1

CIVL3012 Prestressed Concrete

Structures
Introduction to Prestressed Concrete Structures
Early attempts in prestressing were unsuccessful because
low-strength steel was used
long-term effects of creep and shrinkage reduced the
prestress force very much
For example,
Mild steel
Shrinkage strain
Effective prestress
Loss
Use of Prestressing
6
3
10 1000
10 200
200

=

= ~
s
s
E
f
c
6
10 600

~
1000
600 1000
200

~
% 100
200
80 200

~
f
y
= 250 N/mm
2
; FOS = 1.25 f
s
= 200 N/mm
2
(1000 microstrains)
= 80 N/mm
2
= 60%
Modern high strength steel
Shrinkage strain of 60010
-6
is not significant (around
10% loss)
Applications of prestressed concrete: bridges, piles,
buildings, marine structures, etc.
Big names in prestressed concrete:
French engineer Eugne Freyssinet
Mr. Prestressed Concrete (USA) T.Y. Lin ()
Use of Prestressing
f
s
= 1300 N/mm
2
6
3
10 6500
10 200
1300

=

= ~
s
s
E
f
c (6500 microstrains)
Can high strength steel be used as reinforcement in R.C.
structures?
RC structures PC structures
Use of High Strength Steel

LL
c
?
High yield steel
High strength steel
o

Prestressed
c
High strength steel
o
LL
Barrel staves compressed
with hoops
Metal hoop
Heated iron tyre
Wooden rim
of wheel
Spoke
Cartwheel compressed
by contracting tyre
Examples of precast beams
Double Tee Beam
Examples of standard bridge beams
Voided Slab
U-Beam M-Beam Box Beam
2
1. Prestress
2. Live load
+
+
-
+
A concentrically prestressed concrete section An eccentrically prestressed concrete section
Prestress
Prestress + LL
+
+
-
+
-
+
Definitions
Prestressing
A technique for introducing stresses in structures during
the process of construction, so that a more favourable state
of stress will prevail under service loads.
Prestressed Concrete
Concrete in which effective internal stresses are induced
artificially, usually by means of tensioned steel, prior to
loading the structure.
Tendon
A stretched element in a concrete member or structure to
impart prestress to the concrete (usually made of steel),
different from reinforcement which is without initial
prestress.
Method of Prestressing
1. External Prestressing
In the past, external prestressing is prestressing in the
form of concrete strain induced by a device external
to the concrete structure.
Now external prestressing refers to cases in which the
structure is prestressed by tendons placed alongside it
(though it was classified as internal prestressing in the
past).
This type of external prestressing takes the form of
post-tensioning only.
External Prestressing (old usage, obsolete now)

Flat jack

Figure 21. Flat jack
Inlet
Vent
External Prestressing (modern usage)
Eg Tsing Yi South Bridge (Remedial works)
Duplicate Tsing Yi South Bridge
Rambler Channel Bridge


Tsing Yi South Bridge
(Schematic diagram)
3
Method of Prestressing
2. Internal Prestressing
Internal prestressing is prestressing produced by
tendons placed inside the structure. Internal
prestressing may take the form of pre-tensioning or
post-tensioning.
(a) Pre-tensioning
The tendons are tensioned before concrete is placed.
In this method, the tendons, usually wires or strands,
are stretched between fixed bulkheads or abutments
and the concrete is poured around them.
When the concrete has hardened and reached the
required strength, the tendons are released from the
anchorages and the prestress is transferred to the
concrete by bond.
This is particularly suitable for repetitive units.

Members cast around tendons
Jack
Prestressing bed
Abutment with
anchorages
Tendons stretched between abutments
Tendons cropped
Figure 1. Pretensioning

Figure 2. Pretensioning with deflected tendons

Figure 3. Post-tensioning
End
anchorage
Jack
Method of Prestressing
2. (b) Post-tensioning
This is a method of prestressing by which tendons are
tensioned after the concrete has hardened.
In this method, the concrete is cast, incorporating
sheaths for the tendons to pass.
When the concrete has gained the required strength,
the tendons are tensioned against the steel bearing
plate cast into the ends of the member. The prestress is
transferred to the concrete by mechanical anchorage.
Method of Prestressing
2. (b) Post-tensioning
The space between the tendons and the sheaths is
usually grouted on completion of the tensioning
operation. The grout not only prevents corrosion of
the tendons, but it also improves the bonding between
the tendons, the sheath and the concrete.
The tendons may be bonded or unbonded.

5 tons
each
Post-tensioning:
5-ton jack 4 times
Pre-tensioning:
Bulkhead (at least 20 ton strength);
5-ton jack 4
Railway sleeper
Transmission
mast
Examples of pretensioned members
4
Prestressed member vs. column
Curved prestressed member
Advantages of Prestressed Concrete
over Reinforced Concrete
1. Free from cracks under service loads (except for Class
3 structures) and hence better appearance and durability.
2. Greater shear resistance, and hence thinner web
possible; reduces dead weight, especially in long span
structures.
3. Greater rigidity due to effectiveness of the whole
uncracked section, hence smaller deflection.

Reinforced concrete Prestressed concrete
Advantages of Prestressed Concrete
over Reinforced Concrete
4. Lighter structure: hence saving in headroom and
smaller load on foundation, usually suitable for long-
span structures.
5. Test-proofing of materials: For many structures, during
prestressing, both the steel and the concrete are
subjected to the highest stresses that will exist in the
structures during their life of service. Hence, if the
materials can withstand prestressing, they are likely to
possess sufficient strength for the service load.

Materials for Prestressed Concrete
Steel
Prestressing steel should be one of the following types:
1. High tensile steel wire or strand complying with BS
5896:1980 Specification for high tensile steel wire
strand for the prestressing of concrete.
2. Alloy steel bars complying with BS 4486:1980
Specification for hot rolled and hot rolled and processed
high tensile alloy steel bars for the prestressing of
concrete.

Wire Strand Bar
Materials for Prestressed Concrete
Concrete
1. The cube strength of concrete specified for prestressed
concrete work normally ranges from 30 to 60 N/mm
2
.
To achieve the high strength, the water/cement ratio is
in the range of 0.35 to 0.45. Usually a plasticizer (or
water reducing agent) is added to improve the
workability of concrete.
2. Design of prestressed concrete members is usually
based on the characteristic strength (at 28 days), any
further increase of strength after 28 days being
ignored.
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Materials for Prestressed Concrete
Concrete
3. The strength at transfer (stage at which prestress is
transmitted to concrete) should be not less than 25
N/mm
2
and is reached in about 7 days. Rapid
hardening cement may be used to obtain early
strength. A minimum strength at transfer of 40
N/mm
2
is often specified.
4. In precast factory, steam curing (at atmospheric
pressure) is usually used to speed up production.
With steam curing, the required strength is reached
within 24 hours so that a daily turnover of
prestressing bed is possible.
Loss of Prestress
Losses of prestress are due to the immediate
and deferred strains in the structural materials
and to various factors, which are inherent in the
stressing operation.
Other Useful Terms
Abutment.
An end support of a bridge.
Anchorage.
A device, frequently patented, for permanently anchoring the
tendons at the end of a post-tensioned beam, or for temporarily
anchoring pretensioned tendons while the concrete gains
strength.
Bearing.
The support of a beam.
Bonded and Unbonded Tendons.
Tendon bonded (not bonded) throughout its length to the
surrounding concrete.
Abutment
Bearing
Deck

Figure 23. A typical stressing anchorage
Cables
A group of tendons.
Camber
The upward deflection of a prestressed concrete beam when it is
prestressed.
Circular and Linear Prestressing
Circular prestressing refers to prestressing in round structures
like tanks and pipes; prestressing in all other members is termed
linear.
Composite construction
Different materials used together, such as steel beams in
reinforced concrete floors; precast with insitu concrete; etc.
Other Useful Terms
Circular prestressing
Creep
Time-dependent deformation due to load. In concrete, a
sustained load squeezes water from the cement gel at ordinary
temperatures, and this produces deformation, which may be two
to three times as great as the elastic deformation.
Creep deflection
The deflection of a beam due to creep. Elastic deflection occurs
instantly, while creep deflection requires time to develop, and it
may be several months before it becomes noticeable.
Other Useful Terms
End Block
The portion of the prestressed concrete beam surrounding
the anchorages of post-tensioned tendons. Within the length
of the end block, prestress is transferred from more or less
concentrated areas to the entire cross section. There are high
bursting stresses along the axis of the tendon a short
distance inside the end block and high spalling stresses near
the end face.
Full and Partial Prestressing
Degree of prestress applied to concrete in which no tension
(some tension and usually some flexural cracking) is
permitted in the concrete under the working loads.
Other Useful Terms

P
Splitting
6
Line of Pressure
The locus of concrete force along a member.
Pier
A wide column or short wall of masonry or plain or reinforced
concrete for carrying heavy loads, such as a support for a bridge.
Precast concrete
Concrete members which are cast and partly matured on site or
in a factory before being lifted into their position in a structure.
Other Useful Terms
Prestressed and Nonprestressed Reinforcement
Reinforcement in prestressed concrete members, which are
elongated (not elongated) with respect to the surrounding
concrete.
Shrinkage
Contraction of concrete and timber due to drying of the
materials.
Substructure
That part of any structure which is below road level, in
particular the foundations and piers of a bridge. The
substructure of a suspension bridge can include its towers.
Superstructure
The visible part of a structure; that part above the substructure.
Other Useful Terms
Transfer
The transferring of prestress to the concrete. For
pre-tensioned members, transfer takes place at the release of
prestress from the bulkheads; for post-tensioned members it
takes place after the completion of the tensioning process.
Other Useful Terms
P P
Concrete member
P P
Cable
Figure 4. Free bodies of concrete and
curved tendon

P P
e
1 e
1
e
2
Elevation of member with varying section
-Pe
2
-Pe1 -Pe
1
Moment due to prestressing
Figure 5. Member with varying section
Figure 6. Loss of prestress due to friction
P-AP
P
Concrete member
AP
Cable
T-AT
T
AT
Live end or
stressing end
Dead end
7

Class 1: full
prestressing
Class 2: limited
prestressing
Class 3: partial
prestressing
Figure 7. Classes of prestressed concrete member
Under most unfavourable design loading:
Eccentric Prestressing
(Assuming weightless beam and negligible loss)
w
P
P
l
e e
At mid-span, 8
2
wl M =
Section moduli:
Z
t
Z
b
Eccentric Prestressing
-
A P
b
Z Pe
t
Z Pe
b
Z M
t
Z M
c
t t
f
Z
M
Z
Pe
A
P
s +
t
b b
f
Z
M
Z
Pe
A
P
> +
+
-
+
+
-
-
+
+
+
+ = or
Stresses due to P Stresses due to M
t
c
b
f
Z
Pe
A
P
s +
t
t
t
f
Z
Pe
A
P
>
+
+
At transfer
or
At service
Usual Sign Convention for Prestressed Concrete:
Compressive stress +ve; tensile stress ve
Note: The case of minimum load is important as net tension may
occur at the top at transfer.
Transfer
Tension
Compression
Eccentric Prestressing
Internal equilibrium (simplified treatment)
w
P P
Line of
pressure
x

A B
w kN/m
wl/2 kN wl/2 kN
x
l m
Simply supported beam under UDL
Mx
) (
2
x l
wx
M
x
=
Eccentric Prestressing
Internal equilibrium (simplified treatment)

w
x
P
e
P
Concrete
At transfer
P e P
Tendon
P e
P
V
z
R=wl/2 Pz=Mx=wx(l-x)/2
P e P
At service

A
w
wl/2
Mx
Vx
x
) (
2
x l
wx
M
x
=
Note: Minor variation of
P is ignored.
Eccentric Prestressing
Internal equilibrium (simplified treatment)

w
P P
Line of
pressure
x
M
x
/ P
8
Pressure Line
The pressure line in a statically determinate prestressed
concrete member with a straight / deflected / curved
tendon, and with no external applied load, is located at the
position of the steel tendon for any section along the
member.

No reaction
Pressure Line
Not applicable! Pressure line
Non-zero support reactions
Rough Comparison between Reinforced
Concrete and Prestressed Concrete
A simply supported beam with negligible weight is
to resist a working moment of 200 kNm at mid-
span that is equivalent to an ultimate moment of
320 kNm (~ 1.6 200 kNm). It is designed as a
reinforced concrete beam and a prestressed
concrete beam for comparison.
Reinforced Concrete
The design of the reinforced concrete section is mostly governed by
the ultimate limit state.
M = 320 kNm (at ultimate limit state)
f
cu
= 30 N/mm
2
f
y
= 460 N/mm
2
Assume that the singly reinforced section is acting at its limiting
moment of resistance, i.e.
2
bd f K M
cu
' =
mm 523
250 30 156 . 0
10 320
6
=

=
'
=
b f K
M
d
cu
mm 581 9 . 0 523 9 . 0 = = ~ d D

250
D

d

~

0
.
9

D

For this case, d z 775 . 0 =
mm 405 523 775 . 0 = = z
2
6
mm 974 , 1
405 460 87 . 0
10 320
87 . 0
=


= =
z f
M
A
y
s
Area of concrete = 145,250 mm
2
Area of steel = 1,974 mm
2
Reinforced Concrete

Fcc
0.67fcu /m ~ 0.45 fcu
Fst
s
/
2

z

s

=

0
.
9
x

For balanced
section,
z = d 0.45 d /2
= 0.775 d
The design of the prestressed concrete section is mostly governed by
the serviceability limit state. The effects of loss of prestress are
ignored for the time being.
250
D
e = D/6

-P/bD
P/bD P/bD
Stresses at transfer
+ +
+
-
+
2P/bD =
ct cw
f f <
+
Stresses due to LL
+
-
=
0
0
+
Assumed stresses
at service
cw
f
cw
f
Prestressed Concrete

e = D/6
More
prestress
e < D/6
Tensile
stress
e > D/6
+
9
2 bD f P
cw
=
cw
cw cw
f b
M
D f
bD
M
Z
M
f
6 6
2
= = =
pu
cw
pu
cw
pu
s
f
bD f
f
bD f
f
P
A
4 . 1 7 . 0 2 7 . 0
=

= =
2
mm N 8 . 19 60 33 . 0 = =
cw
f
(Grade 60 concrete, cube
strength at transfer 40 N/mm
2
)
2
mm N 767 , 1 =
pu
f (Super strand)

-P/bD
P/bD P/bD
Stresses at transfer
+ +
+
-
+
2P/bD =
ct cw
f f <
+
Stresses due to LL
+
-
=
0
0
+
Assumed stresses
at service
cw
f
cw
f
Prestressed Concrete
M= 200 kNm
Tendon stressed to 70% UTS
mm 492 ) 8 . 19 250 ( ) 10 200 6 ( 6
6
= = =
cw
f b M D
2
mm 000 , 123 250 492 = =
c
A
2
mm 984
) 1767 )( 4 . 1 (
) 492 )( 250 )( 8 . 19 (
4 . 1
= = =
pu
cw
s
f
bD f
A
more economical

-P/bD
P/bD P/bD
Stresses at transfer
+ +
+
-
+
2P/bD =
ct cw
f f <
+
Stresses due to LL
+
-
=
0
0
+
Assumed stresses
at service
cw
f
cw
f
Prestressed Concrete
For the RC option,
A
c
= 145,250 mm
2
A
s
= 1,974 mm
2
Notes:
1. The above comparison is rather primitive.
2. The equations used are over-simplified.
3. Note the additional costs in prestressed concrete for
higher quality materials (but not proportional to
strength) and additional accessories.
Rough Comparison between Reinforced
Concrete and Prestressed Concrete
Rough Comparison between Reinforced
Concrete and Prestressed Concrete

C
o
s
t

Span
R.C.
P.C.
The End