Pre-stressed Concrete

Introduction
 A pre-stressed concrete structure is different from a conventional reinforced
concrete structure due to the application of an initial load on the structure prior
to its use.
 The initial load or ‘pre-stress’ is applied to enable the structure to counteract the
stresses arising during its service period.
 In pre-stressed concrete internal stresses of appropriate magnitude and
distribution are introduced so that the stresses resulting from external loads are
counteracted to a desired degree.
 In RC members, the pre-stress is commonly introduced by tensioning the steel
reinforcement

1/19/2025 Prasanna Adhikari 2

 Pre-stressed Concrete
Basic principles of Pre-stressed Concrete
 Pre-stressed concrete is a concrete in which internal stresses of a suitable magnitude and
distribution are introduced so that the stress resulting from external loads are counteracted to
a desired degree.
 Pre-stressing applies a pre-compression to the member that reduces or eliminates undesirable
tensile stress.
 Cracking under service loads can be minimized or even avoided entirely.
 Deflections may be limited to an acceptable value; in fact it can be zero
 In ordinary reinforced cement concrete, compressive stresses are taken by - concrete and
tensile stresses taken by - steel alone.
 The concrete below the neutral axis is ignored since it is weak in tension and develops tiny
cracks.
 The load carrying capacity of such concrete sections below neutral axis can be increased
if steel and concrete both are stressed before the applications of external loads.
 This is the concept of pre-stressed concrete.
1/19/2025 Prasanna Adhikari 3
 Pre-stressed Concrete

1/19/2025 Prasanna Adhikari 4

 Pre-stressed Concrete

Method of Pre-stressing

 Anchoring the tendons against the end

abutments.
 Placing of Jacks.
 Applying tension to the tendons.
 Casting of Concrete.
 Cutting of the tendons.

1/19/2025 Prasanna Adhikari 5

 Pre-stressed Concrete
Type of Prestressing

1/19/2025 Prasanna Adhikari 6

 Pre-stressed Concrete

1/19/2025 Prasanna Adhikari 7

 Pre-stressed Concrete

1/19/2025 Prasanna Adhikari 8

 Pre-stressed Concrete
Advantage of pre-stressed concrete:- Disadvantage of pre-stressed concrete:-

 Members remain free from cracks.  Special equipments and better quality
 Efficient utilization of high control is required.
compressive strength of concrete and  High strength concrete and steel is
high tensile strength of steel. required.
 Reduces section of the member.  End anchors and bearing plates is
 Eliminates corrosion of steel required
 Dead load moments neutralized by  Labour cost may be increased due to
the pre-stressing moments and shear skilled labour etc
stresses are reduced. etc
 It has lighter members who give
saving in the materials.

1/19/2025 Prasanna Adhikari 9

 Pre-stressed Concrete

1/19/2025 Prasanna Adhikari 10

 Pre-stressed Concrete
Differences of Pre-stressed Concrete Over Reinforced Concrete
 In pre-stress concrete member steel plays active role. The stress in steel prevails whether
external load is there or not. But in R.C., steel plays a passive role. The stress in steel in R.C.
members depends upon the external loads. i.e., no external load, no stress in steel.
 In pre-stress concrete the stresses in steel is almost constant whereas in R.C. the stress in steel
is variable with the lever arm.
 Pre-stress concrete has more shear resistance, whereas shear resistance of R.C. is less.
 In pre-stress concrete members, deflections are less because the eccentric pre-stressing force
will induce couple which will cause upward deflections, whereas in R.C., deflections are more.
 In R.C., stress in steel depends on external load, whereas in P.S.C. member, stress in tendons is
load independent. This indicates that prestress concrete has more fatigue (repeatative load)
resistance compared to R.C.

1/19/2025 Prasanna Adhikari 11

 Pre-stressed Concrete
Differences of Pre-stressed Concrete Over Reinforced Concrete

 Prestress concrete is more durable as high grade of concrete is used which are more
dense in nature. R.C. is less durable.
 In prestress concrete dimensions are less because external stresses are
counterbalance by the internal stress induced by prestress. Therefore reactions on
column & footing are less as a whole the quantity of concrete is reduced by 30% and
steel reduced by about 60 to 70%. R.C. is uneconomical for long span because in
R.C. dimension of sections are large requiring more concrete & steel. Moreover as
self-weight increases more reactions acted on columns & footings, which requires
higher sizes.

1/19/2025 Prasanna Adhikari 12

 Pre-stressed Concrete
Principle of Analysis for Prestressed Concrete
 Concrete is a homogenous material.
 Within the range of working stress, both concrete & steel behave elastically
 Plane section before bending is assumed to remain plane even after bending, which
implies a linear strain distribution across the depth of the member.
 Concentric Tendons: The load is applied concentrically and a compressive stress of
magnitude 𝑃/𝐴 will act throughout the section. Thus the stress will generate in the
section as shown:

1/19/2025 Prasanna Adhikari 13

 Pre-stressed Concrete
Concentric Tendons: The load is applied concentrically and a compressive stress
of magnitude 𝑃/𝐴 will act throughout the section. Thus the stress will generate in
the section as shown:

Let P = Pre-stressing force supplied by tendon, and

A = Area of cross-section of the member.
Then, P/A = Compressive stress developed in concrete due to prestressing
force.
1/19/2025 Prasanna Adhikari 14
 Pre-stressed Concrete

1/19/2025 Prasanna Adhikari 15

 Pre-stressed Concrete

1/19/2025 Prasanna Adhikari 16

 Pre-stressed Concrete

1/19/2025 Prasanna Adhikari 17

 Pre-stressed Concrete

1/19/2025 Prasanna Adhikari 18

 Losses in Prestressed Concrete
Prestressing force does not stay constant, reduces Immediate losses (During prestressing
with time. and transfer of prestress)
During transfer of prestress to the concrete member, • Elastic Shortening of the members
there is a drop of the prestressing force from the • Friction at the tendon-concrete
recorded value. interface
The various reductions of the prestressing force are
termed as the losses in prestress. • Slip of the anchorage
Losses broadly classified into two groups:
i) immediate losses, and Time-dependent losses (During
ii) time-dependent loss or long term losses. Service life)
• Shrinkage and creep of concrete
• Relaxation of the steel
• Slip of the anchorage
1/19/202
5
Prasanna Adhikari 19
 Losses in Prestressed Concrete

1/19/2025 Prasanna Adhikari 20

 Losses in Prestressed Concrete

1/19/2025 Prasanna Adhikari 21

 Losses in Prestressed Concrete

1/19/2025 Prasanna Adhikari 22

 Losses in Prestressed Concrete

1/19/2025 Prasanna Adhikari 23

 Losses in Prestressed Concrete

1/19/2025 Prasanna Adhikari 24

 Losses in Prestressed Concrete

1/19/2025 Prasanna Adhikari 25

 Losses in Prestressed Concrete

1/19/2025 Prasanna Adhikari 26

 Losses in Prestressed Concrete

1/19/2025 Prasanna Adhikari 27

 Losses in Prestressed Concrete

1/19/2025 Prasanna Adhikari 28

 Losses in Prestressed Concrete

1/19/2025 Prasanna Adhikari 29

 Losses in Prestressed Concrete

1/19/2025 Prasanna Adhikari 30

 Losses in Prestressed Concrete

1/19/2025 Prasanna Adhikari 31

 Losses in Prestressed Concrete

1/19/2025 Prasanna Adhikari 32

 Losses in Prestressed Concrete

1/19/2025 Prasanna Adhikari 33

 Losses in Prestressed Concrete

1/19/2025 Prasanna Adhikari 34

 Losses in Prestressed Concrete

1/19/2025 Prasanna Adhikari 35

 Losses in Prestressed Concrete

1/19/2025 Prasanna Adhikari 36

 Losses in Prestressed Concrete

1/19/2025 Prasanna Adhikari 37

1/19/2025 Prasanna Adhikari 38
 Losses in Prestressed Concrete

1/19/2025 Prasanna Adhikari 39

 Losses in Prestressed Concrete

1/19/2025 Prasanna Adhikari 40