(d) High strength ordinary Portland cement conforming to IS8112.
2. Concrete:
Prestress concrete requires concrete, which has a high compressive strength reasonably
early age with comparatively higher tensile strength than ordinary concrete. The concrete
for the members shall be air-entrained concrete composed of Portland cement, fine and
coarse aggregates, admixtures and water. The air-entraining feature may be obtained by
the use of either air-entraining Portland cement or an approved air-entraining admixture.
The entrained air content shall be not less than 4 percent or more than 6 percent.
3
Minimum cement content of 300 to 360 kg/m is prescribed for the durability
requirement.
The water content should be as low as possible.
3. Steel
High tensile steel , tendons , strands or cables
The steel used in prestress shall be any one of the following:-
(a) Plain hard-drawn steel wire conforming to IS1785 (Part-I & Part-III)
(b) Cold drawn indented wire conforming to IS6003
(c) High tensile steel wire bar conforming to IS2090
(d) Uncoated stress relived strand conforming to IS6006
High strength steel contains:
0.7 to 0.8% carbons,
0.6% manganese,
0.1% silica
Durability, Fire Resistance & Cover Requirements For P.S.C Members:-
According to IS: 1343-1980
20 mm cover for pretensioned members
30 mm or size of the cable which ever is bigger for post tensioned members.
If the prestress members are exposed to an aggressive environment, these covers are
increased by another 10 mm.
Necessity of high grade of concrete & steel:
Higher the grade of concrete higher the bond strength which is vital in pretensioned concrete,
Also higher bearing strength which is vital in post-tensioned concrete. Further creep &
shrinkage losses are minimum with high-grade concrete.
Generally minimum M30 grade concrete is used for post-tensioned & M40 grade
concrete is used for pretensioned members.
The losses in prestress members due to various reasons are generally in the range of
250 N/mm2 to 400 N/mm2. If mild steel or deformed steel is used the residual stresses after
losses is either zero or negligible. Hence high tensile steel wires are used which varies from
1600 to 2000 N/mm2.
History and development of prestress of PSC:
A prestressed concrete structure is different from a conventional reinforced concrete structure
due to the application of an initial load on the structure prior to its use. The initial load or
service period.
The prestressing of a structure is not the only instance of prestressing. The concept of
prestressing existed before the applications in concrete. Two examples of prestressing before
the development of prestressed concrete are provided.
Force-fitting of metal bands on wooden barrels:
The metal bands induce a state of initial hoop compression, to counteract the hoop tension
caused by filling of liquid in the barrels.
The prestressing of a structure is not the only instance of prestressing. The concept of
prestressing existed before the applications in concrete. Two examples of prestressing before
the development of prestressed concrete are provided
Figure: force fitting of metal bands on wooden barrels
Pre-tensioning the spokes in a bicycle wheel
The pre-tension of a spoke in a bicycle wheel is applied to such an extent that there will
always be a residual tension in the spoke.
That tension in spoke will nullify the applied compression.