Prestressed Concrete Design

Elastic Design of Prestressed Concrete Beams using

Internal Couple Method
ELASTIC DESIGN OF PRESTRESSED CONCRETE BEAMS USING INTERNAL
COUPLE METHOD

Introduction to
Elastic Design of Prestressed Concrete Beams using
Internal Couple Method
Pressure Line or Thrust Line and Internal
Resisting Couple
At any given section of a prestressed concrete beam, the combined
effect of the prestressing force and the externally applied load will result in
a distribution of concrete stresses that can be resolved into a single force.
The locus of the points of application of this resultant force in any
structure is termed as the “pressure or thrust line”. The concept of
pressure line is very useful in understanding the load – carrying
mechanism of a prestressed concrete section.
Pressure Line or Thrust Line and Internal
Resisting Couple
In the case of prestressed concrete members, the location of the
pressure line depends upon the magnitude and direction of the moments
applied at the cross – section and the magnitude and distribution of stress
due to the prestressing force. Consider a concrete beam shown in the
figure below, which is prestressed by force “P” acting at eccentricity “e”.
The beam supports a uniformly distributed load (including self – weight)
of intensity “q” per unit length.
Pressure Line or Thrust Line and Internal
Resisting Couple
Pressure Line or Thrust Line and Internal
Resisting Couple
The load is of such magnitude that the bottom – fiber stress at the central
span section of the beam is zero. The figure below shows the resultant stress
distribution at the support, center and quarter span sections of the beam.
At the support section, since there are no flexural stresses resulting from
the external loads, the pressure line coincides with that of the centroid of steel,
located at an eccentricity of h/6. At the center of the span section, the external
loading is such that the resultant stress developed is maximum at the top fiber
and zero at the bottom fiber.
Pressure Line or Thrust Line and Internal
Resisting Couple
Pressure Line or Thrust Line and Internal
Resisting Couple
The external moment at the quarter span section being smaller in
magnitude, the shift in the pressure line also is correspondingly smaller,
being equal to h/4 from the initial position. In a similar manner, it can be
shown that a larger uniformly distributed load on the beam would result in
the pressure line being shifted even higher at the center and quarter span
sections. The pressure line location in the beam is shown in the figure
below. These observations lead to the following important principle:
Pressure Line or Thrust Line and Internal
Resisting Couple
“A change in the external moments in the elastic range of a
prestressed concrete beam results in a shift of the pressure line rather
than in an increase in the resultant force in the beam.”
Pressure Line or Thrust Line and Internal
Resisting Couple
“A change in the external moments in the elastic range of a
prestressed concrete beam results in a shift of the pressure line rather
than in an increase in the resultant force in the beam.”
Pressure Line or Thrust Line and Internal
Resisting Couple
In contrast to the direct method of analysis of resultant stresses at a
section of a prestressed concrete beam, the pressure or thrust line concept can
also be used to evaluate the stresses. In this method, generally referred to as
the internal resisting couple method or the C – line method, the prestressed
beam is analyzed as a plain concrete elastic beam using the basic principles of
statics. The prestressing force is considered as an external compressive force
with a constant tensile force “T” in the tendon throughout the span.
Consequently, at any section of a loaded prestressed beam, equilibrium is
maintained satisfying the equations, H=0 and M=0
Pressure Line or Thrust Line and Internal
Resisting Couple
Pressure Line or Thrust Line and Internal
Resisting Couple
The figure below show the free – body diagram of a segment of a
beam without and with transverse loads respectively. When the gravity
loads are zero, the “C” and “T” lines – coincide since there is no moment
at the section. Under transverse loads, the C – line, or the center of
pressure or thrust line, is at a varying distance “a” from the T – line.
Pressure Line or Thrust Line and Internal
Resisting Couple
Pressure Line or Thrust Line and Internal
Resisting Couple
If
M = bending moment at the section due to dead and live loads
e = eccentricity of the tendon
T = P = prestressing force in the tendon
Then, the moment equilibrium yields the relation,
𝑀 = 𝐶𝑎 = 𝑇𝑎 = 𝑃𝑎
And
𝑎 = 𝑀Τ𝑃
Pressure Line or Thrust Line and Internal
Resisting Couple
The shift of pressure line “e” measured from the centroidal axis is
obtained as:
′
𝑀
𝑒 = 𝑎−𝑒 = −𝑒
𝑃
The resultant stresses at the top and bottom fibers of the section are
expressed as,
𝑃 𝑃𝑒′
𝑓𝑠𝑢𝑝 = +
𝐴 𝑍𝑡
𝑃 𝑃𝑒′
𝑓𝑖𝑛𝑓 = −
𝐴 𝑍𝑏
Pressure Line or Thrust Line and Internal
Resisting Couple
Where Zt and Zb are the section moduli of the top and bottom fibers
respectively.
The concepts of the pressure line and the internal resisting couple
method of analyzing the stresses in prestressed concrete members are
outlined by the following examples.
 INTRODUCTION TO PRESTRESSED CONCRETE DESIGN

Sample Problems to the

Elastic Design of Prestressed Concrete Beams using
Internal Couple Method
Example 1
The elastic stress distribution at midspan of the simply supported
beam shown is to be calculated. Determine the extreme fiber stresses
using Internal Couple Method.

e = 250 mm
A = 220x103 mm2
P 1760 kN
I = 20,000x106 mm4
Example 1: Solution 1 – using ICM
Given:
e = 250 mm; A = 220x103 mm2
P = 1760 kN; I = 20,000x106 mm4
A. Solve for the Moment “M”
wL2 30 (12 )
2

M = M max = = = 540kN - m
8 8
B. Solve for the distance “L”
M = PL;
M 540x10 6
L= = = 306.818mm
P 1760x10 3
Example 1: Solution 1 – using ICM
Given:
e = 250 mm; A = 220x103 mm2
P = 1760 kN; I = 20,000x106 mm4
C. Solve for the distance “x”
L = x + e;
x = L - e = 306.818 - 250 = 56.818mm
D. Solve for the unbalanced moment “Mub”
æ 56.818 ö
M ub = P ( x ) = 1760 ç ÷ = 100kN - m
è 1000 ø
Example 1: Solution 1 – using ICM
Given:
e = 250 mm; A = 220x103 mm2
P = 1760 kN; I = 20,000x106 mm4
Unbalanced Moment
E. Solve for the final stresses
Solve for the resultant top fiber stress:
P Mc
ft = - -
A I

ft = -
1760x10 3
-
(100x10 6
) ( 485 )
3
220x10 20,000x10 6
ft = -10.425MPa
Example 1: Solution 1 – using ICM
Given:
e = 250 mm; A = 220x103 mm2
P = 1760 kN; I = 20,000x106 mm4
E. Solve for the final stresses
Solve for the resultant bottom fiber stress:
P Mc
fb = - +
A I

fb = -
1760x10 3
+
(100x10 6
)( 415)
3
220x10 20,000x10 6

fb = -5.925MPa
Example 1: Solution 2 – using CLA
Given:
e = 250 mm; A = 220x103 mm2
P = 1760 kN; I = 20,000x106 mm4
A. Solve for the Moment “M” due to DL and LL
wL2 30 (12 )
2

M = M max = = = 540kN - m
8 8
B. Solve for the stress due to DL and LL
Mc (540x10 6 )( 485 )
ft DL+LL = - =-
I 20,000x10 6
ftDL+LL = -13.095MPa
Example 1: Solution 2 – using CLA
Given:
e = 250 mm; A = 220x103 mm2
P = 1760 kN; I = 20,000x106 mm4
B. Solve for the stress due to DL and LL
Mc (540x10 6 )( 485 )
ft DL+LL = - =-
I 20,000x10 6
ftDL+LL = -13.095MPa

fbDL+LL =+
Mc
=+
( 540x10 ) ( 415 )
6

I 20,000x10 6
fbDL+LL = +11.205MPa
Example 1: Solution 2 – using CLA
Given:
e = 250 mm; A = 220x103 mm2
P = 1760 kN; I = 20,000x106 mm4
C. Solve for the stress due to PS
P Mc
ftPS = - +
A I

ftPS = -
1760x10 3
+
(1760x10 ) ( 250 ) ( 485 )
3

220x10 3 20,000x10 6

ftPS = +2.670MPa
Example 1: Solution 2 – using CLA
Given:
e = 250 mm; A = 220x103 mm2
P = 1760 kN; I = 20,000x106 mm4
C. Solve for the stress due to PS
P Mc
fbPS = - -
A I
1760x10 3 (1760x10 ) ( 250 ) ( 415 )
3

fbPS =- 3
-
220x10 20,000x10 6
fbPS = -17.130MPa
Example 1: Solution 2 – using CLA
Given:
e = 250 mm; A = 220x103 mm2
P = 1760 kN; I = 20,000x106 mm4
D. Solve for the Resultant Stresses
ft = -13.095 + 2.670 = -10.425MPa
fb = +11.205 -17.130 = -5.925MPa

❖ Checks with the results of ICM!

Example 2
A prestressed concrete beam of section 120mm wide by 300mm
deep is used over an effective span of 6m to support a uniformly
distributed load of 4 kN/m, which includes the self-weight of the beam.
The beam is prestressed by a straight cable carrying a force of 180 kN
and located at an eccentricity of 50mm. Determine the extreme fiber
stresses at the central and quarter span sections using Internal Couple
Method.
Example 2 - Solution
Extreme Fiber Stresses at the Midspan
A. Section Properties:
Solve for the Area:
A = 120 ( 300 ) = 36,000mm2
Solve for the Moment of Inertia:

I=
(
120 300 3 ) = 270x10 mm
6 4

12
B. Solve for the Moment (Midspan)
wL 4 ( 6 )
2 2

M midspan = M max = = = 18kN - m

8 8

Given: P = 180kN
Example 2 - Solution
Extreme Fiber Stresses at the Midspan
C. Solve for distance “L”
M = PL
18x10 6 = 180x10 3 ( L )
L = 100mm
D. Solve for distance “x”
x = L-e
x = 100 - 50 = 50mm
E. Solve for unbalanced moment “Mub”
M ub = P ( x )
æ 50 ö
M ub = 180 ç ÷ = 9kN - m
è 1000 ø
Given: P = 180kN
Example 2 - Solution
Extreme Fiber Stresses at the Midspan
F. Solve for final top fiber stress
P Mc
ft = - -
A I
180x10 3 9x10 6 (150 )
ft = - -
36,000 270x10 6
ft = -10MPa
G. Solve for final bottom fiber stress
180x10 3 9x10 6 (150 )
fb = - +
36,000 270x10 6
fb = 0MPa
Given: P = 180kN
Example 2 - Solution
Extreme Fiber Stresses at the Quarter Span
A. Section Properties:
Solve for the Area:
A = 120 ( 300 ) = 36,000mm2
Solve for the Moment of Inertia:

I=
(
120 300 3 ) = 270x10 mm 6 4

12
B. Solve for the Moment (Quarter Span)
4 (1.5 )
2

M QS = 12 (1.5 ) -
2
M QS = 13.5kN - m
Given: P = 180kN
Example 2 - Solution
Extreme Fiber Stresses at the Midspan
C. Solve for distance “L”
M = PL
13.5x10 = 180x10 ( L )
6 3

L = 75mm
D. Solve for distance “x”
x = L-e
x = 75 - 50 = 25mm
E. Solve for unbalanced moment “Mub”
M ub = P ( x )
æ 25 ö
M ub = 180 ç = 4.5kN - m
è 1000 ÷ø
Given: P = 180kN
Example 2 - Solution
Extreme Fiber Stresses at the Midspan
F. Solve for final top fiber stress
P Mc
ft = - -
A I
180x10 3 4.5x10 6 (150 )
ft = - -
36,000 270x10 6
ft = -7.5MPa
G. Solve for final bottom fiber stress
180x10 3 9x10 6 (150 )
fb = - +
36,000 270x10 6
fb = -2.5MPa
Given: P = 180kN
Example # 3
A box girder of prestressed concrete bridge of span 40m has
overall dimensions of 1200mm by 1800mm. The uniform thickness of
the walls is 200mm. The live – load analysis indicates a maximum live –
load moment of 2000kN.m at the center of the span. The beam is
prestressed by parabolic cables with an initial force of 10000kN. The
cables which are concentric at supports have an eccentricity of 800mm
at the center – of – span section. Compute the resultant stresses at the
center – of – span section using the internal resisting couple method. Use
30% loss and unit weight of concrete = 24 kN/cu.m
 A. Section Properties:
Ex. # 3 - Solution Solve for the Area
A = éë(1200 ) (1800 ) - ( 800 ) (1400 ) ùû
A = 1040x10 3 mm2
Solve for the Moment of Inertia
1200 (1800 ) 800 (1400 )
3 3

I= -
12 12
I = 400.267x109 mm4
B. Solve for the Moment (Center Span)
æ 1040x10 3 ö
wDL = 24 ç ÷ = 24.96kN.m
è 1000 ø2

wL 24.96 ( 40 )
2 2

MLL = 2000 kN.m; Pi = 10,000kN M DL = = = 4992kN.m

8 8
Ex. # 3 - Solution
B. Solve for the Moment (Center Span)
M T = M DL + M LL = 4992 + 2000
M T = 6992kN - m
C. Solve for the distance “L”
M = PL
( )
6992x10 6 = 0.7 10,000x10 3 ( L )
L = 998.857mm
D. Solve for the distance “x”
x = L-e
x = 998.857 - 800 = 198.857mm
MLL = 2000 kN.m; Pi = 10,000kN
Ex. # 3 - Solution
E. Solve for the Unbalanced Moment (Mub)
M ub = P ( x )
æ 198.857 ö
M ub = 0.7 (10,000 ) ç
è 1000 ÷ø
M ub = 1391.999kN - m
F. Solve for the Resultant Top Fiber Stress
P Mc
ft = - -
A I
ft = -
(
0.7 10000x10 3 ) - (1391.999x10 )( 900)
6

1040x10 3 400.267x10 9

MLL = 2000 kN.m; Pi = 10,000kN ft = -9.861MPa

Ex. # 3 - Solution
F. Solve for the Resultant Bottom Fiber Stress
P Mc
fb = - -
A I

fb = -
(
0.7 10000x10 3 ) + (1391.999x10 )( 900)
6

1040x10 3 400.267x10 9

fb = -3.600MPa

MLL = 2000 kN.m; Pi = 10,000kN

Problem 4
A prestressed concrete bridge deck comprises unsymmetrical I –
section beams spanning over 20m. The cross – section of a typical beam
is shown in the figure below. The beam is prestressed by seven
Freyssinet cables, each carrying an initial force of 750kN located
200mm from the soffit at the center of span section. If the total
maximum bending moment at the center of span of the girder is
3600kN.m, estimate the resultant stress developed at the section using
the internal resisting couple method. Loss of stress = 20%.
Problem 4 – Solution 1 using ICM
A. Section Properties – Area:
A1 = 1200 ( 200 ) = 240,000mm2
A2 = 200 ( 900 ) = 180,000mm2
A3 = 500 ( 400 ) = 200,000mm2
AT = A1 + A2 + A3 = 620,000mm2
B. Section Properties – Location of N.A.
620,000yb = 240,000 (1400 ) +180,000 ( 850 ) + 200,000 ( 200 )
yb = 853.225mm
yt = 646.774mm
e = yb - 200 = 853.225 - 200
L = 20m; Pi = 750kN; M = 3600 kN.m e = 653.225mm
Problem 4 – Solution 1 using ICM
B. Section Properties – Location of N.A.
é 1200 ( 200 )3 200 ( 900 )
3
2ù
ê + 240,000 ( 546.774 ) 2
+ + 180,000 ( 3.225 ) ú
12 12
I NA =ê ú
ê 500 ( 400 ) 3
ú
ê + + 200,000 ( 653.225 ) 2
ú
ë 12 û

I NA = 172.710x109 mm4

C. Solve for the lever arm “x”

M = PL
3600x106 = ( 0.8x7x750x10 3 ) L
L = 857.143mm
x = L - e = 857.143- 653.225
x = 203.918mm
L = 20m; Pi = 750kN; M = 3600 kN.m
Problem 4 – Solution 1 using ICM
D. Solve for the Unbalanced Moment (Mub)

M ub = Px =
( 0.8x7x750x10 ) ( 203.918 )
3

10 6
M ub = 856.456kN.m
E. Solve for the Final Top Fiber Stress
P Mc
ft = - -
A I
0.8x7x750x10 3 856.456x10 6 ( 646.774 )
ft = - -
620,000 172.710x10 9

ft = -9.981MPa

L = 20m; Pi = 750kN; M = 3600 kN.m

Problem 4 – Solution 1 using ICM
F. Solve for the Final Bottom Fiber Stress
0.8x7x750x10 3 856.456x10 6 ( 853.225 )
fb = - +
620,000 172.710x10 9

fb = -2.543MPa

L = 20m; Pi = 750kN; M = 3600 kN.m

Problem 4 – Solution 2 using CLA
A. Section Properties – Area:
A1 = 1200 ( 200 ) = 240,000mm2
A2 = 200 ( 900 ) = 180,000mm2
A3 = 500 ( 400 ) = 200,000mm2
AT = A1 + A2 + A3 = 620,000mm2
B. Section Properties – Location of N.A.
620,000yb = 240,000 (1400 ) +180,000 ( 850 ) + 200,000 ( 200 )
yb = 853.225mm
yt = 646.774mm
e = yb - 200 = 853.225 - 200
L = 20m; Pi = 750kN; M = 3600 kN.m e = 653.225mm
Problem 4 – Solution 2 using CLA
B. Section Properties – Location of N.A.
é 1200 ( 200 )3 200 ( 900 )
3
2ù
ê + 240,000 ( 546.774 ) 2
+ + 180,000 ( 3.225 ) ú
12 12
I NA =ê ú
ê 500 ( 400 ) 3
ú
ê + + 200,000 ( 653.225 ) 2
ú
ë 12 û

I NA = 172.710x109 mm4

C. Solve for the stress due to DL and LL

Mc 3600x10 6 ( 646.774 )
ft = - =-
I 172.710x10 9
ft = -13.481MPa

Mc 3600x10 6 ( 853.225 )
fb = + =+
I 172.710x10 9
fb = +17.785MPa
L = 20m; Pi = 750kN; M = 3600 kN.m
Problem 4 – Solution 2 using CLA
C. Solve for the stress due to PS
P Mc
ft = - +
A I
0.8x7x750x10 3 0.8x7x750x10 3 x653.225x646.774
ft = - +
620,000 172.710x10 9
ft = +3.500MPa
P Mc
fb = - -
A I
0.8x7x750x10 3 0.8x7x750x10 3 x653.225 ( 853.225 )
fb = - -
620,000 172.710x10 9
fb = -20.328MPa

L = 20m; Pi = 750kN; M = 3600 kN.m

Problem 4 – Solution 2 using CLA
D. Solve for the Final Stresses
ftResultant = ft DL+LL + ftPS
ft Resultant = -13.481+ 3.500
ft Resultant = -9.981MPa

fbResultant = fbDL+LL + fbPS

fbResultant = +17.785 - 20.328
fbResultant = -2.543MPa

L = 20m; Pi = 750kN; M = 3600 kN.m

Reference:
Raju, N. K. (2006). Prestressed concrete. Tata McGraw-Hill Education.