NEDA SHAKIL
4 TH YEAR, B
CONCEPT OF PRE-STRESSING:
A pre-stressed 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 pre-stress is applied to enable the structure to
counteract the stresses arising during its service period.
The pre-stressing of a structure is not the only instance of pre-stressing. The
concept of pre-stressing existed before the applications in concrete.
PRINCIPLE OF PRE-STRESSING:
Pre-stressing is a method in which compression force is applied to the
reinforced concrete section.
The effect of pre stressing is to reduce the tensile stress in the section to
the point till the tensile stress is below the cracking stress. Thus the concrete
does not crack.
It is then possible to treat concrete as a elastic material.
The concrete can be visualized to have two compressive force
i . Internal pre-stressing force.
ii . External forces
These two forces must counteract each other.
INTRODUCTION
Bridge
Strands
Two, three or
seven wires are
wound.
Cable
A group of
tendons form a
pre-stressing
cable.
Bars
A tendon can
be made up
of a single
steel bar.
Water Tank
STEPS
In which the tendons are tensioned before the concrete is placed, tendons are
temporarily anchored and tensioned and the pre-stress is transferred to the concrete
after it is hardened.
In Pre-tension, the tendons are tensioned against some abutments before the concrete
is place.
After the concrete hardened, the tension force is released.
The tendon tries to shrink back to the initial length but the concrete resists it through
the bond between them, thus, compression force is induced in concrete.
Pretension is usually done with precast members
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
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 strength.
There should be good bond between concrete and steel over the transmission length.
DEVICES:
Pre-stressing bed
End abutments
Shuttering / mould
Jack
Anchoring device
Harping device (optional)
Pre-tensioned Electric Poles
PRE-TENSIONING METHOD
Pre-tensioned Beam
POST-TENSIONING
In which the tendon is tensioned after concrete has hardened. Tendons are placed in
sheathing at suitable places in the member before casting and later after hardening
of concrete.
In Post tension, the tendons are tensioned after the concrete has hardened.
Commonly, metal or plastic ducts are placed inside the concrete before casting.
After the concrete hardened and had enough strength, the tendon was placed
inside the duct, stressed, and anchored against concrete. Grout may be injected
into the duct later. This can be done either as precast or cast-in-place.
DEVICES
The essential devices for post-tensioning are as follows.
Casting bed
Mould/Shuttering
Ducts
Anchoring devices
Jacks
Couplers (optional)
Grouting equipment (optional).
Sequence of Anchoring
EXAMPLE
Post-tensioning of box
girder
Completed Bridge
ADVANTAGES OF POST-TENSIONING
Post-tensioning is suitable for heavy cast-in-place members.
The waiting period in the casting bed is less.
The transfer of pre-stress is independent of transmission length.
DISADVANTAGE OF POST-TENSIONING
The relative disadvantage of post- tensioning as compared to pre-tensioning is the
requirement of anchorage device and grouting equipment.
POST-TENSIONING METHOD
LINEAR PRE-STRESSING:
UNIAXIAL PRE-STRESSING:
When the pre-stressing tendons are parallel to one axis, it is called Uniaxial
Pre-stressing. For example, longitudinal pre-stressing of beams.
CIRCULAR PRE-STRESSING:
BIAXIAL PRE-STRESSING:
When there are pre-stressing tendons parallel to two axes, it is called Biaxial
Pre-stressing. The following figure shows the biaxial pre-stressing of slabs.
When the pre-stressed members are curved, in the direction of pre-stressing, the
pre-stressing is called circular pre-stressing. For example, circumferential prestressing of tanks, silos, pipes and similar structures.
Reinforcement
Grouts vent
Anchorage
Pocket former
Ducts for
prestressing
tendons
MULTIAXIAL PRE-STRESSING:
When the pre-stressing tendons are parallel to more than two axes, it is
called Multiaxial Pre-stressing. For example, pre-stressing of domes.
Circularly pre-stressed containment structure
CLASSIFICATIONS OF PRE-STRESSING
FORMWORK SETUP
Internal tendons are located inside the structural concrete section, are
housed in corrugated metal ducts or corrugated plastic ducts, and are bonded
to the structural concrete by means of cementitious grout.
The plastic corrugated ducts are made from high-density polyethylene
(HDPE) or polypropylene material.
The high-strength steel tendon can be strands, wires, or bars.
2. EXTERNAL PRE-STRESSING:
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. In the
following figure, concrete will be cast around the ducts for placing the tendons.
1. FULL PRE-STRESSING:
When the level of pre-stressing is such that no tensile stress is allowed in
concrete under service loads, it is called Full Pre-stressing.
2. LIMITED PRE-STRESSING:
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.
3. PARTIAL PRE-STRESSING:
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.
CLASSIFICATIONS OF PRE-STRESSING