IN-LB Inch-Pound Units

An ACI/PTI Standard

Post-Tensioned
Structural Concrete—
Code Requirements and
Commentary
ACI/PTI CODE-320-25

Reported by Joint ACI-PTI Committee 320

 First Printing: February 2025
ISBN: 978-1-XXXXX-XXX-X

This document is the intellectual property of ACI and PTI, and both have copyright. All rights reserved. This material may not be
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Post-Tensioned Structural Concrete—Code Requirements and Commentary

Copyright by the American Concrete Institute, Farmington Hills, MI, and the Post-Tensioning Institute, Farmington Hills, MI. All
rights reserved. This material may not be reproduced or copied, in whole or part, in any printed, mechanical, electronic, film, or
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American Concrete Institute Post-Tensioning Institute

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 ACI/PTI CODE-320-25

Post-Tensioned Structural Concrete—

Code Requirements and Commentary

An ACI/PTI Standard
Reported by Joint ACI-PTI Committee 320

Carol Hayek, Chair* Trey Hamilton, Secretary (Non-voting)

Voting Members
Hamid Ahmady* Thomas Kang Carin L. Roberts-Wollman*
Tim Christle Donald Kline* Andrea J. Schokker*
Martin Cuadra* Martin R. Maingot Zuming Xia

Technical Advisory Board Task Group of the Post-Tensioning Institute

Don Kline, Chair Tim Christle, Staff Liaison
Rashid Ahmed Asit Baxi Frank Malits
Bryan Allred Jonathan Hirsch Miroslav Vejvoda

Members of Joint ACI-PTI Committee 320 and the Technical Advisory Barod Task Group of the Post-Tensioning Institute.
*

Keywords: anchorage; anchorage device; anchorage zone; beam-column

frame; beams (supports); bonded tendon; combined stress; compressive
CONTENTS
strength; concrete; construction documents; continuity (structural); cover;
CHAPTER 1—GENERAL, P. 6
deep beams; deflections; earthquake-resistant structures; elongation; flex- 1.1—Scope of ACI/PTI CODE-320, p. 6
ural strength; floors; inspection; joints (junctions); loads (forces); modulus 1.2—General, p. 6
of elasticity; moments; post-tensioned concrete; prestressed concrete; 1.3—Purpose, p. 7
prestressing steels; quality control; reinforcing steels; roofs; serviceability; 1.4—Applicability, p. 7
shear strength; spans; splicing; strength analysis; stresses; stressing; struc-
tural analysis; structural design; structural integrity; structural walls;
1.5—Interpretation, p. 8
T-beams; torsion; unbonded tendon; walls. 1.6—Building official, p. 9
1.7—Licensed design professional, p. 10
1.8—Construction documents and design records, p. 10
1.9—Testing and inspection, p. 10
1.10—Approval of specials systems of design, construc-
tion, or alternative construction materials, p. 11

ACI/PTI CODE-320-25 was approved by the ACI Standards Board for publication
January 2025, and published January 2025. Approved as a standard of the American
Concrete Institute (January 2025) and the Post-Tensioning Institute (January 2025).
Copyright © 2025, American Concrete Institute and the Post-Tensioning Institute.
This material may not be reproduced or copied, in whole or in part, in any form
or by any means, including making copies by any photo process, or by electronic or
mechanical device, printed, written, graphic, or oral, or recording for sound or visual
reproduction for use in any knowledge or retrieval system or device, without the written
consent of ACI and PTI. This material may not be used by data mining, robots, screen
scraping, or similar data gathering and extraction tools such as artificial intelligence
(“AI”) for purposes of developing or training a machine learning or AI model, con-
ducting computer analysis or creating derivatives of this material, without the written
consent of ACI and PTI.

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2 CODE-320: POST-TENSIONED STRUCTURAL CONCRETE—CODE REQUIREMENTS AND COMMENTARY

CHAPTER 2—NOTATION AND TERMINOLOGY, P. 12 8.3—Design limits, p. 53

2.1—Scope, p. 12 8.4—Required strength, p. 54
2.2—Notation, p. 12 8.5—Design strength, p. 58
2.3—Terminology, p. 17 8.6—Reinforcement limits, p. 59
8.7—Reinforcement detailing, p. 61
CHAPTER 3—REFERENCED STANDARDS, P. 29 8.8—Nonprestressed two-way joist systems - Out of
3.1—Scope, p. 29 Scope, p. 71
3.2—Referenced standards, p. 29 8.9—Lift-slab construction, p. 71

CHAPTER 4—STRUCTURAL SYSTEM CHAPTER 9—BEAMS, P. 72

REQUIREMENTS, P. 30 9.1—Scope, p. 72
4.1—Scope, p. 30 9.2—General, p. 72
4.2—Materials, p. 30 9.3—Design limits, p. 73
4.3—Design loads, p. 30 9.4—Required strength, p. 74
4.4—Structural system and load paths, p. 30 9.5—Design strength, p. 76
4.5—Structural analysis, p. 34 9.6—Reinforcement limits, p. 78
4.6—Strength, p. 34 9.7—Reinforcement detailing, p. 80
4.7—Serviceability, p. 35 9.8—Nonprestressed one-way joist systems - Out of
4.8—Durability, p. 35 Scope, p. 85
4.9—Sustainability, p. 35 9.9—Deep beams - See ACI CODE-318, p. 85
4.10—Structural integrity, p. 36
4.11—Fire resistance, p. 36 CHAPTER 10—COLUMNS, P. 86
4.12—Requirements for specific types of construction, p. 36 10.1—Scope, p. 86
4.13—Construction and inspection, p. 38 10.2—General - See ACI CODE-318, p. 86
4.14—Strength evaluation of existing structures, p. 38 10.3—Design limits - See ACI CODE-318, p. 86
10.4—Required strength - See ACI CODE-318, p. 86
CHAPTER 5—LOADS, P. 39 10.5—Design strength - See ACI CODE-318, p. 86
5.1—Scope, p. 39 10.6—Reinforcement limits, p. 86
5.2—General - See ACI CODE-318, p. 39 10.7—Reinforcement detailing, p. 86
5.3—Load factors and combinations, p. 39
CHAPTER 11—WALLS, P. 88
CHAPTER 6—STRUCTURAL ANALYSIS, P. 40 11.1—Scope, p. 88
6.1—Scope, p. 40
6.2—General, p. 40 CHAPTER 12—DIAPHRAGMS, P. 89
6.3—Modeling assumptions, p. 40 12.1—Scope, p. 89
6.4—Arrangement of live load, p. 40 12.2—General - See ACI CODE-318, p. 90
6.5—Simplified method of analysis for nonprestressed 12.3—Design limits - See ACI CODE-318, p. 90
continuous beams and one-way slabs - See ACI CODE-318, 12.4—Required strength - See ACI CODE-318, p. 90
p. 41 12.5—Design strength, p. 90
6.6—Linear elastic first-order analysis, p. 41 12.6—Reinforcement limits - See ACI CODE-318, p. 92
6.7—Linear elastic second-order analysis - See ACI 12.7—Reinforcement detailing - See ACI CODE-318, p. 92
CODE-318, p. 43
6.8—Inelastic analysis - See ACI CODE-318, p. 43 CHAPTER 13—FOUNDATIONS, P. 93
6.9—Acceptability of finite element analysis - See ACI 13.1—Scope, p. 93
CODE-318, p. 43
CHAPTER 14—PLAIN CONCRETE (OUT OF
CHAPTER 7—ONE-WAY SLABS, P. 44 SCOPE), P. 93
7.1—Scope, p. 44
7.2—General, p. 44 CHAPTER 15—CAST-IN-PLACE JOINTS, P. 93
7.3—Design limits, p. 44 15.1—Scope, p. 93
7.4—Required strength, p. 45
7.5—Design strength, p. 45 CHAPTER 16—CONNECTIONS BETWEEN
7.6—Reinforcement limits, p. 46 MEMBERS, P. 93
7.7—Reinforcement detailing, p. 49 16.1—Scope, p. 93

CHAPTER 8—TWO-WAY SLABS, P. 52 CHAPTER 17—ANCHORING TO CONCRETE, P. 93

8.1—Scope, p. 52 17.1—Scope, p. 93
8.2—General, p. 52

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 CODE-320: POST-TENSIONED STRUCTURAL CONCRETE—CODE REQUIREMENTS AND COMMENTARY3

CHAPTER 18—EARTHQUAKE-RESISTANT 22.7—Torsional strength, p. 127

STRUCTURES, P. 94 22.8—Bearing - See ACI CODE-318, p. 133
18.1—Scope, p. 94 22.9—Shear friction - See ACI CODE-318, p. 133
18.2—General - See ACI CODE-318, p. 95
18.3—Ordinary moment frames - See ACI CODE-318, p. 95 CHAPTER 23—STRUT-AND-TIE METHOD, P. 134
18.4—Intermediate moment frames, p. 95 23.1—Scope, p. 134
18.5—Intermediate precast structural walls - Out of scope,
p. 96 CHAPTER 24—SERVICEABILITY, P. 135
18.6—Beams of special moment frames, p. 96 24.1—Scope, p. 135
18.7—Columns of special moment frames - See ACI 24.2—Deflections due to service-level gravity loads, p. 135
CODE-318, p. 97 24.3—Distribution of flexural reinforcement in one-way
18.8—Joints of special moment frames - See ACI CODE- slabs and beams, p. 138
318, p. 97 24.4—Shrinkage and temperature reinforcement, p. 140
18.9—Special moment frames constructed using precast 24.5—Permissible stresses in prestressed concrete flex-
concrete - See ACI/PCI-CODE 319, p. 97 ural members, p. 141
18.10—Special structural walls - See ACI CODE-318, p. 97
18.11—Special structural walls constructed using precast CHAPTER 25—REINFORCEMENT DETAILS, P. 144
concrete - See ACI/PCI CODE-319, p. 97 25.1—Scope, p. 144
18.12—Diaphragms and trusses, p. 97 25.2—Minimum spacing of reinforcement - See ACI
18.13—Foundations - See ACI CODE-318, p. 97 CODE-318, p. 144
18.14—Members not designated as part of the seismic- 25.3—Standard hooks, seismic hooks, crossties, and
force-resisting system, p. 97 minimum inside bend diameters - See ACI CODE-318, p. 144
25.4—Development and anchorage of reinforcement -
CHAPTER 19—CONCRETE: DESIGN AND See ACI CODE-318, p. 144
DURABILITY REQUIREMENTS, P. 100 25.5—Splices - See ACI CODE-318, p. 144
19.1—Scope, p. 100 25.6—Bundled reinforcement - See ACI CODE-318, p. 144
19.2—Concrete design properties - See ACI CODE-318, 25.7—Transverse reinforcement - See ACI CODE-318,
p. 100 p. 144
19.3—Concrete durability requirements - See ACI CODE- 25.8—Post-tensioning anchorages and couplers, p. 144
318, p. 100 25.9—Anchorage zones for post-tensioned tendons, p. 145
19.4—Grout durability requirements, p. 100
CHAPTER 26—CONSTRUCTION DOCUMENTS
CHAPTER 20—STEEL REINFORCEMENT AND INSPECTION, P. 156
PROPERTIES, DURABILITY, AND EMBEDMENTS, 26.1—Scope, p. 156
P. 101 26.2—Design criteria - See ACI CODE-318, p. 157
20.1—Scope, p. 101 26.3—Member information - See ACI CODE-318, p. 157
20.2—Nonprestressed bars and wires - See ACI CODE- 26.4—Concrete materials, mixture requirements, and
318, p. 101 grouts - ACI CODE-318, p. 157
20.3—Prestressing strands, wires, and bars, p. 101 26.5—Concrete production and construction - See ACI
20.4—Headed shear stud reinforcement, p. 104 CODE-318, p. 157
20.5—Provisions for durability of steel reinforcement, p. 105 26.6—Reinforcement materials and construction require-
20.6—Embedments - See ACI CODE-318, p. 108 ments - See ACI CODE-318, p. 157
26.7—Anchoring to concrete - See ACI CODE-318, p. 157
CHAPTER 21—STRENGTH REDUCTION 26.8—Embedments - See ACI CODE-318, p. 157
FACTORS, P. 109 26.9—Additional requirements for precast concrete - See
21.1—Scope, p. 109 ACI/PCI CODE-319, p. 157
21.2—Strength reduction factors for structural concrete 26.10—Additional requirements for post-tensioned
members and connections, p. 109 concrete, p. 157
26.11—Formwork - See ACI CODE-318, p. 159
CHAPTER 22—SECTIONAL STRENGTH, P. 110 26.12—Evaluation and acceptance of hardened concrete -
22.1—Scope, p. 110 See ACI CODE-318, p. 159
22.2—Design assumptions for moment and axial strength, 26.13—Inspection - See ACI CODE-318, p. 159
p. 110
22.3—Flexural strength, p. 111 CHAPTER 27—STRENGTH EVALUATION OF
22.4—Axial strength or combined flexural and axial EXISTING STRUCTURES, P. 160
strength, p. 111 27.1—Scope, p. 160
22.5—One-way shear strength, p. 112
22.6—Two-way shear strength, p. 119 COMMENTARY REFERENCES, P. 161

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4 CODE-320: POST-TENSIONED STRUCTURAL CONCRETE—CODE REQUIREMENTS AND COMMENTARY

PREFACE TO ACI/PTI CODE-320-25

The “Post-Tensioned Structural Concrete—Code Requirements and Commentary” (“Code”) provides minimum requirements
for the materials, design, and detailing of post-tensioned concrete buildings and, where applicable, nonbuilding structures.
This Code was developed by using a consensus process and addresses structural concrete members and systems that contain
post-tensioned tendons. The Technical Advisory Board Code Task Group of the Post-Tensioning Institute was instrumental in
the development of code provisions and commentary for this Code and whose efforts are gratefully acknowledged. Among the
subjects covered are: design and construction for strength, serviceability, and durability; one-way slabs; two-way slabs; beams;
post-tensioning anchorages; construction document information; and field inspection and testing.
This Code adheres to the chapter and section numbering of ACI CODE-318-25 and either references or repeats applicable
provisions from ACI CODE-318. Provisions that are identical to ACI CODE-318 and are repeated in this Code are denoted
with an equal sign (“=”). Provisions that are applicable to post-tensioned concrete but are not repeated in the Code are denoted
as “See ACI CODE-318.” The Code organization is such that all design and detailing requirements for structural systems or for
individual members are presented in chapters devoted to those individual subjects, and the chapters are arranged in a manner
that generally follows the process and chronology of design and construction. Information and procedures that are common
to the design of multiple member types are located in utility chapters. Within chapters, the terms “out of scope” are used for
numbered section headings from ACI CODE-318 that are not covered by this Code, while the term “intentionally left blank” is
used as a place holder to maintain consistency with section numbering in situations where ACI CODE-318 includes a numbered
provision that is not also in this Code.
Uses of the Code include adoption by reference in a general building code, and earlier editions have been widely used in this
manner. The Code is written in a format that allows such reference without change to its language. Therefore, background details
or suggestions for carrying out the requirements or intent of the Code provisions cannot be included within the Code itself. The
Commentary is provided for this purpose. Some considerations of the committee in developing the Code are discussed in the
Commentary, with emphasis given to the explanation of new or revised provisions. The commentary also provides explanations
regarding situations where use of ACI CODE-318 and this Code are used. For instance, design of cast-in-place, nonprestressed
concrete members or structures requires the use of ACI CODE-318 alone. Design of post-tensioned concrete structures requires
the use of this Code and ACI CODE-318. Design of precast, post-tensioned concrete structures requires the use of applicable
provisions of this Code, ACI CODE-318, and ACI-PTI CODE-319. For provisions that specifically address precast concrete
and are generally not within the scope of post-tensioning, this code references either ACI CODE-318 or ACI-PTI CODE-319,
where applicable.
Much of the research data referenced in preparing the Code is cited for the user desiring to study individual questions in
greater detail. Other documents that provide suggestions for carrying out the requirements of the Code are also cited, including
PTI design manuals, recommended practices, and reports.

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 CODE-320: POST-TENSIONED STRUCTURAL CONCRETE—CODE REQUIREMENTS AND COMMENTARY5

INTRODUCTION
ACI/PCI CODE-320-25, “Post-Tensioned Structural regarding the details needed to address delegated design in
Concrete—Code Requirements and Commentary,” herein- the contract documents. Generally, the contract documents
after called the Code or the 2025 Code, and its “Commen- should contain all of the necessary requirements to ensure
tary,” are presented in a side-by-side column format. These compliance with the Code. In part, this can be accomplished
are two separate but coordinated documents, with Code text by reference to specific Code sections in the project specifi-
placed in the left column and the corresponding Commen- cations. Other ACI publications, such as “Specifications for
tary text aligned in the right column. Commentary section Structural Concrete (ACI SPEC-301)” are written specifi-
numbers are preceded by an “R” to further distinguish them cally for use as contract documents for construction.
from Code section numbers. The two documents are bound The Commentary discusses some of the considerations
together solely for the user’s convenience. Each document of Committee 320 in developing the provisions contained
carries a separate enforceable and distinct copyright. in the Code. Emphasis is given to the explanation of new
As the name implies, “Post-Tensioned Structural or revised provisions that may be unfamiliar to Code users.
Concrete—Code Requirements and Commentary” is meant Comments on specific provisions are made under the corre-
to be used as part of a legally adopted building code and sponding chapter and section numbers of the Code.
as such must differ in form and substance from documents The Commentary is not intended to provide a complete
that provide detailed specifications, recommended practice, historical background concerning the development of the
complete design procedures, or design aids. Code, nor is it intended to provide a detailed résumé of the
The Code is intended to cover all buildings of the usual studies and research data reviewed by the committee in
types, both large and small. Requirements more stringent formulating the provisions of the Code. However, references
than the Code provisions may be desirable for unusual to some of the research data are provided for those who wish
construction. The Code and Commentary cannot replace to study the background material in depth.
sound engineering knowledge, experience, and judgment. The Commentary directs attention to other documents
A building code states only the minimum requirements that provide suggestions for carrying out the requirements
necessary to provide for public health and safety. The Code and intent of the Code. However, those documents and the
is based on this principle. For any structure, the owner or Commentary are not a part of the Code.
the licensed design professional may require the quality of The Commentary is intended for the use of individuals
materials and construction to be higher than the minimum who are competent to evaluate the significance and limi-
requirements necessary to protect the public as stated in the tations of its content and recommendations, and who will
Code. However, lower standards are not permitted. accept responsibility for the application of the information
The Code has no legal status unless it is adopted by the it contains. ACI and PTI disclaims any and all responsibility
government bodies having the police power to regulate for the stated principles. ACI and PTI shall not be liable
building design and construction. Where the Code has not for any loss or damage arising therefrom. Reference to the
been adopted, it may serve as a reference to good practice Commentary shall not be made in construction documents.
even though it has no legal status. If items found in the Commentary are desired by the licensed
The Code and Commentary are not intended for use in design professional to be a part of the contract documents,
settling disputes between the owner, engineer-of-record, they shall be restated in mandatory language for incorpora-
specialty engineer, architect, contractor, or their agents, tion by the licensed design professional.
subcontractors, material suppliers, or testing agencies. It is recommended to have the materials, processes, quality
Therefore, the Code cannot define the contract responsibility control measures, and inspections described in this docu-
of each of the parties in post-tensioned concrete construc- ment tested, monitored, or performed by individuals holding
tion. General references requiring compliance with the Code the appropriate ACI Certification or equivalent, when avail-
in the project specifications should be avoided because the able. The personnel certification programs of the American
contractor is rarely in a position to accept responsibility for Concrete Institute and the Post-Tensioning Institute; the plant
design details or construction requirements that depend on certification programs of the Precast/Prestressed Concrete
a detailed knowledge of the design. Design-build construc- Institute, the Post-Tensioning Institute, and the National
tion contractors, however, typically combine the design and Ready Mixed Concrete Association; and the Concrete Rein-
construction responsibility. In post-tensioned concrete struc- forcing Steel Institute’s Voluntary Certification Program for
tures, either all or a portion of the design work is sometimes Fusion-Bonded Epoxy Coating Applicator Plants are avail-
delegated to the contractor who retains a specialty engineer able for this purpose. In addition, “Standard Specification
to perform such design work. The division of responsibility for Agencies Engaged in Construction Inspection, Testing,
between the engineer-of-record and the specialty engineer or Special Inspection” (ASTM E329-21) specifies perfor-
must be clearly defined in the contract documents. ACI mance requirements for inspection and testing agencies.
PRC-132-14 provides guidance to the engineer of record

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6 CODE-320: POST-TENSIONED STRUCTURAL CONCRETE—CODE REQUIREMENTS AND COMMENTARY

CHAPTER 1—GENERAL
CODE COMMENTARY
1.1—Scope of ACI/PTI CODE-320 R1.1—Scope of ACI/PTI CODE-320
=
1.1.1 This chapter addresses: R1.1.1 The Code includes provisions for the design of
(a) General requirements of this Code post-tensioned concrete used for structural purposes and
(b) Purpose of this Code containing post-tensioned tendons and nonprestressed
(c) Applicability of this Code reinforcement.
(d) Interpretation of this Code Design and construction procedures used in cast-in-place,
(e) Definition and role of the building official and the post-tensioned concrete members are similar to those of
licensed design professional cast-in-place structural concrete that is nonprestressed and
(f) Construction documents are designed using many of the same requirements that are
(g) Testing and inspection included in ACI CODE-318. Because the Code and ACI
(h) Approval of special systems of design, construction, or CODE-318 share many common design requirements, the
alternative construction materials Code is formatted with section numbering that is parallel to
that of ACI CODE-318.
For ease of use, a provision in the Code that is denoted
with an equal sign (“=”) is the same as the corresponding
provision in ACI CODE-318. Provisions that are applicable
to post-tensioned concrete, but are not reproduced in the
Code are denoted as “See ACI CODE-318”. Where require-
ments specific to post-tensioned are included in the Code
and not ACI CODE-318, new sections are created to avoid
misinterpretation.
The terms “out of scope” are used for numbered section
headings from ACI CODE-318 that are not covered by the
Code, while the term “intentionally left blank” is used as a
placeholder to maintain consistency with section numbering
in situations where ACI CODE-318 includes a numbered
provision that is not also in the Code.
Design of precast, post-tensioned concrete structures
requires the use of applicable provisions of the Code, ACI
CODE-318, and ACI/PCI CODE-319. For provisions that
specifically address precast concrete and are generally not
within the scope of post-tensioned concrete, the Code refer-
ences either ACI CODE-318 or ACI/PCI CODE-319, as
applicable.
This chapter includes a number of provisions that explain
where the Code applies and how it is to be interpreted.

1.2—General R1.2—General
1.2.1 ACI/PCI CODE-320, “Building Code Require- R1.2.1 The commentary refers to ACI/PCI CODE-320 as
ments for Post-Tensioned Structural Concrete,” is hereafter “the Code.”
referred to as “this Code.”

1.2.2 In this Code, the general building code refers to the R1.2.2 The American Concrete Institute and the Post-
building code adopted in a jurisdiction. When adopted, this Tensioning Institute recommends that the Code be adopted
Code forms part of the general building code. in its entirety.

1.2.3 The official version of this Code is the English R1.2.3 ACI-PTI Committee 320 develops the Code in
language version, using inch-pound units, published by English, using inch-pound units. Based on that version,
the American Concrete Institute and the Post-Tensioning ACI-PTI Committee 320 approved a version in English
Institute. using SI units.

1.2.4 In case of conflict between the official version of this

Code and other versions of this Code, the official version
governs.

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 CODE-320: POST-TENSIONED STRUCTURAL CONCRETE—CODE REQUIREMENTS AND COMMENTARY7

CODE COMMENTARY
1.2.5 This Code provides minimum requirements for the R1.2.5 The Code provides minimum requirements and
materials, design, construction, and strength evaluation of exceeding these minimum requirements is not a violation of
post-tensioned structural concrete members and systems in the Code.
any structure designed and constructed under the require- The licensed design professional may specify project
ments of the general building code. requirements that exceed the minimum requirements of the
Code.

1.2.6 Modifications to this Code that are adopted by a

particular jurisdiction are part of the laws of that jurisdic-
tion, but are not a part of this Code.

1.2.7 If no general building code is adopted, this Code

provides minimum requirements for the materials, design,
construction, and strength evaluation of members and
systems in any structure within the scope of this Code.

1.3—Purpose R1.3—Purpose
1.3.1 The purpose of this Code is to provide for public R1.3.1 The Code provides a means of establishing
health and safety by establishing minimum requirements for minimum requirements for the design and construction of
strength, stability, serviceability, durability, and integrity of post-tensioned structural concrete, as well as for accep-
post-tensioned concrete structures. tance of design and construction of post-tensioned concrete
structures by the building officials or their designated
representatives.
The Code does not provide a comprehensive statement of
all duties of all parties to a contract or all requirements of a
contract for a project constructed under the Code.

1.3.2 This Code does not address all design considerations. R1.3.2 The minimum requirements in the Code do not
replace sound professional judgment or the licensed design
professional’s knowledge of the specific factors surrounding
a project, its design, the project site, and other specific or
unusual circumstances to the project.

1.3.3 Construction means and methods are not addressed

in this Code.

1.4—Applicability R1.4—Applicability
1.4.1 This Code shall apply to post-tensioned concrete
structures designed and constructed under the requirements
of the general building code.

1.4.2 Provisions of this Code shall be permitted to be used R1.4.2 Specific provisions for assessment, repair, and
for the assessment, repair, and rehabilitation of existing post- rehabilitation of existing concrete structures are provided in
tensioned structures. ACI CODE-562 and PTI DC80.3. Existing structures in ACI
CODE-562 are defined as structures that are complete and
permitted for use.

1.4.3 Applicable provisions of this Code shall be permitted R1.4.3 Structures such as arches, bins and silos, blast-
to be used for structures not governed by the general building resistant structures, chimneys, underground utility struc-
code. tures, gravity walls, and shielding walls involve design and
construction requirements that are not specifically addressed
by this Code. Many Code provisions, however, such as
concrete quality and design principles, are applicable for
these structures.

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8 CODE-320: POST-TENSIONED STRUCTURAL CONCRETE—CODE REQUIREMENTS AND COMMENTARY

CODE COMMENTARY
1.4.4 See ACI CODE-318

1.4.5 See ACI CODE-318

1.4.6 For one- and two-family dwellings, multiple single- R1.4.6 ACI CODE-332 addresses the design and construc-
family dwellings, townhouses, and accessory structures to tion of slabs-on-ground for limited residential construction
these types of dwellings, the design and construction of applications.
slabs-on-ground in accordance with ACI CODE-332 shall The 2021 IBC requires design and construction of residen-
be permitted. tial post-tensioned slabs on expansive soils to be in accor-
dance with PTI DC 10.5 which provides requirements for
slab-on-ground foundations, soil investigation, design, and
analysis. Guidance for the design and construction of post-
tensioned slabs-on-ground that are not on expansive soils
can be found in ACI PRC-360. Refer to R1.4.8.

1.4.7 Out of scope

1.4.8 This Code does not apply to design and construction R1.4.8 Detailed recommendations for design and
of slabs-on-ground, unless the slab transmits vertical loads construction of slabs-on-ground and floors that do not
or lateral forces from other portions of the structure to the transmit vertical loads or lateral forces from other portions
soil. of the structure to the soil are given in ACI PRC-360. This
guide presents information on the design of slabs-on-ground,
primarily industrial floors and the slabs adjacent to them.
The guide addresses the planning, design, and detailing of
the slabs. Background information on the design theories is
followed by discussion of the soil support system, loadings,
and types of slabs. Design methods are given for structural
plain concrete, reinforced concrete, shrinkage-compensating
concrete, and post-tensioned concrete slabs.

1.4.9 This Code does not apply to the design of concrete R1.4.9 ACI CODE-440.11 provides requirements and
members reinforced with fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) recommendations for the design and limited applicability
bars. of concrete members reinforced with glass fiber-reinforced
polymer (GFRP) bar reinforcement. The design of “hybrid”
post-tensioned members with mixed reinforcement type
(steel and FRP) and members strengthened with FRP are
outside the scope of ACI/PCI CODE-320.

1.4.10 This Code does not apply to the design and R1.4.10 Requirements and recommendations for the
construction of tanks and reservoirs. design and construction of tanks and reservoirs are given in
ACI CODE-350, ACI PRC-334.1, and ACI PRC-372.

1.4.11 See ACI CODE-318

1.5—Interpretation R1.5—Interpretation
1.5.1 The principles of interpretation in this section shall
apply to this Code as a whole unless otherwise stated.

1.5.2 This Code consists of chapters, including text, head-

ings, tables, figures, footnotes to tables and figures, and
referenced standards.

1.5.3 The Commentary consists of a preface, introduction,

commentary text, tables, figures, and cited publications. The
Commentary is intended to provide contextual informa-

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