GENERAL PRINCIPLES OF

CE133-2
PRESTRESSED CONCRETE
GENERAL PRINCIPLES OF PRINCIPLES OF PRESTRESSING

PRESTRESSED CONCRETE METHODS & CLASSIFICATION OF

PRESTRESSING CONCRETE

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PRINCIPLES OF
PRESTRESSING

What is a Prestressed
Concrete?
What is a Prestressed
Concrete?

The application of Pre-Stressed Concrete(PSC)

is used to offset the occurrence of tensile
stresses in concrete, which is weak in tension,
by applying an external force(Compressive
Force) to the concrete beforehand.
What is a Prestressed
Concrete?
Prestressed Concrete uses high-strength steel
and concrete in comparison to RC(Reinforced
Concrete). Furthermore, since it is designed
without cracks, it has good durability and
watertightness, and has outstanding resistance
to impact load and repeated loads compared to
RC. In addition, since the shear surface of
concrete can be effectively used, due to the
assumption that there are no cracks, the
second moment of the cross-section is large,
causing the deflection due to live loads to be
small.
METHODS &
CLASSIFICATION OF
PRESTRESSING
CONCRETE

The Prestressing method is classified by its

purpose and method.

Classification by Tendon’s Location

Classification according to the Principle
of Prestressing
Classification by
Tendon’s Location

• Internal Prestressing
• External Prestressing

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Classification by
Tendon’s Location
• Internal Prestressing
A case in which the tendon is located within the
concrete structure. An important feature of
internal prestressing is that, due to the flexible
arrangements of sheath tubes, it allows
designers to apply desired tensile forces to the
structure. However, after its application, it is
difficult to replace the Tendons. Furthermore, if
Grouting is preformed, it is difficult to check
whether or not it was performed correctly. The
concept of internal prestressing is being used
in most Prestressed concrete structures.
Classification by
Tendon’s Location
• External Prestressing
A case in which the tendon is outside the concrete structure. An
important feature of external prestressing is maintenance
because the external tendon can be inspected and replaced with
ease. Furthermore, when existing structures require
reinforcement, tension members can be easily installed. Since
the sheath tube is not arranged inside the concrete structure, the
concrete cross-section can be planned thinner. Moreover, it
allows designers to freely plan concrete sections, allowing a more
economical design by reducing the weight of the structure.
Classification according
to the Principle of
Prestressing
Pre-tensioning
Post-tensioning

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Classification
according to the
Principle of
Prestressing
Pre-tensioning
Individual Mold

Pre-tensioning is a method of introducing prestress

to the concrete structure through the bond between
concrete and tendons. Firstly, tension is applied to
the Tendon before casting concrete. Then the
concrete is cast, and after it hardens, the tension in
the Tendon is gradually released, transferring
prestress to the concrete member. Tensioning is
Long Line Method
possible for one girder or several girders depending
on the length of the prestressing bed.
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Classification
according to the
Principle of
Prestressing
The advantages and disadvantages of pre-tensioning are as follows.
1. Members of the same shape and dimensions can be manufactured in large quantities.

2. Additional members such as sheath tubes and anchorage devices are not required

3. Factory manufacturing is possible, making the quality of the product highly reliable.

4. Not suitable for large members because it is difficult to arrange the prestressing tendon in a curve.

5. A certain amount of prestress is not transferred at the end of the members so the design requires attention.

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 1. One end of the tendon is temporarily enclosed against some abutment
while the other end is pulled by using a jack, tensioning the tendon.

Classification
according to the
Principle of
Prestressing 2. Concrete is poured into the formwork and cured.

Pre-tensioning Method

3. When concrete hardens and reaches sufficient strength, the anchorage

is slowly released, transferring prestress.

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Classification according
to the Principle of
Prestressing
Pre-tensioning
Post-tensioning

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Classification
according to the
Principle of
Prestressing
Post-tensioning
Individual Mold

Post-tensioning is a method of introducing prestress

to the concrete structure by anchoring the Tendon on
both sides of the concrete member.

Long Line Method

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Classification
according to the
Principle of
Prestressing
Post-tensioning
There are two types of Post-tensioning method. The first one is
Unbonded post-tensioning. The tendon of this type consists of a
plastic tube, steel strands coated a grease. This type allows for
installing tendons individually. And also this type is able to avoid
installing sheaths and grouting work. The other is Bonded post-
tensioning. The tendon of this type consists of a sheath(duct),
strands, and grouting concrete. The prestressing force of this type is
applied to a concrete member after the concrete that is poured
inside of the sheath is hardened. This type allows applying larger
prestressing force to the concrete member than the unbonded post-
tensioning.
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Classification
according to the
Principle of
Prestressing
The advantages and disadvantages of post-tensioning are as follows:

1. The tendons can be curved, which makes it suitable for large structures.
2. The structure itself is used as a support, so tension bands are not required.
3. Tensioning is possible at the construction site.
4. Unbonded post-tensioning tendons can be re-tensioned.
5. Unbonded PSC members have low fracture strength and wider crack width.
6. Special tensioning method and anchoring device required.

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Classification
according to the
Principle of
Prestressing
The general process of the post-tensioning is:

1. When casting the concrete, a sheath pipe must be previously installed in order to
place the tendons inside the concrete member.
2. Once the concrete is cast and hardened, the tendons are placed inside the
concrete member through the sheath pipe.
3. One side is anchored while the other end is pulled by using a jack, tensioning the
tendon.
4. Anchor the other side to transfer the tensioning force to the concrete member.

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 1. After placing a sheath to contain the tendons inside the formwork,

Classification concrete is poured and cured.

according to the
Principle of
Prestressing
Post-tensioning Method 2. When concrete reaches sufficient strength, One end is fixed while a jack
is installed at the other end of the tendon. The tendon is then pulled,
tensioning the tendons. Once tensioning is completed, the tendons are
fixed to the concrete with an anchoring device.

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END.
References:

www.midasbridge.com

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