Design of Two Way Prestressed Slabs PDF
Design of Two Way Prestressed Slabs PDF
Piotr Sokal1
Abstract
The article is about design of prestressed slabs. It shows possible solutions of two-way prestressed floors depending on
different factors. The design process is briefly described. Some probable difficulties of it are mentioned. Also a
punching problem solution and suggestions of common critical areas for limit states verification are presented.
Keywords
Prestressed slab, slab-column system, two-way prestressing, flat slabs, punching problem, design of slabs, monolithic
slabs, prestressed slab deflection, prestressing systems, losses of prestressing force.
1 INTRODUCTION
Nowadays in the structures of floors the dominance of reinforced concrete or composite steel and concrete slabs are
easily seen and in the case of single-family residential buildings – precast slabs. In industrial or commercial buildings it
is possible to see a lot of prestressed slabs. These floors are usually made of prestressed and precast concrete elements.
The rarest solution are monolithic prestressed floor slabs. These floors can be prestressed in one or two directions. The
choice of the right option depends on the architectural concept, the setting and support spacing. In this paper the
attention is drawn to slab-column structures. It should be noted that two-way prestressed slabs have the following
advantages over the one-way prestressed slabs with transverse beams:
• possibility of realization of a flat slab,
• smaller slab thickness,
• smaller amount of normal reinforcement,
• better structural layout for equal support spacing in both directions is achieved,
• an easier way of setting various installations under the slab structure,
Prestressed floors comparing to other structural solutions have other advantages [1], [2]:
• smaller deflection than reinforced concrete slabs,
• reduced cracking – it usually occurs over the supports where structure is often protected from exposure to
corrosive agents by finishing layers. Cracks usually does not occur in the middle of the span. The conclusion is
that due to the lack or smaller cracks, structures have better durability,
• due to bigger distance between the supports there is a smaller number of beams and columns,
• higher strength for punching (in the case of slab-column system),
• better tightness of the structure,
• better possibilities of arranging the space,
• faster stripping of formwork after pouring concrete.
1
Piotr Sokal, mgr inż., Cracow University of Technology, Faculty of Civil Engineering, Institute of Materials and Structures, Department of
Prestressed Concrete, ul. Litewska 21/22, 30-014 Kraków, Poland, [email protected]
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banded flat slab systems in which spacing of columns in one direction is bigger, conference rooms, car
parks for passenger cars, schools, public buildings, office buildings
solid slab with narrow beams similar to those of banded slab with the same spacing in both directions
ribbed floor libraries, warehouses, industrial buildings, conference halls, dance halls, airport
buildings
Tab. 1 Application of prestressed slabs [1]
type of system 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
slab-column system
ribbed floor
5,0 36 -
10,0 30 -
10,0 35 -
10,0 32 -
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5,0 40 22
10,0 35 18
5,0 23 -
10,0 20 -
10,0 23 -
10,0 23 -
5,0 27 -
10,0 24 -
10,0 34 13
Tab. 3 The proposed size of the prestressed slab elements depending on the solution and load [2], [3]
3 PRESTRESSING TECHNOLOGIES
Technologies of prestressing tendons for prestressed floors can be divided into two types: bonded and unbounded.
In Europe, there are unbounded prestressing systems: the BBR VT CONA CMM, the Freyssinet type F unbounded
cables and anchorages, the ALGA SLAB unbounded system, the CCL Stressing Systems monostrand.
Popular bounded systems: PTS Tensiacciai, VSLAB, the Freyssinet type F bounded cables and anchorages, the CCL
Stressing Systems bounded multistrand. The above-mentioned systems consist of cables (strips) arranged on one level.
This arrangement is efficient in situations where the designer wants to achieve eccentricity of tendons as big as possible
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in the construction. In the case of the waffle floor application of a bounded round cross-section cable system may be
reasonable. The legitimacy of that solution results from the reduction of the breadth of each rib in the waffle slab.
Systems used in the slabs consist of (depending on system) 1-5 (exceptionally 6) strand cables and flat anchorages. A
brief comparison of bounded and unbounded systems is shown in table 4.
friction coefficient approximately 0.10 - 0.19 [4] [5] approximately 0.05 - 0.06 [5] [6]
coefficient k approximately 0.005 - 0.010 rad/m [4] approximately 0.005 - 0.010 rad/m [4]
corrosion protection depending on the system: a duct, a depending on the system: HDPE-sheathing, the
filling material (eg, cement grout) protective grease
transfer of force to concrete through anchorages, along the cable through anchorages and deflectors [7]
weakness due to presence of 50% effectiveness of grouted duct lack of effectiveness of the duct, additional
cables in concrete weakness due to splitting
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punching. A very simplified (not accurate) calculation of the force which goes from floor to the column can be done. In
the case of slab with equal spans in both directions and in the 2x2 field system, the force (in interior column) can be
calculated from the formula (1):
V = 1.55 ⋅ ql 2 (1)
where: q – total uniform load over the slab, l – orthogonal distance between supports,
In the case of slabs with a greater number of fields a factor of 1.55 is smaller. Depending on the applied code the force
should be increased due to the moments in the column. After calculating the punching force the structure should be
verified according to the applied standard. In the case of non-compliance of conditions the structural solution (usually
thickness of the slab) should be changed.
The first step to determine the amount of the prestressing is to set the initial geometry of prestressing tendons and their
distribution in the plan. The structure should be divided into the appropriate column and middle strips for each
orthogonal direction. For the internal frame width ratio is 1:2:1 (middle strip, column strip, middle strip). As the shape
of the cable way, the best are folding parabolas. In the mid-spans cables should be placed (in most of the cases) in the
lower part of the plate and over support (and column strips) they should be in the upper part of the plate. Ratio of half of
the length of a concave parabola (passing in the column strip) to half of support spacing should be about 0.10 - 0.15. For
all types of cables a minimum radius of curvature should be kept. Information about this is given in the appropriate
technical approval.
Selection of prestressing forces can be done in several ways. A relatively simple method is the choice of amount
prestressing using equivalent loads from prestressing. The forces in this method are modelled as loads applied to the
anchorages and loads from the curvature of the cable. In most cases, the floors are loaded uniformly on the surface.
Prestressing should carry some part of the dead loads. A ratio of loads from curvature of prestressing tendons to the
dead loads is can be called χ. Its value should be between 0.8 and 1.0. Wherein when the ratio of live to dead loads is
0.5 or less, the value of the coefficient χ should be about 0.8. If the ratio is 1.0, the value of χ should be about 0.9 and
increase with the participation of live loads. Calculations should be carried out on the characteristic values. This
assumption definitely helps during verification of the serviceability limit states, especially deflection.
Transmission of loads in the two-way prestressed slabs has two stages. In the span loads acting on the floor (field A in
figure 1) are transmitted by cables of one directions to column bands (fields B and C) to prestressing reinforcement,
which is located there and which run in the perpendicular direction. Because of that, bands B and C are loaded by
perpendicular prestressing and basic loads acting on the ceiling. In the case of two-span or three-span or last but one
bands of multi-span fields B and C can be assumed that the load passing through the cables of A fields overload equal
to the ratio of successively 1.25, 1.1 and about 1.15. Then the load from the fields A and B is transferred to the
columns.
Distribution of amount of loads which are taken over by the prestressing cables in each direction depends on the spacing
of supports in different directions. If the distance of the supports in both directions are similar, each prestressing
direction takes over similar amount. When one span is shorter than the cables parallel to the shorter dimension take over
(in field A) more loads. Another part of loads from each field is transferred to external columns.
P= q⋅r (2)
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Where q – the relevant part of the load acting on the field, possibly with loads from cables which run perpendicularly
for 1m of width, r is the average radius of curvature of the cable in the considered segment. It depends on the system,
i.e.:
• type of cables (bound – unbound),
• strength and relaxation of prestressing steel,
• number of spans,
• moment of prestressing,
• type and class of concrete.
In case of usage unbound low-relaxation cables with the relatively low coefficient of friction and length 30-40m (2-3
spans) and the prestressing after about 7 days, a good approximation formula is given [12]:
P
Ap = (3)
0.95 ⋅ 0.65 ⋅ f pk
where: fpk – characteristic stress value at yield stresses.
These calculations use the approximate value of the stresses after all losses of prestressing force (in the presented
situation). In the case of bounded cables with it probably would be small decrease in the level of stress after all losses.
In the initial calculations, estimated forces do not have to match specific amount of prestressing strands. Calculated
prestressing must be applied to the structure in the form of forces or the forces and moments in the anchorages and the
load qpst from the curvature of the cable.
A finite element method is a good method used in the calculation of statics. In the modelling process the appropriate
size of finite elements should be selected. Adequate measures should be taken to obtain the correct values of the
bending moments over the supports. Recommendations for this can be given by the computer program manufacturer.
After the calculation of statics limit states of punching and flexure ought to be verified in critical areas. Usually these
points are the areas near internal columns. These verifications can be done using simplified methods. In case of
problems with limit states, the design solution should be changed.
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( )[
E p Ap Ac 2
1+
E cm Ac
1+ z
I c cp
1+ 0 . 8ϕ (t,t 0 ) ]
2)
1)
the equation is suitable for situations where the range of slip does not exceed the length of the cable
2)
the equation shows the total value of the time dependent losses
Tab. 5 Prestressing losses [4], [7]
where:
θ - the sum of the angles of curves on the way of cable,
µ - coefficient of friction between the strands and the duct,
k – wobble coefficient, sum of angular displacements over the distance x
x - distance from the point where the force is equal to P0 (P0 - force on the active end shortly after the prestressing),
measured along the tendon,
Pmax - the force on the active end during prestressing,
j - a factor of (n-1) / (2n) (n is the number of actions of prestressing per one meter of slab width)
asl – slip of a tendon in the anchorage,
x0 - the range of slip
εcs – shrinkage strain of concrete,
φ(t, t0) - creep coefficient,
zcp - distance from the central plane to the axis of the cable,
Ep, Ecm, Ecm(t), Ic, Ac, Ap – the relevant characteristics values associated with the material or cross-section,
∆σc(t) – the value of changes of stresses in concrete at the moment of prestressing at the level of the centre of the gravity
of the tendon. The exact calculations of this value in slabs are difficult. A good approximation is ∆σc(t) = (Pmax-∆Pµ-
∆Psl)/Ac.
∆σpr – the value of changes of stresses in the tendon due to relaxation. The EC2 recommends to calculate this loss with
regard to the initial stresses after prestressing and the impact of quasi-permanent loads. This solution is very
troublesome in the case of slabs. It therefore seems reasonable to calculate the losses in a simplified manner as a change
of stresses in steel only due to prestressing without taking into account the moments which come from calculations of a
indetermined structure.
∆σc,QP – the value of changes of stresses in the concrete next to the tendon, caused by self-weight, the initial prestressing
forces and quasi-permanent loads. The exact calculation is impossible in the slabs. A good and quite safe approximation
can be ∆σc,QP = Pm0/Ac.
During calculating the time dependent losses of bounded tendons the value ∆σpr, ∆σc,QP in the specified point should be
used. They should be values in a given place in the structure. For unbounded tendons the value should be an average
along the length of the cable.
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should be noted that the punching force can be reduced by prestressing, but the technical approvals do not mention
anything about the increase in strength due to the appearance of compressive stresses. The reasoning for the work of
concrete against punching in the EC2 and technical approvals are very similar. This allows you to predict that the
compressive stresses effect like it is described in the EC2.
Spandrel beams when they are used acquire a substantial torque value. There also exist in large bending moments and
shear forces. On their side there are the anchorages of cables, which work in the perpendicular direction. The EC2
standard recommends to reduce the strength against the pressure in the zones of high shear forces. It seems that it is in
those areas with anchorages concrete works worse. Also in these zones prestressing works against head stresses and
deep-tensile stresses.
11 SUMMARY
Designing prestressed floors engineers can meet many difficulties, which in the first projects can complicate job.
However, with experience, designing of these floors will become much easier. Each designer will be able to precisely
determine an impact of some changes on the structure. During designing process a stage of choosing adequate structural
system can be very time-consuming. It is crucial to set some structural assumptions – especially connected with a
punching problem and a prestressing system. Fire protection requirement are also very important. In the drawings it is
essential to precisely located the cables and studs for shear to avoid problems with them. Prestressed slabs allow to
reduce amount of concrete. Due to smaller height of slabs it is possible to use less space comparing to reinforced
concrete structures. Prestressing allows builders to disassemble formwork of the floor and helps to achieve a sufficient
strength of the slab. It is easily seen in case of constructing buildings with repetitive floors. Prestressed concrete
structures are made of materials of better quality. Due to that they do not need often repairs and are more durable.
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LITERATURE
[1] Stropy sprężone, Freyssinet Polska Sp. z o.o., Warszawa.
[2] Post-tensioned slabs, CCL Stressing Systems Ltd, Leeds, UK.
[3] Post-tensioned concrete floors - Design handbook, Concrete Society, Camberley, UK , 2005.
[4] Ajdukiewicz A., Mames J., Betonowe konstrukcje sprężone, Wydawnictwo Politechniki Śląskiej, Gliwice 2001.
[5] Europejska aprobata techniczna ETA – 06/0226, System sprężania Freyssinet, EOTA, 2010.
[6] Europejska aprobata techniczna ETA – 06/0165, BBR VT CONA CMM – System kabli sprężających bez
przyczepności zawierający 01, 02 lub 04 sploty, EOTA, 2006.
[7] PN-EN 1992-1-1:2008, Eurokod 2: Projektowanie konstrukcji z betonu. Część 1-1. Reguły ogólne i reguły dla
budynków, PKN, Warszawa 2008.
[8] Zuohan z., Bin N., Ju S.: Ultimate strength of externally prestressed concrete structures, FIP symposium 1993
-Modern Prestressing techniques and their applications, Kyoto, 1993.
[9] PN-EN 1992-1-2:2008, Eurokod 2: Projektowanie konstrukcji z betonu. Część 1-2. Projektowanie z uwagi na
warunki pożarowe, PKN, Warszawa 2008.
[10] Ajdukiewicz A.: Eurokod 2. Podręczny skrót dla projektantów konstrukcji żelbetowych Eurokod 2,
Stowarzyszenie Producentów Cementu, Kraków 2009.
[11] ACI Committee 318-02, Building Code Requirements for Structural Concrete (ACI 318-02), and
Commentary (ACI 318R-02), American Concrete Institute, Detroid, 2002.
[12] Sokal P.: Praca magisterska pt: Projekt konstrukcji stropu dwukierunkowo sprężonego hotelowej sali
konferencyjnej, Kraków, 2011.
[13] Sengupta A.K.: Lecture 37-Two-Way Slabs(Part-1) [online], http://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=HQtsnWHHO6c, Indian Institute of Technology, Madras, 2007.
[14] Aprobata techniczna ITB AT-15-4214/2010 – Trzpienie stalowe HDB i HDB-G do przenoszenia sił ścinających,
ITB, Warszawa 2010.
[15] Aprobata techniczna ITB AT-15-5722/2005 – Trzpienie stalowe typu JDA do przenoszenia naprężeń
ścinających, ITB, Warszawa 2005.
[16] Aprobata techniczna ITB AT-15-5298/2008 – Trzpienie stalowe SCHOCK BOLE do przenoszenia sił
ścinających, ITB, Warszawa 2008.
REVIEWER
Wit Derkowski, dr inż., Cracow University of Technology, Faculty of Civil Engineering, Institute of Materials and
Structures, Department of Prestressed Concrete, lecturer, ul. Warszawska 24, 31-155 Kraków, +48 12 628-21-59,
[email protected]
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