Chapter 1

Basic Concept of Prestressing
Historical Background
1872, Jackson, P.H (USA)
Used a tie Rod to construct beams and arches from

individual blocks.
1888, Doehring, CEW. (Germany)

Used Metal Wires for Prestressing beams and Slabs.
These attempts were not successful because of loss of
prestress with time.
Unavailability of high strength steel to overcome prestress
losses due to shrinkage and creep.
1908, stainer, C.R. (USA)
Recognized losses due to shrinkage and creep and suggested
retightening the rods to overcome lost prestress.
1924, Hewett, W.H. (USA)
Introduced Hoop-stressed horizontal reinforcement around walls of
concrete tanks.
1925, Dill, R.H. (USA)
Used High strength unbonded steel rods.
1926, Eugene Freyssinet (France)
Proposed the use of High strength steel wires to overcome
prestress losses.
(Father of Prestressed Concrete)
During the seond world war, application of prestress and
precast concrete increased rapidly.
T.y. Lin contributed a lot to the art of science of
prestressed concrete.
Prestressing Structures
Prestressing Structures
Early attempts
Early attempts
Original Tensile strain = s/ E = 0.5 Fy / E
= 140/ 200,000= 0.0007
Total Loss in strain = Compressive strain due to transfer of
prestress + compressive strain due to (creep & shrinkage)
0.0007
Residual strain is negligible
Solution is to use high strength steel
Advantages of prestressing
1- Considerable reduction in depth of section
Relative to RC
Less S.W. (Self Weight)
Longer Spas.
More aesthetic Appeal.
Span/ Depth For Slabs
- Prestressed Slab 45:1
- RC Slab
28:1
Advantages of prestressing
2- Uncracked Concrete under service loads
- Reduction of steel corrosion
- Uncracked Section
Higher Moment of Inertia
Less Deformation
3- Suitable for Precast construction

- Rapid Construction.
- Better Quality Control.
- Reduced Maintenance.
- Suitable for repetitive construction.
- Multiple Use of formwork. - Availability of standard sections
Shapes of Prestressed Elements
Concerns of Prestressing
Need for skilled personnel.
Higher Unit Cost of stronger Materials.
Need for Expensive accessories.
Necessity for close inspection and quality control.
In the case of pretension, a higher initial investment in plant.
Forms of Prestressing Steel

Wires (Single Unit made of steel)
Strands (Two, Three, or Seven wires are wound to form a
prestressing strand)
Tendon (A group of strands or wires- Normal Method for
applying prestress Force).
Cable ( A group of Tendons)
High Strength Bars.
Forms of Prestressing Steel
Methods of Prestressing
I. Pre-Tension
II. Post-Tension
Pre-Tension:
- Tendons are tensioned before the concrete is placed.
- Usually performed in a casting yard in the following steps:
1. Tendons are placed in a prescribed pattern between two
anchorage abutment, Tendons are then tensioned to the
required force.
Pretension
Pretension
Pretension
Pretension
Concerns:
- Expensive molds.
- Prepared Plants
PostTension
Anchorage Abutments
Curing
Post-Tension
Post-Tension
Post-Tension
5- The space in the ducts around the strands may be
grouted using:
PostPumped Grout Tension Bonded Post-Tensioned
PostOtherwise
Tension Un-bonded Post Tensioned
Post-Tension
Advantages of Post-Tension:
- Suitable for big cast-in place members.
Concerns:
- Requirement for anchorage devices.
- Stresses are transferred via anchorage devices.
Why Un-bonded?
1) Grouting is eliminated.
2) Ability to de-stress the strands
3) Replaceable.
Post-Tension
Why Bonded?
1) Tendons are less likely to de-stress.
2) Higher Ultimate strength due to bond generated between the
strand and the concrete.
3) No Maintenance is needed due to:
PostCorrosion
Tension
PostAnchorage Ends
Tension
Duct
Anchorages
Anchorages
Jacking
Jacking
Grouting
Post-Tension
Post-Tension
Post-Tension
Source of Prestressing Force

1) Hydraulic Prestressing (Most Popular).
2) Thermal Prestressing by application of Electric Heat (The wires are
anchored before placing the concrete in the molds).
3) Chemical prestressing by means of expansive cement which
expands chemically after setting and curing hardening.
Types of Prestressing
Based on Location of Tendons:
1- External Prestressing:
- Tendons Lie outside the member or inside the hollow space or box
girder.
- This technique is adopted for bridges and strengthening of existing
structures.
2- Internal Prestressing:
- Tendons Lie inside the concrete member ( Concrete of the member
is casted around the ducts.
Based on amount of prestressing Force:
1. Full Prestressing: No tensile stress under service loads.
2. Partial Prestressing: Crack width is within allowable limits.
3. Limited Prestressing: Tensile stresses are within cracking strength
of the concrete.
Based on the direction of prestressing:
1. Uniaxial: Parallel to one axis. Example: Beams.
2. Biaxial: Parallel to two axis. Example: Slabs.
3. Multiaxial: Parallel to more than two axis. Example: Domes.
Based on the shape of the member:
1. Linear: Beams & Slabs.
2. Circular: Tanks & Silos.

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Chapter 1

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Basic Concept of Prestressing

Used a tie Rod to construct beams and arches from

1888, Doehring, CEW. (Germany)

3- Suitable for Precast construction

Shapes of Prestressed Elements

Forms of Prestressing Steel

Forms of Prestressing Steel

Source of Prestressing Force

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