN ≤ 𝑃 ≤ 1334 kN
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Deflection
Excessive deflection may affect the serviceability of a concrete
structure. Deflection should not exceed deflection limits that are
appropriate to the structure and its intended use. These are
often a matter of engineering judgement.
The total deflection of a beam in a building is usually the sum
of the short-term and long-term deflection caused by the
permanent actions (including self-weight) and the prestress, the
expected imposed actions and other load-independent effect,
such as shrinkage and temperature change.

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Deflection
Deflection should be limited to prevent:
• Either aesthetic or functional problems.
e.g. total deflection < span/250 (Eurocode 2)
• Unintended load paths or damage to either structural or non-
structural elements attached or adjacent to the member.
• Dynamic effects due to insufficient stiffness causing
discomfort to occupants.

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Deflection
The maximum deflection need to be calculated at two design
stages:
• At transfer: short-term Young’s modulus
• Under full SLS loading: long-term Young’s modulus

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Deflection
The calculations of deflection should account for:

• The uplift due to upward transverse forces in the beam.

• Downwards deflection (sag) due to gravity loads.

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Deflection
For a simply supported beam, deflection is calculated
accounting for:
• The uplift due to the upward transverse forces in the beam.
Note: upwards deflection is taken as negative.
8𝑃𝑒
𝑤p =
𝑙2
P P 8𝑃𝑒
𝑤p = −
𝑙2
4Pe/l 4Pe/l 5𝑤p 𝑙 4
e
l →𝛿=
384𝐸𝐼

• Downwards deflection (sagging) due to gravity loads 𝑤.

5𝑤𝑙 4
𝛿=
384𝐸𝐼
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Deflection
In a continuous beam, cables may be eccentric both at the
supports (𝑒end ) and midspan (𝑒mid ). Deflection due to the
prestressing force will be given by:
• The uplift from the total drape of the tendons (𝛿1 )
• The downward deflection due to the support moments (𝛿2 ).

8𝑃 𝑒end + 𝑒mid
𝑤p = −
𝑙2
5𝑤p 𝑙 4
→ 𝛿1 = 384𝐸𝐼

(𝑃𝑒end )𝑙 2
→ 𝛿2 =
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8𝐸𝐼
22
Deflection
In summary, deflection for a continuous beam is calculated as
the sum of:
• Deflection due to the prestressing force:
5𝑤p 𝑙 4 (𝑃𝑒end )𝑙 2
𝛿 = 𝛿1 + 𝛿2 = +
384𝐸𝐼 8𝐸𝐼

• Downwards deflection (sagging) due to gravity loads 𝑤.

𝑤𝑙 4
𝛿=
384𝐸𝐼

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Deflection
For a propped cantilever (one end fixed, one end simply
supported), the calculation of 𝛿1 should take account of the
reduced drape in the tendon, i.e. 𝑒end + 0.5𝑒mid

8𝑃 𝑒end + 0.5𝑒mid
𝑤p = −
𝑙2
5𝑤p 𝑙 4
→ 𝛿1 = 384𝐸𝐼

(𝑃𝑒end )𝑙 2
→ 𝛿2 =
16𝐸𝐼

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Deflection
Hence, the overall deflection is calculated as the sum of:
• Deflection due to the prestressing force:
5𝑤p 𝑙 4 (𝑃𝑒end )𝑙 2
𝛿 = 𝛿1 + 𝛿2 = +
384𝐸𝐼 16𝐸𝐼

• Downwards deflection (sag) due to gravity loads 𝑤.

𝑤𝑙 4
𝛿=
185𝐸𝐼

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Example 2 – Continuous Beam Deflection
A 0.24 m deep and 1.0 m wide continuous beam with fixed
supports is subjected to a uniformly distributed load.
Basic data: 𝑃j = 450 kN, 𝛼 = 0.9, 𝛽 = 0.8, 𝐸c = 35,000 N/mm2 at
transfer and 14,000 N/mm2 at the SLS

Determine the following:

1. The deflection under the self weight at transfer
2. The deflection under an SLS imposed load of 6 kN/m

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Example 2 – Continuous Beam Deflection
1. Deflection at transfer
– Calculate second moment of area:
1000×2403
𝐼= = 1.152 × 109 mm4
12

– Calculate the uplift load (𝑃 = 𝛼𝑃j ):

8𝑃 𝑒end + 𝑒mid 8 × 0.9 × 450 × 103 × 70 + 75
𝑤p = − =− =
𝑙2 75002
= −8.352 kN/m
– Calculate the deflection 𝛿1 using short-term 𝐸
5𝑤p 𝑙 4 5 × (−8.352) × 75004
𝛿1 = = = −9 mm
384𝐸𝐼 384 × 35000 × 1.152 × 109

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Example 2 – Continuous Beam Deflection
– Calculate the deflection 𝛿2
(𝛼𝑃j 𝑒end )𝑙 2 (0.9 × 450 × 103 × 70) × 75002
𝛿2 = = = 5 mm
8𝐸𝐼 8 × 35000 × 1.152 × 109
– Calculate the dead load:
𝑤0 = 25 × 0.24 × 1.0 = 6 kN/m
– Calculate the deflection due to the dead load:
𝑤𝑙 4 6 × 75004
𝛿0 = = = 1 mm
384𝐸𝐼 384 × 35000 × 1.152 × 109
– Determine the combined deflection:
𝛿 = 𝛿1 + 𝛿2 + 𝛿0 = −9 + 5 + 1 = −3 mm ↑

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Example 2 – Continuous Beam Deflection
2. Deflection at SLS
– Calculate the uplift load:
8𝛽𝑃 𝑒end + 𝑒mid 8 × 0.8 × 405 × 103 × 70 + 75
𝑤p = − =− =
𝑙2 75002
= −6.68 kN/m
– Calculate the deflection 𝛿1 using long-term 𝐸
5𝑤p 𝑙 4 5 × (−6.68) × 75004
𝛿1 = = = −17 mm
384𝐸𝐼 384 × 14000 × 1.152 × 109
– Calculate the deflection 𝛿2
(𝛽𝑃𝑒end )𝑙 2 (0.8 × 405 × 103 × 70) × 75002
𝛿2 = = = 10 mm
8𝐸𝐼 8 × 14000 × 1.152 × 109

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Example 2 – Continuous Beam Deflection
– Calculate the dead load + imposed load:
𝑤sls = 25 × 0.24 × 1.0 + 6 = 12 kN/m
– Calculate the deflection due to SLS load:
𝑤𝑙 4 12 × 75004
𝛿sls = = = 6 mm
384𝐸𝐼 384 × 14000 × 1.152 × 109
– Determine the combined deflection:
𝛿 = 𝛿1 + 𝛿2 + 𝛿sls =
= −17 + 10 + 6 = −1 mm ↑

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Prestressed Concrete Design Procedure
Calculate internal actions (e.g.
bending moment at midspan)

Determine the minimum sized

cross-section (𝒁𝒎𝒊𝒏 )
Re-check initial design Initial check via simplified approach
assumptions (not covered here)

Check deflection requirements

Is deflection
Yes excessive?

No
Determine the prestressing force
(within possible ranges and using trial
values for prestress loss factors and
eccentricity)

Establish cable profile

(allowable tolerance equations)

Check prestress losses

CENV6086 Advanced Structural Engineering 31

YOUR QUESTIONS & FEEDBACK
Please use the Discussion Board on Blackboard or
send an email to M.Baiguera@soton.ac.uk