Why need reinforcement bar in post tension slab?

 In post-tensioned slabs, reinforcement bars (rebars) are often used in conjunction with
post-tensioning tendons for several reasons:

1. Crack Control: Reinforcement bars are used to control cracking in the concrete.
While post-tensioning tendons provide significant tensile strength to resist bending
and shear forces, they are less effective in controlling cracking at early ages or in
limiting crack widths. Reinforcement bars placed near the bottom of the slab help to
distribute the tensile stresses and control crack widths.
2. Serviceability Criteria: Design codes often specify maximum crack widths to ensure
serviceability of structures. Reinforcement bars help to limit crack widths within
acceptable limits, especially under service loads.
3. Redundancy and Redistributed Loading: In the event of tendon failure or accidental
damage, reinforcement bars provide redundancy and help redistribute loads,
maintaining structural integrity and preventing sudden collapse.
4. Construction Phases: During construction, reinforcement bars may be used to
temporarily support the slab before the post-tensioning tendons are stressed and to
handle construction loads.
5. End Anchorage Zones: Reinforcement bars are typically used extensively in the end
anchorage zones of post-tensioned slabs where the tendons are terminated. These
zones experience high stress concentrations and require additional reinforcement to
resist these forces.
6. Construction Tolerances and Detailing: Reinforcement bars also help in
accommodating construction tolerances and detailing requirements that are specific to
the project and construction practices.

In summary, reinforcement bars complement post-tensioning tendons by providing crack

control, ensuring serviceability criteria are met, offering redundancy in case of tendon failure,
and assisting during construction phases and detailing. This combined approach enhances the
overall performance and durability of post-tensioned slabs.

In Eurocode 2, the losses of prestress in post-tensioned slabs are categorized into two main types:
short-term losses and long-term losses. These losses are crucial to consider in the design and analysis
of post-tensioned concrete structures. I will provide a detailed explanation of both types of losses:

Loss in prestress concrete

1. Short-Term Losses:

- Short-term losses, also known as immediate losses, occur shortly after the prestressing tendons are
tensioned. These losses can be attributed to several factors, including elastic shortening of the
concrete, friction between the tendons and the ducts, and anchorage set.

- According to Eurocode 2, the short-term losses are divided into three main components:

a. Elastic Shortening: This component accounts for the immediate shortening of the concrete due to
the application of prestressing force. Eurocode 2 provides specific formulas to calculate the elastic
shortening based on the properties of the concrete and the level of prestress.
 b. Friction Losses: Friction between the tendons and the ducts results in a reduction of prestress.
Eurocode 2 provides guidance on estimating these losses based on factors such as tendon curvature
and surface condition.

c. Anchorage Set: When the prestressing tendons are anchored, there is a loss of prestress due to the
relaxation of the tendon and the seating of the wedges. Eurocode 2 includes provisions for accounting
for anchorage set losses in the design calculations.

2. Long-Term Losses:

- Long-term losses, also known as time-dependent losses, occur over an extended period after the
completion of construction. These losses are primarily attributed to creep and shrinkage of concrete, as
well as relaxation of the prestressing tendons.

- Eurocode 2 provides guidance on estimating long-term losses, taking into account factors such as
concrete age, environmental conditions, and the properties of the prestressing tendons. The code
includes specific formulas and coefficients to calculate the long-term losses based on these
considerations.