PRESTRESSED CONCRETE

FRICTION & ANCHORAGE TAKE-UP LOSS

BY: AYAZ MALIK

FRICTION LOSSES (REF a, b, c & f)

Consider an infinitesimal length dx of a prestressing tendon whose centroid follows the arc of a
circle of radius R, then the change in angle of the tendon as it goes around the length dx is,
d =

dx
R
dx

P
P dP

P
dP

P dP
N = Pd

FRICTIONAL LOSS dF ALONG THE LENGTH dx

DUE TO CURVATURE FRICTION (Ref. a)
d

For this infinitesimal length dx, the stress in the tendon may be considered constant & equal to P;
then the normal component of pressure produced by the stress P bending around an angle d is,
N = Pd =

Pdx
R

Let, be the coefficient of curvature friction & K, the wobble friction coefficient. The amount of
frictional loss dP around the length dx is given by,
dP = N =

Pdx
= Pd
R

dP
= d
P
Integrating on both sides with limits P1 & P2,
P2

P1

1
dP = d
P

ln|P2 | ln|P1 | =
ln |
e

P2
| =
P1

P
ln| 2 |
P1

= e

P2 = P1 e
If L is the length of the curve with constant radius R, then = L/ R,
P2 = P1 e

L
R

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PRESTRESSED CONCRETE
FRICTION & ANCHORAGE TAKE-UP LOSS

BY: AYAZ MALIK

The above equation gives the frictional loss due to curvature. This equation can also be applied to
compute the frictional loss due to wobble or length effect by substituting the loss KL for ,
P2 = P1 e KL

Actual profile
due to
wobbling

Tendon supports

Intended profile

(Intended angle change)

PRESTRESS LOSS DUE TO WOBBLE FRICTION (Ref. b)

To combine the wobble & curvature effect, we can simply write,
P2 = P1 e KL
Or dividing by tendon area, the above equation can be written in terms of unit stresses,
f2 = f1 e KL
The friction loss is obtained from above expression. Loss of steel stress is given as FR = f1 f2, where
f1 is the steel stress at the jacking end & L is length to the point under consideration. Thus,
FR = f1 f2 = f1 f1 e KL = f1 (1 e KL )
For tendons with a succession of curves of varying radii, it is necessary to apply this formula from
section to section. The reduced stress at the end of a segment can be used to compute the frictional
loss for the next segment.
Since practically for all prestressed-concrete members, the depth is small compared with the
length, the curve is relatively flat. The angular change is approximately given by the transverse
deviation of the tendon divided by the projected length, both referred to the member axis.

/2

x/2
x

APPROXIMATE DETERMINATION OF CENTRAL ANGLE FOR A TENDON (Ref. a)

From the figure above, we have,
tan

m
2m
=
=
2
x/2
x

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PRESTRESSED CONCRETE
FRICTION & ANCHORAGE TAKE-UP LOSS

BY: AYAZ MALIK

In above equation m is approximately equal to twice the sag y. Also, for small angles, the tangent of
an angle is nearly equal to the angle itself, measured in radians. Therefore,

2(2y)
=
2
x

8y
(radians
x

The value of y can be obtained from the arc geometry. Let R be the known radius of the arc, then
using the Pythagoras theorem, we get,
x 2
( ) + (R y)2 = R2
2
x2
+ R2 + y 2 2Ry R2 = 0
4
y 2 2Ry +

x2
=0
4

Solving the above quadratic equation, y can be obtained, which can be used to find the value of .
Typical values of wobble friction coefficient & curvature friction coefficient are listed below. These
values are taken from Ref. c.
Wobble Coefficient, K
(per meter length x 10-3)

Curvature Coefficient,

Wire tendons

3.3 5.0

0.15 0.25

7 wire strands

1.6 6.5

0.15 0.25

High strength bars

0.3 2.0

0.08 0.30

Tendons in rigid
metal sheath

7 wire strand

0.70

0.15 0.25

Pre-greased
tendons

Wire tendons & 7

wire strand

1.0 6.5

0.05 0.15

Mastic coated
tendons

Wire tendons & 7

wire strand

3.3 6.6

0.05 0.15

Type of Tendon & sheath

Tendons in flexible
metal sheathing

EXAMPLE 1 FRICTIONAL LOSS

A concrete beam, continuous over two spans is post-tensioned at both ends on a flat base. The
prestress applied is 1500MPa. The modulus of elasticity of steel & concrete are 200000MPa &
33100 MPa respectively. The beam is prestressed using 7-wire strand. The idealized sections are
shown below. Compute the percentage loss of prestress due to friction at middle support.
R = 50m
A

DE

E
C

BC

F
R = 30m

400mm
150mm
800mm
150mm

IDEALIZED SECTION AT MID-SUPPORT

3.5m 5m

5m 3.5m 3m

20m

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PRESTRESSED CONCRETE
FRICTION & ANCHORAGE TAKE-UP LOSS

BY: AYAZ MALIK

SOLUTION
Given Data:
Wobble friction coefficient, K

0.0018 m 1

Curvature friction coefficient,

0.2

Jacking force, F1

1500 x 987.1 = 1480650 N

Geometric Properties:
L2
=0
4

8y
(radians)
L

Segment

L (m)

R (m)

AB

3.5

BC

10.0

50

0.2506

0.2005

CD

3.5

DF

6.0

30

0.1504

0.200

DE

3.0

y 2 2Ry +

0.100 (DF/2)

Frictional Loss:
To take into account the gradual reduction of stress from A towards E, the tendon is divided into 4
portions from A to E. The reduced prestress force obtained at the end of each segment is used as the
starting stress for the next segment. Results are shown below in tabulated form.
Segment

L
(m)

KL

e KL

Reduced Force
F1e KL (N)

Remarks

AB

3.5

0.0063

0.0000

0.9937

1471321.905

F1 = 1480650.000 N

BC

10.0

0.0180

0.0401

0.9436

1388367.018

F1 = 1471351.227 N

CD

3.5

0.0063

0.0000

0.9937

1379620.306

F1 = 1388367.018 N

DE

3.0

0.0054

0.0200

0.9749

1344991.836

F1 = 1379620.306 N

Total frictional loss from A to E =

1480650.000 1344991.836
100 = 9.162 %
1480650

ANCHORAGE TAKE-UP LOSS (REF. a, b, e & g)

For most systems of posttensioning, when a tendon is tensioned to its full value, the jack is released
& the prestress is transferred to the anchorage. The anchorage fixtures that are subject to stresses
at this transfer will tend to deform, thus allowing the tendon to slacken slightly. Friction wedges
employed to hold the wires will slip a little distance before the wires can be firmly gripped. The
amount of slippage depends on the type of wedge & the stress in the wires, but it is typically
between 3mm to 9mm. For direct bearing anchorages, the heads & nuts are subject to a slight
deformation at the release of the jack. An average value for such deformations may be only about

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PRESTRESSED CONCRETE
FRICTION & ANCHORAGE TAKE-UP LOSS

BY: AYAZ MALIK

0.75mm. If long shims are required to hold the elongated wires in place, there will be a deformation
in the shims at transfer of prestress. As an example, a shim 0.3m long may deform 0.25mm.
Wide variation can occur & large anchorage set or take-up is possible due to the fact that the
hard, smooth wires may not immediately grip the steel before it has slipped through. A general
formula for computing the loss of prestress due to anchorage deformation a is
fs =

a Es
L

where,
a

Amount of slip

Tendon length of the tendon

Es

Elastic modulus of the prestressing steel

The above equation is based on the assumption that the slip is uniformly distributed over the length
of the tendon. This is approximately so for pretension, & may apply for posttensioning, if the tendon
is well greased or encased in low-friction plastic sheathing, & if wobble & curvature are small. For
many post-tensioned beams, however, the anchorage slip loss is mostly confined to a region close to
the jacking anchorage. Distribution along the tendon is prevented by reverse friction as the tendon
slips inward, & the steel stress throughout much of the tendon length may be unaffected by
anchorage slip.

PRESTRESS VARIATION BEFORE & AFTER ANCHORAGE (Ref. e & g)

Referring to the figure above, curves OB and AB are both characterized by the frictional parameters
of the prestressing system. Once these parameters are known together with the anchorage take-up
distance a , the length b of the back sliding segment and the stress loss at any location can be
calculated. The basic relationship for loss of prestress due to friction is,
fx = fo e( + K x) = fo ekx
where,

Angle change

5 / 13

PRESTRESSED CONCRETE
FRICTION & ANCHORAGE TAKE-UP LOSS
x

Distance between two points

Coefficient of friction

Wobble coefficient

Friction index

BY: AYAZ MALIK

From the figure above, the tendon stress before and after anchorage take-up is, respectively,
f1 = fo ekx
f2 = fb e k(b

x)

= fo e2kb ekx

The area OAB is obtained by integration,

b
1
2
(f1 f2 ) dx = fo (1 ekb )
k
o

Therefore,
Es k a
2
= (1 ekb )
fo
Solving the equation for b, we get
1
Es k a
b = ( ) ln (1
)
k
fo
The following equation gives the anchorage loss at the end of the beam where jacking force is
applied,
fo fa = fo (1 e2bk )
To find anchorage loss at any point from the end of the beam, following equation is used,
f1 f2 = fo e k x (1 e2k(b x) )
where, x is the distance from jacking end to the point under consideration. For a location outside
the anchorage length (x > b), the steel stress is not affected by the anchorage losses. For a location
inside the anchorage length (x < b), loss due to both, friction & anchorage seating occurs & is given
by the above equation. It should be remember that the above equation is valid only if b < le, where le
is effective beam length or the maximum length available for distribution of anchorage seating
losses; one half of the member length if tensioning is done from both ends simultaneously; length of
the member if post-tensioning is done from one end only.
The importance of anchorage slip also depends on the length of the member or casting bed. For
very short tendons, anchorage set will produce high slip losses. For long tendons or casting beds,
slip becomes insignificant. The above equations deal with tendon profiles in a single uniform
curvature only.

6 / 13

PRESTRESSED CONCRETE
FRICTION & ANCHORAGE TAKE-UP LOSS

BY: AYAZ MALIK

TWO-SEGMENT VARIATION (Ref. g)

For cases where the back sliding takes place over several segments of different curvatures, the
problem becomes a little more complicated. Consider the case where two segments with friction
indices k1 and k2 are involved, as shown in the figure. Tendon stress before anchoring is,
fx = fo ek1 x

when

fx = fo ek1 b1 ek 2 (x b1 )

0 x b1
when

b1 x b1 + b

After anchorage take-up losses, the tendon stress is,

fx = fo e(2 k 1 b1 + 2 k 2 b) ek 2 (x b1)
fx = fo e( k 1 b1 + 2 k 2 b) ek 2(x b1)

when
when

0 x b1
b1 x b1 + b

Upon integration, the following equation is obtained,

[

k1
1
Ek 1
2
2
(1 ek 1 b1 )] (1 ek 2 b ) + 2(1 ek1 b1 )(1 ek 2 b ) k b [
(1 ek1 b1 ) ] = 0
k2
e 1 1 fo

This is a quadratic equation in terms of the unknown parameter (1 e k2b).

STRESS VERSUS TIME IN THE STRANDS OF A PRETENSIONED CONCRETE GIRDER (Ref. l)

7 / 13

PRESTRESSED CONCRETE
FRICTION & ANCHORAGE TAKE-UP LOSS

BY: AYAZ MALIK

The figure above shows the losses that occur with time in the strands in a pretensioned concrete
girder. By the end of this lecture only friction and anchorage seating loss, & elastic shortening have
been discussed. Other losses, which are time-dependent losses such as creep, shrinkage and
relaxation of steel, will be discussed in next lecture.

EXAMPLE 2 FRICTION & ANCHORAGE TAKE-UP LOSS

A 12m long beam is posttensioned from one end. The tendon has a parabolic profile as shown in the
figure with a constant curvature. Compute the percentage loss of prestress due to friction and
anchorage take-up if the jacking stress is 1100 N/mm2.

150mm
L = 12m

IDEALIZED SECTION AT MID-SECTION

SOLUTION
Given Data:
Wobble friction coefficient, K

0.004 m 1

Curvature friction coefficient,

0.3

Amount of slip, a

1.5 mm

Tendon depression, y

150 mm

Therefore,
k=

8(0.15)12
+ K = 0.3
+ 0.004 = 0.0065 per m
x
12

Back-slip penetration Length:

The length of back sliding is calculated using the following equation;
1
Es k a
1
200000(0.0065)(0.0015)
b = ( ) ln (1
) = (
) ln (1
) = 6.618 m
k
fo
0.0065
1100
Friction & Anchorage Take-Up Loss:
The following equation gives the anchorage loss at the end of the beam where jacking force is
applied,
fo fa = fo (1 e2bk ) = 1100(1 e2(6.618)(0.0065) ) = 90.678 MPa
To find anchorage loss at any point from the end of the beam, following equation is used,
f1 f2 = fo e k x (1 e2k(b x) )

8 / 13

PRESTRESSED CONCRETE
FRICTION & ANCHORAGE TAKE-UP LOSS

BY: AYAZ MALIK

Where,
f1 = fo ekx

for

f2 = fb e k(b

x)

0 x L (Before anchorage loss)

= fo e2kb ekx

for

0 x b (After anchorage loss)

These equations are used to generate a table showing loss of prestress due to friction (f1) and due
to anchorage (f2). The results are plotted on the graph.

MPa

Friction loss,
fo f1
MPa

Anchorage loss,
f1 f2
MPa

1009.322
1022.529
1035.908
1049.463
1053.686
-

0
7.127
28.231
42.074
46.314
55.738
69.226
82.539

90.678
63.264
35.860
8.463
0.000
-

f1

f2

MPa

0
2
4
6
b = 6.618
8
10
12

1100.000
1085.793
1071.769
1057.926
1053.686
1044.262
1030.774
1017.461

PRESTRESS LOSS DUE TO FRICTION & ANCHORAGE

1120

f1

Prestress (MPa)

1100

f2

1080
1060

fo f1
fo fa

le

f1 f2

1040
1020
1000
0

10

12

14

Distance 'x' from the jacking end of the beam (m)

The above results show that the anchorage loss is significant near the jacking end of the beam and
reduces to zero at distance b from the jacking end. Also, back slip takes place over more than half of
the tendon. The total losses of prestress due to friction and anchorage are,
Percentage loss of prestress due to friction

82.539
100
1100.000

7.504 %

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PRESTRESSED CONCRETE
FRICTION & ANCHORAGE TAKE-UP LOSS
Percentage loss of prestress due to anchorage

BY: AYAZ MALIK

90.678
100
1100.000

8.243 %

Note that the anchorage loss is calculated at the jacking end since it has maximum value at this
location, while friction loss is calculated for the whole length of the tendon.

EXAMPLE 3 FRICTION & ANCHORAGE TAKE-UP LOSS VARIABLE CURVATURE

A 36m long beam is posttensioned from both ends. The tendon has a parabolic profile in the middle
30m, with a radius of 750m as shown in the figure. Tendon is straight in the 3m regions near each
end. Compute the percentage loss of prestress due to friction and anchorage take-up if the jacking
stress is 1200 N/mm2.
R = 750m

L2

L1

SOLUTION
Given Data:
Wobble friction coefficient, K

0.002 m 1

Curvature friction coefficient,

0.30

Amount of slip, a

1.50 mm

b1 or L1

3.00 m

L2

30.00 m

R1

0m

R2

750.00 m

Geometric Properties:
Depression of the middle portion of the tendon can be calculated using the following equation
y22 2R 2 y2 +

L22
=0
4

y22 2(750)y2 +

(30)2
=0
4

Solving the above quadratic equation, we get,

y2 = 0.150 m
Therefore,

10 / 13

PRESTRESSED CONCRETE
FRICTION & ANCHORAGE TAKE-UP LOSS

BY: AYAZ MALIK

1 = 0
2 =

8y2
8(0.150)
=
= 0.02 radians
2L2
2(30)

k1 =

1
0
+ K = 0.3 + 0.002 = 0.0020 per m
L1
3

k2 =

2
0.020
+ K = 0.3
+ 0.002 = 0.0024 per m
L2 2
15

Back-slip penetration Length:

Assuming that the back-slip is restricted to the first segment, the maximum anchorage take-up is
calculated using the following equation,
Es k 1 1
2
= (1 ek 1 b1 )
fo
Solving the above equation we get,
2

[1 e(0.002)(3) ] (1200)
1 =
= 0.00011 m
200000(0.002)
Since 1 is less than the specified anchorage take-up, back-slip penetrates beyond the first segment
and equation for two segments has to be used to calculate the back-slip penetration length.
The length of back sliding is calculated using the following equation;
[

k1
1
Ek 1
2
2
(1 ek 1b1 )] (1 ek 2 b ) + 2(1 ek 1 b1 )(1 ek2 b ) k b [
(1 ek 1 b1 ) ] = 0
1
1
k2
fo
e

This equation is quadratic in terms of (1 ek 2 b ). Solving the above equation yields,

1 ek 2 b = 0.0176
b = 7.400 m
Friction & Anchorage Take-Up Loss:
The following equations give the prestress loss before the anchorage loss occurs i.e., the loss is only
due to friction,
f1 = fo ek 1 x

when

f1 = fo ek 1 b1 ek 2(x b1)

0 x b1
when

b1 x b1 + b

After anchorage take-up losses, the tendon stress is given by the following equations,
f2 = fo e(2 k1 b1 + 2 k2 b) ek 2 (x b1 )
f2 = fo e( k1 b1 + 2 k2 b) ek 2 (x b1 )

when
when

0 x b1
b1 x b1 + b

These equations are used to generate a table showing loss of prestress due to friction (f 1) and due
to anchorage (f2). The results are plotted on the graph.

11 / 13

PRESTRESSED CONCRETE
FRICTION & ANCHORAGE TAKE-UP LOSS

BY: AYAZ MALIK

f1

f2

Friction loss,
fo f1

Anchorage loss,
f1 f2

MPa

MPa

MPa

MPa

1200.000 1136.098

0.000

63.902

1197.602 1138.828

2.398

58.774

1195.210 1141.565

4.790

53.645

b1 = 3

1192.822 1144.308

7.178

48.514

1189.962 1153.961

10.038

36.002

1187.110 1156.733

12.890

30.376

1184.264 1159.513

15.736

24.751

1181.425 1162.299

18.575

19.126

1178.593 1165.092

21.407

13.501

b + b1 = 10.4

1171.823 1171.823

28.177

0.000

12

1167.332

32.668

14

1161.743

38.257

16

1156.180

43.820

18

1150.643

49.357

PRESTRESS LOSS DUE TO FRICTION & ANCHORAGE

Prestress (MPa)

1220
1200

f1

b1 + b

b1

f2

fo f1

1180

f1 f2
1160
1140
1120
0

10

12

14

16

Distance 'x' from the Jacking End of the Beam (m)

The total losses of prestress due to friction and anchorage are,

18

12 / 13

PRESTRESSED CONCRETE
FRICTION & ANCHORAGE TAKE-UP LOSS

BY: AYAZ MALIK

Percentage loss of prestress due to friction

49.357
100
1200.000

4.113 %

Percentage loss of prestress due to anchorage

63.902
100
1200.000

5.325 %

Note that the anchorage loss is calculated at the jacking end since it has maximum value at this
location, while friction loss is calculated for the half length of the tendon (Since jacking force is
applied at both ends).

REFERENCES
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.

T. Y. Lin, Ned H. Burns, Design of Prestressed Concrete Structures, 3rd Edition, 1981
Arthur H. Nilson, Design of Prestressed Concrete, 2nd Edition, 1987
Cement Association of Canada, Concrete Design Handbook, 3rd Edition, 2012
Canadian Standards Association, CAN/CSA-A23.3-04Design of Concrete Structures, 2007
Ti Huang, Burt Hoffman, Prediction of Prestress Losses in Posttensioned Members,
Department of Transportation, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, 1978
f. Gail S. Kelly, Prestress Losses in Posttensioned Structures, PTI Technical Notes, 2000
g. Ti Huang, Anchorage take-up loss in Posttensioned Members, 1969
h. PCI, Post-Tensioning Manual, 1972
i. Maher K. Tadros, Nabil Al-Omaishi, Stephen J. Seguirant, James G. Gallt, Prestress Losses in
Pretensioned High-strength Concrete Bridge Girders, NCHRP Report 496, 2003

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