PRESTRESSED
CONCRETE
DEFINITION
Concrete in which reinforcing
steel bars are stretched and
anchored to compress it and
thus increase its resistance to
stress.
Reinforced Concrete
Prestressed
Concrete Before
Loading
Prestressed
Concrete After
Loading
Basic Concepts of Prestressing
There are three basic concepts of prestressing:
First Concept: Prestressing to transform
concrete into an Elastic Material.
Second Concept: Prestressing for Combination
of High Strength Steel with Concrete.
Third Concept: Prestressing to Achieve load
Balancing.
Types of Prestressing
As per Source of Prestressing Force-
Hydraulic Prestressing
This is the simplest type of prestressing,
producing large prestressing forces. The
hydraulic jack used for the tensioning of
tendons, comprises of calibrated pressure
gauges which directly indicate the magnitude
of force developed during the tensioning.
Mechanical Prestressing
In this type of prestressing, the devices
includes weights with or without lever
transmission, geared transmission in
conjunction with pulley blocks, screw jacks
with or without gear drives and wire- winding
machines. This type of prestressing is
adopted for mass scale production.
Electrical Prestressing
In this type of prestressing, the steel wires
are electrically heated and anchored
before placing concrete in the molds. This
type of prestressing is also known as
thermo- electric prestressing.
Chemical prestressing:
Chemical pre-stressing is a method of inducing
compressive stresses in concrete by using
expansive admixtures. Providing that concrete
expansion is restrained by internal
reinforcement and that sufficient bond strength
between concrete and the reinforcement is
provided, tensile stresses are introduced into
the reinforcement and compressive to the
concrete.
External or Internal Prestressing
External Prestressing
When the prestressing is achieved by elements
located outside the concrete, it is called external
prestressing. The tendons can lie outside the
member or inside the hollow space of a box
girder. This technique is adopted in bridge &
strengthening of building.
External prestressing of a box girder
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.
Internal prestressing of a box girder
Linear or Circular Prestressing
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.
Linearly prestressed railway sleepers
Circular Prestressing
When the prestressed members are curved, in the
direction of prestressing, the prestressing is
called circular prestressing. For example,
circumferential prestressing of tanks, silos, pipes
and similar structures.
Circularly prestressed structure
Full, Limited or Partial Prestressing
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.
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.
Partial Prestressing
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.
Uniaxial, Biaxial or Multiaxial
Prestressing
Uniaxial Prestressing
When the prestressing tendons are parallel to one axis, it is
called Uniaxial Prestressing. For example, longitudinal
prestressing of beams.
Biaxial Prestressing
When there are prestressing tendons parallel to two axes, it
is called Biaxial Prestressing.
Multiaxial Prestressing
When the prestressing tendons are parallel to more than two
axes, it is called Multiaxial Prestressing. For example,
prestressing of domes.
Pre-tensioning or Post-tensioning
Pre-tensioning
The tension is applied to the tendons before
casting of the concrete. The pre-
compression is transmitted from steel to
concrete through bond over the
transmission length near the ends.
Pre-tensioned Member
Stages of Pre-tensioning
The various stagesof the pre-tensioning
operation are summarized as follows-
• Anchoring of tendons against the end
abutments
• Placing of jacks
• Applying tension to the tendons
• Casting of concrete
• Cutting of the tendons.
Stages of pre-tensioning
Pre-tensioning stress bench Anchoring of strands
Stretching of strands
Pouring of concrete
Steam curing chamber
Demoulding of sleeper Storage
Advantages
The relative advantages of pre-tensioning as
compared to post-tensioning are as follows.
Pre-tensioning is suitable for precast members
produced in bulk.
In pre-tensioning large anchorage device is not
present.
Disadvantages of Pre-tensioning
The relative disadvantages are as follows.
A prestressing bed is required for the pre-
tensioning operation.
There is a waiting period in the prestressing bed,
before the concrete attains sufficient strength.
There should be good bond between concrete and
steel over the transmission length.
Post-tensioning
The tension is applied to the tendons (located
in a duct) after hardening of the concrete. The
pre-compression is transmitted from steel to
concrete by the anchorage device (at the end
blocks).
Post-tensioning of a box girder
Stages of Post-tensioning
The various stages of the post-tensioning operation
are summarized as follows.
• Placement of duct
• Casting of concrete.
• Placement of the strand/tendons.
• Placement of the anchorage block and jack.
• Applying tension to the tendons.
• Seating of the wedges.
• Cutting of the tendons.
• Grouting
Devices
The essentialdevicesfor post-tensioning are
as follows-
• Casting bed
• Mould/Shuttering
• Ducts
• Anchoring devices
• Jacks
• Grouting equipment
Grouting
The purpose of grouting is to provide permanent
protection to the post-tensioned steel against
corrosion and to develop bond between the
Prestressing cables and the surrounding
structural concrete.
Grout is a mixture of water, cement and
optional materials like sand, water-reducing
admixtures, expansion agent and pozzolans. The
water-to- cement ratio is around 0.5. Fine sand is
used to avoid segregation.
The desirable properties of grout are as
follows.
1) Fluidity
2) Minimum bleeding and segregation
3) Low shrinkage
4) Adequate strength after hardening
5) No detrimental compounds
6) Durable.
Advantages of Post-tensioning
The relative advantages of post-tensioning as
compared to pre-tensioning are as follows:
•Post-tensioning is suitable for heavy cast-in-
situ members.
•The waiting period in the casting bed is less.
•The transfer of prestress is independent of
transmission length.
Advantages of Post-tensioning
• Post-tensioning can be done in factories
and at the site also
• The loss of pre-stress is less as
compared to pre-tensioning system.
• This method is used for large spans and
heavily loaded structures.
Disadvantages of Post-tensioning
The disadvantages of post tensioning
method are that it is costly as compared to
pre tensioning method.
Complexity of work.
Poor workmanship can lead to accidents
Advantages of Prestressing
Section remains uncracked under service loads
Reduction of steel corrosion
Full section is utilised
Increase in shear capacity.
Suitable for use in pressure vessels, liquid retaining
structures.
Larger spans possible with prestressing
Rapid construction
Better quality control
Reduced maintenance
Disdvantages of Prestressing
Prestressing needs skilled technology. Hence,
it is not as common as reinforced concrete.
The use of high strength materials is costly.
There is additional cost in auxiliary equipment.
There is need for quality control and
inspection.
Uese on Railway
Concrete sleepers
Road over bridges
Foot over bridges in electrified sections
Railway bridges etc.
outside uses :
Domes
Very long spans
Members for multi-storey buildings etc.
Thank
You