UNIT 4

Structure
4.1

LOSSES OF PRESTRESS IN CONCRETE

Introduction
Objectives

4.2 4.3
4.4
4.5

Loss .of Prestress Due to Elastic Shortening Loss of Prestress During the Tensioning Process Due to Friction Loss of Prestress Due to Anchorage Slip Loss of Prestress Due to Creep of Concrete Loss of Prestess Due to Shrinkage of Concrete Loss of Prestress Due to Relaxation of Steel Total Loss of Prestress Summary

4.6
4.7

4.8
4.9

4.10 Answers to SAQs

4.1 INTRODUCTION
In prestressed concrete the most important parameter is the prestressing force. If the prestressing force reduces with time, prestresses also get reduced. Even at the time of the transfer of prestress to the concrete member, there is a drop of the prestressing force from the recorded value in the jack gauge. Various reductions of the prestressing force are termed as the losses in prestress. A loss of prestress will affect the stress distribution on a section of the member. It is therefore necessary to estimate the probable loss of prestress that may be incurred in a prestressed member. Total loss of prestress consists of those losses which are instantaneous at the transfer stage as well as those which are time dependent.
Types of Losses

Immediate

t
Time Dependent Anchorage Slip

Elastic Shortening

Friction

Creep

Shrinkage

Relaxation

Objectives
After studying this unit, you should be able to understand why losses of prestress occur in prestressed concrete members, know various reasons behind such losses of prestress,

Prestressed Concrete

appreciate relative variations of losses of prestress in pre and post-tensioned structural elements, and calculate such losses of prestress.

4.2 LOSS OF PRESTRESS DUE TO ELASTIC SHORTENING

At the transfer of prestress, tensile stresses of tendons are transferred to concretc in the form of compressive stresses. Due to this compression, elastic shortening ,, of length takes place in concrete. As the length of concrete member gets reduced,; an equal length reduction or strain takes place in tendons. Consequently, stresses ' in tendons are lost by a magnitude corresponding to this strain. This loss of prestress is called as loss due to elastic shortening of concrete. Let
fcgp

= Concrete stress at the location of centre of gravity of prestressing

steel due to the prestressing force at transfer and the self-weight of the member at the section of maximum moment,
Es = Modulus of elasticity of steel, and

Ec= Modulus of elasticity of concrete

Strain in concrete at the level of steel = -

[k]

Stress variation in steel corresponding to this strain

= Loss of prestress

The prestress loss due to elastic shortening in pretensioned members is taken as the product of the concrete stress at the centroid of the prestressing steel at transfer, fcgp,and the ratio of the modulus of elasticities of the prestressing steel and the concrete at transfer. So, loss of prestress due to elastic shortening =
-

($1

, /

Es As modular ratio (m) = Ec

So, loss in stress in steel = m x fcgp Loss of prestress due to elastic shortening definitely occurs in pre-tensioned concrete members. But in post-tensioned members it does not occur if all the tendons across a cross-section are simultaneously stretched, anchored and their prestresses transferred to concrete. In this case, jacks which stretch tendons butt against the ends of members. So the prestressing force which is to be transferred by tendons in already felt by the concrete member through the jacks. But post-tensioned members are subjected to this loss of prestress if all the tendons are not simultaneously tensioned. In that case, every tendon being stretched shall produce a loss of prestress in all the tendons which have already been tensioned.

4.3 LOSS OF PRESTRESS DURING THE TENSIONING PROCESS DUE TO FRICTION

This loss occurs only in post-tensioned members. There always exists a certain amount of friction in the jacking and anchoring system and on the walls of the duct.. So, the actual stress in the tendon is less than what is indicated by the pressure gauge. Considerable frictional loss takes place due to friction between the tendon and the material surrounding it, namely the concrete or the sheathing. Loss due to friction may be classified as below. ('a) loss due to length effect, and (b) loss due to curvature effect. The length effect represents the effect of friction for a straight tendon due to slight imperfections of the duct. In practice, the duct meant for the straight tendon is not absolutely straight. Hence the cable will touch the duct or concrete This loss is also called the loss due to wobbing eBect. In the case of curved ducts, the loss of prestress depends upon the radius of curvature R of the duct and the coefficient of friction between the duct surface and the tendon. For a straight or moderately curved profile, with curved or straight tendons, the value of prestressing force Pr at a distance x metres from tensioning end and acting in the direction of the tangent to the curve of the cable, shall be calculated as below : Px = Po e- ( p a + h ) where P,,= Prestressing force in the prestressed steel at the tensioning end acting in the direction of the tangent to the curve of the cable, a = Cumulative angle in radians through which the tangent to the cable profile has turned between any two 'points under consideration, p = Coefficient of friction between tendons and duct material; (p may be taken as 0.55 for steel moving on smooth concrete, 0.30 for steel moving on steel fixed to duct, and 0.25 for steel moving on lead), and k = Coefficient for wave effect varying from 15 x to 50 x l 0-4per metre. Frictional losses can be reduced by several methods, such as : (a) (b) Over-tensioning the tendons by an amount equal to the maximum frictional loss, and Jacking the tendons from both ends of the beam, generally adopted when the tendons are long or when the angles of curvature are large.

Losses o f Prestress in Concrete

4.4 LOSS OF PRESTRESS DUE TO ANCHORAGE SLIP

In most of post-tensioning systems, when the cable is tensioned and the jack is released to transfer prestress to concrete, the friction wedges, employed to grip the wires, slip a small distance before the wires can be firmly held between the

Prestressed Concrete

wedges. The magnitude of slip depends upon the type of wedge and the stress in the wires. This loss of prestress occurs only in post-tensioned members as no anchorages are used in pre-tensioned members. The loss during anchoring, which occurs with wedge-type grip, is normally allowed for on the site by over-extending the tendon in the prestressing operation by the amount of the draw - in before anchoring.

!! Loss of prestress due to anchorage slip = &

where Es = Modulus of elasticity of steel,

A = Anchorage slip, and

L = Length of the cable.
Loss due to slip in anchorage is of special importance with short members and the necessary additional elongation may be provided at the time of tensioning to compensate for this loss.

4.5 LOSS OF PRESTRESS DUE TO CREEP OF CONCRETE

Creep of concrete means time dependent deformation of concrete. Its effect depends upon the interval of time for which the member is loaded. For instance, suppose a concrete member is subjected to an external load which causes a deformation. If the member remains loaded for a long time it is seen that the deformation increases without any increase of load due to creep. When the consider creep in regard to loss of prestress, we have to see that the prestressed member is under compressive stresses due to prestresses. Due to these compressive stresses, compressive strains are produced. The immediate effect of these compressive strains is considered in the calculation of loss of prestress due to elastic shortening. Due to creep of concrete, these compressive strains keep on increasing with time. it means that the length of the member keeps on reducing with time (though this length decrease shall be a of a small magnitude and shall not be visible). Due to this length decrease, length of tendons also shall decrease by the same amount leading to lowering of stresses in tendons, or in other words, to loss of prestress. The creep loss due to live load stress, erection stresses and other stresses of short duration may be ignored. The loss of prestress due to creep of concrete is obtained as the product of the modulus of elasticity of the prestressing steel and the ultimate creep strain of the concrete fibre integrated along the line of centre of gravity of the prestressing steel over its entire length. The total creep strain during any specific period shall be assumed, for all practical purposes, to be the creep strain due to sustained stress equal to the average of the stresses at the beginning and end of the period. The loss of prestress due to creep = Q . m . f, where

Q = Creep coefficient,
m = Modular ratio, and

fc = Original prestress in concrete.

As long as the stress in concrete does not exceed one-third of characteristic compressive strength, creep may be assumed to be proportional to the stress.

For calculation of deformation at some stage before the total creep is reached, it may be assumed that about half the total creep takes place in first month after loading and that about three-quarters of the total creep takes place in the first six months after loading.

4.6 LOSS OF PRESTRESS DUE TO SHRINKAGE OF CONCRETE

I
i

We know that concrete shrinks in volume when it dries up. This volume reduction takes place in the form of reduction of all dimensions. A major reduction of dimensions in a beam element is expected to take place along the length as all dimensions proportionally reduce. The shrinkage of concrete in prestressed members results in a shortening of ~ensioned wires and hence contributes to the loss of stress. The shrinkage of concrete is influenced by the type of cement, aggregates and the method of curing used. Shrinkage of concrete depends only on the interval of time and the moisture conditions, but is independent of the stresses in the member due to loads. The loss of prestress due to shrinkage of concrete shall be the product of the modulus of elasticity of steel and the shrinkage strain of concrete. The approximate value of shrinkage strain for design shall be assumed as follows : For pre-tensioning
=

0.0003

For post-tensioning =

0.0002
Log,, ( t + 2)

where t =Age of concrete at transfer in days. For the calculation of deformation of concrete at some stage before the maximum shrinkage is reached, it may be assumed that half of the shrinkage takes place during the first month and that about three-quarter of the shrinkage takes place in first six months after commencement of drying.

4.7 LOSS OF PRESTRESS DUE TO RELAXATION OF STEEL

Relaxation of steel represents the time dependent reduction of stresses in steel even when the strain remains constant. In a way it may be a phenomenon similar to creep where an increase in strains at a constant stress takes place in a time dependent manner. 'The relaxation losses in prestressing steels vary with type of steel, initial prestress, age, and temperature and, therefore, shall be determined from experiments. When experimental values are not available, the relaxation losses may be assumed as given in Table 4.1.
Table 4.1 :Relaxation Losses for Prestressing Steel at 1000 Hours at 27C
Initial Stress Relaxation Loss (N/mml)

0.58,
0.66 0.7fb

0 35 70

Prestressed Concrete

where fp is the characteristic strength of prestressing steel. No reduction in the value of the relaxation losses should be made for a tendon with a load equal to or greater than the relevant jacking force that has been applied for a short time prior to the anchoring of the tendons.

(a) (b) (c) (d) (e)

List various types of loss of prestress in pretensioned and post-tensioned members. Describe losses of prestress that occur during the tensioning process. How do you compute the loss of prestress due to elastic deformation? How do you compute the loss of prestress in steel due to shrinkage of concrete? How do you compute the loss of prestress in steel due to relaxation of steel? What is relaxation of stress in steel? What do you mean by creep of concrete?

(f)

Example 4.1
A pre-tensioned concrete beam, 200 mm wide and 300 mm deep, is prestressed by straight wires carrying an initial force of 150 kN at an eccentricity of 50 mm. Assume modulus of elasticity of steel as 2 x lo5N/mm2 and that of concrete as 0.33 x loS N/mm2, respectively. Estimate the percentage loss of stress in steel due to elastic deformation of concrete if the area of steel wires is 188 rnrn2.

Solution
P = I5OkN

Initial Stress in Steel = Stress in Concrete,

150 x lo3 = 797.87 = 800 ~ / m m ~ 188

In the above expression for calculation of stress, e2comes in the second term on the right hand side as we are calculating stress in concrete fibre at the location of tendon itself. So, y, or y, in is replaced by e. Loss of stress due to elastic deflection of concrete = m x fcgp = 6.06 x 3.33 = 20 N/mm2 Percentage loss of stress in steel = 20 x 100 = 2.5% 800

Losses of Prestress in Concrete

Example 4.2

A cylindrical concrete tank, 30 m external diameter, is to be

prestressed circumferentially by means of high-strength steel wire (E, = 2 x lo5N/mm2)jacked at 4 points, 90" apart. If the minimum stress in the wire immediately after tensioning is to be 450 N/mm2 and coefficient of friction is 0.5, calculate : (a) The maximum stress to be applied to the wires at the jack, and (b) The expected extension at the jack. Take e = 2.7.

Solution
P, = stress at the jacked end, Po = initial stress or force at the jacking end,

Px= Po e-p
or,
'IT

450 = Po x e- 0.785

As a = - radians (i.e. 90") and p = 0.5 2

Average stress in wire = 981-37 + 450 = 715.68 ~h~~~ 2 Length of wires in one segment = ( n x 304X looO) = 7500 Extension at the jack

- Avegage stress x Length of wires = 715.68 x 7500 n: = 84.31 rnm Ex 2 x 105

In a prestressed concrete beam of cross-section 250 x 350 mm and span 6 meter, an initial prestressing force of 350 kN is applied at an eccentricity of 70 rnm, by tendons of area 400 mm2.Assuming modulus of elasticity of steel as 2 x 105 N/rnm2 and that of concrete as 0.33 x lo5N/mm2, slip in anchorage as 1.5 rnm,creep coefficient in concrete ($) as 1, shrinkage strain of concrete as 0.0002 and relaxation loss in steel as 3%, find the total percentage loss of stress in the tendons.

Prestressed Concrete

Solution

A, = 400 mm2, e = 70 r n m

Initial stress in tendons = 350 x lo3 = 875 N/rnrn2 400 The losses of prestress due to various causes : (a) Loss of stress due to elastic shortening of concrete : Initial stress in concrete at the level of the tendons

Loss of stress due to elastic shortening of concrete = m x fcgp

Es A (b) Loss of prestress due to anchorage slip = 7

(c)

Loss of stress due to creep of concrete = @ . m

.fc

(d) Loss of stress due to relaxation of steel = 3% of initial stress (given) 3 -x 875 = 26.25 ~ 1 1 r u n ~ 100 (e) Loss of stress due to shrinkage of concrete
= 0.0002 x 2 x lo5= 40 N/mm2
(f)

Total loss of stress in the tendons

= 35.875 + 50 + 35.875 + 26.25 + 40 = 188 N/rnm2

188 Percentage loss of stress = -x 100 = 21.49% . 875

4.8 TOTAL LOSS OF PRESTRESS

The total amount of losses of prestresses may be accounted for in a prestressed concrete member by adding different losses which may take place for that member. As the types of construction of pre and post-tensioned concrete members are different, same total loss of prestress does not occur in both of them. In this connection, we may put various losses in either of two categories : losses which take place during transfer of prestress and those which take place after the transfer of prestress have taken place. Los of prestress due to friction and curvature of ducts and loss of prestress due to slip in anchorage take place only in post-tensioned construction as there is no scope far them to occur in pre-tensioned construction. As a general guide, it may be taken that total loss of prestress may be in the range of 20 to 25 percent of the initial prestress, the lower and higher values of this range generally applying to post-tensioned and pre-tensioned concrete members respectively. It may seem natural as prestresses in post-tensioned members are generally applied at a later stage by which time concrete is able to have gained most of its strength.

Losses of Prestress in Concrete

(a)

A pre-tensioned concrete beam, 250 mm wide and 350 rnm deep, is prestressed by straight wires carrying an initial force of 200 kN at an eccentricity of 50 mm. Assume modulus of elasticity of steel as 2 x lo5N/rnrn2 and that of concrete as 0.33 x lo5N/mm2 respectively. Estimate the percentage loss of stress in steel due to elastic deformation of concrete if the area of steel wires is 200 mm2. A cylindrical concrete tank, 35 m external diameter, is to be prestressed circumferentially by means of high-strength steel wires (E,= 2 x lo5N/rnrn2)jacked at 4 points, 90" apart. If the minimum stress in the wire immediately after tensioning is to be 400 N/mm2 and coefficient of friction is 0.5, calculate : (i) (ii) The maximum stress to be applied to the wires by the jack, and The expected extension at the jack location.

(b)

(c)

In a prestressed concrete beam of cross-section 225 x 325 mrn and span 5 m, initial prestressing force of 350 kN is applied at an eccentricity of 60 mm, by tendons of area 400 mm2. Assuming modulus of elasticity of steel as 2 x lo5N/mm2 and that of concrete as 0.33 x lo5N/mm2, slip in anchorage as 1.5 mm, creep coefficient in concrete @ as 1, shrinkage strain of concrete as 0.0002 and relaxation loss in steel as 4%, find the total percentage loss of stress in the tendons.

Prestressed Concrete

4.9 SUMMARY
In this unit we have studied how some of the prestresses in pre and posttensioned concrete members may be lost. These losses are dependent on type of the member (pre or post-tensioned) as well as these may occur differently entirely in the initial stage or proportionately with time elapsed. These losses in prestresses lower down the initial prestresses introduced and hence the distribution of stresses in the concrete member shall be subject to changes. We have to suitably calculate all such losses taking place and have to take appropriate steps so that even after the losses of prestress, the required amount of stresses should remain in the concrete member to take care of the safety of the member. One of the appropriate steps in this respect may be to use better grades of materials to reduce the losses - e.g., losses due to shrinkage and creep. Another way may be to extra stress the tendons by an amount equal to these losses so that after these losses take place; the required amount of prestresses shall still be available. The use of either pre or post-tensioned concrete member in a particular case may be dependent on the total amount or mechanism of such losses taking place also. For example, due to greater losses anticipated and other practical diff~culties, railway sleepers are manufactured as pre-tensioned concrete members only.

4.10 ANSWERS TO SAQs

SAQ 2 (a) (b) (c)
2.575%

(i) 872.33 N/rnm2 (ii) 87.4 mm

24.77%