Advantages of Post-Tensioned Building Construction

Significant reduction in the amount of concrete and reinforcing steel required.

Thinner structural members as compared to non-prestressed concrete, resulting
in lower overall building heights and reduced foundation loads.
Aesthetically pleasing structures that harness the benefits of cast-in-place
structures with curved geometries, longer cantilevers and slender members
with large spaces between supports.
Superior structural integrity as compared to precast concrete construction
because of continuous framing and tendon continuity.
Monolithic connections between slabs, beams, and columns that can
eliminate troublesome joints between elements that require maintenance.
Profiled tendons that result in balanced gravity loads (typically a portion of
dead load only), significantly reducing total deflection.
Better crack control, which results from permanent compressive forces applied
to the structure during prestressing.
Reduction in overall building mass, which is important in zones of high seismicity.
As compared to steel, non-prestressed concrete and precast construction
offer faster floor construction cycles, lower floor weight, lower floor-to-floor
height, larger spans between columns and reduced foundations.
The high early-strength of post-tensioned concrete allows for faster floor
construction cycles and the use of standard design details for post-tensioned
elements, minimum congestion of prestressed and non-prestressed
reinforcement, and earlier stripping of formwork after tendon stressing.
Advantages of PCPS Segmental Bridge Construction

The economy of precast prestressed concrete construction is extended to a

span range of 100 to 400 feet (30 to 120 m). Longer spans may be economical
where use of heavy erection equipment is feasible.
Precast segments may be fabricated while the substructure is being built, and
rapid erection of the superstructure can be achieved.
Higher quality control because of the repetitive industrialized manufacturing
techniques, with the inherent potential of achieving high-performance
concrete.
Minimal interference with Bridge Environment: The need for false work is
eliminated and all erection may be accomplished from the top of the
completed portions of the bridge. This may be of particular importance for
high-level crossings or in cases where it is necessary to minimize interference
with the bridge environment.
The effects of creep and shrinkage are substantially minimized through the use
of precast segments that have matured to full strength.
Advantages of Post-Tensioned Parking Structure

Initial and Life-Cycle Costs Savings: Post-tensioned structural systems often

provide initial cost savings and better life-cycle costs when compared to other
framing systems.
Low Maintenance: Loss of parking spaces during maintenance work results in
loss of revenue and inconvenience. Post-tensioned floors are relatively crack-
free, resulting in minimal maintenance issues.
Crack Control and Water tightness: Post-tensioned structural systems eliminate
closely spaced joints and help ensure water-tightness by placing the floor in bi-
axial compression, thereby controlling and counteracting shrinkage and
flexural cracks.
Smooth Riding Surfaces: The elimination of closely spaced joints results in a
superior riding surface. Differential deflections across joints are not an issue in
cast-in-place post-tensioned floors.
Lighting and Security: The long spans, wide beam spacing, and flat surfaces
provided by post-tensioned structures enhance lighting and improve patron
security. The open structural systems also enhance lighting and create a more
welcoming environment.
Fire Resistance: The slab thickness and beam widths commonly used in post-
tensioned structures provide fire ratings that meet code requirements.
Functional Flexibility: Post-tensioned construction allows long column-free
spans and is adaptable to other functional requirements of parking structures
such as the need to accommodate slopes to drains, straight or curved ramps,
warped surfaces that provide smooth transitions between ramps and level
floors, and irregular plan layouts.
Versatility: Cast-in-place, post-tensioned construction allows for versatility in
structural layout. Structural floor configurations are virtually limitless. Cast-in-
place forms can be used to create helical ramps, spiral ramps, compound
slopes and more.
Aesthetics: Curvilinear shapes and forms are easily achieved in a cost-effective
manner with cast-in-place structures. Architectural treatments of exposed
concrete are easily achieved.
Reduced Structural Depth: Post-tensioning can reduce structural depths by
one-third or more in comparison to other systems. In the case of underground
parking garages, structural depth reduction is desirable to reduce excavation,
soil retention system costs, and dewatering costs in sites with high water tables.
 Deflection and Vibration Control: The pre-compression, draped tendons and
the monolithic nature of cast-in-place concrete garages significantly reduce
deflection problems. The monolithic construction, continuity and rigid
connections between beams and columns reduce vibrations.
Lateral Loads: Monolithic connections between slabs, beams and columns
provide rigid frame action to resist wind and moderate seismic loads.
Seismic Loads: Post-tensioned parking structures performed well in the 1971 San
Fernando, 1989 Loma Prieta, and the 1994 Northridge earthquakes. Research
has shown that, under some conditions, unbonded post-tensioning improves
the behaviour of moment frames under seismic loads. Code provisions
developed by the Building Seismic Safety Council allow the use of unbonded
post-tensioning in ductile moment resisting frames.
Structural Integrity: Research and experience have shown that post-tensioned
structures inherently provide structural integrity under abnormal and
catastrophic loading. Well detailed cast-in-place post-tensioned structures
have significantly higher structural integrity, redundancy and resistance to
catastrophic loading than precast systems.
Construction Advantages: Both the time and cost of hauling prefabricated
pieces from the plant to the job site and the need for heavy lifting are
eliminated. Large panel flying forms, modular forming systems and ever
improving concrete technology continue to enhance the construction speed
and economy of cast-in-place post-tensioned parking structures.
Economics: Over the life of the structure, the cost to maintain cast-in-place,
post-tensioned parking garages is typically less than alternative systems.
Advantages of using PT for Repair, Rehabilitation and
Strengthening

Structural Integrity: The strength and serviceability of a structure that has

experienced deterioration can be evaluated and restored to its original or
greater strength and serviceability.
Versatility: External post-tensioning can be used to increase and/or restore, the
capacity of most any structural element (beams and girders, one-way slabs,
two-way slabs) made of any material (prestressed concrete, nonprestressed
concrete, structural steel, wood).
Minimal Disruption: Ability to strengthen an existing member with minimal
headroom requirements and no significant added weight. Strengthening can
be done with little or no disruption of existing utilities. Retrofits can typically be
executed concurrently with normal building operations without any large
shutdowns or closures.
Active Loading: External post-tensioning applies active loads directly to the
strengthened member, so it can supplement existing capacity to any desired
degree. Other strengthening systems, such as added steel, concrete beams,
or FRP wrapping are passive; in the absence of jacking, the strengthened
member fails to mobilize the strengthening system.
Advantages of using PT for Slab-on-Ground

Stronger/more efficient: Less concrete and steel are needed for the same
structural capacity and the slab stiffness is increased so that the slab is better
able to resist bending caused by differential soil movements.
Minimizes and Controls Cracking: Post-tensioning will reduce cracking and
keep any cracks that might form tight, preventing entry of insects and reducing
possible water penetration, which can damage flooring and cause mould
problems.
Controls deflections: The strength and added stiffness of a post-tensioned
foundation reduces the amount the slab will bend under load.
Faster Installation: With fewer pieces to handle and less concrete to place, a
post-tensioned slab can often be installed more quickly than a comparable
rebar- or wire mesh-reinforced slab
More Reliable: An engineered solution, post-tensioning is designed to exacting
standards and code requirements, has an excellent performance record and
offers increased reliability.
Economical: Cost benefits are achieved by reductions in quantities of
concrete, steel and excavation, which in turn reduce labor costs. Beams are
smaller and slab thickness is less, therefore savings in excavation and site
preparation are possible.
Prestressed concrete
Prestressed concrete is a form of concrete used in construction which is "pre-stressed"
by being placed under compression prior to supporting any loads beyond its own
dead weight.

This compression is produced by the tensioning of high-strength "tendons" located

within or adjacent to the concrete volume, and is done to improve the performance
of the concrete in service.