100

Lecture Note – 19

Losses in Prestress -I

The initial prestressing concrete undergoes a gradual reduction with time from the stages
of transfer due to various causes. This is generally defined as total “Loss of Prestress”.
The various losses are explained below:

Types of losses in prestress

Pretensioning
1. Elastic deformation of concrete
2. Relaxation of stress in steel
3. Shrinkage of concrete
4. Creep of concrete

Post-tensioning
1. No loss due to elastic deformation if all wires are simultaneously
tensioned. If the wires are successively tensioned, there will be loss of
prestress due to elastic deformation of concrete.
2. Relaxation of stress in steel
3. Shrinkage of concrete
4. Creep of concrete
5. Friction
6. Anchorage slip

Loss due to elastic deformation of the concrete

The loss of prestress due to deformation of concrete depends on the modular ratio & the
average stress in concrete at the level of steel.
If
f c ÆPrestress in concrete at the level of steel
E s ÆModulus of elasticity of steel
E c ÆModulus of elasticity of concrete
α e ÆModular ratio
fc
Strain in concrete at the level of steel =
Ec
fc
Stress in steel corresponding to this strain = Es
Ec
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Therefore, Loss of stress in steel = α e f c

If the initial stress in steel is known, the percentage loss of stress in steel due to elastic
deformation of concrete can be computed.

Example 1: (Elastic deformation)

A pre-stressed concrete beam, 100 mm wide and 300 mm deep, is pre-tensioned by
straight, wires carrying an initial force of 150kN at an eccentricity of 50 mm. The
modulus of elasticity of steel and concrete are 210 and 35 kN/mm2 respectively. Estimate
the percentage loss of stress in steel due to elastic deformation of concrete if the area of
steel wires is 188 mm2.

Solution:
Here, Force, P = 150 kN ; Eccentricity, e = 50 mm
Area of concrete section, A = (100 × 300 ) = 3 × 10 4 mm2
Area of the steel wire = 188 mm2
Section modulus, I = 225 × 106 mm4
⎛Es ⎞
Modular ratio, αe = ⎜ ⎟=6
⎝ Ec ⎠
P ⎛ P Pe ⎞
fc = +⎜ + ⎟
A ⎝ A Zb ⎠
⎛ 150 × 103 ⎞ 2
Initial stress in steel = ⎜ ⎟ = 800 N/ mm
⎝ 188 ⎠
⎛ 150 × 103 ⎞ ⎛ 150 × 103 × 50 × 50 ⎞ 2
Stress in concrete, f c = ⎜ 4 ⎟
+⎜ 6 ⎟ = 6.66 N/ mm
⎝ 3 × 10 ⎠ ⎝ 225 × 10 ⎠
Loss of stress due to elastic deformation of concrete= α e f c = (6 × 6.66 ) = 40 N/mm2
⎛ 40 × 100 ⎞
Percentage loss of stress in steel = ⎜ ⎟=5 0
0

⎝ 800 ⎠

Loss due to shrinkage of concrete

Factors affecting the shrinkage in concrete
1. The loss due to shrinkage of concrete results in shortening of tensioned wires &
hence contributes to the loss of stress.
2. The shrinkage of concrete is influenced by the type of cement, aggregate & the
method of curing used.
3. Use of high strength concrete with low water cement ratio results in reduction in
shrinkage and consequent loss of prestress.
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4. The primary cause of drying shrinkage is the progressive loss of water from
concrete.
5. The rate of shrinkage is higher at the surface of the member.
6. The differential shrinkage between the interior surfaces of large member may
result in strain gradients leading to surface cracking.

Hence, proper curing is essential to prevent cracks due to shrinkage in prestress members.
In the case of pretensioned members, generally moist curing is restored in order to
prevent shrinkage until the time of transfer. Consequently, the total residual shrinkage
strain will be larger in pretensioned members after transfer of prestress in comparison
with post-tensioned members, where a portion of shrinkage will have already taken place
by the time of transfer of stress. This aspect has been considered in the recommendation
made by the code (IS:1343) for the loss of prestress due to shrinkage of concrete and is
obtained below:
If
ε cs Æ Total residual shrinkage strain= 300 × 10−6 for pre-tensioning and
⎡ 200 × 10−6 ⎤
= ⎢ ⎥ for post-tensioning.
⎣⎢ log10 ( t + 2 ) ⎦⎥
Where,
tÆ Age of concrete at transfer in days.
Then, the loss of stress = ε cs E s
Here, E s ÆModulus of elasticity of steel

Example 2: (Shrinkage)
A concrete beam is pre-stressed by a cable carrying an initial pre-stressing force of
300kN. The cross-sectional area of the wires in the cable is 300 mm2. Calculate the
percentage loss of stress in the cable only due to shrinkage of concrete using IS: 1343
recommendations assuming the beam to be, (a) pre-tensioned and (b) post-tensioned.
Assume Es = 210 kN/mm2 and age of concrete at transfer = 8 days.

Solution:
⎛ 300 × 103 ⎞ 2
Initial stress in wires = ⎜ ⎟ = 1000 N/mm
⎝ 300 ⎠
(a) If the beam is pre-tensioned, the total residual shrinkage strain = 300 × 10 −6 units

∴ Loss of stress = εcs ⋅ E s = ( 300 × 10 −6 )( 210 × 103 ) = 63 N/mm2

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⎛ 63 ⎞
Percentage loss of stress = ⎜ × 100 ⎟ = 6.3 0 0
⎝ 1000 ⎠
(b) If the beam is post-tensioned, the total residual shrinkage strain

⎛ 200 × 10 −6 ⎞ ⎛ 200 × 10 −6 ⎞
εcs = ⎜ = = 200 × 10 −6 units
⎜ log (t + 2 ) ⎟⎟ ⎜⎜ log ( 8 + 2 ) ⎟⎟
⎝ 10 ⎠ ⎝ 10 ⎠
∴ Loss of stress = εcs ⋅ E s = ( 200 × 10 −6 )( 210 × 103 ) = 42 N/mm2
⎛ 42 ⎞
Percentage loss of stress = ⎜ × 100 ⎟ = 4.2 0 0
⎝ 1000 ⎠

Loss due to creep of concrete

The sustained prestress in the concrete of a prestress member results in creep of concrete
which is effectively reduces the stress in high tensile steel. The loss of stress in steel due
to creep of concrete can be estimated if the magnitude of ultimate creep strain or creep-
coefficient is known.
1. Ultimate Creep strain method
The loss of stress in steel due to creep of concrete = ε cc f c E s
Where, ε cc Æ Ultimate creep strain for a sustained unit stress.
f c Æ Compressive stress in concrete at the level of steel
E s Æ Modulus of elasticity of steel

2. Creep Coefficient Method

Creep strain εc
Creep coefficient = =
Elastic strain εe
⎛ f ⎞
Therefore, loss of stress in steel = ε c Es = φε e Es = φ ⎜ c ⎟ Es = φ f cα e
⎝ Ec ⎠
Where, φ Æ Creep Coefficient
ε c ÆCreep strain
ε e ÆElastic strain
α e ÆModular ratio
f c ÆStress in concrete
E c ÆModulus of elasticity of concrete
E s ÆModulus of elasticity of steel
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The magnitude of creep coefficient varies depending upon the humidity, concrete quality,
duration of applied loading and the age of concrete when loaded. The general value
recommended varies from 1.5 for watery situation to 4.0 for dry conditions with a relative
humidity of 35%.

Example 3: (Creep)
A concrete beam of rectangular section, 100 mm wide and 300 mm deep, is pre-stressed
by five wires of 7 mm diameter located at an eccentricity of 50 mm, the initial stress in
the wires being 1200 N/mm2. Estimate the percentage loss of stress in steel due to creep
of concrete using the ultimate creep strain method and the creep coefficient method (IS:
1343-1980). Use the following data:
Solution: Here,
E s = 210 kN/mm2; E c = 35 kN/mm2 ; I = 225 × 106 mm4 ;
Ultimate creep strain ε cc = 41 × 10 −6 mm/mm per N/mm2
Creep coefficient ( φ ) = 1.6 ;
Prestressing force, P= (5 × 38.5 × 1200) = 23 × 10 4 N
Area of concrete section, A=300 × 100= 3 × 10 4 mm2
⎛Es ⎞
Modular ratio, αe = ⎜ ⎟= 6
⎝ Ec ⎠

Stress in concrete at the level of steel is given by

⎡ 23 × 10 4 ⎛ 23 × 10 4 × 50 × 50 ⎞ ⎤ 2
fc = ⎢ 4
+⎜ 6 ⎟ ⎥ = 10.2 N/mm
⎢⎣ 3 × 10 ⎝ 225 × 10 ⎠ ⎥⎦

Ultimate Creep Strain Method

∴ Loss of stress in steel = εcc ⋅ f c ⋅ E s = ( 41 × 10 −6 ) (10.2 ) ( 210 × 103 ) = 88 N/mm2

Creep Coefficient Method
∴ Loss of stress in steel = φ ⋅ f c ⋅ αe = (1.6 × 10.2 × 6 ) = 97.92 N/mm2
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Lecture Note – 20

Losses in Prestress -II

Loss due to relaxation of stress in steel

Most of the codes provide for the loss of stress due to relaxation of steel as a percentage
of initial stress in steel. The BIS recommends a value varying from 0 to 90 N/mm2 for
stress in wires varying from 0.5 f pu to 0.8 f pu
Where, f pu Æ Characteristic strength of pre-stressing tendon.

Loss of stress due to friction

The magnitude of loss of stress due to friction is of following types: -
a. Loss due to curvature effect, which depends upon the tendon form or
alignment, which generally follows a curved profile along the length of the beam.
b. Loss of stress due to wobble effect, which depends upon the local
deviations in the alignment of the cable. The wobble or wave effect is the result of
accidental or unavoidable misalignment, since ducts or sheaths cannot be
perfectly located to follow a predetermined profile throughout the length of beam.

C a b le

P P
Px
L ?
x

Px = Po e − ( µα + kx )
Where,
Po Æ The Prestressing force at the jacking end.
µ ÆCoefficient of friction between cable and duct
α ÆThe cumulative angle in radians through the tangent to the cable profile has
turned between any two points under consideration.
kÆ Friction coefficient for wave effect.
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The IS code recommends the following value for k

k = 0.15 per 100 m for normal condition
= 1.5 per 100 m for thin walled ducts where heavy vibration are encountered and in
other adverse conditions.

Example 4 (friction)
A concrete beam of 10 m span, 100 mm wide and 300 mm deep, is pre-stressed by 3
cables. The area of each cable is 200 mm2 and the initial stress in the cable is 1200
N/mm2. Cable 1 is parabolic with an eccentricity of 50 mm above the centroid at the
supports and 50 mm below at the center of span. Cable 2 is also parabolic with zero
eccentricity at supports and 50 mm below the centroid at the center of span. Cable 3 is
straight with uniform eccentricity of 50 mm below the centroid. If the cables are
tensioned from one end only, estimate the percentage loss of stress in each cable due to
friction. Assume µ = 0.35 and k= 0.015 per m.
Equation of parabola is given by: y = 4e ( L2 ) (L − x )
Slope at ends (at x = 0 ) = dy
dx (
= 4e
L2 ) (L − 2x ) = ( 4e L )
Solution:
Here, Given Equation of parabola: y = 4e ) (L − x ) ( L2

dx ( L ) (
Slope at ends (at x = 0 ) = dy = 4e L − 2x ) = ( 4e )
L 2

For cable 1
e = 100 mm
⎛ 4 × 100 ⎞
Slope at end = ⎜ ⎟ =0.04
⎝ 10 × 1000 ⎠
∴ Cumulative angle between tangents, α = 2 × 0.04 = 0.08 radians

For cable 2
e = 50 mm
⎛ 4 × 50 ⎞
Slope at end ⎜ ⎟ =0.02
⎝ 10 × 1000 ⎠
∴ Cumulative angle between tangents, α = 2 × 0.02 = 0.04 radians

Initial pre-stressing force in each cable, P0 = ( 200 × 1200 ) = 24,0000 N

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If Px = pre-stressing force (stress) in the cable at the farther end, Px = Po e −( µα + kx )

For small values of ( µα + kx ) , we can write
Px = P ⎡⎣1 − ( µα + kx ) ⎤⎦
Loss of stress = P0 ( µα + kx )
Cable 1 = P0 ( 0.35 × 0.08 + 0.0015 × 10 ) = 0.043P0
Cable 2 = P0 ( 0.35 × 0.04 + 0.0015 × 10 ) = 0.029P0
Cable 3 = P0 ( 0 + 0.0015 × 10 ) = 0.015P0

If PO = Initial stress = 1200 N/mm2

Cable No Loss of stress, kN/mm2 Percentage loss
1 51.6 4.3
2 34.8 2.9
3 18.0 1.5

Loss due to Anchorage slip

The magnitude of loss of stress due to the slip in anchorage is computed as follows: -
If ∆ ÆSlip of anchorage, in mm
LÆLength of the cable, in mm
AÆCross-sectional area of the cable in mm2
Es Æ Modulus of elasticity of steel in N/mm2
PÆPrestressing force in the cable, in N
PL
Then, ∆ =
AE s
P Es ∆
Hence, Loss of stress due to anchorage slip = = ;
A L
Example 5:(Anchorage slip)
A concrete beam is post-tensioned by a cable carrying an initial stress of 1000 N/mm2.
The slip at the jacking end was observed to be 5 mm. The modulus of elasticity of steel is
210 kN/mm2. Estimate the percentage loss of stress due to anchorage slip if the length of
the beam is 30 m.

Solution:
⎛E ∆⎞
∴ Loss of stress due to anchorage slip = ⎜ s ⎟
⎝ L ⎠