EAS 453 Pre-stressed Concrete Design

Pre-stress Losses

1 Dr. NORAZURA MUHAMAD BUNNORI (PhD), USM

Nature of Losses of Pre-stress
The initial pre-stress in concrete
undergoes a gradual reduction
with time from the stage of
transfer due to various causes -
loss of pre-stress

2 Dr. NORAZURA MUHAMAD BUNNORI

(PhD), USM
The different types of losses encountered in the pre-tensioning
and post-tensioning systems are compiled in Table below:
N Pre-tensioning N Post-tensioning
o o
1. Elastic deformation of 1. No loss due to elastic deformation if all the
concrete. wires are simultaneously tensioned. If the
wires are successively tensioned, there will
be loss of pre-stress due to elastic
deformation of concrete.
2. Relaxation of stress in steel. 2. Relaxation of stress in steel.
3. Shrinkage of concrete. 3. Shrinkage of concrete.
4. Creep of concrete. 4. Creep of concrete.
5. Friction.
6. Anchorage slip.

3 Dr. NORAZURA MUHAMAD BUNNORI

(PhD), USM
Loss Due to Elastic Deformation of
Concrete

 The loss of pre-stress due to elastic deformation of

concrete depends on the modular ratio and the average
stress in concrete at the level of steel.
IF

fc = pre-stress in concrete at the level of steel

Es = modulus of elasticity of steel
Ec = modulus of elasticity of concrete
Es
   e  ratio
= modular
Ec
4 Dr. NORAZURA MUHAMAD BUNNORI
(PhD), USM
Strain in concrete at the level of steel=  fc 
 
 Ec 
Stress in steel corresponding to this strain =  fc 
 Es
 Ec 
Therefore,
Loss of stress in steel = e fc
If the initial stress in steel is known, the
percentage loss of stress in steel due to the elastic
deformation of concrete can be computed.

5 Dr. NORAZURA MUHAMAD BUNNORI

(PhD), USM
Example 1
 A pre-tensioned concrete beam, 100mm wide and
300mm deep, is pre-stressed by straight wires
carrying an initial force of 150kN at an eccentricity of
50mm. The modulus of elasticity of steel and concrete
are 210 and 35kN/mm2 respectively. Estimate the
percentage loss of stress in steel due to elastic
deformation of concrete if the area of steel wires is
188mm2.

6 Dr. NORAZURA MUHAMAD BUNNORI

(PhD), USM
 Solution:
d 300
P = 150kN; e   50 mm
6 6
A = (100*300) = 3x104 mm2; I = 225x106 mm4
 Es 
e     6
 Ec 
Initial stress in steel = (150x103)/188 = 800 N/mm2

 150 x10 3   150 x10 3 x 50 x 50 

Stress in concrete f c   4
     6 . 66 N / mm 2
 3 x10   225 x10 6 
Loss of stress due to elastic deformation of concrete

=  
 e f c  6 x6.66  40 N / mm 2

Percentage loss of stress in steel = (40x100) / 800 = 5%

7 Dr. NORAZURA MUHAMAD BUNNORI

(PhD), USM
Loss Due to Shrinkage of Concrete
 The shrinkage of concrete in pre-stressed member results in a
shortening of tensioned wires and hence contributes to the loss
of stress.
 The shrinkage of concrete is influenced by the type of cement
and aggregates and the method of curing used.
 Use of high strength concrete with low water cement ratios
results in a reduction in shrinkage and consequent loss of pre-
stress.
 The primary cause of drying shrinkage is the progressive loss
of water from concrete.

8 Dr. NORAZURA MUHAMAD BUNNORI

(PhD), USM
 The rate of shrinkage is higher at the surface of the members.
 The differential shrinkage between the interior and surface of large
members may result in strain gradients leading to surface cracking – proper
curing is essential.
 In the case of pre-tensioned members, generally moist curing is resorted to
in order to prevent shrinkage until the time of transfer.
 The total residual shrinkage strain will be larger in pre-tensioned members
after transfer of pre-stress in compression.
 For post-tensioned members, the portion of shrinkage will have already
taken place by the time of transfer of stress.

9 Dr. NORAZURA MUHAMAD BUNNORI

(PhD), USM
 According to cl. 4.8.4, BS 8110: Part 1:1985,

Losses due to shrinkage = residual shrinkage strain x Es

 Recommended residual shrinkage strain in Malaysia with the temperature

and high relative humidity is 200 x 10-6

10 Dr. NORAZURA MUHAMAD BUNNORI

(PhD), USM
Loss Due to Creep of Concrete

 The sustained pre-stress in the concrete of a pre-stressed member results in

creep of concrete which effectively reduces the stress in high tensile steel.
 The loss of stress in steel due to creep of concrete can be estimated if the
magnitude of ultimate creep strain or creep coefficient is known.
 According to cl. 4.8.5, BS 8110: Part 1: 1985

Pre-stress losses due to creep = creep concrete strain at tendon level x E c

11 Dr. NORAZURA MUHAMAD BUNNORI

(PhD), USM
Creep strain = (creep coefficient / Ec ) x average stress in concrete during transfer at tendon level

Ec = modulus of elasticity of concrete during transfer

 Recommended creep coefficient in Malaysia are 1.5 for transfer time

after 7 days.
Ultimate Creep Strain Method
If, εcc = ultimate creep strain for a sustained unit stress
fc = compressive stress in concrete at the level of steel
Es = modulus of elasticity of steel
Then the loss of stress in steel due to creep of concrete
= εcc fc Es

12 Dr. NORAZURA MUHAMAD BUNNORI

(PhD), USM
Creep Coefficient Method
If; φ = creep coefficient
εc = creep strain
εe = elastic strain
αe = modular ratio
fc = stress in concrete
Ec = modulus of elasticity of concrete
Es = modulus of elasticity of steel
Creep Coefficient = (Creep Strain)/ (Elastic Strain)
      fc 
Thus; φ = (εc ) /(εe ), c e  E 
 c 

Hence, loss of stress in steel =  c E s    f c E  E s   f c e

 c 
13 Dr. NORAZURA MUHAMAD BUNNORI
(PhD), USM
 Loss Due to Relaxation of Stress in Steel
 The loss of stress due to relaxation of steel as a percentage of the initial stress
in steel.
 Percentage of loss is the relaxation factor multiple with relaxation value in
1000 hrs.-- from supplier

Table 4.6, BS8110:Part 1: 1985: steel relaxation factor

Force Type Wires and strand Wires and Bar
with relaxation strand with
class. relaxation class.

1 2
Pre- 1.5 1.2 2.0
tensioning
Post- 2.0 1.5 2.0
tensioning

14 Dr. NORAZURA MUHAMAD BUNNORI

(PhD), USM
 Relaxation value in 1000 hrs.
Strand of tendon Initial force Maximum relaxation Maximum relaxation after
(% characteristic after 1000 hrs 1000 hrs
strength) (Class 1) (%) (Class 2) (%)

Cold-drawn steel and 60 4.5 1.0

seven-wire strand 70 8.0 2.5
80 12.0 4.5

Cold-drawn steel in 60 8.5 -

factory 70 10.0 -

Alloy Steel 60 - 1.5

70 - 3.5
80 - 6.0

For initial force that less than 60%, cl. 4.8.2.2, BS 8110:Part 1: 1985 recommended
that the initial value is linearly different as stated in 60% to zero for 30% initial force.

The initial value for pre-tensioning must be taken as the immediate force after the
tendon being stressed.

The initial value for post-tensioning, the initial force is when the transfer happen.
15 Dr. NORAZURA MUHAMAD BUNNORI
(PhD), USM
Example 2
A rectangular concrete beam, 300 mm deep and 200 mm
wide is pre-stressed by means of fifteen 5 mm
diameter wires located 65 mm from the bottom of the
beam and three 5 mm wires, located 25 mm from the
top of the beam. If the wire initially tensioned to a
stress of 840 N/mm2, calculate the percentage loss of
stress in steel immediately after transfer, allowing for
the loss of stress due to elastic deformation of
concrete only.

16 Dr. NORAZURA MUHAMAD BUNNORI

(PhD), USM
Solutions
Es = 210kN/mm2
Ec = 31.5kN/mm2

Position of the centroid of the wires from the soffit of the beam,
 (15 * 65 )  (3 * 275 ) 
y   100 mm
 (15  3 ) 

Eccentricity, e = (150-100)mm = 50mm

Area of concrete, A = (200*300) = 6 x 104 mm2
Second moment of area, I = (200*3003)/12 = 45 x 107 mm
Prestressing force P = (840) (18x19.7) = 3x105 N = 300kN

17 Dr. NORAZURA MUHAMAD BUNNORI

(PhD), USM
Stress in concrete:

 300 * 10 3   300 * 10 3 * 50 * 125 

At the level of top wires =  4
   7
  0 .83 N / mm 2
 6 * 10   45 * 10 

At the level of bottom wires=  300 * 10 3   300 * 10 3 * 50 * 85 

 4
     7 . 85 N / mm 2

 6 * 10   45 * 10 7 

Modular ratio = (210)/(31.5)= 6.68

Loss of stress in wires at top = (6.68*0.83) = 5.55 N/mm2

Loss of stress in wires at bottom = (6.68*7.85) = 52.5 N/mm2

18 Dr. NORAZURA MUHAMAD BUNNORI

(PhD), USM
Percentage loss of stress

 5.55 
For wires at top =   *100  0.66 %
 840 

For wires at bottom =  52.5  *100  6.25%

 840 

19 Dr. NORAZURA MUHAMAD BUNNORI

(PhD), USM
 Loss of Stress Due to Friction
 In post-tensioning systems there will be movement of the greater
part of the tendon relative to the surrounding duct during the
tensioning operation.
 If the tendon is in the contact with either the duct or any spacer
provided, friction will cause a reduction in the pre-stressing force
as the distance from the jack increases.
 Whether the desired duct profile is straight or curved or a
combination of both, there will be a slight variations in the actual
line of the duct, which may cause additional points of contact
between the tendon and the sides of the duct ---- FRICTION
 There are two types of friction losses:
a) Loss of stress due to wobble effect, which depends upon the local
deviations in the alignment of the cable. The wobble or wave effect is
the result of accidental or unavoidable misalignment, since ducts or
sheaths cannot be perfectly located to follow a predetermined profile
throughout the length of the beam.

Po

Magnitude of
x
the pre-stressing
force, Px
  Kx
Px  Po e

Px = magnitude of pre-stressing force

Po = pre-stressing force at the jacking end
e = Napier logarithm (2.718)
K = profile coefficient depending on the type of duct or
sheath employed, the nature of it’s inside surface, the
method of forming it and the degree of vibration
employed in placing the concrete (cl.
4.9.3.3 BS 8110:Part 1: 1985)
K value per meter length
Contact types K/m
Normal condition 33 x 10-4
Greased strands running in plastics sleeves 25 X 10-4
Strong rigid sheaths or duct formers, 17 x 10-4
closely supported so that they did not
displaced during the concreting operation
b) Friction due to curvature of tendons
 The loss of tension due to friction is depend on the angle turned through and
the coefficient of friction μ between the tendon and its support.

θ
rps rps

Po

straight x
curve

Pre-stress in x distance from curvature tangent, P x

 The pre-stressing force, Px, at any distance x along the curve from the tangen
point may be calculated from the following equation:
   x / r ps  
P x  Po e  Po e
Px = pre-stressing force
Po = pre-stressing force at the jacking end
μ = coefficient of friction
rps = radius of curvature
e = Napier logarithm (2.718)
θ = x/rps = tendon curvature angle (radian)

The value of μ depends upon the type and the surface conditions
of the tendon and the duct (cl 4.9.4.3 BS 8110)
Contact type μ
Lightly rusted strand running on unlined concrete duct 0.55
Lightly rusted strand running on lightly rusted steel duct 0.30
Lightly rusted strand running on galvanized duct 0.25
Bright strand running on galvanized duct 0.20
Greased strand running on plastic sleeve 0.12
Combination of the frictions.
  kx   
P x  Poe
Kx +μθ e -(kx+μθ)
0.01 0.990
0.02 0.980
0.03 0.970
0.04 0.961
0.05 0.951
- -
- -
- -
0.19 0.827
0.20 0.819
Draw-in during anchorage

 Cl 4.8.6 BS 8110:Part 1:1985

 In post tensioning systems allowance should be made for any
movement of the tendon at the anchorage when the pre-stressing
force is transferred from the tensioning equipment to the anchorage.
 The loss due to this movement is particularly important in short
members and the allowance made in design should be checked on
site.
 The loss in anchorage system usually in a range of 3mm. For a
longer member, loss of pre-stress can be encounter with giving an
extra force to the tendon---- 5-10%.