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Prestressed Concrete
Prestressed concrete is a method for overcoming concrete's natural weakness in tension.
Prestressing tendons (generally of high tensile steel cable or rods) are used which produces a
compressive stress that offsets the tensile stress that the concrete compression member would
otherwise experience due to self-weight and gravity loads. Traditional reinforced concrete is based
on the use of steel reinforcement bars, rebar, inside poured concrete.
Prestressing can be accomplished in two ways: pre-tensioned concrete and bonded or unbounded
post-tensioned concrete.
Pre-tensioned concrete
Pre-tensioned concrete is cast around already tensioned tendons. This method produces a good
bond between the tendon and concrete, which both protects the tendon from corrosion and allows
for direct transfer of tension. The cured concrete adheres and bonds to the bars and when the
tension is released it is transferred to the concrete as compression by static friction.
However, it requires stout anchoring points between which the tendon is to be stretched and the
tendons are usually in a straight line. Thus, most pretensioned concrete elements are prefabricated
in a factory and must be transported to the construction site, which limits their size. Pre-tensioned
elements may be balcony elements, lintels, floor slabs, beams or foundation piles. An innovative
bridge construction method using pre-stressing is described in stressed ribbon bridge.
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Figure 1: Typical Layout of Bonded System
Post-stressing is also used in the construction of various bridges, both after concrete is cured after
support by falsework and by the assembly of prefabricated sections, as in the segmental
bridge.The advantages of this system over unbonded post-tensioning are:
1. Large reduction in traditional reinforcement requirements as tendons cannot destress in
accidents.
2. Tendons can be easily 'weaved' allowing a more efficient design approach.
3. Higher ultimate strength due to bond generated between the strand and concrete.
4. No long term issues with maintaining the integrity of the anchor/dead end.
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Figure 2: Typical Layout of Unbonded System
The main disadvantage over bonded post-tensioning is the fact that a cable can destress itself and
burst out of the slab if damaged (such as during repair on the slab). The advantages of this system
over bonded post-tensioning are:
1. The ability to individually adjust cables based on poor field conditions (For example: shifting
a group of 4 cables around an opening by placing 2 to either side).
2. The procedure of post-stress grouting is eliminated.
3. The ability to de-stress the tendons before attempting repair work.
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Figure 3: Dubai Pearl Project (Commercial / Offices Towers)
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Direct Cost Reduction
Post-tensioning offers direct cost reduction over conventionally reinforced slabs primarily by
reducing concrete and rebar material quantities as well as rebar installation labor. Typically,
savings between 10% - 20% in direct cost are achieved.
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Followings are the factors which contribute to direct cost reduction:
Less concrete material
Reduction in slab thickness reduces total building height and cost
Less rebar
Less labor cost for installation of material
Reduced material handling
Simplified formwork leads to less labor cost
Rapid reuse of formwork leads to less formwork on jobsite
As a rule, the break even mark between conventional and prestressed solutions is approx. 7m
spans.
RC
Cost PT
6m 7m 8m 9m 10m 11m
Span
In a typical slab with spans over 7 meters, the net savings in material cost can range between 10%
- 20% of original RC alternative. A typical comparative cost structure is shown below:
RC PT
Concrete PT System
Material represents 60% of direct cost of a post-tensioning system. Cost structure of PT System is
shown below:
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Design 10%
Logistics 10%
Material 60%
Strand 40%
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Superior Structural Performance
The prestressing in post-tensioned slabs takes optimal advantage of tendon, rebar and concrete
properties to deliver an economical structural system.
Factors contributing to superior structural performance are listed below:
Use of high-strength materials
Deflection control
Longer spans are achieved
Crack control and water-tightness
Reduced floor-to-floor height
Lighter structure requires lighter lateral load resisting system
Economy in column and footing design
Reduced noise transmission compared to RC
Lower total cost of ownership (maintenance) compared to RC alternatives
Sustainable Design
Compared to conventionally reinforced structures, post-tensioned buildings offer a more
sustainable design alternative.
Factors contributing to sustainability:
Less material use than RC
Reduced carbon footprint
Lower cost of ownership
Less cracking
Lower deflection values
Reduced cost for corrosion maintenance
Typical Quantities
Post-Tensioning and rebar rates vary greatly depending of span configuration and loading.
Compared to other countries, PT projects in US are designed with less loading and lower PT and
rebar rates.
Bonded System
US values (1 kN/m2 SDL & 2.5 kN/m2 LL)
3 4 kg/m2 of PT
5 kg/m2 of Rebar
With higher loading (3 kN/m2 SDL & 3 kN/m2 LL)
3.5 5 kg/m2 of PT
7 9 kg/m2 of Rebar
Unbonded System
US values (1 kN/m2 SDL & 2.5 kN/m2 LL)
3.75 kg/m2 of PT
6 kg/m2 of Rebar
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Case Study of Value Engineering:
Legend Plaza, Dubai, UAE is designed using ADAPT-Floor Pro (www.adaptsoft.com). Salient
features of this project are listed below:
Project Parameters
Gross Floor Area Superstructure: 72,000 m2
Typical Floor Gross Area: 11,000 m2
Total Floors: 7
Typical Floor Slab Spans: 10 m max / 8 m avg.
Project Team
Prime Structural Engineers: Adnan Saffarini
Contractor: SBG
Client: Private Investment
PT Supplier: Freyssinet Gulf
PT Value Engineers: ADAPT Corporation
Design Criteria
Design Code: BS-8110
Concrete Compressive Strength Fcu: 40 MPa
Reinforcement Yield Stress: 460 MPa
Superimposed Dead Load: 6 kN/m2
Design Live Load: 2 kN/m2
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Figure 12: Layout of Original Design
Original Design
Original Floor System: Hourdy Slab System
Depth of Floor System: 380 mm
Boundary Beams: Yes
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Figure 13: Layout of Alternate Design
Benefits
70 % less rebar
13 % less concrete
Elimination of all Hourdy Blocks
Unified structural slab system
Beams & drop caps were deleted, simplifying slab installation
25 % less formwork
3 months shorter construction program
15% savings in site overhead and plant
Value engineering saved Contractor over 1 million US$.
References:
1. Wikimedia Foundation, Inc., (http://en.wikipedia.org)
2. ADAPT Corporation (http://www.adaptsoft.com)
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