PRESTRESSED CONCRETE

“Pre-stressed concrete is a form of reinforced concrete that builds in compressive stresses during construction
to oppose those found when in use.” It is a combination of steel and concrete that takes advantages of the
strengths of each material.
PRINCIPLE – Using high tensile strength steel alloys producing permanent pre-compression in areas
subjected to Tension. A portion of tensile stress is counteracted thereby reducing the cross-sectional area of the
steel reinforcement .
METHODS :-
a) Pre-tensioning
b) Post-tensioning

PRETENSIONING :- Placing of concrete around reinforcing tendons that have been

stressed to the desired degree.
POST-TENSIONING :- Reinforcing tendons are stretched by jacks whilst keeping them
inserted in voids left pre hand during curing of concrete. These spaces are then pumped
full of grout to bond steel tightly to the concrete.
FORMS WHY PRESTRESSED CONCRETE?
Wires • Concrete remains un-cracked
Prestressing wire is a single unit made of steel. • Reduction of steel corrosion
Strands • Increases durability
Two, three or seven wires are wound to form a • Good for pressure vessels
prestressing strand. • High span to depth ratio (ex: 45:1 vs. 28:1)
Tendon • less dead load
A group of strands or wires are wound to form a • More economical
prestressing tendon.
Cable
A group of tendons form a prestressing cable.
Bars
A tendon can be made up of a single steel bar.
The diameter of a bar is much larger than that
of a wire.

PRE-STRESSED CONCRETE: METHODS

There are two basic methods of applying pre-stress to a concrete member :
Pre-tensioning – most often used in factory situations
Post-tensioning – site use
I . Pre-tensioning
In Pre-tension, the tendons are tensioned against some
abutments before the concrete is place. After the
concrete hardened, the tension force is released. The
tendon tries to shrink back to the initial length but the
concrete resists it through the bond between them,
thus, compression force is induced in concrete.
Pretension is usually done with precast members
II . Post tensioning
In Post tension, the tendons are tensioned after the
concrete has hardened. Commonly, metal or plastic
ducts are placed inside the concrete before casting.
After the concrete hardened and had enough strength,
the tendon was placed inside the duct, stressed, and
anchored against concrete. Grout may be injected into
the duct later. This can be done either as precast or
cast-in-place.
LAKSHMI SANJANA M
1BQ16AT055
SEM - 7