1 INTRODUCTION

In ordinary reinforced concrete, steel bars are placed within the tension zones of concrete
members to carry the internal tensile forces across flexural cracks to the supports. In such a
member, the applied moment is resisted by compression of the uncracked portion of the concrete
section and by tension in the reinforcing bars. It should be remembered that this form of
reinforcement does not prevent the development of tensile cracks in members. It is only by
limiting the magnitude of the strain in the bars that the cracks are prevented from becoming
excessively large.

Prestressed concrete is an alternative form of reinforced concrete. In prestressed concrete,

compressive stresses are introduced into a member to reduce or nullify the tensile stresses and
hence, cracks. The compressive stresses are generated in a member by tensioned steel anchored
at the ends of the members and/or bonded to the concrete.

2 PRESTRESSING METHODS AND EQUIPMENT

Pre-tensioning
The pre-tensioning process involves three basic stages, each of which is illustrated in Fig. 9.3. In
the first stage, the steel strands are placed in a casting bed, stressed to the required level and
anchored between two supports (Fig. 9.3(a)). The concrete is then cast around the strands and
allowed to set (Fig. 9.3(b)). During this curing stage, the strands bond to the surrounding
concrete. When the concrete has developed sufficient compressive strength, the strands are
released from the supports (Fig. 9.3(c)). Immediately after the release, the strands attempt to
contract. Due to their bond with the concrete, this prestress contraction force is transferred to the
concrete, thus forcing the concrete into compression. Pre-tensioning is most commonly
employed where many similar precast members are required. It is generally only carried out
offsite at precasting factories which have permanent casting beds. The size and weight of pre-
tensioned members can therefore be limited by the transportation requirements.
Post-tensioning
The stages involved in the post-tensioning process are illustrated in Fig. 9.4 for a simple beam.
In the first stage of the process, the concrete is cast around a hollow duct (Fig. 9.4(a)). After the
concrete has set, a tendon, consisting of a number of strands, is pushed through the duct.
Alternatively, the tendon can be placed in the duct before casting. Unlike in pre-tensioned
members, the tendon in posttensioned members can be fixed in any desired linear or curved
profile. By varying the eccentricity of the tendon from the centroid, the prestressing force can be
utilized more effectively by applying it only where it is required (more details in Section 9.4).
Once the concrete has achieved sufficient compressive strength, the tendon is jacked from one or
both ends using hydraulic jacks, putting the concrete into compression (Fig. 9.4(b)).When the
required level of prestress is achieved, the tendon is anchored at the ends of the member. After
anchorage, the ducts are usually filled with grout (a fine cement paste) under pressure. The grout
is provided mainly to prevent corrosion of the tendon but it also forms a bond between the
tendon and the concrete, which reduces the dependence of the beam on the integrity of the
anchor and hence improves robustness. This is known as ‘bonded’ construction. Post-tensioning
is the most common method of prestressing in situ because it does not require a casting bed.
However, the technique is also used offsite to make large purpose-built individual precast units.