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Chapter 4 INTRODUCTION TO PRESTRESSED CONCRETE
Chapter 4 INTRODUCTION TO PRESTRESSED CONCRETE
CONCRETE
Definition:
Pre-stressed concrete is a concrete in which internal stresses are introduced so that the
stresses resulting from external loads are counteracted to a desired degree. Pre-stressing is
preloading of a structure before application of the required design (service) loads in such a
way as to improve its overall performance.
The figure below demonstrates the various stages involved during pre-stressing.
Advantages of a PC member
- No cracking since tension is avoided.
- Deflection controlled
- Smaller cross-section
- Efficient use of high strength materials (concrete & steel)
- Improved resistance to shear and repeated loads.
Methods of Pre-stressing
2) Post-tensioning: - Hollow conduits containing the unstressed tendons are placed in the
forms to the desired profile before pouring of the concrete. When the concrete hardens and
gains sufficient strength, the tendons are tensioned where they are anchored by special
fitting at the far end of the member and then anchored at the jacking end by similar fitting
after which the jack is removed. The jacking force is usually applied against the ends of the
hardened concrete eliminating the need for massive abutments.
The advantage of this method is the ease with which tendons eccentricity (profile) can be
varied along the span. (e.g. for continuous beams)
Basic concepts
The stress at any point y along the section may be computed from
Note: - C & T in PC beams are constant and the lever arm Z varies with the magnitude of the
external moment (unlike the case of RC beams where the forces C & T increase with
increasing moment and Z is constant).
F y 0 Pb 2 P sin
P cos M net y
f
A I
P M net y
Where: Mnet is the moment developed by (P-Pb). For small values of; f
A I
Materials
Concrete- high strength > C-40 for pre-tensioning and for> C-30 for post-tensioning & class I
works used.
Steel – high strength steel with fpk> 1000 MPa
Permissible Stresses
f pk
Steel: - In design, the stress pre-stressing steel at ULS is limited to 0.9 and the strain εu<
s
0.01.
- Maximum Stress during tensioning
0.8 f pk
f P ,max
0.9 f p 0.1 ( proof stress)
Losses in PC member
The initial pre-stressing force (Pi) is less than the jacking force (Pj) because of losses due to:
- elastic shortening of concrete
- slip at the anchorage
- frictional losses
- shrinkage and creep of concrete
- relaxation of highly stressed steel