Partial Loss of Prestress

Prepared by:

Engr. Kenny B. Cantila

Assistant Professor IV
 Reduction of Prestressing force

Immediate elastic loss Time – dependent losses

• Elastic shortening • Creep

• Anchorage losses • Shrinkage
• Frictional losses • Temperature
• Steel relaxation
 Types of Prestress Losses

Stage of occurrence Tendon stress loss

Type of
prestress loss Pre-tensioned Post-tensioned During time Total or during
members members interval (t i , t j ) life
Elastic
At sequential
shortening of At transfer ∆fpES
jacking
concrete (ES)
Relaxation of Before and after
After transfer ∆fpR (t i , t j ) ∆fpR
tendons (R) transfer
Creep of After transfer
After transfer ∆fpCR (t i , t j ) ∆fpCR
Concrete (CR)
Shrinkage (SH) After transfer After transfer ∆fpSH (t i , t j ) ∆fpSH
Friction (F) After transfer After jacking ∆fpF
Anchorage
After transfer ∆fpA
seating loss (A)
Total Life Life ∆fpT (t i , t f ) ∆fpT
(i) Pretensioned Members:

∆fpT = ∆fpES + ∆fpR + ∆fpCR + ∆fpSH Eq. 3.1a

∆fpR = ∆fpR t o , t tr + ∆fpR t tr , t s

t o = time at jacking
t tr = time at transfer
t s = time at stabilized loss

∆fpi = ∆fpJ − ∆fpR t 0 , t tr − ∆fpES Eq. 3.1b

∆fpT = total prestress losses

∆fpES = prestress loss due to elastic shortening of concrete
∆fpR = prestress loss due to relaxation of tendons
∆fCR = prestress loss due to creep of concrete
∆fSH = prestress loss due to shrinkage
∆fpi = initial prestressing stress
∆fpJ = jacking stress
(i) Post-tensioned Members:

∆fpT = ∆fpA + ∆fpF + ∆fpES + ∆fpR + ∆fpCR + ∆fpSH Eq. 3.1c

∆fpi = ∆fpJ + ∆fpA − ∆fpF Eq. 3.1d

• ∆fpES is applicable when tendons are jacked sequentially (not

simultaneously)
• Computation of relaxation loss start between the transfer time
t1 and the end of time under consideration t 2 .
 Elastic Shortening of Concrete

(a) Pi Pi
L

(b)

∆ES

Elastic shortening: a Unstressed beam; b shortened beam

fc Pi
ϵES = = Eq. 3.2a
Ec A c Ec

Since the prestressing tendon suffers the same magnitude of

shortening,
Es Pi nPi
∆fpES = Es ϵES = = = nfcs Eq. 3.2b
A c Ec A c
The stress in the concrete at the centroid of the steel due to initial
prestressing is:
Pi
fcs =− Eq. 3.3
Ac

If the tendon has an eccentricity e at the beam midspan and the self-
weight moment MD is taken into account, the stress of the concrete
undergoes at the midspan section at the level of the prestressing steel
becomes:

Pi e2 MD e
fcs =− 1+ 2 + Eq. 3.4
Ac r Ic
 Elastic Shortening Loss in Pretensioned Beams

Problem 1: A pretensioned prestressed beam has a span of 15.2 m as

shown in the figure. For this beam, fc′ = 41.4 MPa, fpu = 1,862 MPa,
fci′ = 31 MPa, Eps =1,862 MPa, Aps = 987.1 mm2 (10 – 12.7 mm ∅
seven–wire–strand tendon). Calculate the concrete fiber stress at
transfer at the centroid of the tendon for the midspan section of the
beam, and the magnitude of loss in prestress due to the effect of
elastic shortening of the concrete. Assume that prior to transfer, the
jacking force on the tendon was 75% fpu .
Section 1 − 1
1

762 mm
Pi cgc Pi
101.6 mm
1
15.2 m 381 mm
Cross section of the beam 2
Ic
r =
Ac
10
Ac = bh 1.405 × 10
r2 =
Ac = 381(762) 290,322
𝐀 𝐜 = 𝟐𝟗𝟎, 𝟑𝟐𝟐 𝐦𝐦𝟐 𝐫 𝟐 = 𝟒𝟖, 𝟑𝟖𝟕 𝐦𝐦𝟐

Moment of inertia ec = h/2 − c

ec = 762/2 − 101.6
bh3 𝐞𝐜 = 𝟐𝟕𝟗. 𝟒 𝐦𝐦
Ic =
12
381(762)3 Distributed load
Ic =
12
𝐈𝐜 = 𝟏. 𝟒𝟎𝟓 × 𝟏𝟎𝟏𝟎 𝐦𝐦𝟒 w = γc A c
23.5 290,322
w=
10002
𝐰 = 𝟔. 𝟖𝟐𝟑 𝐤𝐍/𝐦
Initial Prestress force Moment due to self-weight

Pi = 0.75fpu Aps wL2

MD =
Pi = 0.75 1,862 987.1 8
𝐏𝐢 = 𝟏, 𝟑𝟕𝟖, 𝟒𝟖𝟓 𝐍 6.823 15.2 2
MD =
8
𝐌𝐃 = 𝟏𝟗𝟕. 𝟎𝟓 𝐤𝐍 ∙ 𝐦

Pi e2 MD e
fcs = − 1+ 2 +
Ac r Ic
1,378,485 279.42 (197.05 × 106 )(279.4)
fcs = − 1+ +
290,322 48,387 1.405 × 1010
𝐟𝐜𝐬 = −𝟖. 𝟒𝟗 𝐌𝐏𝐚
Initial elastic modulus 28th elastic modulus

Eci = 4,700 f′ci Ec = 4,700 f′c

Eci = 4,700 31 Ec = 4,700 41.4
𝐄𝐜𝐢 = 𝟐𝟔, 𝟏𝟔𝟖. 𝟓 𝐌𝐏𝐚 𝐄𝐜 = 𝟑𝟎, 𝟐𝟒𝟏 𝐌𝐏𝐚

Initial modular ratio 28th day modular ratio

n = Eps /Eci n = Eps /Ec

n = 186,160/26,168.5 n = 186,160/30,241
𝐧 = 𝟕. 𝟏𝟏 𝐧 = 𝟔. 𝟏𝟔

Prestress loss due to elastic If a reduced Pi is used with

shortening: assumed 10% reduction,

∆fpES = nfcs ∆fpES = nf′cs

∆fpES = 7.11(8.49) ∆fpES = 7.11(0.9 × 8.49)
∆𝐟𝐩𝐄𝐒 = 𝟔𝟎. 𝟑𝟔 𝐌𝐏𝐚 ∆𝐟𝐩𝐄𝐒 = 𝟓𝟒. 𝟑𝟐 𝐌𝐏𝐚
Post – tensioned Elements

In post-tensioned beams, the elastic shortening loss varies from zero

if all tendons are jacked simultaneously to half the value calculated in
the pretensioned case if several sequential jacking steps are used, such
as jacking two tendons at a time. If n is the number of tendons or pair
of tendons sequentially tensioned, then
n
1 Eq. 3.5
∆fpES = ∆fpES
n j
j=1

where j denotes the number of jacking operations. Note that the

tendon that was tensioned last does not suffer any losses due to elastic
shortening, while the tendon that was tensioned first suffer the
maximum amount of loss.
Problem 2: Solve Problem 1 if the beam is post – tensioned and the
prestressing operation is such that

(a) Two tendons are jacked at a time

(b) One tendon is jacked at a time
(c) All tendons are simultaneously tensioned.

Part a:

In the previous example, ∆fpES = 60.36 MPa. Clearly, the last tendon
suffers no loss of prestress due to elastic shortening. So only the first
four pairs have losses, with the first pair suffering the maximum loss
of 60.36 MPa. From Eq. 3.5, the loss due to elastic shortening in the
post – tensioned beam is:

4 3 2 1
4 +4+4+4
∆fpES = (60.36)
5
∆𝐟𝐩𝐄𝐒 = 𝟑𝟎. 𝟏𝟖 𝐌𝐏𝐚
Part b:

9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
9+9+9+9+9+9+9+9+9
∆fpES = (60.36)
10
∆𝐟𝐩𝐄𝐒 = 𝟑𝟎. 𝟏𝟖 𝐌𝐏𝐚

In both cases the loss in prestressing in the post – tensioned beam is

half of the pre – tensioned beam.

Part c:

∆𝐟𝐩𝐄𝐒 = 𝟎
Steel Stress Relaxation (R)

Stress – relieved tendons suffer loss in prestressing force due to

constant elongation with time. The magnitude of the decrease in the
prestress depends not only on the duration of the sustained
prestressing force, but also on the ratio fpi /fpy of the initial prestress
to the yield strength of the reinforcement. Such loss in stress is termed
stress relaxation. The ACI 310-02 Code limits the tensile stress in the
prestressing tendons to the following:

(a) For stresses due to the tendon jacking force, fpJ = 0.94fpy , but
not greater than the lesser of 0.80fp𝑢 and the maximum value
recommended by the manufacturer of the tendons and
anchorages.
(b) Immediately after prestress transfer, fp𝑖 = 0.82fpy , but not
greater than 0.74fp𝑢
(c) In post–tensioned tendons, at the anchorages and couplers
immediately after force transfer = 0.70fp𝑢
The range value of fpy is given by the following:

Prestressing bars: fpy = 0.80fpu

Stress-relieved tendons: fpy = 0.85fpu
Low-relaxation tendons: fpy = 0.90fpu

If fpR is the remaining prestressing stress in the steel after relaxation,

the following expression defines fpR for stress-relieved steel:

fpR log t 2 − log t1 fpi

=1− − 0.55 Eq. 3.6
fpi 10 fpy
In the expression, log t in hours is to the base 10, fpi /fp𝑦 exceeds 0.55,
and t = t 2 − t1 . Also, for low-relaxation steel, the denominator of the
log term in the equation is divided by 45 instead of 10.

Stress–relaxation relationship in stress–relieved strands.

An approximation of the term (log t 2 − log t1 ) can be made in Eq. 3.6
so that log = log(t 2 − t1 ) without significant loss in accuracy. In that
case, the stress – relaxation loss becomes

′
log 𝑡 f′pi Eq. 3.7
∆fpR = f p𝑖 − 0.55
10 fpy

where f′pi is the initial prestress in steel to which the concrete element
is subjected.
If step–by–step loss analysis is necessary, the loss incremental at any
particular stage can be defined as:

log t 2 − log t1 f′pi

∆fpR = f ′
pi − 0.55 Eq. 3.8
10 fpy

where t1 is the time at the beginning of the interval and t 2 is the time
at the end of the interval from jacking to the time when the loss is
being considered.

For low relaxation steel, the divider is 45 instead of 10 in Eq. 3.8, as

shown in Eq. 2.19
Computation of Relaxation Loss

Problem 3: Calculate the relaxation loss in prestress at the end of 5

years in Problem 1, assuming the relaxation loss from jacking to
transfer, from elastic shortening, and long–term loss due to creep and
shrinkage over this period is 20% of the initial prestress. Assume that
the yield strength fpy = 1,586 MPa.
 Duration of prestress for calculating relaxation
fpi = 0.75fpu loss
fpi = 0.75 × 1,862
𝐟𝐩𝐢 = 𝟏, 𝟑𝟗𝟔. 𝟓 𝐌𝐏𝐚 t = 5 × 365 × 24
t = 43,800 hours

Reduced stress for calculating ′

log t f′pi
∆fpR = f pi − 0.55
relaxation loss: 10 f ′ py
log(43,800) 1,117
f ′ pi = (1 − 0.20)fpi ∆fpR = (1,117) − 0.55
10 1,586
f ′ pi = (1 − 0.20)(1,396.5) ∆𝐟𝐩𝐑 = 𝟖𝟎 𝐌𝐏𝐚
𝐟 ′ 𝐩𝐢 = 𝟏, 𝟏𝟏𝟕 𝐌𝐏𝐚
ACI – ASCE Method of Accounting for Relaxation Loss

The ACI – ASCE method uses the separate contributions of elastic

shortening, creep, and shrinkage in the evaluation of the steel stress –
relaxation loss by means of the equation:

∆fpR = [K RE − J∆(fpES + fpCR + fpSH )] × C

The values of K re , J, and C are given in the following tables.

 Value of C

Stress – relieved Stress – relieved

Stress- Stress-
bar or low – bar or low –
fpi /fpu relieved fpi /fpu relieved
relaxation strand relaxation strand
strand or wire strand or wire
or wire or wire
0.80 1.28 0.69 0.94 0.70
0.79 1.22 0.68 0.89 0.66
0.78 1.16 0.67 0.83 0.61
0.77 1.11 0.66 0.78 0.57
0.76 1.05 0.65 0.73 0.53
0.75 1.45 1.00 0.64 0.68 0.49
0.74 1.36 0.95 0.63 0.63 0.45
0.73 1.27 0.90 0.62 0.58 0.41
0.72 1.18 0.85 0.61 0.53 0.37
0.71 1.09 0.80 0.60 0.49 0.33
0.70 1.00 0.75 Source: Post – Tensioning Institute
 Values of 𝐊 𝐑𝐄 and 𝐉
Types of tendons a K RE J
270 Grade stress – relieved strand or wire 20,000 0.15
250 Grade stress – relieved strand or wire 18,500 0.14
240 or 235 Grade stress – relieved wire 17,600 0.13
270 Grade low – relaxation strand 5,000 0.040
250 Grade low – relaxation wire 4,630 0.037
240 or 235 Grade low – relaxation wire 4,400 0.035
145 or 160 Grade stress – relieved bar 6,000 0.05
* In accordance with ASTM A416 – 74, ASTM A421 – 76 , or ASTM A722 – 75

Source: Prestressed Concrete Institute

 Creep Loss (CR)

Experimental work over past half century indicates that flow in

materials occurs with time when load or stress exists. This lateral
flow or deformation due to the longitudinal stress is termed creep. It
must be emphasized that creep stresses and stress losses result only
from sustained loads during the loading history of the structural
element.
The deformation to strain results from this time – dependent behavior
is a function of the magnitude of the applied load, its duration, the
properties of the concrete including its mixture proportions, curing
conditions, the age of the element at first loading, and the
environmental conditions. Since the stress – strain relationship due to
creep is essentially linear, it is feasible to relate the creep strain ϵCR to
the elastic strain ϵEL such that a creep coefficient Cu can de defined as

ϵCR
Cu = Eq. 3.9a
ϵCL

Then the creep coefficient at any time t in days can be defined as

t 0.60
Ct = C Eq. 3.9b
10 + t 0.60 u

The value of Cu ranges between 2 and 4, with an average of 2.35 for

ultimate creep.
The loss in prestressed members due to creep can be defined for
bonded members as:

Eps
∆fpCR = Ct f Eq. 3.10
Ec cs

where fcs is the stress in concrete at the level of the centroid of the
prestressing tendon. In general, this loss is a function of the stress in
the concrete at the section being analyzed. In post–tensioned, non–
bonded members, the loss can be considered essentially uniform
along the whole span. Hence, an average value of concrete stress fcs
between the anchorage points can be used in calculating the creep in
post–tensioned members.
The ACI – ASCE Committee expression for evaluating creep loss has
essentially the same format in Equation 3.10, viz,

Eps
∆fpCR = K CR f − fcsd Eq. 3.10a
Ec cs

∆fpCR = nK CR fcs − fcsd Eq. 3.10b

where:

K CR = 2.0 for pretensioned members; 1.6 for post–tensioned members

(both for normal concrete)
⇒ the value can be reduced by 20% for lightweight concrete
fcs = stress in concrete at level of steel cgs immediately after transfer
fcsd = stress in concrete at level of steel cgs due to all superimposed
dead loads applied after prestressing is accomplished
n = modular ratio
Computation of Creep Loss

Problem 4: Compute the loss in prestress due to creep in Problem 1.

The total superimposed load, excluding the beam’s own weight after
transfer is 5.5 kN/m.

28th day elastic modulus Moment due to service dead load

Ec = 4,700 f′c wSD L2

MSD =
Ec = 4,700 41.4 8
𝐄𝐜 = 𝟑𝟎, 𝟐𝟒𝟏 𝐌𝐏𝐚 (5.5)(15.2)2
MSD =
8
𝐌𝐒𝐃 = 𝟏𝟓𝟖. 𝟖𝟒 𝐤𝐍 ∙ 𝐦
28th day modular ratio

n = Es /Eci
n = 186,160/30,241
𝐧 = 𝟔. 𝟏𝟔
Moment due to service dead load For normal weight concrete

wSD L2 K CR = 2.0 (pretensioned beam)

MSD =
8
(5.5)(15.2)2 Creep Loss
MSD =
8
𝐌𝐒𝐃 = 𝟏𝟓𝟖. 𝟖𝟒 𝐤𝐍 ∙ 𝐦 ∆fpCR = nK CR fcs − fcsd
∆fpCR = 6.12(2) 8.49 − 3.16
MSD e ∆𝐟𝐩𝐂𝐑 = 𝟔𝟓. 𝟐𝟒 𝐌𝐏𝐚
fcsd =
Ic
158.84 106 279.4
fcsd =
1.405 × 1010
𝐟𝐜𝐬𝐝 = 𝟑. 𝟏𝟔 𝐌𝐏𝐚

From previous example:

fcs = 𝟖. 𝟒𝟗 𝐌𝐏𝐚
 Shrinkage Loss

Shrinkage of concrete is affected by various factors including mix

proportions, type of aggregate, type of cement, curing time, time
between the end of external curing and the application of prestressing,
size and shape of the member, and environmental conditions.
Approximately 80% of the shrinkage takes place in the first year of
life of the structure. The average value of the ultimate shrinkage
strain in bot h moist – cured and steam – cured concrete is given by
780 × 10−6 in/in in ACI 209 R – 92 Report. This average value o
affected by the initial moist curing, ambient relative humidity, volume
– surface ratio, temperature, and concrete composition.

The average value of shrinkage strain should be multiplied by a

correction factor γSH to take such effects.

ϵSH = 780 × 10−6 γSH Eq. 3.11

If ϵSH is the shrinkage stain after adjusting for relative humidity at
volume – to – surface ratio V/S, the loss in prestressing in pretension
member is
∆fpSH = ϵSH × Eps Eq. 3.12

For post – tensioned members, the loss in prestressing due to

shrinkage is somewhat less since some shrinkage has already taken
before post – tensioning. If the relative humidity is taken as a percent
value and the V/S ratio effect is considered, the PCI general equation
for loss in prestressing due to shrinkage becomes

V
∆fpSH = 8.2 × 10−6 K SH Eps 1 − 0.06 (100 − RH) Eq. 3.13
S

where RH is the relative humidity.

Values of K SH for Post – Tensioned Members

t 1 3 5 7 10 20 30 60
K sh 0.92 0.85 0.80 0.77 0.73 0.64 0.58 0.45
 t = Time from end of moist curing to application of prestressed, days
K sh = For pretensioned members = 1.0; for post–tensioned members (see
table above)

Adjustment of shrinkage losses for standard conditions as a function of

time t in days after 7 days for moist curing and 3 days steam curing can
be obtained from the following expressions:

Curing Process Shrinkage loss at time t

Moist curing, after 7 days t
ϵSH t = ϵ
35 + t SH u
Steam curing, after 1 to 3 days t
ϵSH t = ϵ
55 + t SH u

ϵSH t = shrinkage loss at time t

ϵSH u= Ultimate shrinkage strain
t = time in days after shrinkage is considered.
Computation of Shrinkage Loss

Problem 5: Compute the loss in prestress due to shrinkage in

Problems 1 & 2 at 7 days after moist curing using both ultimate K SH
method of Eq. 3.14 and the time – dependent method of Eq. 3.15.
Assume that the relative humidity RH is 70% percent and the volume
– to – surface ratio is 2.0.
Solution A: 𝐊 𝐒𝐇 Method

(a) Pretensioned beam, K SH = 1.0;

From Eq. 3.14

−6
V
∆fpSH = 8.2 × 10 K SH Eps 1 − 0.06 (100 − RH)
S
−6
∆fpSH = 8.2 × 10 1.0 (186,160) 1 − 0.06 2 (100 − 70)
∆𝐟𝐩𝐒𝐇 = 𝟒𝟎. 𝟑 𝐌𝐏𝐚

(b) Post–tensioned beam, K SH = 0.77;

∆fpSH = K SH ∆fpSH
∆fpSH = 0.77(40.3)
∆𝐟𝐩𝐒𝐇 = 𝟑𝟏. 𝟎𝟑 𝐌𝐏𝐚
Solution B: Time – dependent Method

From Eq. 3.15a

t
ϵSH J = ϵSH u
35 + t
7
ϵSH J = 780 × 10−6 γSH
35 + 7
7
ϵSH J = 780 × 10−6 (1)
35 + 7
𝛜𝐒𝐇 𝐉 = 𝟏. 𝟑 × 𝟏𝟎−𝟒 𝐦𝐦/𝐦𝐦

∆fpSH = ϵSH J Eps

∆fpSH = 1.3 × 10−4 (186,160)
∆𝐟𝐩𝐒𝐇 = 𝟐𝟒. 𝟐 𝐌𝐏𝐚
 Curvature Effect

As the tendon is pulled with a force F1 at the jacking end, it will

encounter friction with the surrounding duct or sheath such that the
stress in tendon will vary from the jacking plane to a distance L along
the span as shown in the figure, then, assuming that 𝜇 denotes the
coefficient of friction between the tendon and the duct due to the
curvature effect, we have
dF1 = μF1 dα

dF1
= μdα Eq. 3.16a
F1

Integrating both sides of this equation:

log 𝐹1 = −μα Eq. 3.16b

If α = L/R F2 = F1 e−μα

F2 = F1 e−μ L/R Eq. 3.17

Frictional force stress distribution tendon
 Wobble Effect

Suppose that K is the coefficient of friction between the tendon and

the surrounding concrete due to wobble effect or length effect.
Friction loss is caused by imperfection in alignment along the length
of the tendon, regardless of whether it has a straight or draped
alignment. Then by the same principle described in developing Eq.
3.16,

log e F1 = −KL Eq. 3.18

F2 = F1 e−KL Eq. 3.19

Superimposing the wobble effect on the curvature effect gives

F2 = F1 e−μα−KL

or in term of stresses,

f2 = f1 e−μα−KL Eq. 3.20

The frictional loss of stress ∆fpF is given by:

∆fpF = 𝑓1 − 𝑓2 = 𝑓1 1 − e−μα−KL Eq. 3.21

Assuming that the prestress force between the start of the curved
portion and it end is small (= 15%), it is sufficiently accurate to use
the initial tension for the entire curve in Eq. 3.21, which can be
simplified as

∆fpF = −𝑓1 (μα + KL) Eq. 3.22

where L is in feet.
 Wobble and Curvature Friction Coefficient's

Wobble Curvature
Type of tendon coefficient, K per coefficient, μ
foot
Tendons in flexible metal sheathing
wire tendons 0.0010 – 0.0015 0.15 – 0.25
7–wire strand 0.0005 – 0.0020 0.15 – 0.25
high–strength bars 0.0001 – 0.006 0.08 – 0.30
Tendons in rigid metal duct
7–wire strand 0.0002 0.15 – 0.25
Mastic – coated tendons
wire tendons and 7–wire strand 0.0010 – 0.0020 0.05 – 0.15
Pre-greased tendons
wire tendons and 7–wire strand 0.0003 – 0.0020 0.05 – 0.15

Source: Prestressed Concrete Institute

Curvature friction loss. (a) Tendon alignment, (b) Forces on
infinitesimal length where F1 is at the jacking end., (c) Polygon of forces
assuming 𝐹1 = 𝐹2 over the infinitesimal length in (b).
 Since the ratio of the depth of the beam to its span is small, it is
sufficiently accurate to use the projected length of the tendon for
calculating α. Assuming the curvature of the tendon to be based on
that of circular arc, the central angle α along the curved segment if the
figure is twice the slope at either end of the segment. Hence

α m 2m
tan = =
2 x/2 x
If
1 α 4y
y= m and =
2 2 x
y
α=8 rad Eq. 3.23
x
Computation of Friction Loss:

Problem 6: Assume that the alignment characteristics of the tendons

in the post – tensioned beam of Problem 2 are as shown in the figure.
If the tendon is made of 7 – wire uncoated strands in flexible metal
sheathing, compute the frictional loss of stress in the prestressing
wires due to the curvature and wobble effects.

Approximate evaluation of the tendon’s central angle.

 Section 1 − 1
1

762 mm
Pi cgc Pi
101.6 mm
1
15.2 m 381 mm

Pi = 1,378,485 N
fpi = 1,396.5 MPa K = 0.002, μ = 0.20

∆fpF = fpi μα + KL
8y
α= ∆fpF = (1,396.5) 0.20 0.147 + 0.002 50
x
762 ∆𝐟𝐩𝐅 = 𝟏𝟖𝟎. 𝟕𝟏 𝐌𝐏𝐚
8 2 − 101.6
α=
15,200
𝛂 = 𝟎. 𝟏𝟒𝟕 𝐫𝐚𝐝 This loss due to friction is 12.93% of the initial
prestress.
 Anchorage Seating Losses

Anchorage seating losses occur in post – tensioned members due to

the seating of wedges in the anchors when the jacking is transferred to
the anchorage. They can also occur in the prestressing casting beds of
pretensioned member due to the adjustment expected when the
prestressing force is transferred to these beds.

Prestressing tendon alignment

 remedy for this loss can be easily effected during the stressing
operations by overstressing. Generally, the magnitude of anchorage –
seating loss ranges between 1/4 in. to 3/8 in. for two – piece wedges.
The magnitude of the overstressing that is necessary depends on the
anchorage system used since each system has its particular adjustment
needs, and the manufacturer is expected to supply the data on the slip
expected due to anchorage adjustment. If ∆A is the magnitude of the
slip, L is the tendon length, and Eps is the modulus of the
prestressing, then the prestress loss due to anchorage slip become
∆𝐀
∆𝐟𝐩𝐀 = 𝐄𝐩𝐬 Eq. 3.23
𝐋

Change in beam longitudinal shape. (a) Due to prestressing; (b) Due to external load
Computation of Friction Loss:

Problem 7: Compute the anchorage – seating loss in post – tensioned

beam in Problem 2 if the estimated slip is 6.35 mm.

∆A
∆fpA = Eps
L
6.35
∆fpA = (186,160)
15,200
∆𝐟𝐩𝐀 = 𝟕𝟕. 𝟖 𝐌𝐏𝐚

Note that the percentage of loss due to anchorage slip becomes very
high in short – beam elements and thus becomes of major significance
in short – span beam. In such cases, it becomes difficult to post –
tension such beams with high accuracy.