CIV 518

Pre-stressed Concrete Design

Flexural Design of Pre-stressed Concrete Elements

Instructor

Dr Zubair Syed
Email: zubair.syed@adu.ac.ae
 Decompression and Cracking-Load Moment

• In case of pre-stressed concrete the centerline of

compression ( C-line) continuously shift away from the
tensile cgs line as load increases.

• The moment arm of the internal couple increases

continuously

• Flexural moment continues to increase when the full

superimposed dead load and live load act.
 Decompression and Cracking-Load Moment

• At one stage the concrete compressive stress at the

bottom-fibres reinforcement level in a simply-supported
beam becomes zero.
• This stage of stress is called the limit state of
Decompression.
 Cracking Moment

• Any additional external load or overload results in

cracking at the bottom face.
• Concrete stress reaches concrete modulus of rupture.

• At this stage a sudden increase in the steel stress takes

place.
 Cracking Moment

It is important to evaluate the first cracking load, since

section modulus is reduced and an increase in deflection
takes place. Also crack width needs to be controlled.

The concrete fibre stress at the bottom face at cracking

moment is
𝑃𝑒 𝑒𝑐𝑏 𝑀𝑐𝑟
𝑓𝑏 = − 1+ 2 + = 𝑓𝑟
𝐴𝑐 𝑟 𝑆𝑏

𝑟 2 𝑒𝑐𝑏
Cracking moment, 𝑀𝑐𝑟 = 𝑓𝑟 𝑆𝑏 + 𝑃𝑒 𝑒 + 𝑐𝑏
Analysis of Beams for
Ultimate limit
 Flexural Analysis

Reinforced Concrete Vs Pre-stressed Concrete

For both the cases equilibrium conditions must be met.

Σ F = 0, C =T

Σ M = 0, Mapplied = (C or T) x internal lever arm

 RC Beams

lever arm

T
Rebar As

Uncracked section: transformed section can be used

C
lever arm, remain unchanged
until section cracks
T
When section is cracked:

C • The stress –strain relationship

holds until materials go
N.A
lever arm nonlinear.

T • Lever arm is constant, M is

carried by increase in σs .

For failure Condition: εc = εcu = 0.003

0.85 f’c
C C = 0.85 f ’c a b
lever arm ⇒
Σ F = 0, 00.85 f ’c a b = As fy
lever arm= d- a/2
T = As fy Σ M = 0, Mn = As fy (d-a/2)
T = As fy
 PC Beams

PS tendon, Aps

In PC beams stresses varies with time at different loading stages as below.

The lever arm also changes significantly during different loading stages.
 εcu = 0.003

C
N.A cracked
N.A uncracked
dp

3 2 1

ε3 ε2 εpe

εps

1. pe acting alone: fpe = pe / Ap and εpe = fpe / Ep

2. Load stage where no stress in concrete at level of steel
(decompression).Increase in pre-stress steel strain from (1) to (2) =
same as decrease in concrete strain 𝜀2 = 𝑝𝑒 1 + 𝑒𝑏2
𝐴𝑐 𝐸𝑐 𝑟
3. Ultimate flexural strength stage:
𝑑𝑝 −𝐶
From similar triangles: 𝜀3 = 𝜀𝑐𝑢
𝐶
Hence, 𝜀𝑝𝑠 = 𝜀𝑝𝑒 + 𝜀2 + 𝜀3
Knowing 𝜀𝑝𝑠 , the fps can be obtained from stress-strain curve.
At Ultimate load:
C=T
0.85 f ’c a b = Ap fps
→ a = Ap fps / 0.85 f ’c b
and the moment, Mn = Ap fps (dp – a/2)

But, to get εps we need ε3 . to get ε3 we need C.

to get C we need a . to get a, we need fps

to get fps we need εps

So, we can iterate:
1. Assume fps (can be used fpy for first trail)
2. Obtain εps from stress-strain curve
3. Calculate a, c :
a = Ap fps / 0.85 f ’c b = β1 c
4. Calculate ε3
𝑑𝑝 − 𝐶
𝜀3 = 𝜀𝑐𝑢
𝐶
5. Calculate εps
𝜀𝑝𝑠 = 𝜀𝑝𝑒 + 𝜀2 + 𝜀3
6. Revise fps and repeat until convergence.
7. Knowing fps and a, calculate, Mn.
ACI equations provides approximate values for fps which are
suitable for design.
To use ACI equations, fps ≥ 0.5 fu . Which is normal for PS.

1. For PS members with bonded tendons:

𝛾𝑝 𝑓𝑝𝑢 𝑑
𝑓𝑝𝑠 = 𝑓𝑝𝑢 1 − 𝜌𝑝 + 𝜔 − 𝜔′
𝛽1 𝑓′𝑐 𝑑𝑝

𝑓𝑝𝑢 𝑑
𝜌𝑝 + 𝜔 − 𝜔′ this term shouldn′ t be less than 0.17.
𝑓′𝑐 𝑑𝑝

𝑓𝑝𝑦
𝛾𝑝 = 0.55 for not less than 0.8
𝑓𝑝𝑢
𝑓𝑝𝑦
= 0.40 for not less than 0.85
𝑓𝑝𝑢
𝑓𝑝𝑦
= 0.28 for not less than 0.90
𝑓𝑝𝑢
2. PS members with Un-bonded tendons:

For Span to depth ratio 35 or less:

𝑓′𝑐
𝑓𝑝𝑠 = 𝑓𝑝𝑒 + 10000 +
100𝜌𝑝
where fps shall not be greater than fpy or (fpe + 60000)

For Span to depth ratio greater than 35:

𝑓′𝑐
𝑓𝑝𝑠 = 𝑓𝑝𝑒 + 10000 +
300𝜌𝑝
where fps shall not be greater than fpy or (fpe + 30000)
 Nominal Moment Strength

1. Nominal moment strength for rectangular sections:

𝑎
𝑀𝑛 = 𝐴𝑝 𝑓𝑝𝑠 𝑑𝑝 −
2
𝐴𝑝 𝑓𝑝𝑠
where, a =
0.85𝑓′𝑐 𝑏

If non-PS tension steel is included, then moment

𝑎 𝑎
𝑀𝑛 = 𝐴𝑝 𝑓𝑝𝑠 𝑑𝑝 − + 𝐴𝑠 𝑓𝑦 𝑑 −
2 2
𝐴𝑝 𝑓𝑝𝑠 +𝐴𝑠 𝑓𝑦
where, a = .
0.85𝑓′𝑐 𝑏
Typically ignore non-PS compression steel as it has very small
contribution to Mn
 Nominal Moment Strength
2. Nominal moment strength for Flanged Beams:
Need to consider variation in compressive stresses over flange width.
Effective flange width as per ACI code can be used.
Uses reduced flange width w/constant compressive stress = 0.85f ’c
over width
𝑎 𝐴𝑝 𝑓𝑝𝑠
𝑀𝑛 = 𝐴𝑝 𝑓𝑝𝑠 𝑑𝑝 − where, a =
2 0.85𝑓′𝑐 𝑏

If non-PS stension steel is included, then moment

𝑎 𝑎
𝑀𝑛 = 𝐴𝑝 𝑓𝑝𝑠 𝑑𝑝 − + 𝐴𝑠 𝑓𝑦 𝑑 −
2 2
𝐴𝑝 𝑓𝑝𝑠 +𝐴𝑠 𝑓𝑦
where, a = .
0.85𝑓′𝑐 𝑏
Typically ignore non-PS compression steel as it has very small
contribution to Mn
 Design Requirements

1. For service loads, the maximum stress values must satisfy the stress limits
for concrete and PS steel given in the code. Plus

2. for factored (ultimate) loads

ϕMn ≥ Mu
Typically ϕ = 0.9.

Factored load or Design loads are selected from the load combinations
suggested in the local code. Or can be used the load combinations
recommended in ASCE 7.
Say: Combination 1: 1.4 DL
Combination 2: 1.2 DL + 1.6 LL+0.5 (Lr or S or R)
It is also required, ϕMn ≥ 1.20 Mcr to ensure that the
percentage of steel is not too little. The Mcr is calculated based

on fr = 7.5 𝑓′𝑐 .

If the amount of prestressing and non-prestressing is too

small, after cracking the section will behave like plain concrete
and will result in premature abrupt failure.

ACI also suggest the minimum area of bonded non-prestressed

reinforcement
 Common Design Approach

• Before start of design steps, usually loads and span details are
know.

• As designer you can specify materials (f ’c, type of PS)

• In design, we need to determine beam shape and dimensions (if

not given).

• Also need to find, Pi , Pe and AP also the eccentricity of

prestressed reinforcement (e).

• Often requires iteration to optimize design.

Design approaches:
1. Focus first on meeting stress limits under initial and service load
conditions
• Select section
• Select Pi / Pe and e to meet fti , fci , fts, fcs
• Check for deflection, if not OK revise design
• Check ϕMn ≥ Mu if not OK, revise the design or add As

2. Focus first on controlling deflection under some selected load conditions

• Assume (try) a section
• Set e = emax for cover at largest moment and determine Pe to produce
balanced load
• Specify tendon profile to match diagram from balanced load
• Check concrete stresses for initial and service loads
• Check ϕMn ≥ Mu
Design Flow Chart
Design Flow Chart …..contd
Steps in Flexural Design
 End Block at Support Anchorage
Zones
At the ends a large concentration of compressive stress occurs for both pre-
tensioned and post-tensioned beams

In case of pre-tensioined beams, the load is gradually transferred to the

surrounding concrete over a length lt from the face of the support section
until it becomes essentially uniform

In case of pos-tensioned beams the prestressing force directly acts on the

face of the end of the beam through bearing plates and anchors.
Longitudinal bursting cracks can develop at the anchorage zone.
Some times the area of the end sections are increased to
accommodate raised tendons.

But increase in area does not prevent the bursting or spalling cracks.

It is essential to provide necessary anchorage reinforcement at the

load transfer zone in the form of closed ties.
Idealised tensile and compressive stress paths at the end blocks are
shown below:
o In post-tensioned construction, the prestressing force is
transferred to the concrete through relatively small anchorage
plates behind the anchorage by bearing. This results in a very
high concrete bearing stress behind the anchorage plate.
o Failure of anchorage zone is perhaps the most common cause of
problems arising during construction.
o Such failures are difficult and expensive to repair and might
require replacement of the entire member
o Anchorage zones failure due to uncontrolled cracking or splitting
of the concrete from insufficient transverse reinforcement.
o Bearing failures immediately behind the anchorage plate are also common and may
be caused by inadequate dimensions of bearing plates or poor quality of concrete
o By St Venant’s principle, the stress distribution in a member is reasonably
uniform away from the anchorage, but in the region of the anchorage
itself (D–Region) the stress distribution within the concrete is complex
Development and Transfer Length in Pre-tensioned Members

• When the jacking force is released in pretensioned members, prestressing force

is dynamically trnasferred through the bond interface to the surrounding
concrete.
• The inter-lock or adhesion between the prestressing tendon circumference and
the concrete over a finite length of tendon

• The length of embedment determines the

magnitude of prestress that can be developed
along the span.

• Full Development Length, ld is the sum of the

transfer length and flexural bond length.
 Minimum required development length

1 𝑓𝑝𝑒
Transfer length, 𝑙𝑡 = 1000 𝑑𝑏
3

1
Flexural bond length, 𝑙𝑡 = 1000 𝑓𝑝𝑠 − 𝑓𝑝𝑒 𝑑𝑏
where
𝑓𝑝𝑠 : stress in prestressed reinforcement in nominal strength (psi)
𝑓𝑝𝑒 : effective prestress after losses (psi)
𝑑𝑏 : Nominal diameter of prestressing tendon (in.)

Full Development Length, ld is the sum of the transfer length and flexural bond
length.

The minimum required development length for prestressing strands

1 2
Min 𝑙𝑑 = 1000 𝑓𝑝𝑠 − 3 𝑓𝑝𝑒 𝑑𝑏
 Design of Transfer Zone Reinforcement in Pre-tensioned beams

Based on the experimental results the proposed empirical expression

by Mattock et al. for total stirrup force, F:

𝑃𝑖 ℎ
𝐹 = 0.0106
h is the beam depth, lt is the transfer length. 𝑙𝑡

Taking average stirrup stress is equal to half of maximum permissible

steel stress, fs, then F = ½ At fs .
Replacing F in to the previous equation gives the total area of stirrup
required 𝐴𝑡 = 0.021
𝑃𝑖 ℎ
𝑓𝑠 𝑙𝑡
Example
Composite beams
Flexural Design of Composite Beams

Precast, prestressed supporting elements over which cast in-situ top

slab that acts integrally with them.

Total construction time is substantially reduced when precast

concrete elements are used.
 Flexural Design of Composite Beams

Pre-tensioning in plant is more cost-effective than post-tensioning on site. Because the

precast prestressed concrete element is factory-produced and contains the bulk of
reinforcement, rigorous quality control and higher mechanical properties can be
achieved at relatively low cost. The cast in situ concrete slab does not need to have
high mechanical properties and thus is suitable to field conditions.

The precast prestressed concrete units are erected first and can be used to support the
formwork needed for the cast in situ slab without additional scaffolding (or shoring)

In addition to its contribution to the strength and stiffness of the composite member,
the cast in situ slab provides an effective means to distribute loads in
the lateral direction.

The cast in situ slab can be poured continuously over the supports of precast units
placed in series, thus providing continuity to a simple span system.
Typical Composite Beams Sections
 Flexural Design of Composite Beams

Unshored Slab casting

Shored Slab casting
Stress distribution in composite beams
 Effective Flange Width for Composite Section

To calculate theoretical composite action to resist the flexural stresses,

the slab width that would be contributing to the composite action needs
to be determined.

ACI and AASHTO requirements are summarized in the table next

slide.
 Determination of Flange Width

If the topping concrete is of different strength than the precast section, the
width b needs to modified.
 Stresses for Unshored Slab Case

Before hardening of the in-situ slab, the extreme fibre stresses are:
𝑃 𝑒𝑐𝑡 𝑀𝐷 +𝑀𝑆𝐷
𝑓 𝑡 = − 𝐴𝑒 1 − −
𝑐 𝑟2 𝑆𝑡

𝑃 𝑒𝑐𝑏 𝑀𝐷 +𝑀𝑆𝐷
𝑓𝑏 = − 𝐴𝑒 1 + +
𝑐 𝑟2 𝑆𝑏

𝑀𝑆𝐷 is additional superimposed moment such as the from wet slab concrete.

After the slab has hardens, composite action takes place. Now the moduli will
increase and the cgc line will move up

𝑃𝑒 𝑒𝑐𝑡 𝑀𝐷 + 𝑀𝑆𝐷 𝑀𝐶𝑆𝐷 + 𝑀𝐿

𝑓𝑡 =− 1− 2 − −
𝐴𝑐 𝑟 𝑆𝑡 𝑆𝑡 𝑐

𝑃𝑒 𝑒𝑐𝑏 𝑀𝐷 +𝑀𝑆𝐷 𝑀𝐶𝑆𝐷 +𝑀𝐿

𝑓𝑏 = − 1+ + +
𝐴𝑐 𝑟2 𝑆𝑏 𝑆𝑐𝑏
The fibre stresses at the level of the top and bottom fibres of
the in-situ slab can be expressed as
𝑀𝐶𝑆𝐷 + 𝑀𝐿
𝑓 𝑡𝑠 =−
𝑆𝑡 𝑐𝑠

𝑀𝐶𝑆𝐷 +𝑀𝐿
𝑓𝑏𝑠 = −
𝑆𝑐𝑏𝑠
 Stresses for Fully Shored Slab Case

Before hardening of the in-situ slab, the extreme fibre stresses are:
𝑃 𝑒𝑐𝑡 𝑀𝐷
𝑓 𝑡 = − 𝐴𝑒 1 − −
𝑐 𝑟2 𝑆𝑡

𝑃 𝑒𝑐𝑏 𝑀𝐷
𝑓𝑏 = − 𝐴𝑒 1 + +
𝑐 𝑟2 𝑆𝑏

𝑀𝑆𝐷 is additional superimposed moment such as the from wet slab concrete.

After the slab has hardens, composite action takes place. Now the moduli will increase and the cgc
line will move up

𝑡
𝑃𝑒 𝑒𝑐𝑡 𝑀𝐷 𝑀𝑆𝐷 + 𝑀𝐶𝑆𝐷 + 𝑀𝐿
𝑓 =− 1− 2 − 𝑡 −
𝐴𝑐 𝑟 𝑆 𝑆𝑡 𝑐
𝑃 𝑒𝑐𝑏 𝑀𝐷 𝑀𝑆𝐷 +𝑀𝐶𝑆𝐷 +𝑀𝐿
𝑓𝑏 = − 𝐴𝑒 1 + + +
𝑐 𝑟2 𝑆𝑏 𝑆𝑐𝑏
Thank You