Materials for Prestressed Concrete.

High Strength Concrete

In this type of concrete, high-strength concrete is required to withstand the high

prestressing force. Basically prestressing force which we apply depends on the strength
of concrete, if low strength of concrete is used, we will have to apply a lower prestress
consequently results/benefits of prestressing will be lower. Thus, high-strength concrete
is required for the prestressing.

As per IS 1343-1980, the minimum compressive strength of concrete shall be 40

N/mm2 for pre-tensioned members and 30 N/mm2 for the post-tensioned members. In
the pretension method, the tension in the steel reinforcement/tendons is applied before
the casting of the member, and in the post-tension prestress tension is applied after
casting or placement of concrete. Minimum 300 to 360 kg /m3 of cement is required and
maximum cement content should not be more than 530 kg /m3.

High Tensile Steel

In reinforced concrete, reinforcement in the form of bars is used while in

prestressed concrete reinforcement in the form of high strength wires, bars, or stands
are used. High tensile strength is achieved by increasing the carbon content in the steel
by approximately 0.6 to 0.85 percent.

Wires are available in the size of 2.5, 3,4,5,7, and 8 mm diameter. These are
used in stands (group). Bars are available in the size of 10,12,16,20,22,25,28 and 32
mm.

Reinforced Cement Concrete

As we already know that concrete is very weak in tension and its tensile strength
is approximately 10 % of its compressive strength. To make concrete strong in tension,
reinforcement in the form of bars is introduced which will take the tensile forces. Thus in
ordinary Reinforced Cement concrete, reinforcement is provided to withstand the shear
bending and torsional forces.

In comparison to the prestressed concrete, the size of the RCC section is bigger,
and also load carrying capacity will be lower. Prestressed concrete is an improvement
over reinforced cement concrete to enhance some of its properties.

Properties of Prestressing
The steel in prestressed applications has to be of good quality. It requires the following
attributes.
1) High strength
2) Adequate ductility
3) Bendability, which is required at the harping points and near the anchorage
4) High bond, required for pre-tensioned members
5) Low relaxation to reduce losses
6) Minimum corrosion.