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Summary
Two post-tensioned beams made out of Styrofoam, rubber bands and match sticks were
investigated when specific loads were placed at the mid-span. The main purpose of this report
was to obtain the engineering characteristics of post-tensioned beams using scaled models. The
beam when loaded is supposed to show similar characteristics to that of a simply supported
beam. Each beam contains the same material, but when constructed the rubber band, which
represent the neutral axis was placed at different locations. The beam whose neutral axis is
located 8mm from the base is initially hogging, and when a load is placed the beam neutralizes
and it begins to sag as load is increased. The beam with the neutral axis through the centre
behaves similarly except when constructed it was at a neutral position, rather than hogging.

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I ntroduction
Post-tensioning is a type of reinforcement that is used on materials that contains tendons.
In most cases post-tensioning is used in the construction industry for the construction of bridges,
sport stadiums and apartment buildings. It is basically used on structures that have a great
downward force and large spans. Post-tensioning is widely used because it offers longer clear
spans, thinner slabs, fewer beams and more slender, dramatic elements as well as a high degree
of flexibility in the column layout. Since it offers thinner slabs this mean that less concrete is
required thus reducing the cost. It also reduces the weight of the building when compared to a
conventional concrete building which has the same number of floors. The foundation load is
greatly reduced thus making it a great advantage in seismic areas. The slabs and beams can also
be continuous. A slab or beam can run continuously from one end of the building to the other
end of it thus making it more efficient. Post-tensioning is also used to strengthen concrete when
it is under tensional stress, as concrete works well under compression but not under tension.
For this project post-tensioning was analysed by using a model made out of Styrofoam
which represents concrete and a rubber band which acted as a tendon/reinforcement that has been
stretched by hydraulic jacks which was kept in place by two match sticks which acted as an
anchorage device. Investigation was made on the beam as to how it would react when a
significant amount of load was placed at the mid-span of it, based on where the rubber band was
placed within the Styrofoam.


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Background Information
Bending of Beams
When a beam experiences a bending moment it will change its shape and internal stresses
will be developed. Bending in a beam produces either hogging or sagging. Hogging and sagging
describe the shape of a beam or similar long object when loading is applied. Hogging describes a
beam which curves upwards in the middle, and sagging describes a beam which curves
downwards. In a post-tensioned beam it is expected that it will initially hog then as loads are
added, it will move from that position to a neutral one, then one of sagging.
The lower the neutral axis and the centre of gravity, the better the beam is expected to
behave under a tensional stresses. Thus as the load is increase on the beam, it is expected that the
beam with the lower neutral axis will be more sturdy and would fail at a higher load than a beam
with the neutral axis in the centre or higher from the base.
Uses of post-tensioned beams
As stated in the introduction, concrete is very strong in compression but weak in tension,
therefore it will crack when forces act to pull it apart. In conventional concrete construction, if a
load such as a truck is applied to a beam, the beam will tend to deflect or sag causing the bottom
of the beam to elongate slightly which then leads to cracking.
Steel reinforcing bars (rebar) are typically embedded in the concrete as tensile
reinforcement to limit the crack widths and are called passive reinforcement however, it does not
carry any force until the concrete has already deflected enough to crack. Post-tensioning tendons
are considered active reinforcing since it is pretested and the steel is effective as reinforcement
even though the concrete may not be cracked.
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APPARATUS AND MATERIALS
30x30x30mm Styrofoam cubes
Rubber bands
Roller support (Cork)
Fixed support (styrofoam cube)
Ruler
25 cent coins
Matchsticks


BEAM 1 BEAM 2
RUBBER BAND AT CENTER

RUBBER BAND 8mm FROM THE BASE













1. 0


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RESULTS
Weight of one twenty five cent coin=3.5g
BEAM WITH RUBBER BAND AT CENTER (12.5mm from base)
u
(mm)=
325

Number of
coins
Weight (g)
Load
Applied (N)
u (mm) u (mm)
5 17.5 0.17168 325 0
10 35.0 0.34335 320 5
15 52.5 0.51503 315 10
20 70.0 0.6867 300 25
25 87.5 0.85838 180 145
30 105.0 1.03005 110 215

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Graph1: Showing load (N) against deflection (mm) for beam with neutral axis at 12.5 mm
BEAM WITH RUBBER BAND 8mm FROM THE BASE
u (mm) = 355.5

Number of
coins
Weight
Load Applied
(N)
u (mm) u (mm)
5 17.5 0.171675 355.5 0
10 35 0.34335 335.5 20
15 52.5 0.515025 335.5 20
20 70 0.6867 325.5 30
25 87.5 0.858375 325.5 30
30 105 1.03005 305.5 50
35 122.5 1.201725 295.5 60
40 140 1.3734 225.5 130
0
0.2
0.4
0.6
0.8
1
1.2
0 50 100 150 200 250
L
o
a
d

(
N
)

Deflection (mm)
Load vs Deflection
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Graph2: Showing load (N) against deflection (mm) for beam with neutral axis at 8mm
0
0.2
0.4
0.6
0.8
1
1.2
1.4
1.6
0 20 40 60 80 100 120 140
L
o
a
d

(
N
)

Deflection (mm)
Load vs Deflection
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Discussion
In this experiment two model bridges made of Styrofoam, elastic bands and matches were
used to test the effect that loads would have on post-tensioned beams. The models were created
by inserting a hole through the Styrofoam (one 8mm from the base and the other 12.5mm from
the base), then inserting the elastic band into the hole, ensuring it spans the entire beam. After
this was done the match sticks were used to secure the ends and then the beams were placed on
the supports.
Initially it was observed that both beams were hogging, with the beam containing the
neutral axis 8mm from the base experiencing a greater hogging moment. This is expected as the
elastic bands are pulling the Styrofoam pieces at the ends together thus causing tension to occur
within the structure. The models were set up like simply supported beams, i.e. one end of the
beam was placed on a roller support, while the other end was placed on a fixed support.
When the initial set of loads was applied to the beams it was observed that the beams
would have reached a neutral point, with regards to bending moment. During the experiment it
was clearly seen that both beams behaved quite differently as they were being loaded.
The beam with the elastic band through the centre was observed to hog very little at the
beginning of the experiment, this is quite different when compared with a normal beam that is
not post-tension, which would be neutral. This hogging characteristic allows the beam to have
more strength and be able to take more loading, since it requires loading to bring it to a neutral
point, the same load would produce sagging in an unstressed beam. This beam was observed to
deflect to the datum line (0) under the load of 30 coins (1.03N).
The beam with the elastic band off centre, i.e. 8mm from the base was observed to have a
greater hog than the beam with the elastic band through the centre, when it was constructed. This
shows that this beam would have a greater capacity for bearing loads than the beam containing
its neutral axis in the centre. This beam was observed to deflect to the datum line (0) under the
load of 40 coins (1.37N).


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Limitations
The surface used to test the models was not completely flat.
The roller support and the fixed support were not the same height.
Parallax errors occur during measurement in the experiment
The holes of the cubes were not at the exact same position.
Placing the coins singly would have been a more accurate approach than loading in fives
(5).
The coins were not stacked straight, there was a slight deviation to one side, which at
times resulted in toppling of coins.
Recommendations
Use a completely flat surface when testing the model.
Ensure that the supports are the exact same height from the surface to the beam
Ensure the coins are stacked straight and exactly at the centre of the beam.
Take more than one set of readings and find the average of the values to reduce errors
and increase accuracy of the data.
Stack the coins in smaller intervals.
Ensure that the holes are punched at the exact same position for each cube.
Use new rubber bands to ensure a high degree of elasticity.


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Conclusion
From the experiment it can be seen that post tensioned beams allow structures to be able
to sustain greater loads than simple unstressed beams. It can also be seen from the results
obtained that it is better to offset the neutral axis to a point closer to the base than having it
remain in the centre, as the hogging component produced by the lower neutral axis added
significant strength. This was shown in the experiment as the beam with the lower neutral axis
was able to support a greater load (1.37N) than the beam with the neutral axis at the centre
(1.03N), before reaching the datum line.

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References
http://www.princeton.edu/~humcomp/bikes/design/desi_63.htm
http://www.scribd.com/doc/9590230/Post-Tensioning-Study-Material-for-students-of-
Artchitecture
Beer, Ferdinand P., E. Russell Johnston Jr., John T. DeWolf. Mechanics of Materials. 4
th

Edition. McGraw Hill
http://www.web.mit.edu/emech/dontindex-build/full-text/emechbk_7.pdf
http://www.dsiamerica.com/uploads/media/DSI-USA_What_is_Post-
Tensioning_us_02.pdf
http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/bridge/pt/pt01.cfm

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Appendix
Beam with neutral axis at center




10 coins


25 coins
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Beam with neutral axis 8mm from bottom