DEFLECTIONS OF PRESTRESSED

CONCRETE MEMBERS
 DEFLECTIONS OF PRESTRESSED
CONCRETE MEMBERS

Importance of Controlling Deflections

1. Excessive sagging of principal structural members is
not only unsightly, but also renders the floor unsuitable
for the intended use
2. Large deflections under dynamic effects and under the
influence of variable loads may cause discomfort to
the users
3. Excessive deflections are likely to cause damage to
finishes, partitions and associated structures
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Factors Influencing Deflections

1. Imposed load and self-weight
2. Magnitude of the prestressing force
3. Cable profile
4. Second moment of inertia of cross-section
5. Modulus of elasticity of concrete
6. Shrinkage, creep, and relaxation of steel stress
7. Span of the member
8. Fixity conditions
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Pre-cracking stage

- Whole section is effective

- Deflections are computed using the second
moment of inertia of the gross concrete section
- Short-term or instantaneous deflections are
computed using Mohr’s theorems
 DEFLECTIONS OF PRESTRESSED
CONCRETE MEMBERS

Post-cracking stage
- PSC beam behaves similar to RC beam
- Deflection computation is made by considering
moment-curvature relationships which involve
the section properties of the cracked beam.

Effect of creep and shrinkage

- increase the long-term deflections under
sustained loads
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Short-term Deflections of Uncracked Members

Mohr’s Theorems
- Instantaneous deflections of psc members are
governed by the bending moment distribution
(BMD) along the span and the flexural rigidity of
the members
- Deflection estimation due to the prestressing
force or self-weight or imposed loads
 DEFLECTIONS OF PRESTRESSED
CONCRETE MEMBERS

Short-term Deflections of Uncracked Members

 DEFLECTIONS OF PRESTRESSED
CONCRETE MEMBERS

Short-term Deflections of Uncracked Members

Θ = slope of the elastic curve at A
AD = intercept between the tangent at C and the
vertical at A
a = deflection at the center for symmetrically loaded,
simply supported beam
A = area of the BMD between A and C
x = distance of the centroid of the BMD between A
and C from the left support
EI = flexural rigidity of the beam
 DEFLECTIONS OF PRESTRESSED
CONCRETE MEMBERS

Short-term Deflections of Uncracked Members

Mohr’s first theorem
 DEFLECTIONS OF PRESTRESSED
CONCRETE MEMBERS

Short-term Deflections of Uncracked Members

Mohr’s second theorem
 DEFLECTIONS OF PRESTRESSED
CONCRETE MEMBERS

Short-term Deflections of Uncracked Members

Effect of Tendon Profile on Deflections
- Tendons are located with eccentricities to
counteract the sagging bending moment due to
transverse loads
- Concrete beams camber on the application or
transfer of prestress
- he tendon profile represents the shape of the BMD
 DEFLECTIONS OF PRESTRESSED
CONCRETE MEMBERS

Short-term Deflections of Uncracked Members

Deflections due to Self-Weight and Imposed Loads
- At the time of transfers of prestress, the beam hogs
up due to the effect of prestressing
- The beam weight induces downward deflection
which further increases due to the effect of imposed
loads.
 DEFLECTIONS OF PRESTRESSED
CONCRETE MEMBERS
Short-term Deflections of Uncracked Members
Deflections due to Self-Weight and Imposed Loads
- The downward deflection is computed as:

Where w = self-weight of the beam/m

q = imposed load/m (UDL)
Deflections due to concentrated live loads can be
computed using Mohr’s theorems
 DEFLECTIONS OF PRESTRESSED
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Short-term Deflections of Uncracked Members
Sample Problem 1:
A concrete beam with a rectangular section 300
mm wide and 500 mm deep is prestressed by two post-
tensioned cables of area 600 mm2each. Initially stressed
to 1600 N/mm2. The cables are located at a constant
eccentricity of 100 mm throughout the length of the
beam having a span of 10 m. The modulus of elasticity
of steel and concrete is 210 and 38 kN/mm2 respectively.
 DEFLECTIONS OF PRESTRESSED
CONCRETE MEMBERS
Short-term Deflections of Uncracked Members
Sample Problem 1:
a. Neglecting all losses, find the deflection at the center
of span when it is supporting its own weight
b. Allowing for 20 percent loss in prestress, find the final
deflection at the center of span when it carries an
imposed load of 18 kN/m. Dc = 24kN/m3.
 DEFLECTIONS OF PRESTRESSED
CONCRETE MEMBERS
Short-term Deflections of Uncracked Members
Sample Problem 1:
Given: Req’d:
section = 300 mm x 500 mm
a)a due to self-weight
At = 600 mm2 b)deflection due to
Pi = 1600 N/mm2 imposed load, allowing
e = 100 mm (constant) for 20% loss
L = 10 m
Es = 210 kN/mm2
Ec = 38 kN/mm2
 DEFLECTIONS OF PRESTRESSED
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Short-term Deflections of Uncracked Members
Sample Problem 1:
• solve for beam weight
W = 0.3 x 0.5 x 24 = 0.0036 kN/mm
• solve for I
I = bh3/12 = (300)(5003)/12 = 3125 x 106 mm4
• prestressing force, P
P = 2 x 600 x 1600 = 1920 x 103 N = 1920 kN
 DEFLECTIONS OF PRESTRESSED
CONCRETE MEMBERS
Short-term Deflections of Uncracked Members
Sample Problem 1:
• deflection due to self-weight

• upward deflection due to prestressing force

 DEFLECTIONS OF PRESTRESSED
CONCRETE MEMBERS
Short-term Deflections of Uncracked Members
Sample Problem 1:
• net upward deflection of the beam due to self-weight
a1-a2 = 20.2 – 3.9 = 16.3 mm

• downward deflection due to live load

 DEFLECTIONS OF PRESTRESSED
CONCRETE MEMBERS
Short-term Deflections of Uncracked Members
Sample Problem 1:
•Upward deflection due to prestress after losses = 0.8 x
20.2 = 16.16 mm
•Final downward deflection due to self-weight, prestress,
live load
af = 3.95 – 16.16 + 19.5 = 7.29 mm
 DEFLECTIONS OF PRESTRESSED
CONCRETE MEMBERS
Short-term Deflections of Uncracked Members
Sample Problem 2:
A concrete beam with a cross-sectional area of 32 x 103 mm2
and radius of gyration of 72 mm is prestressed by a parabolic
cable carrying an effective stress of 1000 N/mm2. The span of
beam is 8 m. the cable, composed of six wires of 7 mm
diameter, has an eccentricity of 50 mm at the center and zero
at the supports. Neglecting all losses, find the central
deflection of the beam as follows:
a) Self-weight + prestress
b) Self-weight + prestress + live load 2 kN/m
 DEFLECTIONS OF PRESTRESSED
CONCRETE MEMBERS
Short-term Deflections of Uncracked Members
Sample Problem 2:
Assume
E = 38 kN/mm2 and Dc = 24kN/m3
A = 32 x 103 mm2, i = 72 mm, L = 8000 mm, e = 50 mm
I = Ai2 = (32 x 103)(722) = 166 x 106mm4
P = 6 x 38.5 x 1000 = 231000 N = 231 kN
W = (24)((32 x 103)/(106)) = 0.77 kN/m = 0.00077
kN/mm
 DEFLECTIONS OF PRESTRESSED
CONCRETE MEMBERS
Short-term Deflections of Uncracked Members
Sample Problem 3:
A rectangular concrete beam of cross-section 150 mm wide and
300 mm deep is simply supported over a span of 8 m and is
prestressed by means of a symmetric parabolic cable, at a
distance of 75 mm from the bottom of the beam at midspan and
125 mm from the top of the beam at support sections. If the force
in the cable is 350kN and the modulus of elasticity of concrete is
38 kN/mm2, calculate:
a) The deflection at midspan when the beam is supporting its own
weight and
b) The concentrated load which must be applied at midspan to
restore it to the level of supports.
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Prediction of Long Time Deflections
- Deformation of psc members is a result of creep and
shrinkage of concrete and relaxation of stress in steel.

- The deflection can be computed with respect to a

given datum using the prestressing force and love
loads at a given instant.
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Prediction of Long Time Deflections
The net curvature at a section at any given stage is given by

Where = change in curvature caused by transverse loads

= change in curvature caused by prestress
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CONCRETE MEMBERS
Prediction of Long Time Deflections
- The change of curvature due to the sustained
prestress depends upon the cumulative effects of
creep and shrinkage of concrete and relaxation of
stress in steel.
- The curvature due to prestress after time t can be
expressed as:
 DEFLECTIONS OF PRESTRESSED
CONCRETE MEMBERS
Prediction of Long Time Deflections

Where Pi = initial prestress

Pt = prestress after time t
LP = (Pi - Pt) [loss of prestressing force due to
relaxation]
e = eccentricity
EI = flexural rigidity
If ai1 = initial deflection due to transverse loads
aip = initial deflection due to prestress
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Prediction of Long Time Deflections
Then, the total long time deflection after time t is
obtained from the expression:

A more simplified approach in computing for the

final long time deflection is given by :
 DEFLECTIONS OF PRESTRESSED
CONCRETE MEMBERS
Prediction of Long Time Deflections
Sample Problem 4:
A concrete beam having a rectangular section 100
mm wide and 300 mm deep is prestressed by a
parabolic cable carrying an initial force of 240 kN. The
cable has an eccentricity of 50 mm at the center of span
and is concentric at the supports. If the span of the
beam is 10 m and the live load is 2 kN/m, estimate the
short time deflection at the center of the span.
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Prediction of Long Time Deflections
Assuming E = 38 kN/mm2 and creep coefficient = 2.0,
loss of prestress = 20 per cent of the initial stress after 6
months. Estimate the long time deflection at the center
of the span at this stage, assuming that the dead and
live loads are simultaneously applied after the release of
prestress.
Pi = 240 kN = 2.0
I = 225 x 106 mm4 Dead load = 0.72 kN/m
e = 50 mm Love load = 2 kN/m
E = 38 kN/mm2 Loss of prestress = 20
per cent = 0.2 Pi
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Prediction of Long Time Deflections
Sol’n:
• Short time or instantaneous deflection
• Deflection due to prestress =

= 14.7 mm (upward)

• Deflection due to self-weight and live loads =

= 41.5 mm (downward)
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Prediction of Long Time Deflections
• Long time deflection
Initial deflection due to transverse loads = 41.5 mm
Initial deflection due to prestress only = 14.7 mm
Hence, the final deflection is computed as,
 DEFLECTIONS OF PRESTRESSED
CONCRETE MEMBERS
Prediction of Long Time Deflections
Sample Problem 4:
A simply supported beam with a uniform secion spanning
over 6 m is post-tensioned by two cables, both of which have an
eccentricity of 100 mm below the centroid of the section at
midspan. The first cable is parabolic and is anchored at an
eccentricity of 100 mm above the centroid at each end, the
second cable is straight and parallel to the line joining the
supports. The cross-sectional area of each cable is 100 mm2 and
they carry an initial stress of 1200 N/mm2. The concrete has a
cross-section of 2 x 104 mm2and a radius of gyration of 120 mm.
 DEFLECTIONS OF PRESTRESSED
CONCRETE MEMBERS
Prediction of Long Time Deflections
Sample Problem 4:
A simply supported beam with a uniform secion spanning
over 6 m is post-tensioned by two cables, both of which have an
eccentricity of 100 mm below the centroid of the section at
midspan. The first cable is parabolic and is anchored at an
eccentricity of 100 mm above the centroid at each end, the
second cable is straight and parallel to the line joining the
supports. The cross-sectional area of each cable is 100 mm2 and
they carry an initial stress of 1200 N/mm2. The concrete has a
cross-section of 2 x 104 mm2and a radius of gyration of 120 mm.
 DEFLECTIONS OF PRESTRESSED
CONCRETE MEMBERS
Prediction of Long Time Deflections
Sample Problem 4:
The beam supports two concentrated loads of 20 kN each
at the third points of the span, Ec = 38 kN/mm2. Calculate using
Lin’s simplified method
a) The instantaneous deflection at the center of span; and
b) The deflection at the center of span after 2 years, assuming
20% loss in prestress and the effective modulus of elasticity to
be one-third of the short-term modulus of elasticity
A = 2 x 104 mm2 I = Ai2 = (2 x 104 x 1202) = 288 x 106 mm4
i = 120 mm P = 120 kN
e1 = e2 = 100 mm L = 6000 mm
W = 0.00048 kN/mm
 DEFLECTIONS OF PRESTRESSED
CONCRETE MEMBERS
Deflections of Cracked Members
Short Time Deflections of Cracked Members
- In the design of limited or partially stresses
strictures, cracks of limited width are acceptable
under occasional over-loads under working loads
- Hence, a knowledge of deformation characteristics
of cracked members is essential to comply with the
limit state of deflection
 DEFLECTIONS OF PRESTRESSED
CONCRETE MEMBERS
Deflections of Cracked Members
Short Time Deflections of Cracked Members
 DEFLECTIONS OF PRESTRESSED
CONCRETE MEMBERS
Deflections of Cracked Members
Short Time Deflections of Cracked Members
- When the beam is sufficiently loaded, tensile stress
develops and when this exceeds the tensile
strength of concrete, cracks are likely to develop in
the member.
- Micro-cracks which are invisible to the naked eye
develop at a tensile stress of about 3 N/mm2
- Further application of load at about 3.5 to 7 N/mm2,
first visible cracks develop
 DEFLECTIONS OF PRESTRESSED
CONCRETE MEMBERS
Deflections of Cracked Members
Short Time Deflections of Cracked Members
- The load-deflection curve is approximately linear up
to the stage of visible cracking
- Beyond this stage, the deflections increase at a
faster rate due to reduced stiffness of the beam
- In the post-cracking stage, the behavior of the
beam is similar to that of RC members
 DEFLECTIONS OF PRESTRESSED
CONCRETE MEMBERS
Deflections of Cracked Members
Short Time Deflections of Cracked Members
The deflection of cracked structural concrete
members may be estimated by the formula:
 DEFLECTIONS OF PRESTRESSED
CONCRETE MEMBERS
Deflections of Cracked Members
Short Time Deflections of Cracked Members

Where a = maximum deflection

L = effective span
M = maximum moment in the beam
Ec = concrete modulus of elasticity
It = second moment of area
equivalent or transformed cracked section
β = a constant depending upon the end
conditions, position of the given section and load distribution
 DEFLECTIONS OF PRESTRESSED
CONCRETE MEMBERS
Deflections of Cracked Members
Short Time Deflections of Cracked Members
β values:
 DEFLECTIONS OF PRESTRESSED
CONCRETE MEMBERS
Deflections of Cracked Members
Short Time Deflections of Cracked Members
- The modulus of elasticity is expressed as

- Where Wc is between 1500 and 2500 kg/m3. For normal-

density concrete, the modulus of elasticity is expressed as:
 DEFLECTIONS OF PRESTRESSED
CONCRETE MEMBERS
Deflections of Cracked Members
Short Time Deflections of Cracked Members
Where fc’ is the compressive strength in N/mm2
The effective moment of inertia is expressed as:
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CONCRETE MEMBERS
Deflections of Cracked Members
Requirements of Various Codes of Practice
1. The final deflection, due to all loads including the
effects of temperature, creep and shrinkage should
normally not exceed span/250.
2. The deflection, including the effects of temperature,
creep and shrinkage occurring after the erection of
partitions and the application of finishes, should not
normally exceed span/350 or 20 mm, whichever is
less.
 DEFLECTIONS OF PRESTRESSED
CONCRETE MEMBERS
Deflections of Cracked Members
Requirements of Various Codes of Practice
3. If finishes are to be applied to the prestressed concrete
members, the total upward deflection should not exceed
span/300, unless uniformity of camber between adjacent
units can be ensured.
4. According to the American code (ACI: 318-1899), the
permissible deflections depend upon the type of member
as shown:
 DEFLECTIONS OF PRESTRESSED
CONCRETE MEMBERS
Deflections of Cracked Members
Requirements of Various Codes of Practice
 DEFLECTIONS OF PRESTRESSED
CONCRETE MEMBERS
REFERENCES:

Raju, K. N. (2007) Prestressed Concrete 4th Ed.. Tata

Mcgraw – Hill Publishing Company Limited.