Prestressed Concrete

As dead load is a substantial part of the total load on RC structures, any saving in depth of members can represent a
substantial saving in material cost, in terms of total height of structures, load on foundations, heating, electrical,
plumbing, wall and partition surfaces. While this can be achieved by using high-strength materials, these are limited
by considerations of cracking and deflection. These limitations of RC are largely overcome by prestressed concrete.

Prestressed concrete is a concrete that is compressed axially to overcome concrete’s natural weakness in tension.
Prestressing tendons (generally of high tensile steel cable or rods) are used to provide a clamping load, which
produces a compressive stress that balances or reduces the tensile stress that the concrete member would otherwise
experience due to a bending load.

Therefore, cracking under service loads can be minimized or avoided altogether. Deflections may be limited to an
acceptable value, or even eliminated by proper load combination. This may permit the use of efficient and economical
high-strength steels in the form of strands, wires or bars in conjunction with high-strength concrete.

Prestressed concrete is used for beams, floors or bridges with a longer span than is practical with ordinary RC.

Fig. 7.1: Prestressed Concrete (a) Beam, (b) Floor, (c) Bridge

Example 7.1
Calculate the maximum stresses at the midspan section of a 20 long simply supported rectangular beam of (12  24)
section under a uniformly distributed load of 1 k/ft if it is subjected to an additional compressive force of P = 100 kips.
Also calculate the pre-stressing force P0 necessary to avoid tension in the section altogether.
y
1 k/ft A D  868 psi  521 psi

P P
z
20

B C
+ 174 psi + 521 psi

With b =12, h = 24

 Cross-sectional Area A = 12 24 = 288 in2, Moment of Inertia about z-axis Iz = 12  243/12 = 13824 in4
Maximum midspan bending moment Mz = 1  202/8 = 50 k = 600 k
A,D = 100/288 60012/13824 = (0.347  0.521) ksi = 868 psi, B,C = (0.347 + 0.521) ksi = +174 psi
If the necessary pre-stressing force to avoid tension in the section is P0, then
t(max) = B,C = P0/288 + 0.521 = 0  P0 = 150 kips

49
Materials
Pre-stressing Steel
As mentioned, prestressing is done by using high-strength steels in the form of strands, wires or bars (Fig. 7.3), whose
typical stress-strain diagrams are shown in Fig. 7.4.

Fig. 7.3: Prestressing strands and bar

Fig. 7.4: Stress vs. Strain of Reinforcing
and Prestressing Tendons

Concrete
Concrete of substantially higher compressive strength (often above 5 ksi) is used for pre-stressed structures, which
may be more practical because a large proportion of prestressed construction is precast, with the concrete mixed,
placed and cured under carefully controlled conditions. High-strength concrete also has
* Greater modulus of elasticity, reducing initial elastic strain due to prestress force and also reducing creep strain
* Greater bearing strength, which can be necessary to withstand the high bearing stresses when prestressing force is
transferred from prestressing tendons
* Greater bond strength, resulting in better transfer of stress between prestressing steel and concrete.

The maximum permissible stresses in prestressing steel and concrete at various phases of loading conditions are listed
in Table 7.1 and 7.2 respectively.

Table 7.1: Maximum permissible stresses in prestressing steel

Due to tendon jacking force but not greater than 0.80fpu and the maximum recommended by manufacturer 0.94fpy
Immediately after prestress transfer, but not greater than 0.74fpu 0.82fpy
Post-tensioning tendons at anchorage devices and couplers, immediately after tendon anchorage 0.70fpu

Table 7.2: Permissible stresses in concrete in prestressed flexural members

Extreme fiber stress in compression immediately after transfer 0.60fci
Extreme fiber stress in tension immediately after transfer 3fci
Extreme fiber stress in tension immediately after transfer
6fci
at the end of a simply supported member
Extreme fiber stress in compression due to prestress plus sustained load 0.45fc
Extreme fiber stress in compression due to prestress plus total load 0.60fc
Extreme fiber stress in tension in precompressed tensile zone under service load 7.5fc
[where fc = Ultimate strength of concrete, fci = Concrete strength at the time of prestressing]

50
Methods of prestressing: Pre-tension and Post-tension

Fig. 7.2: Method of prestressing by (a) Pre-tension, (b) Post-tension

Pre-tension Post-tension
Prestressing strands are tensioned prior to casting of
Using jacks against abutments
concrete
Concrete is placed around tension strands Tie jack bases with wires/cables passed through hollow conduit
Jacketing pressure released after concrete has
One end of the tendon is anchored, applying force at other end
gained sufficient strength
After wires reach desired stress, tendon is wedged against
concrete and jack is removed

Loss of Prestress
* Elastic shortening + Creep + Shrinkage of concrete
* Creep of steel
* Friction between concrete and steel

Prestressed Concrete Sections

(a) Double T (b) Single T (c) I Girder (d) Bulb T

(e) Channel Slab (f) Box Girder (g) Inverted T

Fig. 7.5: Typical PC Sections

51
Example 7.2

Cross-section

Stresses at midspan

Stresses at ends

52
 Questions and Problems (7)
1. (i) What is pre-stressed concrete? Mention some practical examples of where they are used.
(ii) Mention the advantages and disadvantages of pre-stressed concrete compared to reinforced concrete.
(iii) Narrate the distinctive features of the materials (i.e., concrete and steel) used in pre-stressed concrete.
(iv) Briefly describe the methods of pre-stressing concrete.
(v) What is loss of pre-stress? Mention the possible reasons for pre-stress loss.

2. Figure below shows a concrete beam subjected to pre-stressing force P = 200 kips immediately after pre-stressing
that reduces to 170 kips due to losses. Compute the extreme fiber stresses at midspan of the beam for the
following design conditions.
(i) At initial condition with full prestress only,
(ii) At initial condition with full prestress and beam self-weight,
(iii) At working condition with effective prestress and beam self-weight.
(iv) Check the stresses calculated with the allowable tensile and compressive stresses in concrete.
[Given: fc = 5 ksi, fci = 3.5 ksi].

F F
3

 24
9

18 18 18 3

12

3. For the beam shown in Question 2, calculate the working loads F to keep the tensile stress in concrete equal to
(i) zero, (ii) modulus of rupture of concrete.

53
Following are some of the theoretical questions discussed after midterm exam, with guidelines for their answers.
 The examination questions can be different or mixed or parts (based on the same topics/concepts).
 Don’t copy this language, just follow the points and read books to prepare your own answers.
1. Mention different types of RC foundations and also mention when they are used.
 Wall footings support load-bearing walls
 Individual column footings: Usually they are square (preferred) or rectangular shaped (when property or other
foundation lines do not allow square)
 Combined column footings: Under multiple columns, when property or other foundation lines do not allow
individual footings
 Pile foundations: To transfer load (through friction and end bearing) to surrounding and underlying hard soil,
instead of the soft soil at the top
2. Distinguish between allowable soil pressure and net soil pressure in the design of footings by USD.
 Allowable soil pressure is the pressure that can be allowed on soil to prevent bearing failure or large
settlement and is obtained by dividing the ultimate pressure by a factor of safety (usually 2.5 or 3.0)
 Net soil pressure is the pressure on underlying soil (due to design loads, but without self-weight of
foundation) under design condition
3. Specify the minimum reinforcements required in the design of wall footings and column footings.
 Shrinkage reinforcement for wall footings (mention equation), because there is no bending moment along
length of wall
 Minimum reinforcement for beams (mention equation) also recommended for column footings, because of bi-
directional moment, the possible catastrophic consequence of their failure and also because footing is not as
well supported as slabs
4. Explain why punching shear is considered in the design of column footings but not for wall footings.
 Punching area around column footing is not as large, making it vulnerable to punching, similar to flat slab
 Possible punching area around wall footing is too large, because of the large length of the walls, similar to
beam-supported slab
 Provide figures
5. Define the band-width in placing reinforcements for rectangular footings and explain why it is used.
 Bending Moments near columns are significantly larger compared to those away from columns (show BMD)
 Also show the equation for band-width and corresponding reinforcements (with Figure)
6. What is Transverse Beam in combined footings? Narrate how it is designed.
 This is a hypothetical ‘equivalent beam’ under column in the transverse direction in order to consider the
bending in transverse (in addition to longitudinal) direction
 Assumed width of Transverse Beam is width of column plus d/2 in both directions
 Load on Transverse Beam assumed to be uniformly distributed over footing width, and obtained by dividing
the corresponding column load by width of footing
 Upward soil pressure means positive moment and bottom reinforcements
 Provide figures
7. Narrate the utility of using pile foundations, explaining the mechanism of pile resistance to applied loads.
 Pile foundations transfer load to surrounding through friction and to underlying hard soil by end bearing,
instead of the soft soil at the top
 Piles are subjected primarily to axial forces under vertical loading. In such cases, their structural design is
quite similar to the design of columns
 Bending moments may govern the design of piles when they are subjected to lateral loads or when pre-cast
piles are carried to sites, when their structural design would be quite similar to the design of beams
 Provide Figures
8. Classify pile foundations based on their construction process as well as resistance mechanism.
 Construction process (Pre-cast Piles are constructed in factory and carried to the site, while Cast-in-situ Piles
are constructed on site)
 Resistance mechanism (Friction Piles resist loads predominantly by ‘skin’ friction between pile and soil,
while End-bearing Piles primarily resist by bearing force at the end of pile).
 Provide Figures
9. Why is it not advisable to use single piles under columns?
Show pile arrangements in different pile groups and mention the recommendations for pile spacing.
 Piles may be subjected to uniaxial/biaxial bending, which a single pile cannot resist (unless it is designed like
beams for moments)
 Show pile groups with 2~5 piles with recommended spacings (Fig. 5.2 in class-note)

54
10. Derive the expression of pile force in a pile group subjected to axial force and biaxial bending.
 This is Eq. (5.1) in class-note.
 Derive from  (x,y) = P/A + Mx y/Ix + My x/Iy, using (x,y) = F(x,y)/ap, Ix = apyi2, Iy = apxi2
11. Outline the procedure for the structural design of piles and pile caps.
 Pile: Mention equations (similar to column design) for pile area, longitudinal reinforcement and lateral ties
 Pile caps: Mention concentrated pile-forces, and design for bending moment, flexural and punching shear
Also mention the share of pile forces (zero/full/partial) to be considered for checking against flexural shear
12. What is retaining wall? Mention some practical examples of where they are used.
 Retaining walls are structures designed to restrain masses of soil or other loose material to unnatural slopes,
where conditions make it impossible to let them assume their natural slopes.
 Such conditions occur when the width of excavation, cut or embankment is restricted; e.g., the width of
railway or highway is fixed, as is the foundation under bridges and the basement walls of buildings.
13. Name different types of retaining walls and explain their relative advantages.
 Gravity type (for h  10): Resists loads by its own weight (and no reinforcements).
 Cantilever type (for h = 10~20): Much thinner walls than gravity type (but needs reinforcements).
 Counterfort type (for h  20): Redistributes the lateral earth pressure in two directions, thereby reducing
cantilever moments and shears
 Provide figures
14. Distinguish between earth pressure at rest, active earth pressure and passive earth pressure.
 The pressure coefficient C0 is the coefficient of earth pressure at rest, which depends both on the nature of the
backfill and the method of depositing and compacting it.
 If the wall moves away from the fill, the corresponding pressure is called the active earth pressure
 If the wall is pushed against the fill, the pressure exerted is called the passive earth pressure
 Mention equations
15. Explain why it is important to prevent the accumulation of water behind retaining walls.
Also mention some possible measures to be taken in this regard.
 Hydrostatic pressure significantly increases the lateral pressure on wall (mention equation)
 Possible measures include crushed stone, longitudinal drain and weep holes
 Proved figures
16. Explain the importance of shear key for the stability of retaining walls.
 Shear keys are installed at the wall base to increase the sliding resistance of retaining walls.
 The main purpose is to increase the extra passive resistance developed by the height of shear keys.
 Therefore, the friction angle mobilized in this case is  and the sliding resistance can be enhanced.
 Proved figures
17. What is pre-stressed concrete? Mention some practical examples of where they are used.
 A concrete compressed axially to overcome its natural weakness in tension. Prestressing tendons (generally of
high tensile steel cable or rods) are used to provide a clamping load, which produces a compressive stress that
balances the tensile stress that the concrete member would otherwise experience due to a bending load.
 Used to produce beams, floors or bridges with a longer span than is practical with ordinary RC.
18. Mention the advantages and disadvantages of pre-stressed concrete compared to reinforced concrete.
 No/less tension means no crack  Stiffer and smaller sections, less deflection, no corrosion of steel.
 Pre-stressing is not a readily available/applicable technology and is less used in smaller constructions.
Pre-stressing forces may cause crushing/damage to concrete
19. Narrate the distinctive features of the materials (i.e., concrete and steel) used in pre-stressed concrete.
 Steel should be high strength to minimize the effect of pre-stressing loss (show stress vs. strain along with
ordinary reinforcing bars)
 Concrete should also be high strength for greater Ec (less strain), greater strength in compression (particularly
the pre-stressing force) and tension (particularly to avoid crack) and greater bond with steel.
20. Briefly describe the methods of pre-stressing concrete.
 Pre-tensioning applied on steel before casting of concrete and transferred to concrete after gains strength
 Post-tensioning applied on steel and transferred to concrete after casting and strength-gain of concrete (which
is cast with a tube around wire)
21. What is loss of pre-stress? Mention the possible reasons for pre-stress loss.
 Elastic shortening o f concrete (due to immediate strain from pre-stressing force)
 Creep + Shrinkage of concrete (due to long-term deformations)
 Creep of steel (also due to long-term deformations)
 Frictional loss between in concrete and steel

55
1. (i) Clear span of two-way slab S = 20  12/12 = 19
(a) From deflection considerations, required thickness of the slab S = 4  19  12/180 = 5.07; i.e., 5
(b) Balanced steel ratio = 87/(87 + fy) fc /fy = 87/(87 + 60) 0.72  4/60 = 0.0284
Steel ratio s = 0.25b = 0.0071
Ru =  s fy (10.59 s fy /fc) = 0.90  0.0071  60 (10.59  0.0071  60/4) = 0.359 ksi
Minimum d = 5  1.5 = 3.5  Mu = Rubd2 = 0.359  1  3.52 = 4.40 k/
(c) Maximum slab moment coefficient = 0.045
 0.045  wu  192 = 4.40  wu = 0.271 ksf = 271 psf
Self-wt of S = 5/12  150 = 62.5 psf
Factored load on S = 1.4 (62.5 + 30 + 40) + 1.7(LL) = 185.5 + 1.7LL = 271  LL = 50.3 psf
(ii) Given: Ca(D)+ = Cb(D)+ = 0.018, Ca(L)+ = Cb(L)+ = 0.027, Ca = Cb = 0.045
Ma+ = Mb+ = (0.018  185.5 + 0.027  85.5)  192 = 2.04 k/, and Ma = Mb = 4.40 k/
Using fc = 0.85fc, As = (fc/fy) [1–{1 – 2Mu/( fc bd2)}] bd
Asb+ = (3.40/60) [1–{1– 2  2.04/(0.90  3.40  3.52)}] (12  3.5) = 0.133 in2/ft
and Asb = sbd = 0.071  12  3.5 = 0.298 in2/ft, while As(temp) = 0.036  5 = 0.180 in2/ft
Use #3@7 c/c, alt ckd + 2-#3 extra top [Fig. 1]

C3

[Fig. 1] [Fig. 2]

2. (i) Clear span of flat slab FS = 20  20/12 = 18.33

(a) From deflection considerations,
Required thickness of flat plate FS = 18.33  12/33  (0.8 + 60/200) = 7.33; i.e., 7.5
(b) Using solution of Question 1, Steel ratio s = 0.0071, and Ru = 0.359 ksi
Minimum d = 7.5  1.5 = 6.0  Mu = Rubd2 = 0.359  1  62 = 12.39 k/
(c) Given: Distribution Factors applied to Moment M0for exterior slab are (0.00, +0.63, 0.75)
Total Moment M0 = wu L2 L2/8 = wu  20  18.332/8 = 840.3wu  MInt() = 0.75M0 = 630.2wu
Total Column strip moment = 75% of MInt() = 472.7wu
Total width of Column strip = 20/4  2 = 10  Column strip moment/width = 472.7wu/10 = 47.27wu
 47.27  wu = 12.39  1000  wu = 273.7 psf
Self-wt of FS = 7.5/12  150 = 93.75 psf
Factored load on FS = 1.4 (93.75 + 30 + 40) + 1.7(LL) = 229.3 + 1.7LL = 273.7  LL = 26.2 psf
(ii) Factored load from FS wall = 1.4 {(5/12  (107.5/12)  120} = 1.4  468.8 = 656.3 lb/ft
Column C3 load per floor = [273.7  10  10 + 656.3  (10 + 10)] lb = 40.50 k
Ultimate Punching force Vu = 40.50  273.7/1000  /4{(10 + 6/2)/12}2 = 40.25 k
 Nominal force Vn = 40.25/0.75 = 53.66 k
Maximum punching force for concrete Vc = 4√fc b0d = 4  (4/1000)  (  13)/2  6 = 31.00 k
If shear reinforcements are provided
Maximum allowable punching shear force = 2√fc b0d = 15.50 k
Shear reinforcements are to be provided for the additional force (Vn  Vc) = 53.66  15.50 = 38.17 k
If 45 inclined bars are used, Av = (Vn  Vc)/(fy Sin α) = 38.17/(60 Sin 45) = 0.90 in2
Requiring at least 8-#3 bars around the column [Fig. 2]
[Note: Spacing of 4-legged #3 vertical stirrups S = Avfyd/(VVc) = 0.44  60  6.0/38.17 = 4.15
 d/2 = 3 around column]
All these bars should be extended full development length beyond the critical sections.

56
3. (i) Self-wt of S = 5/12  150 = 62.5 psf, and of FS = 7/12  150 = 87.5 psf
Total load on S = 62.5 + 30 + 40 + 50 = 182.5 psf, and on FS = 87.5 + 30 + 40 + 50 = 207.5 psf
Working load from beam and wall = (1211)/144  150 + (5/12(1016/12)  120 = 570.8 lb/ft
Working load from FS wall = (5/12(107/12)  120 = 470.8 lb/ft
Column C1 Load/floor = [182.5  1010 + 207.5  (2020100)} + 570.8  20 + 470.8  20] lb = 101.33 k
Total Load on column C1 = 6  101.33 = 608 k
1
Assuming 3% reinforcement, Pw = 0.25fc + g fs)Ag 1.25
 608 = 1.0  (1.00 + 0.03  24) Ag 3.5
 Ag = 353.5 in2; i.e., Assume 21.5-dia column 5
with As = (608  1.0  /4  21.5 )/24 = 10.21 in ;
2 2 12-#8
5
i.e., Use 12#8 bars [Fig. 3]
3.5
Assuming column core diameter = 18.5 1.25
Steel ratio of spiral reinforcement s = 0.45(Ag/Acore 1)(fc/fy) 1 [Fig. 3]
= 0.45 [(21.5/18.5)2 1] 4/60 = 0.0105
and Spacing of #4 spirals, S = 4Asp/(s dcore) = 4  0.20/(0.0105  18.5) = 4.11; i.e., Use #4 spirals @3 c/c
(ii) Column C3 Load/floor = [207.5  10  10 + 470.8  20] lb = 30.17 k
Total Load P on column C1 = 6  30.17 = 181 k
For biaxial bending, P/(Pa) + Mx/(Mfx) + My/(Mfy)  1
Steel ratio g = As/Ag = 12  0.79/(/4  21.52) = 9.48/363.05 = 0.026, m = fy/0.85fc = 60/3.40 = 17.65
mg = 0.461
Pa = 0.34fc (1 + mg)Ag = 1.36  1.461  363.05 = 721 k
Mfx = Mfy = 0.45fc{D4/64 + (2n 1) As(y y)2}/ymax
= 1.80 {  21.54/64 + (2  8 1)  1.57 (1  02 + 2  52 + 2  8.52 + 1  9.752)}/10.75 = 2898 k
If Mx = My, P/(Pa) + Mx/(Mfx) + My/(Mfy) = 181/721 + Mx/2898 (1 + 1) = 1
 Mx = My = 1085 k = 90.45 k

7. (ii) Using the results from Example 6.2 [also obtained from (i) of this question] for the same wall,
Total vertical force = 45.76 k/ft
and Moment about midpoint = 24.61 k-ft/ft
Since pile-rows are @4 c/c, each row is subjected to
Vertical force V = 5.76  4 = 183.04 k, and Moment M = 24.61  4 = 98.44 k
 Maximum pile force Pmax = 183.04/3 + 98.44  8/{82 + 02 + (8)2} = 61.01 + 6.15 = 67.17 k
and Minimum pile force Pmin = 61.01  6.15 = 54.86 k (checked for no uplift)
Assuming 1% reinforcement, Pmax = 0.25fc + g fs) ap
 67.17 = 0.85 (1.0 + 0.01  24)ap
 ap = 63.72 in2; i.e., Required dp = 9.01 is too small
[So, pile rows can be placed at larger intervals; e.g., @6~8 c/c, instead of @4 c/c]
Take dp = 12 [Otherwise the required clear covers make the reinforcements too congested]
Required pile-length Lp = P/{2 s(dp)} = 67.17/(0.80  1.0   12/12) = 21.38; i.e., Use 22-ft long piles.

57
10.
F
3

3
 26 32
10 10
3
30 30
16 16
Section 1 Section 2

(i) At working condition, P = 250 k (i.e., effective prestress force)

and bending moment Mmax = wL2/8, where w = Beam self-weight
For Section 1
Area A1= 16  32  13  26 = 174 in2  w1= 174/144  0.150 = 0.181 k/ft
 Mmax = 0.181  602/8 = 81.56 k
Moment of Inertia I1= (16  323  13  263)/12 = 26764 in4  S1= I1/c = 26764/16 = 1673 in3
 ftop = 250/174 + 250  10/1673  81.56  12/1673 = 1.437 + 1.495  0.585 = 0.527 ksi
and fbot = 1.437  1.495 + 0.585 = 2.346 ksi
For Section 2
Area A2 = 16  32 = 512 in2  w1 = 512/144  0.150 = 0.533 k/ft
 Mmax = 0.533  602/8 = 240.0 k
Moment of Inertia I2 = 16  323/12 = 43691 in4  S2 = I2/c = 43691/16 = 2731 in3
 ftop = 250/512 + 250  10/2731  240  12/2731 = 0.488 + 0.916 1.055 = 0.627 ksi
and fbot = 0.488  0.916 + 1.055 = 0.349 ksi
(ii) Allowable tensile stress in concrete = 7.5fc = 7.5(6/1000) = 0.581 ksi
and Allowable compressive stress in concrete = 0.45fc = 0.45  6 = 2.70 ksi; i.e., 2.70 ksi
 All ftop and fbot stresses are within the allowable limits.
(iii) Cracking  Maximum tensile stress in concrete = 0.581 ksi
For the loading case shown, there will be compression at top and tension at bottom fibers of the beam
sections. So the check for cracking will be for bottom fibers only.
For Section 1, fbot = 2.346 + fLL = 0.581  fLL = 2.927 ksi
 MLL = 2.927  1673/12 = 408.03 k  F  60/4 = 408.03  F = 27.20 k

and for Section 2, fbot = 0.349 + fLL = 0.581  fLL = 0.930 ksi
 MLL = 0.930  2731/12 = 211.64 k  F  60/4 = 211.64  F = 14.11 k

58