CONSTRUCTION TECHNOLOGY- 2

CHAPTER 2. PRESTRESSED CONCRETE

Structural
Concrete:
Comparison
of methods

Principles of Prestressing
The concrete has high compressive strength
and low tensile strength.
The basic concept of RCC is to include a
designed amount of steel bars to give
concrete a reasonable amount of tensile
strength.

Principles of Prestressing

 In prestressed concrete a pre compression is

induced into the member to make full use of
its own compressive strength when loaded.

Comparison of Reinforced and Prestressed Concrete

Reinforced concrete beam
Compression in upper fiber
Close spaced stirrups are provided to give resistance to diagonal
tension or shear near the supports.
Main reinforcing bars to provide tensile strength
Prestressed beam:
Slight initial tension in upper fibers
Hydraulic jack is used to stress tendons
Stretched and anchored tendons induces compression in trying to
regain original length
Tension cracks will not occur.

Materials for prestressing

Tendons: These are small diameter wires (2 to 7
mm) round, crimped or indented format.
The wires may be single or grouped in to form a
cable. It may be in the form such as 7 wires (6
over1) or 19 wires (9 over 9 over 1). These are
called as strands.
The main advantages of strands are:
A large prestressing can be provided over a
restricted area.
Strand can be supplied in long flexible length and
can be stored on drums.

Prestressing Methods
There are two methods of producing pre-stressed concrete members:
Pre-tensioning
2.Post-tensioning
Pre-Tensioning
In this method the wires or cables are stressed before concrete is cast
around them. The stressing wires are anchored at one end of the mould
and stressed by hydraulic jack from the other end until the required stress
is obtained.
It is common practice to overstress the wire by some 10% to counteract
the anticipated losses, which will occur due to creep, shrinkage and
relaxation.
After stressing the wires the side forms of the mould are positioned and
the concrete is placed around the tensioned wires.
The casting is then usually steam cured for 24 hours to obtain the desired
characteristic strengths of 28 N / mm2 in 24 hours.
The bond between the stressed wires and concrete will prevent the
tendon from regaining their original length thus inducing the pre-stress.

 Usually small diameter wires 2 to 5 mm are

used so that for any given total area of
stressing wire a greater surface contact area is
obtained. Mainly the manufacturer of precast
components such as floor units and slabs uses
this method

Post-Tensioning
In this method the concrete is cast around ducts in which the
stressing tendons can be housed and stressing is carried out after
the concrete has hardened.
The tendons are stressed from one end or at both ends and when
stress required has been reached the tendons are anchored at their
ends to prevent them from returning to their original length thus
inducing a compressive force.
The ducts for housing the stressing tendons can be formed by using
flexible steel tubing or inflatable rubber tubes.
The placing of the tendons can be done after the casting and curing
of the concrete has been completed.
The remaining portion of the ducts is filled with grout to stop any
moisture present setting up a corrosive action and to assist the
stress distribution.

 Post tensioning method is usually used where

stressing is to be carried out on site.
Curved tendons can the complete member is
to be formed by joining together a series of
precast units. This type of is used where
prestressing is done for beams of bridges or a
flyover bridge.

The advantages and disadvantages of

prestressed concrete when compared
with conventional reinforced concrete
Advantages:
are:
Make full use of inherent compressive strength of concrete.
Make full use of special alloy steel s used to form prestressing
tendons.
Eliminates tension crakes thus reducing the risk of corrosion of steel
components.
Reductions in shear stresses.
For any given span and loading condition, a smaller cross section is
sufficient thus reducing the weight of the member.
Individual member can be joined together to act as a single
member.

Disadvantages
High degree of control of materials, design and
workmanship is required.
Special alloy steel is costlier than the mild steel.
Extra cost on special equipment is required to
carry out the stressing activities.
Up to 6.000 m span traditional RCC is the most
economic method. Span between 6 to 9 m the
two mediums are compatible. Over 9 m span
prestressed concrete is more economical than
RCC.

Thank You