CSE30310 Design of Concrete Structures

Lecture 11: Prestressed Concrete 1

Ir. Prof Jian-Guo Dai

Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering
The Hong Kong Polytechnic University

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Outline of the lecture

• Principles of prestressing
• Methods of prestressing
• Analysis of concrete section under working loads
• Determination of minimum section properties
• Design of prestress force
• Magnel diagram
• Design of tendon profiles

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Characteristic of RC beams

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Characteristic of PC beams

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Advantages of prestressing
Reinforced concrete has the following deficiencies:
• It cracks due to poor tensile resistance of concrete
• The compressive strength of concrete is not fully utilized in the
full cross-section. The concrete in the cracked zone is ‘useless’ and
only adds to dead weight
• Because of crack width limit and hence strain limit in the tensile
steel, the economic use of higher strength steel is not possible
• Span length of RC beams are limited due to the deficiencies

These deficiencies can be overcome by the application of an axial

force to the beam

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Advantages of prestressing

Therefore, the advantage of prestressed concrete is that a lighter

section can be used as compared to RC section under the same
load. This yields more clearance or enables longer spans to be
used. The absence or nearly absence of crack is another
advantage.

The analysis and design of prestressed concrete is a specialized field

which cannot possibly be covered in one chapter.

This chapter concentrates on the basic principles of prestressing, and

analysis and design of statically determined members in bending.

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 Principles of prestressing

Axial force reduces tensile stress and make Eccentric axial force further
use of compressive strength in the full reduces the flexural bending
cross-section that also increases the caused by load
flexural stiffness EI.
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 Methods of prestressing
Pretensioning
In this method the steel wires or strands
are stretched to the required tension
and anchored to the ends of the
moulds. The concrete is then cast
around the tensioned steel, and when it
has reached sufficient strength, the
anchors are released and the force in
the steel is transferred to the concrete
by bond.
This method is suitable for mass production in factory.
There is an immediate drop in prestress force due to elastic shortening
of the member after releasing of anchors, in addition to long term
losses due to creep, shrinkage and relaxation. 8
Methods of prestressing

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Pre-tension system
Methods of prestressing
Post-tensioning
This method involves the stressing of un-bonded tendon or steel bars
against the hardened concrete. Therefore it is most suitable for in
situ construction.
The tendons are passed through a flexible sheathing that is cast into
the concrete in the designed position. They are tensioned by jacking
against the concrete, and anchored mechanically to the end of the
member.
After stressing, the space in the ducts may be left empty (un-bonded
construction). The demolition of un-bonded post-tensioned
member is dangerous as the energy stored in the tendon may be
released.
More often the tendons are filled with pressure grouting of concrete
(bonded construction). The grouting improves bonding, and also
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protect tendons from corrosion.
Methods of prestressing

Post-tension system 11
Methods of prestressing
A post-tensioned structure may be constructed from an assembly
of separate pre-cast units which are constrained to act together
by means of tensioned cables.
It can also be cast in one unit in normal way.

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Analysis of concrete section under working
loads
The objective of presstressing is to maintain favorable stress
conditions in a member. Therefore, design codes limit the
working stresses that vary for different class of members.
As a result, the primary design analysis of prestressed concrete is
stress check at service conditions.
The following assumptions are made to the analysis:
1. Plane sections remain plane.
2. Stress-strain relationships are linear.
3. Bending occurs about a principal axis.
4. The prestressing force is the value after all losses have occurred.
5. Changes in tendon stress due to applied loads on the member
have negligible effect.
6. Section properties are generally based on the gross concrete
cross-section.
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Analysis of concrete section under working
loads

Sign Convention and notation

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Analysis of concrete section under working
loads
Members subjected to axial prestress force (Elastic analysis)
Under a moment M, the concrete stresses at top fibre, ft, and at
bottom, fb, are given by
P M
ft = +
A zt
P M
fb = −
A zb
where zb and zt are the
elastic section modulus
and P is the prestress force.

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Analysis of concrete section under working
loads
The minimum and maximum stresses of concrete at the section
are caused by a maximum moment:
P M max P M max
Min. f b = − Max. f t = +
A zb A zt
If no tensile stress is allowed 0 =
P M max
−
A zb
The prestress force P required to M max ⋅ A
resist a maximum moment
P=
zb
Or the maximum moment allowed P ⋅ zb
M max =
at a certain prestress P is A 16
Analysis of concrete section under working
loads
Members subjected to eccentric prestress
The concrete stresses are given by
P M P⋅e
ft = + −
A zt zt
P M P⋅e
fb = − +
A zb zb
The eccentricity of prestress
produces an hogging moment
that reduces the sagging
effect due to loading.

The stress distribution is more even across the section. 17

Analysis of concrete section under working
loads
If no tensile stress is allowed
P M max P ⋅ e
0= − +
A zb zb
from which we get the maximum moment allowed at a certain
prestress force P

zb
M max = P ( + e)
A
From the above equation, it can be seen that the eccentricity
increase the moment capacity by P*e. This is the reason
that eccentricity is beneficial to bending of beams.
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Analysis of concrete section under working
loads
Substitute Mmax into ft, we get the maximum stress at the top fibre:
P M max P ⋅ e P  zb + zt 
ft = + − =  

A zt zt A  zt 
The term e does not occur in the above equation. That means the
eccentricity does not increase the maximum stress of concrete.

The above example illustrated that the eccentricity of prestress

increases the moment capacity of a beam without increase the
maximum compressive stress in the concrete. Therefore, the
advantage of the eccentricity is apparent.
It must be noted that the top fibre may be under tension under
minimum moment. Therefore, the top stress must also be
checked under minimum bending moment.
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Example
A rectangular beam 300x150 mm is simply supported over a 4m
span, and supports a live load of 10 kN/m. If a straight tendon is
provided at an eccentricity of 65mm below the centroid of the
section, find the minimum prestress force necessary for no
tension under live load at mid-span. Calculate the
corresponding stresses under self-weight only at mid-span and
at the ends of the member.
(a) Beam properties

self − weight = 0.15 × 0.3 × 24 = 1.08kN / m

cross − sec tional area = 45 × 103 mm 2

bh 2
sec tion mod uli zt = zb = = 2.25 × 10 6 mm 3
6 20
Example
(b) Mid-span moment
(10 + 1.08) × 4 2
M max =
8
1.08 × 4 2
M min = = 2.2kNm
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(c) Calculate minimum prestress force
For no tension at the bottom under Mmax
P M max P ⋅ e
0= − +
A zb zb or
M max 22.2 × 10 6 −3
P= = × 10 = 193kN
 zb   2.25 × 10 6

 + e   + 65 

 A   45 × 10 3

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Example
(d) Calculate stresses at mid-span under Mmin
Stress at top
P M P⋅e
f t = + min − = 4.3 + 1.0 − 5.6 = −0.3 N / mm 2 (tension)
A zt zt
Stress at bottom
P M min P ⋅ e
fb = − + = 4.3 − 1.0 + 5.6 = 8.9 N / mm 2
A zb zb
The calculation shows that with minimum load it is possible for
the beam to hog with tensile stresses in the top fibres. This is
particularly so at the initial transfer of the prestress force to the
unloaded beam.

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Example

(d) Calculate stresses at ends

M=0 in the end of the beam

P P⋅e
ft = − = 4.3 − 5.6 = −1.3 N / mm 2 (tension)
A zt

Stress at bottom

P P⋅e
fb = + = 4.3 + 5.6 = 9.9 N / mm 2
A zb

The tensile stress is greater than that in the mid-span.

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Design for serviceability limit state (SLS)
HK2013 categorize the prestressed members into three basic
groups:
1. Class 1 – no tensile stress permitted under working conditions
2. Class 2 – tensile stresses are permitted, but these are limited to
avoid flexural cracking.
3. Class 3 – cracking permitted, but tensile stresses limited on the
basis of maximum permissible flexural crack widths. This class is
also called partial prestressed and design is governed by the
ultimate limit state.
• The maximum allowable concrete compressive stress in
bending is generally the same for all the three classes, at one-
third of fcu, to avoid spalling of concrete and prevention of
excessive loss of prestress due to creep.
• The allowed stresses at transfer, where loading is minimum, are
generally greater. 24
Design for SLS
The critical design conditions are shown in the figure
f t ≥ f 'min

f b ≤ f 'max
f t ≤ f max

f b ≥ f min

where f’max and f’min are the permissible stresses at transfer;

fmax and fmin are the permissible stresses at service;
P0 is the prestressing force at tranfer; and KP0 is the prestressing
force at service with a loss factor K. 25
Design for SLS
The critical design conditions can be expressed by the following
equations:
P0 P0 ⋅ e M min
At transfer − + = f 't ≥ f 'min
A zt zt
P0 P0 ⋅ e M min
+ − = f 'b ≤ f 'max
A zb zb

K ⋅ P0 K ⋅ P0 ⋅ e M max
At service − + = f t ≤ f max
A zt zt
K ⋅ P0 K ⋅ P0 ⋅ e M max
+ − = f b ≥ f min
A zb zb
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Minimum sectional properties
P0 P0 ⋅ e M min
− + = f 't ≥ f 'min
A zt zt M max − kM min ≤ ( f max − kf 'min ) zt
K ⋅ P0 K ⋅ P0 ⋅ e M max
− + = f t ≤ f max
A zt zt

P0 P0 ⋅ e M min
+ − = f 'b ≤ f 'max
A zb zb '
M max − kM min ≤ (kf max − f min ) zb
K ⋅ P0 K ⋅ P0 ⋅ e M max
+ − = f b ≥ f min
A zb zb
Mv Mv
M max − kM min = M v zt ≥ '
zb ≥ '
( f max − kf min ) (kf max − f min )

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Allowable compressive stresses at SLS
fmax

Nature of loading Allowable compressive stresses

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Allowable tensile stresses at SLS

Class 1 member no tensile stress - fmin

Class 2 member

Class 3 member following the above table by adding

some modification factors
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Allowable compressive stresses at transfer
state
fmax ′

Nature of stress Allowable compressive stresses

distribution

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Allowable tensile stress at transfer state
-fmin ′
Class 1 member 1.0 N/mm2

Class 2 member 0.45√fci for pre-tensioned members

0.36√fci for post-tensioned members

Class 3 member In general should not exceed

appropriate value for a class 2 member

Otherwise, the section be considered

as cracked

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Design of prestress force
Basic criteria
( zt f max − M max ) ( zt f 'min − M min )
P0 ≤ P0 ≥
K ( z t / A − e) ( z t / A − e)

( zb f min + M max ) ( zb f 'max + M min )

P0 ≥ P0 ≤
K ( z b / A + e) ( z b / A + e)

These equations are used to determine the range of the prestress

force, and a minimum value in the range is usually chosen for a
simply supported beam.
Note: The sense of the inequality must change if the denominator term
(zt/A-e) is negative
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Maximum moment-prestress force
relationship
If the minimum value for maximum eccentricity emax, depends on cover
requirement,

K ⋅ P0 K ⋅ P0 ⋅ e M max zt
− + = f t ≤ f max M max ≤ f max zt − KP0 ( − emax )
A zt zt A

K ⋅ P0 K ⋅ P0 ⋅ e M max zb
+ − = f b ≥ f min M max ≤ KP0 ( + emax ) − f min Z b
A zb zb A

Linear relationship between Mmax and P0

Note: The sense of the inequality must change if the denominator term
(zt/A-e) is negative

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Maximum moment-prestress force
relationship

f max zt + f min zb
P0 =
zb + zt
K( )
A

maximum economical prestress

zb zt
KP0 ( + emax ) − f min Z b = f max zt − KP0 ( − emax )
A A
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Magnel diagram construction
Magnel diagram
Design of prestress using the above equations directly is inconvenient
and tedious. Sometimes there may be no solution.

A much more 1 K (1 / A − e / zt )
≥ 1
useful and P0 ( f max − M max / zt )
convenient way
of prestress 1 (1 / A − e / zt )
≤ 2
design is by P0 ( f ' min − M min / zt )
Magnel diagram. 1 K (1 / A + e / zb )
The previous four ≤ 3
P0 ( f min + M max / zb )
equations can be
transformed to 1 (1 / A + e / zb )
≥ 4
P0 ( f 'max + M min / zb )
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Magnel diagram construction
These relationships can be plotted as shown below. The area of
graph as highlighted satisfy all the four inequalities and hence
provide a satisfactory design.
Line 5 is to limit the maximum allowable eccentricity as limited by
the cross-sectional height.

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Case a or b depends on the sign of the denominator
Design of tendon profiles
The four design expressions can be re-written as:
At transfer At service
 zt f max ⋅ zt  M max
 zt f 'min ⋅ zt  M min e≥ − + c
e≤ − + a
A KP0  KP0
A P0  P0
 zb f 'max ⋅ zb  M min  zb f min ⋅ zb  M max
e ≤ − + + b e ≥ − + + d
 A P0  P0  A KP0  KP0
The above four equations can be evaluated at any section to determine
the range of eccentricity within which the prestress for P0 must lie.
Mmax and Mmin are moments relating to the section being considered.
For the case of P0 being constant along the member, the value in the
bracket is constant. The shape of eccentricity profile will be the
same as the moment envelope that is parabolic under uniformly
distributed loading.
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Design of tendon profiles
Possible range of eccentricity under
certain P0 d

The above figure shows the e profile under uniform load in which
Eqs. a and d are more critical.
At the critical section, the zone is generally narrower and reduces
to zero if the value of the prestress force is taken as the
minimum or maximum values from the Magnel diagram. At
sections away from the critical section, the zone becomes 38
increasingly greater.
End of Lecture 11!

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