What is Post Tension?

To explain briefly, post tension is a method or reinforcing concrete by using

another composite material commonly steel wires to resist the effects of loads
placed upon the structure. In order to understand what is post tension one must
comprehend the reasons for which it is appropriate. Concrete is known to posse
compressional strength. Compression is a force that squeezes or crushes and
tension is a force that pulls something apart. As building materials, concrete is
very strong in compression, but it is relatively weak in tension. Steel, on the other
hand, is very strong in tension. Putting the concrete into compression and the
steel into tension before any substantial service loads are applied puts both of
these building materials into their strongest states. The result is a stiffer concrete
member that is being actively compressed and has more capacity to resist tensile
forces.
Essentially, steel which possesses high tensile strength, as so it is lodged
where the concrete begins to crack, located near the area of tension also referred
to as tension zones allowing the steel to reinforce the cement at these areas.

Reasons for Post Tension Beams

To fully appreciate the benefits of post-tensioning, it is helpful to know a little bit
about concrete. As mentioned before concrete is very strong in compression but
weak in tension, i.e. it will crack when forces act to pull it apart. In conventional
concrete construction, if a load is applied to a slab or beam, the beam will tend to
deflect or sag. This deflection will cause the bottom of the beam to elongate
slightly. Even a slight elongation is usually enough to cause cracking. Steel
reinforcing bars, rebar, are typically embedded in the concrete as tensile
reinforcement to limit the crack widths. Rebar is what is called passive
reinforcement however; it does not carry any force until the concrete has already
deflected enough to crack. Post-tensioning tendons, on the other hand, are
considered active reinforcing. A post tensioning "tendon" is defined as a
complete assembly consisting of the anchorages, the prestressing strand or bar,
the sheathing or duct and any grout or corrosion-inhibiting coating (grease)
surrounding the prestressing steel. Because it is prestressed, the steel is effective
as reinforcement even though the concrete may not be cracked. Post-tensioned
structures can be designed to have minimal deflection and cracking, even under
full load.
There are many benefits to be gained by adopting a post-tensioned approach to
construction including flexibility of design, faster construction program and
lower material costs. Over the longer term, it can reduce maintenance costs and
also offers the potential for increasing future loading or being adapted for a
change of use.

Benefits

Greater flexibility of design

Faster construction program
Lower construction material costs
Reduced maintenance costs
Potential for increased future loading

 Improved whole life costs & durability

Reduced environmental impact