DESIGN THEORY

& APPLICATION

Ehab Attalla
POST-TENSIONED
FLAT SLAB
CONSTRUCTION AND BUILDING
ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT
JANUARY 2022
Ehab Attalla, B.Sc. Civil (Hons.), CEng

Version 1.0
INTRODUCTION

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 INTRODUCTION
The use of Post-Tensioning in Buildings

PRINCIPLE OF REINFORCED CONCRETE

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 It is a well known fact that concrete has
a high compressive strength and steel
has a high tensile strength. That’s why
when their combination is used to take
loads, its efficiency increases too much.
 When reinforced concrete is subjected
to load from structure, the concrete
slab bears tension, and consequently,
the formation of crack and deformation
occurs.
 INTRODUCTION
The use of Post-Tensioning in Buildings

WHAT IS POST-TENSIONING?

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 Post-tensioning is a technique for reinforcing
concrete. Post-tensioning tendons, which
are prestressing steel cables inside plastic
ducts or sleeves, are positioned in the forms
before the concrete is placed.
 Afterwards, once the concrete has gained
strength but before the service loads are
applied, the cables are pulled tight, or
tensioned, and anchored against the outer
edges of the concrete.
 INTRODUCTION
The use of Post-Tensioning in Buildings

THE IDEA OF POST-TENSIONING

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 The idea of post tensioning in building is
to use high tensile steel in a certain
profile in order to introduce stresses in
slab which counteract the stress resulted
from the applied loads (imposing
compression stress in the region of
expected tensile stress from the applied
loads ), the result is reduction of the
tensile stress, Less deflection and less
cracks.
 ADVANTAGES OF POST-TENSIONING SYSTEMS

 Construction proceed like ordinary cast in

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place reinforced concrete.
 Less time is required for the placement of the
PT and conventional reinforcement.
 Faster construction can be achieved
because scaffoldings can be removed after
3 days.
 It is more economic than reinforced concrete
specially with long span.
 Less deflection and cracks under service
loads.
 ADVANTAGES OF POST-TENSIONING SYSTEMS (CONT.)


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Less slabs thickness is required which
resulted in saving of the floor heights
and loads on the columns and
footings plus giving more flexibility in
air conditioning installation.
 UN-BONDED POST-TENSIONING SYSTEM

Tendon is not bonded to the surrounding

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concrete
PT force is transmitted to the structure by
means of the anchorages.
Mono-strand PT systems:
Coated strand
Coated anchors
Encapsulation accessories
Wedges
CONSTRUCTION OF SLAB BY UN-BONDED PT SYSTEM

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CONSTRUCTION OF SLAB BY UN-BONDED PT SYSTEM

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CONSTRUCTION OF SLAB BY UN-BONDED PT SYSTEM

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 BONDED POST-TENSIONING SYSTEM

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Tendon is bonded to the concrete
Bond is achieved throughout the length of the
tendon by a cementitious matrix called grout.
Main Components:
– Bare strands
– Multistrand anchorage assembly
– Flat corrugated duct
– Grout accessories (cap, vent tubes, etc.)
– Wedges
CONSTRUCTION OF SLAB BY BONDED PT SYSTEM

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CONSTRUCTION OF SLAB BY BONDED PT SYSTEM

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CONSTRUCTION OF SLAB BY BONDED PT SYSTEM

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POST-TENSIONING MACHINES AND EQUIPMENT

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Equipment for Mono-Strand Stressing

Dead Ends Making Machine (Onion The Grouting Pump Grouting Mixer
Machine)
DESIGN INFORMATION

LOADS
 Ehab Attalla
Framing dead loads [from preliminary section thickness].

 Superimposed dead loads.

 Live loads [according to occupancy]

 DESIGN INFORMATION (CONT.)

MATERIAL PROPERTIES

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 CONCRETE
Cylinder 28-days strength, 𝑓 = 28 to 40 MPa
𝑓 (Age of stressing = 3 days)
Weight (w) = 24 to 25 kN/m3
Modulus of Elasticity, 𝐸𝑐 𝑤 ⋅ 0.043 𝑓
(ACI 19.2.2.1.a)
Creep Coefficient = 1.5 to 2.5 [2]
Ultimate Shrinkage Value = 400 to 550 micro
stain [400]
Poisson’s Ratio = 0 to 0.2 [0.2]
 DESIGN INFORMATION (CONT.)

 PRESTRESSING STEEL

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A. STRAND
Seven wire; low relaxation,
Guaranteed ultimate strength, fpu = 1860 MPa
More common: nominal diameter, φ – 0.5 in
(12.7mm) Effective area - 0.153 in2 (A = 99mm2)
Less common: nominal diameter, φ – 0.6 in
(15.24mm) Effective area - 0.217 in2 (A
=140mm2)
Modulus of Elasticity, E = 200,000 MPa
Stress-Strain Behavior
 DESIGN INFORMATION (CONT.)

STRAND ASTM SPECIFICATIONS

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7-Wire Strands
 DESIGN INFORMATION (CONT.)

B. UNBONDED SYSTEM: C. BONDED (GROUTED) SYSTEM: Using

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Angular Coefficient of Friction, µ = 0.07 corrugated or flat sheet metal ducts
Wobble Coefficient of Friction, k = 0.0046 Angular Coefficient of Friction, µ = 0.25
rad/m Wobble Coefficient of Friction, k = 0.0046
Estimated prestress losses = 100 MPa rad/m
Effective force after all losses, Estimated prestress losses = 200 MPa
fse = 0.7fpu – losses = 1200 MPa Effective force after all losses,
Peff = A . fse fse = 0.7fpu – losses = 1100 MPa
Peff = A . fse
 A. Short-Term Losses
-Elastic Shortening of Concrete
-Anchorage Slip (wedges setback)
-Friction

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LOSSES OF B. Long-Term Losses
PRESTRESSING -Relaxation of Steel (prestressing steel)
FORCES -Creep deformation of Concrete
-Shrinkage deformation of Concrete
 PRELIMINARY DESIGN

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 Determine structural
system/Layout
 Coordinate slab
spans/column layout with
architect.
 Determine slab thickness
 PRELIMINARY DESIGN (CONT.)

PRELIMINARY SLAB THICKNESS

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For flat slab floor systems supported on columns,
well established guidelines for selection of slab
thickness are the PTI and TR43,2005 recommended
span/depth ratios.

TR43,2005 Recommended Span/Depth Ratio PTI Recommended Span/Depth Ratio

 PRELIMINARY DESIGN (CONT.)

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MINIMUM SLAB THICKNESS
Governed by fire rating IBC
2015, Table 722.2.1
 PRELIMINARY DESIGN (CONT.)

CONCRETE COVER
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Governed by fire rating IBC
2015

Restrained slabs (interior spans) = ¾” = 20mm bottom (Cbi)

Unrestrained slabs (end spans) = 1½” = 40mm bottom (Cbe)
= 20mm top (Ct)
TWO-WAY FLOOR SYSTEMS

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 STRUCTURAL MODELING TECHNIQUES
TWO-WAY SLABS

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Don’t use simplified analysis
using coefficients.
Don’t use middle/column strip
concept.
Use the EQUIVALENT FRAME
METHOD (EFM) permitted by
ACI 318-19 in Section 8.2.1.
Apply total tributary width
when using (EFM)
Finite Element Analysis.
STRUCTURAL MODELING TECHNIQUES (CONT.)
TWO-WAY SLABS

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STRUCTURAL MODELING TECHNIQUES (CONT.)
INITIAL STEPS IN STRUCTURAL MODELING

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STRUCTURAL MODELING TECHNIQUES (CONT.)
INITIAL STEPS IN STRUCTURAL MODELING

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 PRELIMINARY DESIGN (CONT.)

LOAD BALANCING CONCEPT

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Theoretical balanced loads
Ws2 / 8 = Pa
W = 8Pa / s2
a: is the drape of tendon (maximum
eccentricity of the tendon, in practice the
tendon forces decrease because of the
losses).
s: is the distance between points of
inflection.
The average tendon force will be used Pavrg
w= 8Pavrga/s2
 PRELIMINARY DESIGN (CONT.)

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Idealized tendon profile for two spans
with single cantilever

Idealized tendon profile for two spans

with point load
 PRACTICAL REPRESENTATION
IDEALIZED TENDON PROFILE

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Practical tendon profile
Usually L’/L = 0.1
Or S = 0.8L

Tendons positions and profiles are

very important for efficient,
economical and safe design
 PRELIMINARY DESIGN (CONT.)

ESTABLISH TENDON PROFILE

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Tendon Ordinate Tendon CG Location*
Most buildings are constructed with a1: Exterior Support - Anchor h/2
unbonded tendons. a2: Interior Support – Top h – Ct – φ/2
Use parabolic tendon profile for uniformly a3: Interior Span - Bottom Cbi + φ/2
loaded slabs. a4: End Span - Bottom Cbe + φ/2
Measured from bottom (soffit) of the slab

aINT = a2 – a3
aEND = [h/2 + a2] / 2 – a4
PRELIMINARY DESIGN (CONT.)

PRELIMINARY DESIGN OF PT

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AVERAGE PRECOMPRESSION LIMITS (P/A)
P/A = 0.90 N/mm2 (Minimum for Two-way slabs) ACI 318-19 Section 8.6.2.1
P/A = 2.10 N/mm2 Maximum. (Common Practice)

SECTION PROPERTIES
Two-way slabs shall be designed as Class U ACI 8.3.4.1
Gross cross-sectional properties are allowed to be use. ACI 24.5.2.2
A = bh
S = bh2/6
PRELIMINARY DESIGN (CONT.)

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TARGET LOAD BALANCING:
Prestress force required to balance 60%-80% of self-weight dead
load for slabs.
Use 0.75 WDL (75% of self-weight dead load)
The end span will typically govern the maximum required post-
tensioning force, this is due to the significantly reduced tendon
drape, aEND
Wb = 0.75 WDL * Frame width.
PRELIMINARY DESIGN (CONT.)

Force needed in tendons to counteract the load in the end bay:

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Pend = wb L2END / 8 aEND

Check precompression allowance:

fse = 0.7fpu – losses = 1200 MPa
Peff = A . fse
Number of Tendons to achieve Pend = Pend/Peff, Use # Tendons
Actual force for Tendon:
Pact = # of Tendons * Peff
PRELIMINARY DESIGN (CONT.)

Actual Precompression stress = Pact / A

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0.90 MPa < Pact / A < 2.10 MPa  O.K.

Adjusting the balanced load Wb for End Spans:

Wb act end = Pact / Pend * Wb

Check interior span force:

Pint = wb L2INT / 8 aINT
Pint < Pact  O.K. ∴ Less force required
PRELIMINARY DESIGN (CONT.)

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Check Internal balanced load (Wb act int):
Wb act int = Pact * 8 aINT / L2INT
WDL = D.L.* Frame width.
Wb act int / WDL = % < 100%  O.K.

Check interior span force:

Pint = wb L2INT / 8 aINT
Pint < Pact  O.K. ∴ Less force required
 CHECK OF SLAB STRESSES AT SERVICEABILITY STAGE

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Separately calculate max. (+ve) and
(-ve) moments in the frame for:
Dead Load (WDL)
WDL = DL * Frame width.
Live Load (WLL)
WLL = LL * Frame width.
Balancing Loads
Wb avrg = (Wb ext * 2 + Wb int * 2)/4

A combination of these values will determine the slab stresses at the time of stressing and at service
loads using Equivalent Frame Method.
CHECK OF SLAB STRESSES AT SERVICEABILITY
STAGE (CONT.)

STAGE 1: STRESSES IMMEDIATELY AFTER JACKING “PRESTRESS

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TRANSFER” (DL + PT) ACI 24.5.3
- Mid-Span Stresses:
Ftop = (-MDL + Mbal)/S – Pact/A
Fbot = (+MDL - Mbal)/S – Pact/A
- Support Stresses:
Ftop = (+MDL - Mbal)/S – Pact/A
Fbot = (-MDL + Mbal)/S – Pact/A
*All stresses shall be checked against the permissible code limits.
CHECK OF SLAB STRESSES AT SERVICEABILITY
STAGE (CONT.)

STAGE 2: STRESSES AT SERVICE LOADS (DL + LL + PT) ACI 24.5.3

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& ACI 24.5.2.1
Mid-Span Stresses:
Ftop = (-MDL - MLL + Mbal)/S – Pact/A
Fbot = (+MDL + MLL - Mbal)/S – Pact/A
Check at Interior Span & End Span
Support Stresses:
Ftop = (+MDL + MLL - Mbal)/S – Pact/A
Fbot = (-MDL - MLL + Mbal)/S – Pact/A
*All stresses shall be checked against the permissible code limits.
CHECK OF SLAB STRESSES AT SERVICEABILITY
STAGE (CONT.)

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The code approach of post tensioning design is in a serviceability
limit state for controlling the cracks and the deflection by limiting
the tensile stress

The code stress limits are assuming the use of equivalent frame
methods in the analysis
PERMISSIBLE CODE LIMITS
ACI 318-19 (SI UNITS)

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 POST-TENSIONING TENDONS PLANNING

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Distributed - Distributed
The selection of Tendons shall consider the code
requirements of maximum distance between
tendons, ACI 318-19 Section 8.7.2.3

Distributed - Banded

Banded - Distributed
 PRIMARY AND SECONDARY EFFECTS OF THE
TENDONS ON THE SLAB

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Developed in post-tensioned
concrete members due to
prestressing force.

There is only primary forces

from the tendons in simply
supported structures.
 PRIMARY AND SECONDARY EFFECTS OF THE
TENDONS ON THE SLAB (CONT.)

The PT tendons introduce a secondary forces in

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the statically indeterminate structures where the
support prevent/constraint the free
movement/displacement of the element as
illustrated.
The secondary effect doesn’t mean small or
negligible (It is called Hyperstatic forces)
SIGNIFICANT: must be accounted for in the
design of prestressed concrete intermediate
structures (load factor 1.0 in strength design as
per ACI 318-19 Sec. 5.3.11)
 DESIGN OF SLAB AT ULTIMATE STAGE

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Mbal = M1 + M2
Mbal = balanced moment by post-tensioning equivalent loads
The primary post-tensioning moments (M1) vary along the span
M1 = Pact * e
e=0 at the exterior support
e = h/2 – Ci - φ/2 at the interior support
The secondary post-tensioning moments (M2) vary linearly
between supports
The Easy Way
M2 = Mbal – M1 = Mbal – Pact * e
DESIGN OF SLAB AT ULTIMATE STAGE (CONT.)

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LOAD COMBINATIONS FOR ULTIMATE STRENGTH DESIGN

U1 = 1.20DL + 1.60LL + 1.00HYP

U2 = 1.40DL + 1.00HYP
 MINIMUM BONDED REINFORCEMENT
(NONPRESTRESSED) FOR TWO-WAY SLABS

MINIMUM POSITIVE REINFORCEMENT

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Provide minimum amount of rebar per ACI 318-19 Section 8.6.2.3
at interior and exterior spans
ft is the tension stress (if it occurs) calculated in Stage 2 Stresses
- ft ≤ 0.17 𝑓 𝑐: Then no positive reinforcement required.
- 0.17 𝑓 𝑐 < ft ≤ 0.5 𝑓 𝑐: Then minimum positive reinforcement
required.

Nc = 0.5 𝑏ℎ

As min =
⋅
MINIMUM BONDED REINFORCEMENT
(NONPRESTRESSED) FOR TWO-WAY SLABS (CONT.)

Ehab Attalla
Distribute the positive moment reinforcement uniformly across the slab width and as close as practicable to
the extreme tension fiber.
Minimum Length = 1/3 clear span
And centered in +ve moment region
 MINIMUM BONDED REINFORCEMENT
(NONPRESTRESSED) FOR TWO-WAY SLABS (CONT.)

Illustrative Example:

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Reinforcement Yield Strength, 𝑓 = 400 MPa

Concrete Cylinder Strength, 𝑓′ = 28 MPa

Width of Middle/Field strip = 5000mm = 5m

Slab Thickness = 250mm

MINIMUM BONDED REINFORCEMENT
(NONPRESTRESSED) FOR TWO-WAY SLABS (CONT.)

Illustrative Example (Cont.):

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Top Stress, fc (compression) = 4.63 MPa
Bottom Stress, ft (tension) = 2.31 MPa
0.17 𝑓 𝑐 = 0.17 28 = 0.90 MPa < 2.31 MPa < 0.5 28 = 2.65MPa
.
x = 250 ( ) = 83.2 mm
⋅

Nc = . 2.31 . 83.2 * = 480.48 kN

. .
As min = = = 2402.4 mm2
⋅ ⋅ .
.
As min / m’ = = 480.5 mm2

Use 5T12/m’
 MINIMUM BONDED REINFORCEMENT
(NONPRESTRESSED) FOR TWO-WAY SLABS (CONT.)

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MINIMUM NEGATIVE REINFORCEMENT
As min = 0.00075 Acf
𝒍𝒉 𝒍 𝒍𝟐𝒍
Acf = or ( 𝟐𝒓 𝐡 which greater
𝟐 𝟐
MINIMUM BONDED REINFORCEMENT
(NONPRESTRESSED) FOR TWO-WAY SLABS (CONT.)

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ACI 318-19 Section 8.7.5.3
- Placed within 1.5h from the face of the support on each side.
- Minimum 4 bars each direction.
- Spacing ≤ 300mm
- Extend a minimum ln/6 on each side of support.
CHECK OF MINIMUM REINFORCEMENT:
FOR ULTIMATE STRENGTH

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STRESS IN UNBONDED PRESTRESSED REINFORCEMENT AT NOMINAL
FLEXURAL STRENGTH ACI 318-19 SECTION 20.3.2.4
Mn = (As*fy + Aps*fps).(d – a/2)

 = 0.9 (Strength Reduction Factor)

Mn > Mu: Minimum Reinforcement is OK.

Mn ≤ Mu: Modify As min.

 CHECK OF MINIMUM REINFORCEMENT:
FOR ULTIMATE STRENGTH (CONT.)

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Aps = Number of Tendons * A
fps for unbonded tendons:
ln/h ≤ 35: fps = fse + 70 + (𝑓 *b*d) / (100 Aps)
Shall not be taken greater than the lesser of:
Fpy and (fse + 420)
ln/h > 35: fps = fse + 70 + (𝑓 *b*d) / (300 Aps)
Shall not be taken greater than the lesser of:
Fpy and (fse + 210)
BACKUP BARS AND
BURSTING
REINFORCEMENT

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ACI 318-19 SECTION 25.9.4.4.6
BACKUP BARS AND
BURSTING
REINFORCEMENT (CONT.)

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ACI 318-19 SECTION 25.9.4.4.6
Ehab Attalla
THANK YOU