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1. Able to analyze problems with justifications and 1. Able to construct Magnel diagram;
design pre-stressed concrete beam in accordance 2. Able to determine min. and max. Pm0 and its
with current code of practice. corresponding e from Magnel diagram;
2. Able to present design output in the form of report, 3. Able to determine the range of eccentricities;
tendon profile drawing and detailing in accordance 4. Able to sketch the tendon profile of the pre-
to current code of practice. stressing cable.
• Magnel diagram is a graphical method for the analysis of a pre-stressed concrete beam and for the
determination of safe pre-stressing force and eccentricity.
• The four lines associated with the limits on stress (Eq. 2.3 – 2.6) can be used to determine a range of
possible values of pre-stress force for a given or assumed eccentricity by plotting a graph [1/Pm0 vs. e].
• The relationship between 1/Pm0 and e is linear and if plotted graphically, they provide a useful means of
determining appropriate values of Pm0 and e.
• When these four equations are plotted, a feasible region is found in which points of 1/Pm0 and e
simultaneously satisfies all four stress limits. Any such point then satisfies all four equations.
 • Equations 2.9 to 2.12 (or Eq. 2.3 – 2.6) can be used to determine a range of possible values of pre-
stressing force, Pm0 for a given or assumed eccentricity, e.
• A much more useful approach to design can be developed if the equations are treated graphically.

1 1ΤAc − eΤZt 1 Ω 1ΤAc − eΤZt

Top: ≥ − −Eq. 2.16 − −(from Eq. 2.9) Top: ≥ − −Eq. 2.18 − −(from Eq. 2.11)
Pm0 fct,0 − M0 ΤZt Pm0 fcc,t − MT ΤZt

1 1ΤAc + eΤZb 1 Ω 1ΤAc + eΤZb

Btm: ≥ − −Eq. 2.17 − −(from Eq. 2.10) Btm: ≤ − −Eq. 2.19 − −(from Eq. 2.12)
Pm0 fcc,0 + M0 ΤZb Pm0 fct,t + MT ΤZb
 max. practical value of e
Service, top
Transfer, top
Pm0,min
Service, bottom
Pm0(max.,eco.)
Feasible region
Pm0,max
Transfer, bottom

emax emin

eeco. (a) (b)

Figure 2.10 Kern-the region top and bottom from the centroid that will
produce NO TENSION when the pre-stressing force is
applied
Analysis of Magnel Diagram:

• The zone bounded by the 4 lines is “an area of possible design solution”, and it is called “feasible region”.

• Intersection between Eqs. “transfer,top” and “service,bottom”: Pm,0,min.

• Intersection between Eqs. “transfer,bottom” and “service,top”: Pm,0,max.

• Intersection between Eqs. “service, top” and “service, bottom”: Max. economical value for Pm,0.

• Other design solution:

1. For a fixed value of Pm,0, the corresponding range of permissible e can be obtained.
2. For a fixed value of e the corresponding range of Pm,0 can be obtained.
Draw a Magnel diagram for the beam given in
Example 2.2 and determine the min. and max.
possible values of pre-stress force. Assume a max.
possible eccentricity of 125 mm allowing for a cover
etc. to the tendons.
200 mm
A post-tensioned pre-stressed beam of a rectangular
section 250 mm wide is to be designed for an imposed load
of 12 kN/m uniformly distributed on a span of 12 m. The
member is to be designed with a concrete strength class
C40/50. The losses of pre-stress assumed to be 15%.
• Determine the minimum possible depth of beam;
• For the section provided, determine the minimum pre-
stressing force and corresponding eccentricity at the mid-
span.
• Check the results by Magnel’s graphical method.

CGcon. 350 mm

125 mm
Draw a Magnel diagram for the beam given in
Example 2.2 and determine the min. and max.
possible values of pre-stress force. Assume a max. Beam properties:
possible eccentricity of 125 mm allowing for a cover Ac = 70,000 mm2 = 0.07 m2
etc. to the tendons. Zt = Zb = 4.083 × 106 mm3
200 mm M0 = 21.875 kNm
MT = 59.375 kNm

Stress limit:
fcc,0 = 14.4 NΤmm2
fct,0 = −1 NΤmm2
fcc,t = 24 NΤmm2
CGcon. 350 mm
fct,t = 0 NΤmm2
125 mm

Kern:
Z
= ±58.33 (+ top and – bottom)
A
At transfer: Top:
1 1ΤAc − eΤZt
1 1ΤAc − eΤZt ≥ − −Eq. 2.16
Top: ≥ − −Eq. 2.16 Pm0 fct,0 − M0 ΤZt
Pm0 fct,0 − M0 ΤZt
1
1 1ΤAc + eΤZb ≥ −2.247 × 10−6 + 3.8524 × 10−8 e
Btm: ≥ − −Eq. 2.17 Pm0
Pm0 fcc,0 + M0 ΤZb
𝟏𝟎𝟔
≥ −𝟐. 𝟐𝟒𝟕 + 𝟎. 𝟎𝟑𝟖𝟓𝟐𝟒𝐞 −− −(𝟏)
𝐏𝐦𝟎
21.875
fct,0 − M0 ΤZt = −1 − = −6.35758
4.083 × 106 Bottom:
21.875
fcc,0 + M0 ΤZb = 14.4 + = 19.75758 1 1ΤAc + eΤZb
4.083 × 106 ≥ − −Eq. 2.17
1 1 Pm0 fcc,0 + M0 ΤZb
= 6
= 1.42857 × 10−5
Ac 0.07 × 10 1
1 1 ≥ 7.2305 × 10−7 + 1.2396 × 10−8 e
= = 2.4492 × 10−7 Pm0
Z 4.083 × 10 6
𝟏𝟎𝟔
≥ 𝟎. 𝟕𝟐𝟑𝟎𝟓 + 𝟎. 𝟎𝟏𝟐𝟑𝟗𝟔𝐞 −− −(𝟐)
𝐏𝐦𝟎
At service: Top:
1 Ω 1ΤAc − eΤZt
1 Ω 1ΤAc − eΤZt ≥ − −Eq. 2.18
Pm0 fcc,t − MT ΤZt
Top: ≥ − −Eq. 2.18
Pm0 fcc,t − MT ΤZt 1
1 Ω 1ΤAc + eΤZb ≥ 1.2083 × 10−6 − 2.07164 × 10−8 e
Btm: ≤ − −Eq. 2.19 Pm0
Pm0 fct,t + MT ΤZb
𝟏𝟎𝟔
≥ 𝟏. 𝟐𝟎𝟖𝟑 − 𝟎. 𝟎𝟐𝟎𝟕𝟏𝟔𝟒𝐞 −− −(𝟑)
𝐏𝐦𝟎
59.375
fcc,t − MT ΤZt = 24 − = 9.458
4.083 × 106 Bottom:
59.375
Τ
fct,t + MT Zb = 0 + = 14.542 1 Ω 1ΤAc + eΤZb
4.083 × 106 ≤ − −Eq. 2.19
1 1 Pm0 fct,t + MT ΤZb
= 6 = 1.42857 × 10−5 1
Ac 0.07 × 10 ≤ 7.859 × 10−7 + 1.3474 × 10−8 e
1 1 Pm0
= 6
= 2.4492 × 10−7
Z 4.083 × 10 𝟏𝟎𝟔
≤ 𝟎. 𝟕𝟖𝟓𝟗 + 𝟎. 𝟎𝟏𝟑𝟒𝟕𝟒𝐞 −− −(𝟒)
𝐏𝐦𝟎
106 1
( )
Pm0 kN

e (mm)
 106 1
( )
Pm0 kN eallowed = 125 mm From the graph:
Max. 106 ΤPm0 = 2.51, hence
Min. Pm0 = 398 kN
with e = 122.3 mm
min 𝐏𝐦𝟎 = 𝟑𝟗𝟖 𝐤𝐍
2.51 Min. 106 ΤPm0 = 0.84, hence
Max. Pm0 = 1190 kN
with e = 14.9 mm
max 𝑷𝒎𝟎 = 𝟏𝟏𝟗𝟎 𝐤𝐍
0.84

e (mm)
14.9 122.3
106 1
( )
Pm0 kN

What is the max. economic value of Pm0

and its corresponding e?

e (mm)
 Stress limit:
A post-tensioned pre-stressed beam of a rectangular fcc,0 = 14.4 NΤmm2
section 250 mm wide is to be designed for an fct,0 = −1 NΤmm2
imposed load of 12 kN/m uniformly distributed on a fcc,t = 24 NΤmm2
span of 12 m. The member is to be designed with a fct,t = 0 NΤmm2
concrete strength class C40/50. The losses of pre-
stress assumed to be 15%. Make use Eq. 2.7 and 2.8:
a) Determine the minimum possible depth of beam; MV based on UDL only:
b) For the section provided, determine the minimum 12 × 122
Mv = = 216kNm
pre-stressing force and corresponding 8
eccentricity at the mid-span. From 2.7:
c) Check the results by Magnel’s graphical method. Zt ≥ 8.692 × 106 mm3
From 2.8:
Zb ≥ 17.647 × 106 mm3
∴ Zb govern the section properties
 Min. prestressing force can be determined by considering
Hence: eqs. “transfer, top” and “service, bottom”.
bh2 250 × h2 Transfer, top:
Z= = = 17.647 × 106 mm3
6 6 Pm0 Pm0 e M0
∴ h = 651mm − + ≥ fct,0
Ac Zt Zt
Adopt: 𝟐𝟓𝟎𝐦𝐦 × 𝟔𝟕𝟓𝐦𝐦 Pm0 Pm0 e 75.94 × 106
− + = −1
Ac Zt 18.984 × 106
The properties
Pm0 Pm0 e
Ac = 0.16875 m2 = 16,8750 mm2 − = −4.995 −− − 1
Ac Zt
Zt = Zb = 18.984 × 106 mm3
sΤw = 25 × 0.16875 = 4.219 kN/m
M0 = 75.94 kNm Service, bottom:
Pm,t Pm,t e MT
MT = 291.94 kNm + − ≥ fct,t
Ac Zb Zb
ΩPm0 ΩPm0 e 291.94 × 106
+ − =0
Ac Zb 18.984 × 106
Pm0 Pm0 e
+ = 18.092 NΤmm2 −− −2
Ac Zb
(1) + (2):

2Pm0
= 13.085
Ac
𝐏𝐦𝟎 = 𝟏𝟏𝟎𝟒 𝐤𝐍 (min.)

Hence,
𝐞 = 𝟏𝟗𝟒. 𝟔𝟒 𝐦𝐦
 3 106/Pm0 (1/kN)

0
e (mm)
-400 -300 -200 -100 0 100 200 300 400

-1

-2

-3

-4

-5

Service, top Service, bottom Transfer, top Transfer, bottom

• The layout of cable plays a vital role in reducing The profile of the tendons can be provided in various
tension from concrete. ways. Some of them are:
• The curvature of the cable exerts force on the 1. Straight tendons
concrete to counterbalance the forces causing
tension.
• In most of the pre-stressed beams, the tendons are
located with eccentricities towards the soffit of the
beam to counteract the sagging bending moments 2. Trapezoidal tendons
due to transverse loads.
• Since the bending moment is the product of the
pre-stressing force and eccentricity, the tendon
profile itself will represent the shape of the bending
moment diagram.
3. Parabolic tendons (Central anchors) 6. Parabolic and straight tendons

4. Parabolic tendons (Eccentric anchors) 7. Parabolic and straight tendons (Eccentric

anchors)

5. Sloping tendons (Eccentric anchors)

• Having obtained a value of pre-stress force which will permit all stress conditions to be
satisfied at the critical section (at the mid-span), it is necessary to determine the
eccentricity at which this force must be provided, not only at the critical section but also
throughout the length of the member.

• At any section along the member, e is the only unknown term in the four equations 2.3
to 2.6 and these will yield two upper and lower limits which must all be simultaneously
satisfied. This requirement must be met at all sections throughout the member and will
reflect both variations of moment, pre-stress force and section properties along the
member.
At transfer: At service:

𝒁𝒕 𝒇𝒄𝒕,𝟎 𝒁𝒕 𝑴𝟎 𝑍𝑡 𝑓𝑐𝑐,𝑡 𝑍𝑡 𝑀𝑇
𝒆≤ − + −− −(𝟐. 𝟐𝟎) 𝑒≥ − + −− −(2.22)
𝑨𝒄 𝑷𝒎𝒐 𝑷𝒎𝒐 𝐴𝑐 Ω𝑃𝑚0 Ω𝑃𝑚0
𝑍𝑏 𝑓𝑐𝑐,0 𝑍𝑏 𝑀0 𝒁𝒃 𝒇𝒄𝒕,𝒕 𝒁𝒃 𝑴𝑻
𝑒≤ − + + − −(2.21) 𝒆≥ − + + − −(𝟐. 𝟐𝟑)
𝐴𝑐 𝑃𝑚0 𝑃𝑚0 𝑨 𝛀𝑷𝒎𝟎 𝛀𝑷𝒎𝟎

• Eqs. 2.20 to 2.23 can be evaluated at any section to determine the range of
eccentricities within which the resultant force Pm0 must lie.
• The moments MT and M0 are those relating to the section being considered.
• As we wish to limit possible tensile stresses, we only examine Eqs. 2.20 and 2.23
corresponding to tension on the top at transfer and on the bottom in service.
From 2.20 and 2.23:
Transfer, top: Service, bottom:
𝑍𝑡 𝑓𝑐𝑡,0 𝑍𝑡 𝑀0,𝑥 𝑍𝑏 𝑓𝑐𝑡,𝑡 𝑍𝑏 𝑀𝑇,𝑥
𝑒lower ≤ − + −− −(2.20) 𝑒upper ≥ − + + − −(2.23)
𝐴𝑐 𝑃𝑚𝑜 𝑃𝑚𝑜 𝐴𝑐 Ω𝑃𝑚0 Ω𝑃𝑚0

Upper part

Lower part
Determine the cable zone limits at quarter-span, mid- 𝐴𝑐 = 70,000 mm2
span and ends of the member designed in Examples 𝑍𝑡 = 𝑍𝑏 = 4.083 × 106 mm3
2.2 for a constant initial pre-stress force of 700 kN. 𝑀0,𝑥=𝐿/2 = 21.875kNm
Data for this question are given in the said examples. 𝑀𝑇,𝑥=𝐿/2 = 59.375kNm
Sketch the upper and lower eccentricities.

Stress limit:
Size of PSC beam: 𝑓𝑐𝑐,0 = 14.4 NΤmm2
b = 200 mm 𝑓𝑐𝑡,0 = −1 NΤmm2
h = 350 mm 𝑓𝑐𝑐,𝑡 = 24 NΤmm2
• Min. Pm0 = 398 kN with e = 122.3 mm 𝑓𝑐𝑡,𝑡 = 0 NΤmm2

• Max. Pm0 = 1190 kN with e = 14.9 mm

Kern:
𝑍
= ±58.33 (+ top and – bottom)
𝐴
Transfer, top:
M0,x MT,x elower eupper
x (m)
(kNm) (kNm) (mm) (mm)
Zt fct,0 Zt M0,x
elower ≤ − + −− −(2.20) 0
Ac Pmo Pmo
M0,x 2.5
elower ≤ 64.16 + mm
Pmo 5.0
7.5
Service, bottom: 10
Zb fct,t Zb MT,x
eupper ≥ − + + − −(2.23)
Ac ΩPm0 ΩPm0 ***Moments:
MT,x 3wL2
eupper ≥ −58.33 + mm Mx=L/4 =
ΩPm0 32
wL2
Mx=L/2 =
8
 106.03 mm
-58.33 mm

-58.33 mm

64.00 mm

64.00 mm 31.25 mm
47.70 mm
(mid-span)
95.25 mm
(mid-span)