Prestressed Concrete-

Basic Concept
Structural Engineering
Prestressed Concrete
Ordinary Reinforced Concrete-
Introduction
Prestressed Concrete

Prestressed Concrete- Introduction

Prestressed Concrete

BASIC CONCEPTS OF PRESTRESSING

 The prestressing force P that satisfies the particular conditions of
geometry and loading of a given element (see Figure 1.2) is
determined from the principles of mechanics and of stress-strain
relationships.
 Sometimes simplification is necessary, as when a prestressed
beam is assumed to be homogeneous and elastic.
 Consider, then, a simply supported rectangular beam subjected to
a concentric prestressing force P as shown in Figure 1.2(a). The
compressive stress on the beam cross section is uniform.
Prestressed Concrete

BASIC CONCEPTS OF PRESTRESSING

Prestressed Concrete

BASIC CONCEPTS OF PRESTRESSING

Prestressed Concrete

BASIC CONCEPTS OF PRESTRESSING

The compressive stress on the beam cross section is uniform and has an intensity
Prestressed Concrete

BASIC CONCEPTS OF PRESTRESSING

 Equation 1.2b indicates that the presence of prestressing-
compressive stress − P/A is reducing the tensile flexural stress Mc/I
to the extent intended in the design, either eliminating tension totally
(even inducing compression), or permitting a level of tensile stress
within allowable code limits.
 The section is then considered uncracked and behaves elastically:
the concrete’s inability to withstand tensile stresses is effectively
compensated for by the compressive force of the prestressing
tendon.
Prestressed Concrete

BASIC CONCEPTS OF PRESTRESSING

 The compressive stresses in Equation 1.2a at the top fibers of the
beam due to prestressing are compounded by the application of
the loading stress − Mc/I, as seen in Figure
 Hence, the compressive stress capacity of the beam to take a
substantial external load is reduced by the concentric prestressing
force.
 In order to avoid this limitation, the prestressing tendon is placed
eccentrically below the neutral axis at midspan, to induce tensile
stresses at the top fibers due to prestressing.
Prestressed Concrete

BASIC CONCEPTS OF PRESTRESSING

 If the tendon is placed at eccentricity e from the center of gravity of
the concrete, termed the cgc line, it creates a moment Pe, and the
ensuing stresses at midspan become

Since the support section of a simply supported beam carries no

moment from the external transverse load, high tensile fiber
stresses at the top fibers are caused by the eccentric prestressing
force. To limit such stresses, the eccentricity of the prestressing
tendon profile,the cgs line, is made less at the support section than at
the midspan section, or eliminated altogether, or else a negative
eccentricity above the cgc line is used.
Prestressed Concrete

Basic Concept Method

 In the basic concept method of designing prestressed concrete
elements, the concrete fiber stresses are directly computed from
the external forces applied to the concrete by longitudinal
prestressing and the external transverse load.
 Equations 1.3a and b can be modified and simplified for use in
calculating stresses at the initial prestressing stage and at service
load levels.
 If Pi is the initial prestressing force before stress losses, and Pe is the
effective prestressing force after losses, then ϒ can be defined as
the residual prestress factor
Prestressed Concrete

Basic Concept Method

Prestressed Concrete

Basic Concept Method

Prestressed Concrete

Basic Concept Method

 Figure 1.3(a) shows a harped profile usually used for pretensioned

beams and for concentrated transverse loads.
 Figure 1.3(b) shows a draped tendon usually used in post-tensioning.
Prestressed Concrete

Basic Concept Method

 The change in eccentricity from the midspan to the support
section is obtained by raising the prestressing tendon either
abruptly from the midspan to the support, a process called
harping, or gradually in a parabolic form, a process called draping.
Prestressed Concrete

Basic Concept Method

Prestressed Concrete

Basic Concept Method

Prestressed Concrete

Basic Concept Method

Prestressed Concrete

Basic Concept Method

Prestressed Concrete

Basic Concept Method

Prestressed Concrete

ACI Maximum Stress Limits

Prestressed Concrete

ACI Maximum Stress Limits

Prestressed Concrete

ACI Maximum Stress Limits

 Design of Prestressed Members
Prestressed Concrete

 Flexural stresses are the result of external, or imposed,

bending moments.
 They control the selection of the geometrical dimensions
of the pre-stressed concrete section regardless of
whether it is pre-tensioned or post-tensioned.
 The design process starts with the choice of a preliminary
geometry, and by trial and adjustment it converges to a
final section with geometrical details of the concrete
cross section and the sizes and alignments of the pre-
stressing strands.
 Design of Prestressed Members
Prestressed Concrete

 The section satisfies the flexural (bending) requirements

of concrete stress and steel stress limitations. Thereafter,
other factors such as shear and torsion capacity,
deflection, and cracking are analyzed and satisfied.
 The principles and methods presented in Chapter 1 for
service load computations are extended into step-by-step
procedures for the design of pre-stressed concrete linear
elements, taking into consideration the impact of the
magnitude of pre-stress losses discussed earlier.
 Design of Prestressed Members
Prestressed Concrete

 Note that a logical sequence in the design process entails

first the service-load design of the section required in
flexure, and then the analysis of the available moment
strength Mn of the section for the limit state at failure.
Throughout the book, a negative sign (-) is used to
denote compressive stress and a positive sign (+) is used
to denote tensile stress in the concrete section.
 A convex or hogging shape indicates negative bending
moment; a concave or sagging shape denotes positive
bending moment, as shown in Figure 4.1.
 Design of Prestressed Members
Prestressed Concrete
 Design of Prestressed Members
Prestressed Concrete

 Unlike the case of reinforced concrete members, the

external dead load and partial live load are applied to the
pre-stressed concrete member at varying concrete
strengths at various loading stages. These loading stages
can be summarized as follows:
 Initial prestress force P, is applied; then, at transfer, the
force is transmitted from the prestressing strands to the
concrete.
 The full self-weight WD acts on the member together
with the initial prestressing force, provided that the
member is simply supported, i.e., there is no intermediate
support.
 Design of Prestressed Members
Prestressed Concrete

 The full superimposed dead load WSD including topping

for composite action, is applied to the member.
 Most short-term losses in the prestressing force occur,
leading to a reduced pre-stressing force Pe.
 The member is subjected to the full service load, with
long-term losses due to creep, shrinkage, and strand
relaxation taking place and leading to a net pre-stressing
force Pe.
 Overloading of the member occurs under certain
conditions up to the limit state at failure.
 Design of Prestressed Members
Prestressed Concrete

 A typical loading history and corresponding stress

distribution across the depth of the critical section are
shown in Figure 4.2.
 Load vs deformation is shown in the figure 4.3 for various
loading stages.
 Design of Prestressed Members
Prestressed Concrete
 Design of Prestressed Members
Prestressed Concrete
 Design of Prestressed Members
Prestressed Concrete

SELECTION OF GEOMETRICAL PROPERTIES OF

SECTION COMPONENTS
General Guidelines
 Under service-load conditions, the beam is assumed to be
homogeneous and elastic.
 Since it is also assumed (because expected) that the
prestress compressive force transmitted to the concrete
closes the crack that might develop at the tensile fibers of
the beam, beam sections are considered uncracked.
 Stress analysis of prestressed beams under these
conditions is no different from stress analysis of a steel
beam, or, more accurately, a beam column.
 Design of Prestressed Members
Prestressed Concrete

 The axial force due to prestressing is always present regardless

of whether bending moments do or do not exist due to other
external or self-loads.
 It is advantageous to have the alignment of the pre-stressing
tendon eccentric at the critical sections, such as the mid span
section in a simple beam and the support section in a
continuous beam.
 As compared to a rectangular solid section, a nonsymmetrical
flanged section has the advantage of efficiently using the
concrete material and of concentrating the concrete in the
compressive zone of the section where
 it is most needed.
 Design of Prestressed Members
Prestressed Concrete

Minimum Section Modulus

 To design or choose the section, a determination of the
required minimum section modulus, Sb and St has to be
made first. If following stresses are met.
 Design of Prestressed Members
Prestressed Concrete
 Design of Prestressed Members
Prestressed Concrete
 Design of Prestressed Members
Prestressed Concrete
Example
Prestressed Concrete

Example
Prestressed Concrete

Example
Prestressed Concrete

Example
Prestressed Concrete

Example
Prestressed Concrete

Example
Prestressed Concrete

Example
Prestressed Concrete

Example