Far Eastern University 1st Semester 2022-2023

Institute of Architecture and Fine Arts

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LECTURE 16: PRESTRESSED CONCRETE

PRESTRESSED CONCRETE – concrete in which there have been internal stresses of such magnitude and
distribution of stresses due to external loads are counteracted to such a degree to eliminate tension in concrete.

DIFFERENCE OF REINFORCED CONCRETE AND PRESTRESSED CONCRETE

1) BEHAVIOR
 Far Eastern University 1st Semester 2022-2023
Institute of Architecture and Fine Arts
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The upper two images are reinforced concrete while the lower two images are prestressed concrete

2) DEFLECTION

For reinforced concrete deflection are uncontrollable while for prestressed concrete deflection can be
reduced if not totally controlled

3) MATERIAL STRENGTH

For reinforced concrete fc’ = 21 – 35 MPa and fy = usually up to 420 MPa (high grade)
For prestressed concrete fc’ = 35 – 42 MPa and fy = 1000 – 1860 MPa

4) EFFECTIVE AREA

For reinforced concrete the area considered is only the effective area b x d

For prestressed concrete the area considered is the gross area b x D

5) STEEL REINFORCEMENT

For reinforced concrete reinforcing steel bars are used ranging from 16 mm Ø to 36 mm Ø
For prestressed concrete reinforcement used is called TENDONS

TENDONS – prestressing bars used to impart prestress on concrete. It can be:

1) steel bars up to 36 mm Ø where fy = 1080 – 1100 MPa

2) steel wires usually 7 mm Ø with fy from 1550 MPa to 1760 MPa

3) steel strands (cables) – consisting of 7 or more wires with diameter from 7 mm to 16 mm and has fy from
1760 Mpa to 1860 MPa
 Far Eastern University 1st Semester 2022-2023
Institute of Architecture and Fine Arts
___________________________________________________________________________

ADVANTAGES OF PRESTRESSED CONCRETE

1) Prestressing enables the designer to utilize the entire cross section of the member to resist loads

2) Smaller size members can be used to support the same loads or the same size members can be used
for longer spans

3) Prestressed members are crack-free under service loads and thus provide protection against corrosion
for the steel

4) Deflection are reduced due to the camber caused by the negative moments

5) Diagonal tension is reduced

DISADVANTAGES OF PRESTRESSED CONCRETE

1) Higher strength concrete and steel are required

2) More rigid control is required in manufacturing

3) Losses in the initial prestresing force may occur

4) End anchorage devices are required

METHODS OF PRESTRESSING

A) PRE TENSIONING – prestressed concrete in which tendons are stretched before concrete is poured
and hardens, there is a bond between concrete and tendons

STEPS:

1) Set up the formworks

2) Set the tendons through the formworks

3) Prestressed operation is done up tu the desired fy

4) Pour the concrete

5) After concrete has hardened or after 14 days wherein fc’ has been reached. Steam curing is
done for 24 hours

6) After an additional 13 days, tendons are cut or released

 Far Eastern University 1st Semester 2022-2023
Institute of Architecture and Fine Arts
___________________________________________________________________________

B) POST TENSIONING – prestressed concrete in which the tendons are stretched after the concrete
hardens

STEPS:

1) Set up the formworks

2) Insert the tendon into a rubber duct, plastic tube or aluminum duct. The diameter of the duct
should be

Øduct = Øtendon + 6 mm.

3) Set up the duct inside the formwork

4) Pour the concrete. Check always that the concrete will not adhere to the tendons

5) After 14 days, prestressing is done up to desired fy

6) Steam cure for 24 hours

7) Grouting may or may not follow. Grouting means pouring mortar inside the duct to have bond
between concrete and tendons. If it is grouted, it should be anchored. If it is ungrouted, it is
unbounded

STAGES OF PRESTRESSING

A) At initial condition / At release

Loadings: DL + P

Losses at initial condition are due to shrinkage and creep of concrete, steel relaxation,
curvature are taken cumulatively as 10% for practical design purposes

B) At transportation / handling stage

Loadings: DL + P + impact due to bending

This stage is not critical and can be neglected

C) At final stage / working condition

Loadings: DL + P + LL + E + any other loads

In addition to the loads at initial condition, poor quality control and poor anchorage should be considered at
final condition. It is taken as 15% loss for post tensioned beams and 20% loss for the pre tensioned beams
 Far Eastern University 1st Semester 2022-2023
Institute of Architecture and Fine Arts
___________________________________________________________________________