Chapter 6
DETAILING AND CONSTRUCTION PROCEDURES FOR BUILDINGS
6.1 GENERAL
The primary emphasis of this chapter is on detailing and
construction procedures for buildings with unbonded ten-
dons. Some of the material presented is also applicable to
buildings with bonded tendons and other applications.
These applications may require specialized considerations
beyond the scope of this chapter, Additional information
on construction of post-tensioned buildings is available in
the PTI Field Procedtrres Manual for Unbonded Single
Strand tendon^.^.'
6.2 DESIGN ISSUES
6.2.1 Information on Structural Drawings
The project construction documents typically include
design drawings and specifications from all of the disci-
plines involved. The design drawings indicate the scope
of the project and give sufficient detail for the contractor
to estimate the work and produce detailed installation1
shop drawings.
In general, the structural drawings show the geometry of
all elements of the structure and the required non-pre-
stressed as well as post-tensioned reinforcing. For post-
tensioned slabs, the designer typically specifies the effec-
tive prestress force per linear foot in the slab and the
tendon profile for each design strip. Total effective force
and tendon profile is typically specified for post-tensioned
beams. Fig. 6.1 shows a plan for a post-tensioned slab. In
addition to the floor plan, the licensed design professional
is also expected to provide sufficient detail on the drawings
to illustrate the intent of the design. Section 6.4 shows
some of the commonly used details and standard notes for
post-tensioned construction. Post-tensioning fabricators
frequently have experienced structural designers on staff
who review the structural drawings and produce shop
drawings that address construction and stressing sequence.
6.2.2 Floor Shortening and Restraint Cracking
If it is not adequately addressed in design and construction,
floor shortening can be a source of distress in both the
structural and non-structural elements. Restraint can occur
due to the stiffness of the columns or other stiff lateral load
resisting elements such as shear walls, foundation walls,
and non-structural elements that are not temporarily or
permanently isolated from the structure.
Restraint to floor shortening is a major source of cracking
and distress in post-tensioned structures. Non-structural
elements should be isolated from the structure by means of
joints and physical separations. Joint and separation details
Detailing And Construction Procedures For Buildings
should be clearly shown on the structural drawings and
carefully inspected during all stages of construction.
Building owners should be made aware that some move-
ment is expected at joints over the life of the structure.
Structural elements that cannot be isolated from floor
movements must be designed and detailed to absorb the
movements. There are four factors that contribute to the
shortening of cast-in-place post-tensioned floors:
Elastic shortening due to pre-compression
Creep shortening due to pre-compression
Shrinkage of concrete
Temperature variation
It is important for the designer to understand the effect of
floor shortening on the various components of the struc-
ture and account for it in the design.
6.2.3 Measures to Mitigate Restraint Cracking
Floor shortening can cause cracking of both the floor slabs
and the vertical supporting elements. Although it may be
impossible to completely eliminate cracking, it can be sig-
nificantly reduced by taking appropriate steps during
design. Some techniques that can be used to mitigate
restraint cracking are discussed in this section.
6.2.3.1 Planning Layout .of Restraining Members
The most effective method of preventing restraint cracks is
to ensure that columns and walls are correctly located. Stiff
elements such as shear walls should be located at, or near,
points of zero expected movement. Fig. 6.2 shows examples
of both favorable and unfavorable wall arrangements. Cracks
sometimes develop in the slab in the vicinity of shear walls,
even if they are favorably located. Aalami et. al.6.286.3
provide
recommendations regarding additional non-prestressed rein-
forced that should be provided in order to control cracking.
Fig. 6.16 shows a possible detail of this reinforcement.
6.2.3.2 Expansion Joints
Slabs of irregular plan geometry are particularly suscepti-
ble to cracking. Fig. 6.3 shows a small slab area appended
to a larger rectangular region. An expansion joint can be
added between the two slab sections to create a structural
separation. Restraint forces are minimized because each
slab is allowed to move independently towards its respec-
tive location of zero expected movement. If an expansion
joint cannot be provided, the effect of potential shortening
and movements between stiff elements must be investi-
gated and additional reinforcing provided as necessary to
minimize apparent cracking.
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Chapter 6 Detailing And Construction Procedures For Buildings

6.2.3.3 Closure Strips

Closure strips are temporary slab separations that allow
different sections of a slab to move independently until the
closure strip concrete is placed and the adjacent slab sec-
tions are connected. In order to be effective in mitigating
restraint cracks, closure strips must remain open long
\--POINT OF Z E ~
enough for a sufficient amount of the slab shortening to MOVEMENT
have occurred. Additional information on shortening cal-
culations and detailing requirements are available in Sec- (a) Favorable Arrangement o f Shear Walls
tion 2.8 in the reference Design, Construction and Mainte-
nance of Cast-in-Place Post-Tensioned Concrete Parking
Struct~res.~.~ If the construction schedule or other consid-
erations do not allow a closure strip to remain open for the
required time, an expansion joint should be considered.
Fig. 6.15 shows typical reinforcing for a closure strip.

6.2.3.4 Expansion Joint and Closure Strip Spacing

Guidelines
The following general limitations on the lengths between
closure strips and expansion joints are recommended,
unless other details or methods are specified to mitigate
cracking caused by restraint to shortening: (b) Unfavorable Arrangement o f Shear Walls
If the slab length is less than 250 feet, no closure
strip or expansion joint is necessary. Fig. 6.2 Arrangement of Restraining Elements

For slab lengths between 250-325 feet, provide one

centrally located closure strip.
If the slab length is between 325 and 400 feet, consider
using two closure strips open for at least 60 days.
For slabs greater than 400 feet an expansion joint is
recommended.
These guidelines may need to be modified for locations
with significant temperature changes. In addition, it is
assumed that the slab is regular in shape and stiff elements
such as shear walls are favorably located near points of SF
P! RATION
CTURAL
-

zero expected movement. As already discussed, plan loca-

tion of stiff elements and geometry of the slab play an
important role in the determination of.expansion joint and
POINT OF ZERO
closure strip location. MOVEMENT

6.2.3.5 Special Movement Details

In some cases, details can be developed to allow some
movement of the floor slab relative to its supporting ele-
ments. This helps to relieve the restraint forces and avoid
Fig. 6.3 Separation Between Areas Forming an Irregular Shape
cracking. These connection details need to be adequately
designed and detailed on the structural drawings. Special
care is required during construction to ensure that move-
ment joints pelform as designed. Fig. 6.4 shows some exam-
ples of movement details that have been used successfiilly.