Example 1 Pretensioned beam (Class 1)

A straight uniform beam prestressed by a straight tendon at a distance e below the centroid of the
section. The effect of the prestress force is to apply a load P at the centroid plus a couple Pe.

e
P P

M M= Pe
P P
+

- mm2
- -
- -

+ + =
+
+

End-span stresses at transfer

- +
-

+
+ + =
+ -

0.0N/mm
2

Prestress after losses

SW + D.L.+ L.L Resultant Stresses
(assumed 30%)

Mid-span stresses at service

Example 2 Post-tensioned slab (Class 1)

A uniform simply supported slab, post-tensioned by a tendon follows a parabolic profile. The cable
eccentricity varies from zero at the end to a maximum at mid-span.

P P

- +
-

+
+ + =
+ -

0.5fci

Mid-span stresses at transfer

- +
-

+
+ + =
+ -

0.0N/mm
2

Prestress after losses

SW + D.L.+ L.L Resultant Stresses
(assumed 20%)

Mid-span stresses at service

Note : Actual values of prestress force vary along the length of the beam, depending on the
anchorage and friction losses and whether stressing is carried out at one end or both ends.