FAQ

midas Civil Post-Processing

Why are the pre-stress losses given by

midas Civil not matching with the manual
calculations?
The probable reasons are:
1. Improper definition of tendon property or tendon profile
2. Internal consideration of the software for pre-stress
calculation
3. Consideration of transformed concrete section
4. Consideration of time dependent properties of concrete

5. Sequence of pre-stressing considered

6. Prestressing force applied at one end or both ends
1. Improper definition of tendon property, tendon profile:
The common mistakes in this dialogue box are:
- Assigning inappropriate tendon material, improper tendon type.

- Duct diameters to be of adequate size for tendon area

- Consideration of relaxation, entries for friction as well as wobble coefficients and
the slip.
- Also, confirm the type of bonding of tendon with the duct.
- Improper tendon property,
- Incorrect number of assigned elements, curve type and reference axis selection
- Make sure to input coordinates based on reference axis selected, whether based
on element local axis or on global axis system or along a specified curve.

57

www.MidasUser.com

midas Civil Post-Processing

Curve type, Spline is selected, then the tendon

curve would pass smooth connecting the

entered coordinates i.e P1, P2, P3 and P4 as on
Spline curve

the figure to left. No abrupt change in angles at

these locations.
Curve type, Round is selected, radius R has to
be entered. And this curve would have lines
P1-P2 and P2-P3 as tangents as shown

in

figure to the right, where P1,P2 and P3 are the

coordinates entered. Unless R is 0, the tendon
wont pass through P2.

Round curve

3. Internal considerations of software for

Prestress calculation:
Internally midas Civil, divides the elements with

Element

Node

tendon profile assigned to it, into 4 parts and

the effects of Prestressing is calculated at a total

Internal Tendon

of 5 points ( inclusive of i and j ends). So, when

Profile

these divisions are not ending at locations

where the tendon profile is having a major
change in profile equation (Say, at the curvature
of a parabolic profile), then loss calculations
wouldnt be at its most accurate value.

Entered Tendon Profile

Internal tendon profile

4. Consideration of transformed concrete section:

The manual calculations are in general, done considering the gross concrete section
properties. The variation in section property due to the tendon is neglected. Where as
midas Civil accounts for the change in property due to the presence of tendons and
considers an equivalent transformed section. However if this change in section property is
to be neglected, the same could be done under Analysis Analysis Control
Construction stage Beam Section Property Changes as shown below:

Not to consider transformed section

To consider transformed section

5. Consideration of time dependent properties of concrete:

To consider the time dependent effects such as variation in concrete compressive strength,

creep and shrinkage, appropriate parameters would have to be defined, linked with base
material and assigned
to appropriate elements (Say, only longitudinal
and not transverse). Also the time dependent
effects are to be considered in the construction
stage analysis control. For defining and linking
these parameters with base material, options as highlighted on the image is to be used.
58

www.MidasUser.com

midas Civil Post-Processing

Under Construction Stage analysis control Time Dependent Effect Control

the

effects

of

time

dependent behavior like,

creep,

shrinkage,

internal creep calculation

steps,

etc.

could

controlled.

be
The

implications of common
options

are

explained

besides the image below.

To consider creep/shrinkage effects

To

consider

either

creep,

or

shrinkage or both
If user wants to use their own creep
coefficients instead of auto calculation,
activate Only users creep coefficient.
The

user

defined

coefficients

for

elements are to entered under Loads

Construction stage C.S. loads
Creep coefficient for construction stage
To apply effect of creep and shrinkage
to tendons in model
To

apply

compressive

strength

variation effects in tendon pretension

and consider the elastic shortening.

Elastic shortening when manually calculated is usually based on constant initial force.
Where in with the software, elastic shortening could be calculated with the force variation as
well, which might vary the software results as compared to manual calculations.
6. Sequence of pre-stressing considered:
The age of concrete during when the tendons are pre-stressed, the sequence of pre-

stressing etc. should be carefully assigned in the construction stage. For example, stressing
4 cables at the same instance yields different result as compared to stressing of each cable
with a small time gap.

59

www.MidasUser.com

midas Civil Post-Processing

To pre-stress the tendons in sequence, Additional steps are to be defined in the Compose
Construction Stage dialogue box. The tendons can be stressed or the load group for each
tendon could be activates at these defined additional step time duration.
1

As highlighted in the image above, under step ( 1 ) define the additional steps for time
duration when a particular tendon would be stressed. Under step ( 2 ), the tendons prestress load group is to be activated at the specified time step under the Load tab. Doing
so would yield different result as compared to having all
the 5 tendons stressed at the same instance.

7. Pre-stressing force applied at one end or both

ends:
Jacking force could be applied at both ends or only one
end.

Providing inappropriate choice would lead to

different pre-stressing force application as compared to

what is intended and the results could vary from manual
calculations. This option is highlighted on the image to
the right.
Besides the above mentioned reasons, there can be
other manual input errors, like incorrect force value,
mistakenly entering Stress values when the Force
option is selected and so on. With proper inputs and
assumptions,

the

software

results

and

manual

calculations would greatly be comparable.

60

www.MidasUser.com