Loss of prestress is classified into two types:

1.short-term or immediate losses

2.long-term or time dependent losses

Friction loss-due to curvature of the tendons and due to wobble effect.

Shrinkage of concrete-major reduction of dimensions in a beam element is expected to take place along
the length as all dimensions proportionally reduce.

Creep of concrete – due to creep the prestress in tendons decreases with time

Loss of prestress due to friction occurs only in a post-tensioned members and is generated between the
tendons and the surrounding concrete ducts.The maximum friction loss is at the far end of the beam.

Frictional loss is the summation of :

• Friction loss due to CURVATURE EFFECT

• Friction loss due to WOBBLE EFFECT

CURVATURE EFFECT-Loss of stress due to the curvature effect, depends upon the tendon form or
alignment which generally follows a curved profile along the length of the beam.

Friction is generated due to curvature of tendon, and vertical component of the prestressing force.

Wobble effect-Loss of stress due to the WOBBLE EFFECT depends upon the local deviations in the
alignment of the cable. The wobble effect is the results of accidental or unavoidable misalignment of
the tendon. If the profile of cable is linear, the loss will be due to straightening or stretching of the
cables called Wobble Effect.

The value of k varies from 0.0015 to 0.0050 per meter length of the tendon depending on the type of
tendon.

Method available to reduce the friction

‘‘Cables should pass through metal tubes ‘’,” The bends should be through as small an angle as
possible”,’’Radius of curvature for bends should be large’’

,”Over-tensioning the wires” and Prestressing the wire from both ends
SHRINKAGE LOSS/Time Dependent Losses / Long-Term

-Concrete shrinks in volume when it dries up. This volume reduction takes place in the form of
reduction of all dimensions. A major reduction of dimensions in a beam element is expected to take
place along the length as all dimensions proportionally reduce.

-The shrinkage of concrete in prestressed members results in a shortening of tensioned wires and
hence contributes to the loss of stress.

-With the increasing age at transfer, the shrinkage strain reduces. Curing the concrete adequately and
delaying the application of load provide long term benefits with regards to durability and loss of
prestress.

Shrinkage strain INCREASES with the following variables:

1. Ambient temperature

2. Temperature gradient in the members

3. Water-Cement ratio

4. Cement content

Shrinkage strain DECREASES with the following variables:

1. Age of concrete at the commencement of drying

2. Relative humidity

3. Volume to surface area ratio

CREEP OF CONCRETE/Time Dependent Losses /Long-Term

Time-dependent increase of deformation under sustained load

Due to creep, the prestress in tendons decreases with time

Factors affecting the creep and shrinkage of concrete

Age, Applied Stress level, Density of concrete, Cement Content in concrete, Water-Cement Ratio,
Relative Humidity and Temperature.

Experimental work over the 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.