Introduction to Pre-stressed Concrete Structures

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General

Definition: - Pre stress is defined as a method of applying pre-compression to control the

stresses resulting due to external loads below the neutral axis of the beam tension
developed due to external load which is more than the permissible limits of the plain
concrete. The pre-compression applied (may be axial or eccentric) will induce the
compressive stress below the neutral axis or as a whole of the beam c/s. Resulting either no
tension or compression.
Compressive stresses in concrete caused by pre stressing force F

Stresses caused due to applied loads (without pre stressing)

Combined stresses bending due to Appling loading and pre stressing effect

Principle of superposition is used to obtain the resultant stress.

Only compressive stresses (No tension and no cracking)

Basic Concept
Pre-stressed concrete is basically concrete in which internal stresses
of a suitable magnitude and distribution are introduced so that the

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stresses resulting from the external loads are counteracted to a
desired degree.

Fig 2.1 Force-fitting of metal bands on wooden barrels

Indian Institute of Technology Madras

Fig 2.2 Pre-tensioning the spokes in a bicycle wheel

Terminology
Tendon: A stretched element used in a concrete member of structure to impart prestress
to the concrete.
Anchorage: A device generally used to enable the tendon to impart and maintain prestress
in concrete.
Pretensioning: A method of prestressing concrete in which the tendons are tensioned
before the concrete is placed. In this method, the concrete is introduced by bond between
steel & 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.

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Advantage of Prestressed Concrete

1. The use of high strength concrete and steel in prestressed members results in lighter
and slender members than is possible with RC members.
2. In fully prestressed members the member is free from tensile stresses under
working loads, thus whole of the section is effective.
3. In prestressed members, dead loads may be counter-balanced by eccentric
prestressing.
4. Prestressed concrete member posses better resistance to shear forces due to effect
of compressive stresses presence or eccentric cable profile.
5. Use of high strength concrete and freedom from cracks, contribute to improve
durability under aggressive environmental conditions.
6. Long span structures are possible so that saving in weight is significant & thus it will
be economic.
7. Factory products are possible.
8. Prestressed members are tested before use.
9. Prestressed concrete structure deflects appreciably before ultimate failure, thus
giving ample warning before collapse.
10. Fatigue strength is better due to small variations in prestressing steel,
recommended to dynamically loaded structures.
11. No cracking: durable structure, weather resistant sauces water tight structuresis in
tanks, reservoirs etc .
12. Defection controlled (small)
13. Smaller cross section can be used compared with ordinary concrete --> lower own
weight, longer spans
14. Efficient use of high strength materials, [the saving amounts 15 to 30% of concrete
and 60 to 80% steel]
15. Improved resistance to shearing force
16. Improved resistance to repeating loads (vibrating )
17. Ability to resist over load cracks close up after removing over load
18. Possibility to connect prefabricated members by moment and shear resisting.
Disadvantages of Prestressed Concrete
1. The availability of experienced builders is scanty.
2. Initial equipment cost is very high.
3. Availability of experienced engineers is scanty.
4. Prestressed sections are brittle
5. Prestressed concrete sections are less fire resistant

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Stages of Prestressed Concrete

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Methods of pre stressing

Primary categories of pre stressing methods

1. Pre tensoning involves stretching of tendons between external anchorages before the
concrete is placed, and the jacking force is released after the fresh concrete hardens and
reached the desired strength.

Tensioning is applied using hydraulic or mechanical device

High early strength concrete is used
Steam curing to accelerate hardening of concrete
Expensive and anchorage hard ware avoided since the force is transferred
by bond from steel to concrete
The technique is well suited to the mass production of beams using long line method and the
simultaneous pre stressing of members at once results in great saving of labour.

2. Post-tensoning tendons tensioned after hardening of concrete

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Hollow conduits containing the unstressed tendons are placed in the forms to the desired
profile before pouring of the concrete. When the concrete hardens and gains sufficient
strength the tendons are tensioned where they are anchored by special fittings at the far
end of the member and then anchored at the jacking and by similar fitting after which the
jack is remove
To improve the performance of the member, the tendons are grouted with are
grouted with cement paste in their conduit after being stressed resulting bonds
between tendons and inner wall of conduit
Advantage: - the ease with which the tendons eccentricity can be varied along the
Span to provide the desired counter moment.

Secondary categories of pre stressing methods.

1. External Prestressing
When the prestressing is achieved by elements located outside the concrete, it is
called external prestressing. (for example in I-girders or walls)
2. Internal Prestressing
When the prestressing is achieved by elements located inside the concrete member
(commonly, by embedded tendons), it is called internal prestressing. Most of the
applications of prestressing are internal prestressing.
3. Linear Prestressing
When the prestressed members are straight or flat, in the direction of
prestressing, the prestressing is called linear prestressing. For example,
prestressing of beams, piles, poles and slabs. The profile of the prestressing tendon
may be curved.
4. Circular Prestressing
When the prestressed members are curved, in the direction of prestressing, the
prestressing is called circular prestressing. example, circumferential prestressing of
tanks, silos, pipes and similar structures.
5. Full Prestressing
When the level of prestressing is such that no tensile stress is allowed in concrete
under service loads, it is called Full Prestressing (Type 1, as per IS:1343 - 1980).
6. Limited Prestressing
When the level of prestressing is such that the tensile stress under service loads is
within the cracking stress of concrete, it is called Limited Prestressing.
7. Partial Prestressing

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When the level of prestressing is such that under tensile stresses due to service
loads, the crack width is within the allowable limit, it is called Partial Prestressing.
8. Uniaxial Prestressing
When the prestressing tendons are parallel to one axis, it is called Uniaxial
Prestressing. For example, longitudinal prestressing of beams.
9. Biaxial Prestressing
When there are prestressing tendons parallel to two axes, it is called Biaxial
Prestressing. The following figure shows the biaxial prestressing of slabs.
10. Multiaxial Prestressing
When the prestressing tendons are parallel to more than two axes, it is called
Multiaxial Prestressing. For example, prestressing of domes.

Sources of Prestressing Force

The various types devices used for tensioning steel are grouped under four principal
categories, viz.
1. Mechanical devices: The mechanical devices generally used include weights with or
without lever transmission, geared transmission in conjunction with pulley blocks,
screw jacks with or without gear devices and wire-winding machines. These devices
are employed mainly for prestressing structural concrete components produced on a
mass scale in factory.
2. Hydraulic devices: These are simplest means for producing large prestressing force,
extensively used as tensioning devices.
3. Electrical devices: The wires are electrically heated and anchored before placing
concrete in the mould. This method is often referred to as thermo-prestressing and
used for tensioning of steel wires and deformed bars.
4. Chemical devices: Expanding cements are used and the degree of expansion is
controlled by varying the curing condition. Since the expansive action of cement
while setting is restrained, it induces tensile forces in tendons and compressive
stresses in concrete.

Materials for prestressing:

The essential devices for pre-tensioning are as follows.
Prestressing bed
End abutments
Shuttering / mould
Jack
Anchoring device
Harping device (optional)

Prestressing bed and End abutments

An extension of the previous system is the Hoyer system. This system is generally
used for mass production. The end abutments are kept sufficient distance apart, and
several members are cast in a single line. The shuttering is provided at the sides and

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between the members. This system is also called the Long Line Method. The following figure
is a schematic representation of the Hoyer system.

The end abutments have to be sufficiently stiff and have good foundations. This is
usually an expensive proposition, particularly when large prestressing forces are required.
The necessity of stiff and strong foundation can be bypassed by a simpler solution which
can also be a cheaper option. It is possible to avoid transmitting the heavy loads to
foundations, by adopting self-equilibrating systems.

Jacks
The jacks are used to apply tension to the tendons. Hydraulic jacks are commonly
used. These jacks work on oil pressure generated by a pump. The principle behind the design
of jacks is Pascals law. The load applied by a jack is measured by the pressure reading from
a gauge attached to the oil inflow or by a separate load cell.

Anchoring Devices
Anchoring devices are often made on the wedge and friction principle. In pre-tensioned
members, the tendons are to be held in tension during the casting and hardening of
concrete. Here simple and cheap quick-release grips are generally adopted.

Harping Devices
The tendons are frequently bent, except in cases of slabs-on-grade, poles, piles etc. The
tendons are bent (harped) in between the supports with a shallow sag

Comparative Study: Pretension Vs Post-tensioned Member

Pretension member Post-tensioned member

1. In pretensioned prestress concrete,

steel is tensioned prior to that of concrete.
It is released once the concrete is placed
and hardened.
The stresses are transferred all along the
wire by means of bond.
2. Suitable for short span and precast
products like sleepers, electric poles on
mass production.
1. Concreting is done first then wires are
tensioned and anchored at ends.
The stress transfer is by end bearing not
by bond.
2. Suitable for long span bridges

3. The post tensioning cables can be aligned

3. In pretensioning the cables are basically in any manner like curved or inclined cables
straight and horizontal. can have vertical component at ends.

4. Prestress losses are more compare to 4. Losses are less compare to pre-tensioned
that of post-tensioned concrete. concrete

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Concrete:-
High strength concrete are used, concrete grade larger than C-30 class I works
High compressive strength at a reasonably early age, & comparatively higher tensile
strength as compared with ordinary RC member, low shrinkage, minimum creep
characteristics and high youngs modulus are necessary.
Concrete grade larger than C-40, for pre tensioned ,C-30, for post tensioned
members

Losses in prestress

The initial prestressing concrete undergoes a gradual reduction with time from the
stages of transfer due to various causes. This is generally defined as total Loss of
Prestress. The various losses are explained below:

Types of losses in prestress

Pretensioning
1. Elastic deformation of concrete
2. Relaxation of stress in steel
3. Shrinkage of concrete
4. Creep of concrete

Post-tensioning
1. No loss due to elastic deformation if all wires are simultaneously tensioned. If
the wires are successively tensioned, there will be loss of prestress due to
elastic deformation of concrete.
2. Relaxation of stress in steel
3. Shrinkage of concrete
4. Creep of concrete
5. Friction
6. Anchorage slip

1. Loss due to elastic deformation of the concrete

The loss of prestress due to deformation of concrete depends on the modular
ratio & the average stress in concrete at the level of steel.
2. Loss due to shrinkage of concrete
Factors affecting the shrinkage in concrete
The loss due to shrinkage of concrete results in shortening of tensioned wires &
hence contributes to the loss of stress.
The shrinkage of concrete is influenced by the type of cement, aggregate & the
method of curing used.
Use of high strength concrete with low water cement ratio results in reduction in
shrinkage and consequent loss of prestress.

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The primary cause of drying shrinkage is the progressive loss of water from
concrete.
The rate of shrinkage is higher at the surface of the member.
The differential shrinkage between the interior surfaces of large member may
result in strain gradients leading to surface cracking.
3. Loss due to creep of concrete
The sustained prestress in the concrete of a prestress member results in creep
of concrete which is effectively reduces the stress in high tensile steel. The loss
of stress in steel due to creep of concrete can be estimated if the magnitude of
ultimate creep strain or creep-coefficient is known.
4. Loss due to relaxation of stress in steel
Most of the codes provide for the loss of stress due to relaxation of steel as
a percentage of initial stress in steel.
5. Loss of stress due to friction
The magnitude of loss of stress due to friction is of following types: -
Loss due to curvature effect, which depends upon the tendon form or
alignment, which generally follows a curved profile along the length of the
beam.
Loss of stress due to wobble effect, which depends upon the local deviations
in the alignment of the cable. The wobble or wave effect is the result of
accidental or unavoidable misalignment, since ducts or sheaths cannot be
perfectly located to follow a predetermined profile throughout the length of
beam.
6. Loss due to Anchorage slip
The magnitude of loss of stress due to the slip in anchorage is computed.

Analysis of Prestress Member

Basic assumptions
Concrete is a homogenous material.
Within the range of working stress, both concrete & steel behave elastically,
notwithstanding the small amount of creep, which occurs in both the materials
under the sustained loading.
A plane section before bending is assumed to remain plane even after
bending, which implies a linear strain distribution across the depth of the
member.

Analysis of prestress member

The stress due to prestressing alone is generally combined stresses due to
the action of direct load bending from an eccentrically applied load. The
following notations and sign conventions are used for the analysis of
prestress members.

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