INDUSTRY ORIENTED MINI PROJECT REPORT ON

POST TENTIONED SLAB OF A COMMERCIAL

- BUILDING
Submitted by

STUDENT NAME - ROLL NUMBER

DASARI PRAVEEN - 20671A0136

GUNDABOINA PAVAN - 21675A0115
KONDU KRISHNA VAMSHI - 21675A0116
PEDDI AJAY KUMAR - 21675A0117
PULI ROHITH - 21675A0123

In partial fulfillment for the award of the degree of

Bachelor of Technology in Civil Engineering

JB INSTITUTE OF ENGINEERING & TECHNOLOGY

[Autonomous]
Approved by AICTE, New Delhi and Accredited by
NAAC
Affiliated to JNTU Hyderabad,
Bhaskar Nagar, Moinabad Mandal, R.R
District,
Hyderabad- 500075, Telangana
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DECEMBER - 2023

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 JB INSTITUTE OF ENGINEERING & TECHNOLOGY

BONAFIDE CERTIFICATE

Certified that this project report “POST TENSIONED SLAB” is the

Bonafide work of

DASARI PRAVEEN - 20671A0136

GUNDABOINA PAVAN - 21675A0115
KONDU KRISHNA VAMSHI - 21675A0116
PEDDI AJAY KUMAR - 21675A0117
PULI ROHITH - 21675A0123

and it has not been submitted elsewhere for award of any degree.

Dr. Adithya Kamineni Dr.R.SURESH

Associate
Professor (Mini Project coordinator)

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 AKNOWLEDGEMENTS

I express my deep sense of gratitude and acknowledgement to project coordinator Dr. R.

Suresh Associate professor, Department of civil Engineering.
I wish to take this opportunity to express my sincere thanks to Dr.Adithya Kamineni, Associate
professor & HOD, department of civil engineering, for valuable suggestions, encouragement
and continuous monitoring of my work throughout the course of my mini project.
Finally, I thank all the faculty of civil engineering, and the non-teaching staff who contributed
either directly or indirectly in successful completion of this work.

DASARI PRAVEEN - 20671A0136

GUNDABOINA PAVAN - 21675A0115
KONDU KRISHNA VAMSHI - 21675A0116
PEDDI AJAY KUMAR - 21675A0117
PULI ROHITH - 21675A0123

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 DECLARATION

We hereby declare that the project report entitled “POST TENSIONED SLAB”, carried
out is submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the award of the Degree of
Bachelor of Technology in Civil Engineering. This is a record of bonafied work carried out by
us and the results embodied in this project report have not been reproduced/ copied from any
source. The results embodied in this project report have not been submitted to any other
University or Institution for the award of any other Degree or Diploma.

DASARI PRAVEEN - 20671A0136

GUNDABOINA PAVAN - 21675A0115
KONDU KRISHNA VAMSHI - 21675A0116
PEDDI AJAY KUMAR - 21675A0117
PULI ROHITH - 21675A0123

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SITE DETAILS

LOCATION : Bandlaguda jagir,

Hyderabad,Telangana-500086

NAME OF THE COMPANY : GHAR CONSTRUCTIONS.PVT.LTD

TYPE OF CONSTRUCTION : Commercial Building

AREA : 2.3 Acres

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 ABSTRACT

Post- tensioned (PT) flat slabs are a commonly used construction system in multi-
story buildings worldwide. This is time saving due to early removal of formwork, as well as
overall cost saving compared to traditional reinforced concrete flat slabs. Post-tensioned(PT)
concrete uses high strength pre-stressing steel(PS) Tendons which, when tensioned after
casting, pre-compress the concrete slab and result in excellent control in service structural
deflections. This gives a very efficient structure which minimizes material usages and decreases
the economic span range when compared to reinforced concrete.

In additional they simplify and speed up site operations, allow easy and flexible
partition of space and reduces the overall height of the building. The form of construction
provides large uninterrupted floor areas with minimum construction depth at each floor level.

There is a definite trend towards large spans in buildings due to the facts that there is
now more emphasis on providing large uninterrupted floor space which can result in higher
rental returns. Post tensioning is an economical way of achieving these larger spans. For spans
7m and over, post tensioning will certainly be economic as the span increases.

There are two principle reasons for post tensioned flooring’s popularity. It is ideal for
the booming high rise residential sector and, because of escalating steel prices and supply
problems; it is increasingly specified for non-residential schemes too. Post tensioned concrete is
perfect for high rise residential schemes: according to price because the thin floor slab means an
extra storey can be gained on a tall building.

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 INDEX

1. INTRODUCTION…………………………………………………………………….….12

2. POST TENSIONED SLAB………………………………………………..……………..13

3. WORKING PRINCIPLE OF POST TENSIONED SLAB………………………............15

4. COMPONENTS OF POST TENSIONED SLAB…………………………………….…16

5. CONSTRUCTION OF POST TENSIONED SLAB…………………………….……….17

6. DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS FOR PT SLAB…………………………………………19

7. INSTALLATION PROCESS OF PT SLAB……………………………………………..20

8. ADVANTAGES AND DIS-ADVANTAGES OF PT SLAB………………………...….21

9. MAINTENANCE OF PT SLAB……………………………………………………..….22

10. COMMON ISSUES IN PT SLAB………………………………………………………23

11. COMMON APPLICATIONS OF SLAB………………………………...……………...26

12. CONCLUSION……………...…………………………………………………………...27
12.1

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 Introduction:

Post-tensioned slabs are a popular construction technique used to reinforce concrete

structures. Unlike traditional reinforced concrete, where reinforcement bars (rebars) are placed
in a grid pattern before the concrete is poured, post-tensioned slabs use high-strength steel
tendons that are tensioned after the concrete has hardened. This method offers several
advantages, making it a preferred choice in modern construction projects.

In the realm of modern construction, innovative engineering techniques continuously

shape the landscape of architectural design and structural integrity. One such groundbreaking
method that has revolutionized the way concrete structures are reinforced is the concept of post-
tensioning. Post-tensioned slabs, a key application of this method, have gained widespread
recognition for their ability to enhance structural performance, increase durability, and offer
remarkable design flexibility.

Post tension slab is a combination of conventional slab reinforcement and additional

protruding high-strength steel tendons, which are consequently subjected to tension after the
concrete has set. This hybridisation helps achieve the formation of a much thinner slab with a
longer span devoid of any column-free spaces.

Post-tensioned (PT) slabs are typically flat slabs, band beam and slabs or ribbed slabs. PT
slabs offer the thinnest slab type, as concrete is worked to its strengths, mostly being kept in
compression. Longer spans can be achieved due to prestress, which can also be used to
counteract deflections.

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 POST TENSIONED SLAB:

Post tension concrete slabs are a type of prestressed concrete, wherein high-strength steel
cables or wires are used to apply tension to the concrete slab. This prestressing force helps to
counteract the forces of compression that would otherwise act on the concrete. Post tension
slabs are typically used in the construction of bridges, parking structures, high-rise buildings
and other structures where enhanced durability and strength are required.

Fig no.1 -
Tendons profiling

Post-tensioned slabs contain a tendon, or steel cable, that runs crisscrossed throughout
the center of the slab after the concrete has already hardened. As the poured concrete dries,
the post-tensioned cables stretch and tighten, which applies a significant force to the concrete
slab. This technique strengthens and compresses the concrete, which helps reduce cracking
and structural instability caused by unstable soil conditions in marshes, swamps, and lake
areas. The process helps residential homes and commercial buildings achieve greater
loadbearing strength. Post-tension slabs are more durable S and stable than traditional slabs
that lack the reinforcement of steel cables

HOW DOES POST TENSION SLAB WORK

Post tension is special type of slab that is due to the many benefits of it. Further, it works
very well with many structural applications. Depending on the application of the post tension,
the method of having development is varying.

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 Arrangement of the tendons in the concrete simply supported beam, continues beam,
slab, box girder, etc. are different to each other. The design concept also very with the type of
the structure.

Post tension cable are provides in the similar manner as we provide the reinforcement to
carry the tensile stresses in the section. Though the design concepts of post tension elements and
reinforced concrete elements, they used for the same purpose.

Post-tensioning is simply a method of producing prestressed concrete, masonry, and

other structural elements. The term prestressing is used to describe the process of introducing
internal forces (or stress) into a concrete or masonry element during the construction process in
order to counteract the external loads applied when the structure is put into use (known as
service loads). These internal forces are applied by tensioning high-strength steel, which can be
done either before or after the concrete is placed. When the steel is tensioned before concrete
placement, the process is called pretensioning.

When the steel is tensioned after concrete placement, the process is called post-
tensioning. Because pretensioning requires specially designed casting beds, it is used generally
in the precast manufacturing process to make simple shapes that can be trucked to a jobsite.
Post-tensioning is done onsite by installing post-tensioning tendons within the concrete form-
work in a manner similar to installing rebar.

Fig no.2 - Tendons placed in ducts

WORKING PRINCIPLE OF POST TENSIONING

We all know that concrete has a high compressive strength and steel has a high tensile
strength, and when their combination is used to bear loads, the efficiency increases manifold.

When a heavy live load is brought upon a structure, its concrete slab undergoes tension,
which leads to the formation of cracks and ultimately deformation occurs. To mitigate this
problem, post tensioned steel tendons are inserted at the time of concreting and tensioned after
concreting with conventional rebars.

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 Fig no.3 - Working of tendons

When these post tensioned steel tendons are stressed, the concrete is squeezed, in
other terms, the concrete is compacted which increases the compressive strength of the concrete
and at the same time the steel tendons that are pulled increase the tensile strength. As a result,
the overall strength of the concrete increases.

Components of Post Tensioning Slab

 DUCTS
 TENDONS
 ANCHORS

 1.DUCTS:

Thin sheet metal pipes with claw coupling or welded overlapped seam supplied in lengths of
5 and 6 m respectively are used as a standard. Ducts are connected to each other by an external
screw coupling and sealed with PE tape. Plastic ducts are also available in the market these days
which are water tight , frictionless and fatigue resistant

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 Fig no 4 - Ducts of different shapes and sizes

2.TENDONS:

The basic element of a post-tensioning system is called a tendon. A post-tensioning tendon

is made up of one or more pieces of prestressing steel, coated with a protective coating, and
housed inside a duct or sheathing.

Fig no.5 - Steel tendons used in Post Tensioning of Slab.

The prestressing steel is manufactured as per the requirements of ASTM A-416 and typical
strand sizes are 0.50 and 0.60 inch in diameter. A typical steel strand used for post-tensioning
will yield about 243,000 psi.

3. Anchors
Anchors are used to anchor the tendons into the concrete while terminating or joining
two tendons. Main function of anchorage is to transfer the stressing force to the concrete
once the stressing process is completed.

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 Fig no.6 - Components of anchorage

Construction of Post Tensioned Slab

1. The installation of post tensioning tendons in the concrete and stressing it requires skilled labour
and a personnel who are certified in doing the tensioning works.
2. The tendons are laid down along with the conventional rebars. The position of laying of the
tendons is decided by the engineer. These tendons are encased in plastic or steel ducts so that
they do not come in contact with the water in concrete.
3. One end of the tendons are anchored with the help of anchor and the other end is left open with
plastic pocket former, where the tendons are stressed. Couplers are used in between if any
construction joint is formed.
4. Concrete is poured and the alignment of these tendons are taken care of so as to let their
positions unaltered. Once after the concrete has achieved its 75% of strength , that is around 20
- 23 days, these tendons are stressed with the help of stressing jacks.
5. The tensioning is done to a force equal to 80% of a strand's tensile strength. For a typical ½-inch
grade 270 strand, the strand is tensioned to a force of 33,000 pounds.
6. When the proper tensioning force is reached, the prestressing steel is anchored in place. The
anchors are designed to provide a permanent mechanical connection, keeping the steel in
tension, and the concrete in compression.
7. The extra tendons that are left out at one end are trimmed and non shrink grouting is put in the
anchor pocket.

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 HOW PT SLAB WORKS:

Fig no.7 – working principle

The above fig shows the working process of the PT slabs in a diagramical reprecentation.

More over the slab is initially bent opposite to the direction of bending .When the load gets
applied on the slab it gets deflected .

The pre tensioned tendons resists the direction of the bending and maintains it stable.
The stress induced in the steel and tendons will put the slab in equilibrium .

Design Considerations for Post Tension Slabs

Load Capacity:

The design of post-tensioned slabs depends on the loads to be carried and the expected
deflection, requiring careful analysis and engineering to ensure optimal performance over time.

Concrete Quality:

The quality control of the concrete mix, the placement of the cables, and the tensioning of
the cables are all essential for achieving the desired structural integrity and longevity of the slab

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 Requirements of the Structure:

The intended use of the structure will have a significant impact on the design, including the
slab thickness, span, and deflections.

Installation Process of Post-Tensioning

The installation of post-tensioning systems involves several steps and requires specific
equipment and materials. Let's take a closer look at the process involved in creating a post-
tension slab.

Step 1: Formwork Preparation

Before pouring the concrete, builders need to prepare the formwork, which serves as a mold
for the slab. The formwork provides the shape and structure for the concrete to be poured into. It
is important to ensure that the formwork is properly aligned and securely in place to prevent any
shifting during the pouring process.

Step 2: Placing Tendons and Tubing

Once the formwork is ready, the next step is to place the steel tendons and tubing within the
slab. The tendons, typically made of high-strength steel cables, are arranged in a crisscross
pattern according to the design specifications. The tubing, which protects the tendons from
corrosion, is placed alongside the rebar and tendons.

Step 3: Pouring and Curing

With the tendons and tubing in place, the concrete can be poured into the formwork. Care
must be taken to ensure that the concrete is properly compacted and free from any voids or air
pockets. After the pouring process is complete, the concrete needs to cure—allowing it to
harden and gain strength

Step 4: Tensioning the Tendons

Once the concrete has cured to a specified strength, the tensioning process begins. A
hydraulic jack is used to apply tension to the tendons, stretching them and creating the desired

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compression in the concrete. The tendons are typically stressed to a specific percentage of their
ultimate strength, as recommended by industry standards.

Step 5: Anchoring and Grouting

After the tendons are tensioned, they are anchored into place using specialized anchorages.
The ends of the tendons are trimmed, and grout—typically a cementitious material—is injected
into the anchor pockets to secure the tendons and prevent corrosion.

Fig no.8 - Tendons after anchoring and grouting

Advantages of Post Tension Slabs

Durability
Post tension slabs are highly resistant to cracking, minimizing maintenance costs and
prolonging their lifespan

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 Cost savings

Post tension slabs can reduce the amount of concrete and steel needed, making them quicker
and less expensive to construct.

Flexibility

Post tension slabs can span longer distances, allowing for more open floor plans and less
structural columns.

Safety

The tensioned strands or cables distribute the load uniformly, making the slab less likely to
fail in case of an overload

Disadvantages of Post-Tension Slabs

 Proper drainage planning is essential

 Need for high-quality materials and skilled workmanship
 Accurate tendon placement is critical
 Initial installation costs may be higher compared to traditional slabs.

Maintenance of Post Tension SlabS:

Regular Inspection

Periodic inspections can identify potential problems early on, such as corrosion of the
cables, and prevent more significant damage

Cleaning and Sealing

The slab should be cleaned regularly to remove dirt and debris, and any cracks or holes
should be sealed to prevent water damage and corrosion.

Stress Testing

Testing the tension force on the cables periodically can help detect any problems and ensure
that the slab remains safe and within its designed capacity.

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 Fig no.9 - Post-tensioning Actively Loads The Structure
Common issues in post tensioned slab

One of the main differences between a post-tensioned beam or slab and a typical reinforced
concrete element is that the strands drape or profile inside the concrete—their vertical location
changes along the length of the member. The tendon profile, which is typically in a concave
shape, will try to straighten itself out when stressed. This creates an uplift load (also called
a balance load) on the concrete that minimizes and often effectively removes the dead weight of
the concrete from the stress and deflection calculations.

Since post-tensioning places an active load on the structure, care must taken during
construction to make sure the locations of the tendons match the engineer's drawings. Inaccurate
tendon locations can greatly increase the uplift force on the slab. The most common cause for
incorrect tendon placement is discrepancy between the structural drawings and the supplier's
shop drawings. The inspector and the contractor must verify that the layout conforms to the
structural drawings, not just the shop drawings.

Applying uplift loads that are larger than the weight of the floor can cause problems during
stressing when the tendons begin pushing up with more force than the concrete weighs. This net
upward force can result in large tensile stresses at the bottom of the slab/column joint, where
there is typically little or no rebar, and can actually lift the slab. Unlike with rebar, which
activates only when loaded, too much uplift load (whether due to the number of strands or
increased drape) can significantly impact the slab.

Slip connections are critical

A post-tensioned system will move 20% to 30% more than conventionally reinforced
concrete. A good rule of thumb is that a post-tensioned system will move about 1 inch for every
100 feet of slab that is not restrained by a lateral system. If the edge of the slab is 50 feet away

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from the nearest shear wall, when post tensioned this edge will move in about ½ inch. If this
edge movement is prevented, either the slab or the restraining element will most likely crack.

Slab restraint is typically caused by concrete or masonry walls that are connected at the
perimeter of the structure. In addition to having more movement, a post-tensioned slab will
have substantially less rebar than a conventional system, which is one of the main
economic benefits. But since a post-tensioned slab does not have excess rebar to minimize and
distribute cracking, restraint cracks will be large and very noticeable. The use and proper
construction of slip details is therefore critical for the performance and aesthetics of post-
tensioned concrete.

Typical slip details use felt, building paper, or plastic to eliminate the bond of the slab to the
walls. Many restraint cracks have been created by engineers or contractors who underestimated
the strength of the bond between a slab and concrete or masonry walls. When rebar is required
between the slab and wall, pipe insulation or foam rubber surrounding a portion of the dowel
can be used to allow relative movement without activating the dowel.

Pour strips
Pour strips are specific to post-tensioned structures and are typically located at the midspan
or quarter point of the bay. To provide any crack control benefit, the slabs on each side of the
pour strip have to be completely separate when the tendons are stressed. Any reinforcement
extending from one slab into the other will act as a tension tie, restrain the relative movement of
the two slabs, and most likely cause cracking. All rebar and post-tensioning must be lap spliced
inside the width of the pour strip.

Contractors should pay special attention to whether the engineer requires the edges of the
pour strip to remain fully shored after the tendons have been stressed but before the concrete has
been placed to tie the two slabs together. The confusion occurs because after a successful
stressing, the majority of the slab (except the pour strip) is structurally stable and does not
require the forms or reshores for stability. But without edge reshores, these midspan pour strips
before they are filled with concrete to tie them together can result in large cantilevered sections
of slab on either side that can result in significant deflections and cracking from loads that were
never intended or reinforced by the engineer.

Increased cover for fire protection

Post-tensioning strands have different cover requirements depending on whether they are
located in restrained or unrestrained spans. Whether a slab is restrained or unrestrained is a
function of the expansion potential of the slab due to fire. An unrestrained span is the first or last
span in the direction of the tendon.

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 For a three-hour fire rating, according to Table 720.1 of the International Building Code, the
minimum bottom cover for post-tensioning tendons is 2 inches, while it is only 1 inch for rebar.
This significant difference in cover is frequently overlooked and is a direct code violation. One
retrofit option is to have plaster or other fire-rated material applied to the slab or beam around
the low point of the tendon to increase the fire rating. In post-tensioned slabs, the cover to the
strands should typically be greater than the cover to the rebar in the end (unrestrained) bays.

Waterproofing
A common myth is that post-tensioning will create waterproof concrete. Unfortunately, this
is not true. Concrete by nature is a porous material and adding some amount of compression
does not suddenly make it non-porous. When designed and built correctly, post-tensioning will
enhance the natural water tightness that concrete possesses, but it will never be waterproof.

In fact, one could argue that more post-tensioning actually makes the system less
waterproof. For higher values of post-tensioning, the slab will experience larger movements,
which can induce more restraint cracks.

Fig no.10 - Stages

Benefits

 Fire resistance
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 Low Cost
 Speed
 Reduced material use
 Sound control
 Robustness
 Thermal mass
 Minimal deliveries

Common Applications for PT

Post-tensioning, or PT, has become increasingly popular over the past 30 years or so as the
technology has been perfected. At one time there were problems with corrosion of the cables,
especially in deicing-salt-laden parking structures, but better materials and construction methods
(plus good training and certification programs) have eliminated most problems.

Fig no.11 - PT slab after construction

The applications for post-tensioning are almost endless, but what holds it back is the lack of
experience among designers and builders. In an article in Structure magazine (PDF), Gerard
Feldman noted that "Most engineers have only a cursory overview of post tensioning in
college...this unfamiliarity creates a bias towards conventional reinforced concrete structures."

Some of the more common applications are:

 Slabs on ground: Today, PT is used extensively for slabs on grade where soils are likely to move
(expansive soils)-especially in the American southwest. Jim Rogers, editor and publisher
of Post Tension Magazine, says that until housing construction ground to a halt last year, about

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 half of all post-tensioning work was slabs-on-ground for homes. Residential Concrete
magazine had a good review of this in its September 2006 issue.
 Another good application for PT slabs is producing crack-free tennis courts.
 A recently developed application of PT is external post-tensioning for strengthening of existing
structures, especially as an upgrade to resist seismic forces. The best review of this is available
from the International Concrete Repair Institute, "Guideline for the Selection of Strengthening
Systems for Concrete Structures."

Fig no.12 - Curved PY member

 Bridge designers have used PT both for cast-in-place concrete and for precast segmental
construction. PT allows longer spans and keeps cracks tight.
 Concrete water tanks are often post-tensioned to reduce crack width and leakage. The
companies that make prestressed concrete tanks are Crom, DYK, Natgun, and Preload.
 Masonry walls can be post-tensioned-this is usually done with a solid steel bar fastened to the
foundation and stressed with a nut at the wall's top. A good article on PT for masonry is
available on Masonry Construction magazine.
 One interesting application is for a concrete countertop that needed to span 6 feet and carry a
heavy load.

Conclusion

Post-tension slabs have revolutionized the construction industry by offering

enhanced strength, durability, and design flexibility. With their ability to withstand heavy loads,
control cracking, and provide cost savings, post-tension slabs have become a preferred choice
for many builders and architects. However, proper planning, attention to detail, and adherence to
industry standards are essential for a successful post-tensioning project. By understanding the

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benefits, challenges, and installation process of post-tension slabs, builders can make informed
decisions and create structurally sound and long-lasting concrete structures.

FIG NO .13

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 Fig no.14

Fig no.15

THE END

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