WHAT IS POST TENSIONING

The principle idea of Prestressed concrete is to introduce compression in the

Tension zone or reinforced concrete in order to reduce deflection and cracking
 PRESTRESSED CONCRETE

PRE-TENSIONING POST-TENSIONING
( usually pre-cast ) (cast insitu )

UNBONDED SYSTEM BONDED SYSTEM

 Post tensioning construction procedure
1- post tensioning ducts are placed in the slab according to the design profile

2- high strength strands inserted inside

3- Dead ends are made by special machine at one end of the strands

4- live ends anchors are placed at the other ends of the strands

5- minimum reinforcement are placed according to the design

6- concrete are poured in normal way of reinforced concrete slabs

7- after 12 hours initial stress of 20% are done in order to reduce the plastic cracks

8- full stress of the tendons are done after 3 days when the concrete strength reach
at least 25 N/mm2

9- The tendons are grouted with special grout in the bonded system

10- The anchors places are closed with a grout

11- The scaffolding can be removed for further construction

 BONDED AND UNBONDED SYSTEMS

Bonded system
Flat duct usually galvanized steel 20m By 70mm is used
Multi strands are inserted inside ( 3 to 5 strands)
The duct is grouted with non-shrinking grout after full tensioning of the strands
One end is dead end and the other is live end unless the tendon is too long

Un-bonded system
Round Sheathing ducts (usually plastic) are used
Single strand is inserted in the duct
The duct if full grease for corrosion protection
Two live ends anchors are used
 Deference between bonded and un-bonded system

Bonded system:
1- The ducts and strands are integrated with the concrete in similar way of ordinary
Reinforcement
2- The failure of anchorages and local cut of the strands will not resulted in total
failure of the post tensioning forces
3- Need no maintenance during the useful life of the structure
4- demolition can be done as in ordinary reinforced concrete
5- less flexible to deflect tendons horizontally around opening

Un-bonded system :
1- more flexibility in placing tendons in the plan
2- anchorage failure or strands cuts will result in total loss of the prestressing forces
3- Needs maintenance during the life of the structure
4- needs two live ends for all tendons
5- demolition need special care and safety as it can be explosive
 Advantages of post tensioning system

1- Construction proceed like ordinary cast in place reinforced concrete

2- Less time is required for the placement of the PT and conventional reinforcement

3- Faster construction can be achieved because scaffoldings can be removed after

3 days

4- It more economic than reinforced concrete

5- Less deflection and cracks under service loads
6- less slabs thickness is required which resulted in saving of the floor heights
and loads on the columns and footings in addition to giving more flexibility
in AC design
Live ends of tendons ( bonded system )
Dead end of tendon ( bonded system )
Post tensioning machines
 The Grouting pump

Dead End Machine ( onion machine )

PT Strands
 Actual Construction photos ( UAE )

PT Circular beam at Al Wahda mall ( Abu Dhabi )

 Dead End (3 strand)

Live End
Tendons and reinforcement layout (Ajman site)
Post tensioning operations
Post tensioning slabs types

Almost all types of

Slabs can be used
In post tensioning
systems
 Comparison study of RC and PT slabs systems
The study based on 300 Dh. For one cubic meter of concrete and 2.5 Dh. For
One kilogram of reinforcement including fixing , the price of the post tensioning are
takenFrom the actual construction practice in Dubai

A- 6 meters span slab

1- R.C. System :
-Slab thickness is 25 cm
-Concrete cost 75 Dh./m2
- Reinforcement ( 140 kg/m3) 87.5Dh/m2
-Total cost 162.5 Dh/m2
2- PT System :
-Slab Thickness is 20 Cm , reinforcement content is 40 kg/m3
- Concrete cost 60 Dh./m2
-Steel cost (40kg/m3) 20 Dh./m2
-PT cost 45 Dh./m2
-Total cost 125 Dh./m2

-Saving 37.5 Dh./m2

 B- 8 meters span solid slab

1- RC system 30 cm thick
-Concrete cost 90 Dh/m2
-Steel cost (150kg/m3) 112.5 Dh/m2
-Total cost 202.5 Dh/m2

2- PT system 22cm thick

-Concrete cost 66 Dh/m2
-Steel cost ( 45kG/m3) 25 Dh/m2
-PT cost 46 Dh/m2
- Total cost 137 Dh/m2

-Saving 65.5 Dh./m2

 C- 10 meters solid slab

1- RC slab system 40cm thick

- Concrete cost 120 Dh./m2
-Steel cost (170 kg/m2) 170 Dh/m2
- Total cost 290 Dh./m2

2- PT system 28 cm thick
-Concrete cost 84 Dh./m2
-Steel cost (50 kg/m3 ) 35 Dh./m2
-PT cost 52 Dh./m2
-Total cost 171 Dh./m2

Total saving 119 Dh./m2

 Post tensioning design

The post tensioning design mainly done by sophisticated structural software

Using either equivalent frame method or finite element method , In both case
An accurate results are obtained and the concern code requirement are satisfied
The tendons and steel are accurately located and the stresses and the deflections
Are calculated

3D model by computer
 Tendon location and profiles
Are done by the software

Tendons can be visualized in

3D for checking
 Deflection can be visualized graphically

Stress can be displayed graphically

For accurate design
 Code requirement can be checked
Automatically by the software

Reinforcement locations and

Amount can be drawn by the
software
Sample PT Buildings
Thank You