PRESTRESSED CONCRETE

Anupam Chakrabarti

DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING

INDIAN INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY ROORKEE
ROORKEE, INDIA
1
 DEFINITION

Prestressed concrete is basically concrete in which internal stresses

of suitable magnitude and distribution are introduced so that the
stresses resulting from external loads are counteracted to a desired
degree. The prestress is commonly introduced in the concrete
member by tensioning the steel reinforcement.

2
TERMINOLOGY
TENDON: A stretched element used in concrete member of structure to
impart prestress. Generally, high tensile steel wires, cables or strands are
used as tendons.

ANCHORAGE: A device generally used to enable the tendon to impart and

maintain prestress in the concrete. The commonly used anchorages are the
Freyssinet, Magnel Blaton, Gifford-Udall, Leonhardt-Baur, LeeMcCall,
Dywidag, Roebling and B.B.R.V. systems.

PRE-TENSIONING: A method of prestressing concrete in which the tendons

are tensioned before the concrete is placed. In this method, the prestress is
imparted to concrete by bond between steel and concrete.

POST-TENSIONING: A method of prestressing concrete by tensioning the

tendons against hardened concrete. In this method, the prestress is
imparted to concrete by bearing.
3
TERMINOLOGY
CABLE: A group of wires or bars or strands or rods.

TRANSMISSION LENGTH: The distance required at the end of a

pre-tensioned tendon for developing the maximum tendon stress by bond.

CREEP COEFFICIENT: The ratio of creep strain to elastic strain in concrete.

INITIAL TENSION: The maximum stress induced in the pre-stressing

tendon at the time of the stressing operation.

INITIAL PRESTRESSING: The pre-stress in the concrete at transfer.

FINAL TENSION: The tension in the pre-stressing tendon corresponding to

the state of the final pre-stress.

FINAL PRESTRESS: The stress which exists after substantially all losses
have occurred.
4
TERMINOLOGY
RELAXATION: Time dependent increase in steel strain at constant stress.

SHEALTHING: A material encasing a pre-stressing tendon to prevent

bonding the tendon with the surrounding concrete during concrete
placement to provide corrosion protection.

SHRINKAGE LOSS: The loss of stress in the pre-stressing steel resulting

from the shrinkage of the concrete.

TRANSFER: The act of transferring the stress in pre-stressing tendons from

the jacks or pre-tensioning bed to the concrete member.

STRESS AT TRANSFER: The stress in both the pre-stressing tendon and

the concrete at the stage when the pre-stressing tendon is released from the
pre-stressing mechanism.

5
TYPES OF PRESTRESSING
BASED ON BOND
• BONDED PRESTRESSED CONCRETE - Pre-stress through bond
between tendons and concrete
• NONBONDED PRESTRESSED CONCRETE – tendons in ducts or
outside concrete section

BASED ON TRANSFER
• FULL PRESTRESSING – Tensile stresses in concrete are entirely
obviated at working loads
• PARTIAL PRESTRESSING – Tensile stresses to a limited degree are
permitted in concrete
• MODERATE PRESTRESSING – No limit is imposed upon the
magnitude of tensile stresses

6
TYPES OF PRESTRESSING
BASED ON PROFILE OF TENDON
• AXIAL PRESTRESSING – Centroid of tendons coincide with that of
concrete section
• ECCENTRIC PRESTRESSING – Centroid of tendons are eccentric to
concrete section

BASED ON AXIS
• UNI AXIAL – Concrete is pre-stressed only in one direction
• BI AXIAL – Two mutually perpendicular directions
• TRI AXIAL – Three mutually perpendicular directions

7
ADVANTAGES OF PRESTRESSING
• Under working load, the cross section is more efficiently utilized, when compared with
reinforced cement concrete.
• Within certain limits, a permanent dead load may be counter acted by increasing the
eccentricity of the pre-stressing force.
• A pre-stressed concrete flexure member is stiffer under working loads.
• Lighter and slender members with high strength concrete and steel further contributing
to durability.
• More resistance to shearing force due to the effect of compressive pre-stress, which
reduces the principal tensile stress.
• Pre-stressing improves the ability of material for energy absorption under impact loads.
• Pre-stressed concrete is more economical for longer span structures.
• Considerable resilience due to the capacity to recover from substantial effects of
overloading.
• Fatigue resistance of prestressed concrete is better compared to RCC. Because in
RCC the stress in steel is external load dependent whereas in prestressed concrete it
is load independent.
• Due to utilization of concrete in tension zone, the savings in concrete is 15 to 30 per
cent, savings in steel is 60 to 80 per cent.
• Decrease in dead weight reduces the design loads and cost of foundations.
8
MATERIALS FOR PRESTRESS CONCRETE

9
REQUIREMENT OF CONCRETE
Pre-stressed concrete requires concrete with
• High compressive strength
• Low shrinkage
• Minimum creep characteristics
• High value of Young’s modulus
Now, it is possible to produce
• High strength concrete = 30 – 70 N/mm²
• Ultra high strength concrete = 70 – 100 N/mm²

As per IS -1343 : 2012

Minimum 28 days compressive strength of concrete
For pre-tensioned members – 40 N/mm²
For post tensioned members – 30 N/mm²
10
REQUIREMENT OF STEEL
Pre-stressed concrete requires steel with high tensile strength. High tensile steel usually
contain
• Carbon - 0.6 to 0.85 %
• Manganese - 0.7 to 1.0%
• Sulphur and Phosphorus with traces of silicon – 0.05%

• High carbon steel ingots are hot rolled into rods and cold drawn through a series of
dices to reduce the diameter and increase strength

• Cold drawn relieved wires usually available in sizes – 2.5, 3,4, 5, 7 & 8mm dia
[IS-1785(Part-I):1983]

• The hard drawn steel wires which are indented or crimped are preferred for
pretensioned elements because of their superior bond characteristics [IS-6003
:1983]

The hard drawn wires of 2 to 5 mm diameter are used in the form of strands
comprising of two, three or seven wires. The helical form of the twisted wire in the
strand substantially improves the bond strength [IS-6006 :1983]

The high tensile steel bars commonly employed in prestressing are manufactured in
nominal sizes 10, 12, 16, 22, 25, 28 and 32 mm diameter [IS-2090:1983]
11
Tensile strength and Elongation Characteristics of cold drawn stress relieved wires
(IS: 1785- Part 1- 1983)
Mechanical Properties of High Tensile Indented Wires (IS: 6003- 1983)
Mechanical Properties of Uncoated Stress-relieved Strand (IS: 6003- 1983)
Stress-Strain Curves for Reinforcing and Prestressing Steels
TENSIONING DEVICES
Various types of devices used for tensioning steel
• Mechanical-weights with or without lever transmission, geared transmission
in conjunction with pulley blocks, screw jacks with or without gear drives and
wire winding machines
• Hydraulic- Freyssinet, Magnel, Giffard Udall for the range of 5-100 ton,
Baur-Leonhardt for the range of 200-600 ton
• Electrical (thermal)- Steel wires are electrically heated and anchored before
placing concrete in the moulds, also known as thermo- electric pre stressing
• Chemical-Expanding cements are used and degree of expansion controlled
by varying the curing conditions

16
 PRE-TENSIONING SYSTEMS
• The tendons are first tensioned between rigid
anchorage blocks cast on the ground or in a
column or unit mould type pre tensioning bed
• Tendons comprising individual wires or strands are
stretched with constant eccentricity as shown in
(a) or variable eccentricity as shown in (b) with
tendon anchorage at one end and jacks at other
• With the forms in place, concrete is cast around
stressed tendon

17
Long line process is used for mass production
• Tendons are stretched between two bulk heads several
hundred metres apart
• A number of similar units are cast in between
• Tension is applied by hydraulic jacks/moveable stressing
machine
• The wire or strands when tensioned are anchored to the
abutments by steel wedges

Hoyer’s Long Line System of Pre-tensioning

18
POST-TENSIONING SYSTEMS
• Concrete units are first cast by incorporating ducts or grooves to
house the tendons.
• When the concrete attains sufficient strength, the high tensile wires
are tensioned by means of jack bearing on the end face of the
member and anchored by wedges or nuts.
• The forces are transmitted to the concrete by means of the end
anchorages and when the cable is curved, through the radial
pressure between the cable and the duct

19
PRINCIPAL OF ANCHORING THE TENDONS
• Wedge action producing a frictional grip on the wires
• Direct bearing from rivet or bolt heads formed at the ends of the
wires
• Looping the wires around the concrete
• The space between the tendons and the duct is generally grouted
after the tensioning operation

20
Freyssinet System
Consists of a cylinder with conical interior through which the high tensile
wires pass and against the walls of which the wires are wedged by a
conical plug lined longitudinally with grooves to house the wires
Advantage:
A large number of wires or strands can be simultaneously tensioned using
the double acting hydraulic jack

21
Gifford-Udall (C.C.L.) System
Consists of steel split-cone and cylindrical female cone anchorages to
house the high tensile wires bearing against steel plates
Each wire is tensioned separately and anchored by forcing a sleeve wedge
into a cylindrical grip resting against a bearing plate.
The ducts are generally formed by metal sheaths cast into the concrete
member.

22
Lee-McCall System
• Tendons comprise high tensile bars of dia 12-40 mm which are threaded at
the ends.
• After tensioning each bar is anchored by screwing a nut and washer tightly
against the end plates.
• Forces are transmitted by the bearing at the end blocks
• Advantage: system eliminates the loss due to anchorage slip
• Disadvantage: Curved tendons cannot be used

23
Magnel-Blaton System
• Metallic sandwich plates, flat wedges and a distribution plate for anchoring
the wires.
• Each sandwich plate can house up to four pair of wires
• Distribution plate can be cast into the member at the desired location
• Number of wires in the Magnel cable varies from 2 to 64

24
B.B.R.V. System
• Suited for transmitting large forces
• Tendon consists of several parallel lengths of high tensile wires, with each
end terminating in a cold formed button head with a machined anchorage
fixture (Fig.-a)
• Tendon formed by strands are anchored to the machined fixture by split
cone sleeves (Fig.-b)
• Can develop forces up to 12000 KN

25
Prescon System
Tendons consist of 2 to 130 wires, which are arranged parallel in a sheath
The wires are threaded through a stressing washer at each end before the
button heads at the ends are formed
After stressing, steel shims are inserted, which bear against the end
bearing plate

26
Baur-Leonhardt System
Double tendons are wrapped around the end block, which is D-shaped at
the end of the structure and is detached from the main beams
These end blocks are forced to move away by large hydraulic jacks
Gap between the end block and the main structure is filled with concrete
Used for long span bridges

27
Dywidag single bar anchorage System
Used for cast in place segments pre stressed by post tensioning
Threads formed by bar deformations make it easy to couple bars of any
required length
Bond properties are also improved by the surface deformations
Dywidag bar used in conjunction with a nut bearing on an end plate is
available in sizes from 15.87 mm to 34.92 mm in dia.

28
TENDON SPLICES
In the case of continuous pre stressed concrete members involving long
tendons, it is necessary to splice the tendons to achieve continuity

SPLICING ARRANGEMENTS

1. Screw connectors are normally employed to splice large diameter high

tensile bars which can be threaded at ends. A sheet metal sheath of enlarged
diameter and sufficient length is generally used to cover the splice. Screw
threaded connectors are not recommended for splicing heat treated pre
stressing steels, which are highly susceptible to stress corrosion
2. Torpedo-splice consists of triple wedges for securing the wires and the
entire unit is covered and protected by a sleeve. Largely used for splicing
cold drawn wires, which are adopted for the circular pre stressing of tanks.
The advantage of this splice is that there is no reduction in the strength of
wire.
3. Clamp splice are equipped with bolts and nuts, with a series of clamp
plates to house the tendons between them. Since there will be a
considerable reduction in the tensile strength of up to 50 per cent, this type
of splice can be used only in locations where the pre stressing force has
been sufficiently reduced by the curvature of the tendon due to friction.
4. Wrapped splice For splicing of small diameter wires of 3-6 mm, high
tensile wire is wrapped under high tension using a wire serving machine.
The wrapping wire of 1 mm dia is generally used to splice wires up to 6
mm dia. The length of splice may vary from 20-30 cm. The splice formed
in this manner has a strength almost equal to that of the normal wire.
This type of splice is generally used for the wires of circular concrete
tanks and anchorage loops.
APPLICATIONS OF POST TENSIONING
• Ideally suited for medium to long span in situ work
• Economical for long span bridge decks of the box girder type by pre
stressing together a number of smaller pre cast units
• It allows the use of curved and stopped off cables which helps the
designer to vary the pre stress distribution at will from section to section
so as to counter the external loads more efficiently
• Used for strengthening concrete dams, circular pre stressing of large
concrete tanks and biological shields of nuclear reactors
• Ideally suited in concrete construction work involving stage pre stressing
ANALYSIS
 ANALYSIS OF PRESTRESS
AND
BENDING STRESS

BASIC ASSUMPTIONS
1. Concrete is homogenous elastic material
2. A plane section before bending is assumed to remain plane even
after bending (linear strain distribution) across depth of the
member)
3. Small deflection theory ( principle of superposition is valid )
4. As long as tensile stress do not exceed the limit of modulus of
rupture ( flexural tensile capacity), change in the loading will result
change in stress in concrete only.
 ANALYSIS OF PRESTRESS
There are three approaches to analyze a prestressed
member at transfer and under service loads. These
approaches are based on the following concepts:
▪ Based on stress concept
▪ Based on force concept
▪ Based on load balancing concept
CONCENTRIC TENDON
ECCENTRIC TENDON
1. P = pre stressing force (+ve =
compression)
2. e = eccentricity
3. M = P.e
4. A = C/S area of concrete member
5. I = second moment of area of section
about its centroid
6. Zt and Zb = section modulus of top and
bottom fibres
7. fsup and finf = prestress in concrete
developed at top and bottom fibres
+ve = compression
-ve = tension
8. yt and yb = distance of top and bottom
fibres from the centroid of the section
9. i= radius of gyration
ECCENTRIC TENDON

The stress developed at top and bottom

layer is obtained from the relation
 RESULTANT STRESS AT A
SECTION
1. The concrete beam supports UDL &
Dead Load of intensity q and g
2. The beam is pre stressed by straight
tendon carrying a pre stressing force P
and eccentricity e
3. Resultant stress in concrete at any
section are obtained by superposing
the effect
4. Mg= dead load moment
5. Mq= live load moment
Example Problem 1
Consider a concrete beam of rectangular section , 150 mm wide by 300 mm deep,
prestressed by 4 high –tensile wires of 5 mm diameter stresses to 1200 N/mm2. The wires are
located at an eccentricity of 50 mm . The stresses developed at the soffit of the beam will be
examined by considering the ‘nominal concrete’ and ‘equivalent concrete’ section.
Example Problem-2
A rectangular concrete beam of cross-section 30 cm deep and 20 cm wide is pre stressed
by means of 15 wires 5 mm diameter located 6.5 cm from the bottom of the beam and 3
wires of diameter of 5 mm . 2.5 cm from top . Assuming the prestress in steel as 840
N/mm2, calculate the stresses at extreme fibers of the mid-span section when the beam is
supporting its own weight over a span of 6 m , if a uniformly distributed live load of 6 KN/m
is imposed, evaluate the maximum working stress in concrete. The density of concrete is 24
KN/m3
Example Problem 3
A rectangular concrete beam 250 mm wide and 600 mm deep, is
prestressed by means of four 14 mm diameter high- tensile bars located
200mm from the soffit of the beam. Is the effective stress in wires is 700
N/mm2 , what is the maximum bending moment that can be applied to
the section without causing tension at the soffit of the beam ?

Solution :
 Example Problem 4
A prestressed concrete beam of section 200 mm wide by 300 mm deep is
used over an effective span of 6 m to support an imposed load of 4 KN/m. the
density of concrete is 24 KN/m3.
At the center of span of the beam , find the magnitude of :
a) The concentric prestressing force necessary for zero fibre stress at the
soffit when the beam is fully loaded
b) The eccentric pretressing force located 100 mm from bottom of the beam
which would nullify the bottom fibre stresses due to loading.
Solution :
 FORCE METHOD
PRESSURE LINE OR THRUST LINE AND
INTERNAL RESISTING COUPLE

▪ At any given section the distribution of

stresses can be resolved into a single
force
▪ The locus of points of application of this
resultant force in the structure is termed
as ‘pressure or thrust line’
▪ The concept is useful in understanding
load –carrying mechanism
▪ Consider an eccentrically placed straight
cable profile concrete beam with UDL
acting
 PRESSURE LINE OR THRUST LINE

▪ Support section – no flexural stress , the

external loads, the pressure line coincides
with of centroid of steel
▪ Centre span- pressure line has shifted
towards top fibre by (h/3)
▪ Quarter span- the shift is correspondingly
smaller (h/4) ( moments are less)
▪ Larger uniformly distributed load on beam
would result in pressure line shifts even
higher
▪ These observation lead to important
principle
 PRESSURE LINE OR THRUST LINE
Principle
• A change in external moments in elastic range of
PSC beam results in shift of pressure line rather
than increase in the resultant force in beam.
• This is in contrast to RCC
• Basically the load carrying mechanism is
comprised of a constant force with a changing
lever-arm
• However if prestress concrete is cracked , it
behaves in a manner similar to that of RCC
 RESISTING COUPLE
Internal resisting couple method
▪ The pressure line concept can be used to evaluate the stresses
▪ At any section of loaded prestressed beam Equillibriium is maintained ,
∑H=0 & ∑M=0
▪ When gravity loads are zero C & T lines coincide
▪ Under transverse load , the C- line or centre of pressure or thrust line is
at a varying distance ‘a’ from T-line
 STRESS CALCULATION FROM FORCE METHOD

• M= Ca =Ta = Pa
• The shift of pressure line e measured from the centroidal axis
is obtained
• e’ = (a-e) = (M/P) –e
• The resulting stress at top and bottom fibres,
A prestressed concrete beam with rectangular section 120 mm wide by 300 mm deep
supports a uniformly distributed load of 4 KN/m , which includes the self – weight of the
beam. The effective span of the beam is 6 m. the beam is concentrically prestressed by a
cable carrying a force of 180 KN. Locate the position of pressure line in the beam
Solution:
If N= resultant thrust in the section
e = corresponding eccentricity then,
N/A +Ne/Z= 15
But,
N=180 x 103N
A =36x 103 mm2
Z=18 x 105 mm3

Solving,
e =100 mm
The resultant stress distribution diagram
and pressure-line location is shown in
figure.
Distribution of stresses at centre and quarter span section

Location of pressure line in the prestressed beam

 CONCEPT OF LOAD BALANCING
▪ Selecting a cable profile in a PSC member such that the
transverse component of the force balances the given type of
external loads
▪ So prestressing is done in such a way so that effective prestress
balances the sustained loading & beam remain perfectly level
without deflecting.
▪ The moment, upward thrust and upward deflection (camber) due
to the prestress in the tendons are calculated. The upward thrust
balances part of the superimposed load.
TENDON PROFILE AND EQUIVALENT LOADS
PRESTRESS LOSS (CL. 19.5.2)

▪ In prestressed concrete applications, most important variable is

the prestress. Prestress does not remain constant (reduces) with
time.

▪ Reduction of prestress is nothing but the loss in prestress.

Loss of prestress is classified into two types:

▪ Short-Term or Immediate Losses

▪ immediate losses occur during prestressing of tendons, and transfer
of prestress to concrete member.

▪ Long-Term or Time Dependent Losses

▪ Time dependent losses occur during service life of structure.
1. Immediate Losses include
i. Elastic Shortening of Concrete

ii. Slip at anchorages immediately after prestressing

iii. Friction between tendon and tendon duct and wobble

Effect

2. Time Dependent Losses include

i. Creep and Shrinkage of concrete

ii. Relaxation of prestressing steel

 LOSSES IN VARIOUS PRESTRESSING SYSTEMS

Type of Loss Pre-tensioning Post-tensioning

i. No, if all the cables are
simultaneously
1. Elastic Shortening Yes tensioned.
ii. If the wires are tensioned
in stages loss will exist.
2. Anchorage Slip No Yes
3. Friction Loss No Yes
4. Creep and
Shrinkage of Yes Yes
Concrete
5. Relaxation of Steel Yes Yes
IMMEDIATE LOSSES
Elastic Shortening of Concrete (Cl. 19.5.2.4)
▪ In pre-tensioned concrete, when the prestress is transferred to
concrete, the member shortens and the prestressing steel also
shortens in it. Hence there is a loss of prestress.

▪ In case of post-tensioning, if all the cables are tensioned

simultaneously there is no loss since the applied stress is recorded
after the elastic shortening has completely occurred.

▪ If the cables are tensioned sequentially, there is loss in a tendon during

subsequent stretching of other tendons.
▪ Loss of prestress mainly depends on modular ratio and average stress in
concrete at the level of steel.

▪ Loss due to elastic shortening is quantified by drop in prestress in a

tendon due to change in strain in tendon.

▪ The change in strain in tendon is equal to the strain in concrete (ε c) at the

level of tendon due to prestressing force.

▪ This assumption is due to strain compatibility between concrete and steel.

▪ Strain in concrete at the level of tendon is calculated from the stress in

concrete (fc) at the same level due to prestressing force.
Strain compatibility
If fc = Presstress in concrete at the level of steel
Es =Modulus of elasticity of steel
Ec = Modulus of elasticity of concrete
αc = Es/Ec = Modular Ratio
Strain in concrete at the level of steel = (fc/Ec)
Stress in steel corresponding to this strain = (fc/Ec)Es
Therefore, Loss of stress in steel = αcfc
ANCHORAGE SLIP (Cl.
▪ 19.5.2.5)
In most Post-tensioning systems when the tendon force is transferred from
the jack to the anchoring ends, the friction wedges slip over a small
distance.
▪ Anchorage block also moves before it settles on concrete.

▪ Loss of prestress is due to the consequent reduction in the length of the

tendon.

▪ Certain quantity of prestress is released due to this slip of wire through the
anchorages.

▪ Amount of slip depends on type of wedge and stress in the wire.

▪ The magnitude of slip can be known from the tests or from the patents of
the anchorage system.
▪ Percentage loss is higher for shorter members.
▪ Anchorage loss can be accounted for at the site by over-extending
the tendon during prestressing operation by the amount of draw-in
before anchoring.
▪ Loss of prestress due to slip can be calculated:
 FRICTIONAL LOSS
▪ In Post-tensioned members, tendons are housed in ducts or sheaths.

▪ If the profile of cable is linear, the loss will be due to straightening or

stretching of the cables called Wobble Effect.

▪ If the profile is curved, there will be loss in stress due to friction between
tendon and the duct or between the tendons themselves.

Post-tensioned Members
• Friction is generated due to curvature of tendon, and vertical component

of the prestressing force.

 FRICTION (Cl. 19.5.2.6)
Post-tensioned
Members

P0 Px

VARIATION OF PRESTRESSING FORCE AFTER

STRETCHING
The magnitude of prestressing force, Px at any distance, x from the tensioning
end follows an exponential function of the type (Cl. 19.5.2.6),

K = Coefficient for wave effect

In the absence of test data, IS:1343 - 1980 provides guidelines for the
values of μ and k.

The value of k varies from 0.0015 to 0.0050 per meter length of the tendon
depending on the type of tendon.
TIME DEPENDENT LOSSES
Creep of Concrete (Cl. 19.5.2.1)

▪ Time-dependent increase of deformation under sustained load.

▪ Due to creep, the prestress in tendons decreases with time.
Factors affecting creep and shrinkage of concrete
• Age
• Applied Stress level
• Density of concrete
• Cement Content in concrete
• Water-Cement Ratio
• Relative Humidity and
• Temperature
The loss of prestress in steel due to creep of concrete can be estimated
by the following methods:
I. Ultimate Creep Strain Method
If εcc = Utimate creep strain for a sustained unit stress
fc = Compressive stress in concrete at the level of steel
Es = Modulus of elasticity of steel
Then,
The loss of stress in steel due to creep of concrete = εcc fc Es

II. Creep Coefficient Method

If φ = Creep Coefficient
εc = Creep Strain
εe = Elastic Strain
αc = Modular Ratio
fc = Stress in Concrete
Ec = Modulus of elasticity of Concrete
Es = Modulus of elasticity of steel
Creep Coefficient = (creep Strain/Elastic Strain)
i.e., φ = (εc / εe)
Therefore, εc = φεe = φ (fc/ Ec)
Hence, loss of stress in steel = εc Es = φ fc αc
76
Relaxation (Cl. 19.5.2.3)
▪ Relaxation is the reduction in stress with time at constant strain.
▪ decrease in the stress is due to the fact that some of the initial
elastic strain is transformed in to inelastic strain under constant
strain.
▪ stress decreases according to the remaining elastic strain.
Factors effecting Relaxation :
• Time
• Initial stress
• Temperature and
• Type of steel.

Relaxation loss can be calculated according to the IS 1343, Cl. 19.5.2.3, Table 6.
Total loss allowed for in Design
▪ The total loss is expressed as a
percentage of initial stress and
provided for design
▪ Difficult to generalize the exact amount
of total loss, however a typical values
are outlined
▪ Hence reduction factor is introduced
Loss of stress in cable 1 = (6 x 9.8) = 58.8 N/mm2

When cable 3 is tensioned and anchored, stress distribution al the levels of cable
1 and cable 2 and the average stress and the loss of stress is obtained as follows.
2. Creep Coefficient Method
Loss of stress in steel =  fc αc =( 1.6 x 10.2 x 6)= 97.92 N/mm2
If Px = prestressing force (stress) In the cable at the far end,
Px =Poe-(µ  +K x)
For small values of (µ  +K x)
we can write
Px =Po [1-(µ  +K x)]
Loss of stress =Po (µ  +K x)
cable 1 = Po (0.35 x 0.08 +0.0015 X 10) = 0.043 Po
cable 2 = Po(0.35 x 0.04+0.0015 x 10) = 0.029 Po
cable 3 = Po (0 + 0.00 15 X 10) = 0.015 Po
if Po = Initial stress =1200 N/mm2
Design of prestressed concrete
sections
 STRESS CONDITIONS
Minimum section modulus
❑ Prestressed sections under the action of flexure should satisfy the
limits specified for permissible stresses at the stage of transfer of
prestress and at service loads.
❑ Expressions for the minimum section moduli required to consider
the two critical combinations of prestress and moments. These
combinations are
1. The maximum prestressing force at transfer together with the
minimum moments sustained by the section, and
2. The minimum prestressing force after all losses in combination with
the maximum design moment for the serviceability limit state.
❑ The prestressing force and the corresponding eccentricity
are developed using the four stress relationships established
for the two extreme fibre of the section as shown in Figure 1.

Fig. 1 Stresses due to Prestress, Dead and Applied Loads

❑ Referring to Figure 1 , the four fundamental conditions for stresses
at transfer and service loads are as follows:
❑ At transfer
Top fibres (1)

Bottom fibres (2)

❑ At working load

Top fibres (3)

Bottom fibres
(4)
❑ From Eqs 1 and 3, we have,

❑ Similarly from Eqs 2 and 4, we have,

❑ The design formulae for the required section moduli are expressed as

(5a)

(6a)
❑ In cases where permanent dead loads in addition to the
self-weight acts on the member, these equations are modified and
used in the form given below

(5b)

(6b)
 Prestressing Force
❑ The section selected is somewhat greater than the
minimum indicated by Eqs 5 or 6 and consequently the
prestress can lie between an upper and lower limit.
❑ Any value of the prestress within these limits may be
safely used without exceeding the permissible stresses at
the extreme fibres.
❑ The minimum prestressing force required will be obtained
by selecting the maximum tensile prestress, indicated by
Eq. 1 at the top fibre.
❑ The minimum compressive prestress, indicated by Eq. 4
corresponding to the bottom fibre.
❑ Rearranging these equations,

(7)

(8)
❑ Eliminating e from the equations,

❑ We have the expression for the minimum prestressing force as

(9)
❑ Similarly, eliminating P from the equations, the corresponding
maximum eccentricity is given by

(10)
 Problem
❑ A post-tensioned prestressed beam of 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 stress in
the concrete must not exceed 17 N/mm2 in compression or
1.4 N/mm2 in tension at any time and the loss of prestress
may be assumed to be 15%.
Calculate,
1. The minimum possible depth of the beam; and

2. For the section provided, the minimum prestressing force

and the corresponding eccentricity.
Solution:
 Problem
A prestressed road bridge of span 10 m consists of a concrete
slab 380 mm thick with parallel post-tensioned cables, in each
of which the force at transfer is 360 kN. If the bridge is required
to support an uniformly distributed applied load of 25 kN/m2,
with the tensile stress in concrete not exceeding 0.7 N/mm2 at
any time, calculate the maximum horizontal spacing of cables,
their distance from the soffit of the slab at mid-span and their
lowest possible position at the supports. Assume 20 percent
loss of prestress after transfer.

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Solution:

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THANKS

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