For additional information on Tarmac’s precast products

please contact us on the number below.

prestressed beams
Other technical information for each individual precast Tarmac Precast Concrete – product overview
unit is available for the following products:

box culverts
Charcon tunnels

double tee beams

retaining walls and barriers
thermocast

Literature covering our full range of products

for specific industry sectors is available on request.

commercial
energy
rail

road
sport and leisure
water

Tarmac Precast Concrete Limited

Tallington
Stamford
Lincolnshire
PE9 4RL

t 01778 381000
f 01778 348041
e precastenquiries@tarmac.co.uk

www.tarmacprecast.co.uk

Tarmac and the ‘T’ mark are registered trademarks of the Tarmac Group.

Although Tarmac Limited does its best to ensure that any advice, recommendations or information it may give is accurate, no liability or responsibility of any kind (including liability for
negligence) is accepted in this respect by Tarmac Limited, its staff or agents. Claims and statements made by Tarmac Limited regarding its products refer to those which have been properly
handled on site. Tarmac Limited cannot accept any liability or responsibility of any kind (including liability for negligence) for problems caused by the acts or omissions of third parties or
by poor site practices.

0251 / 806
product specifications
Tarmac prestressed concrete beams can be used to form
bridge decks with bearings and expansion joints as well as
integral bridges.

Integral bridges, which bear directly onto their abutments

and against the soil on each side, without bearings or joints,
are now a modern, economical option.

Prestressed concrete beams can be used conveniently in the further

construction of elevated decks, podia, jetties and in forming
slabs to cover shafts and other excavated voids. technical information
On the attached CD
you will find the following
supplementary technical
This brochure contains an overview of the technical specifications for our full range of standard bridge beams information:
with further technical information contained on a CD on the inside back cover.

Beam section
properties

Strand layout

Detailing advice

Installation advice

bridge designer’s checklist
The following design notes are offered for guidance purposes and
reflect our standard manufacturing techniques. Should you have other
requirements our technical department will be pleased to offer advice.
Bearings
As a general rule the edge of the bearing closest to the
abutment should be detailed a minimum of 150mm from
the end of the beam.
Camber
Due to the properties of prestressed concrete units upward
camber will be present. As our standard beams are cast on flat
bases built in cambers cannot normally be accommodated.
Cast in items
Cast in items can be included providing that they do not
project through the sides or soffit of our standard mouldage.
Care should be taken to ensure that any cast in items do not
conflict with reinforcement or prestressing of strand locations.
Concrete
The use of cementitious materials other than RHPC may require
a longer curing period prior to detensioning and therefore are
to be avoided. Our standard concrete mixes have been designed
to attain a transfer strength of 40N/mm2 and a 28 day strength
of 60N/mm2. Other concrete strengths can be considered.
Ends
Skews up to 45 can normally be incorporated within
0
our standard manufacturing procedures. The acute corner
will be blocked out above 240 to avoid the risk of spalling.
At the beam ends chamfers are provided across the soffit
to prevent spalling on detensioning. Scarfed ends and solid
end blocks should be avoided where possible. Where dowel
slots are specified account should be taken of the implications
of reinforcement and cover detailing.
Finishes
Top finish will be as cast with the side and soffit finishes to
the DTp Highway Specification or BS 5400. Colour variations
between units may occur and also between our units
and any site insitu works.
Lifting
Our standard lifting methods are as detailed on the attached CD.
Lengths
The overall length after transfer should be specified.
Small variations in length should be avoided.
9 2
Solid Slab Decks
Solid slab bridges are the most economical solution
for short spans, up to 18m.
The beams are laid side by side, bottom steel
is placed transversely through specially cast holes
in the beam and a top mat of steel is then fitted.
Quality Assurance
Tarmac Precast Concrete is a BSI Registered Company. The Quality
System fully complies with the requirements of BS EN ISO 9001:2000. The deck is then completed with a pour of
insitu concrete. TY beam
Reinforcement DECK SECTION
Links are tied to the prestressing strand using stainless steel tying wire
as standard. Links must be dimensioned to take account of strand
positions and link diameters when considering cover requirements.
For skewed beams links should be detailed square to the beam
T Beam
centreline and skewed only at the beam ends. Two piece links of
different diameters and/or centres should be avoided.
To avoid displacement of reinforcement in complex cages during casting
it may be necessary to use tack welding. Reinforcement projecting typical applications: profile span range (in metres)
through the sides and soffit should be avoided and reinforcement Short and medium span bridges and
2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 22 24 26 28 30 32 34 36 38 40
couplers should be considered as an alternative. Reinforcement commercial developments.
projecting from the beam end should be straight where possible.
Special stop ends/couplers may be provided to accommodate a bob advantages:
on the projecting bar. Provides a closely assembled soffit.
No need for formwork.
Stacking Bearers
Stacking bearers are generally located at lifting positions or 500mm
from beam end.
Strand
TY Beam
Our preferred strand sizes and types are indicated on the design
drawings on the attached CD. Standard strand positions are as shown
typical applications: profile span range (in metres)
Short and medium span bridges,
on the attached CD and debonding techniques can be used. 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 22 24 26 28 30 32 34 36 38 40
commercial developments, jetties
Testing and marine decks.
Our high standards of quality control make routine load testing advantages:
unnecessary. Provides a closely assembled soffit with
lower number of beams required and less
Tolerances insitu concrete. No need for formwork.
Tolerances should be to either DTp Highways Specification or BS 5400.
Web Openings
Web holes are provided at 900 to the beam sides for both square
and skewed beam ends at centres as given on the attached CD
TYE Beam
for all beam types. The centres of the end web holes should be at least
400mm from the beam end to avoid the risk of horizontal splitting. typical applications: profile span range (in metres)
Complementary edge beam to the
Weight ‘TY’ beam. 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 22 24 26 28 30 32 34 36 38 40
The weight of the beams used for handling and erection purposes
is that indicated on the design drawings on the attached CD. advantages:
Can be used for a solid infill deck.
Increased section properties to support
parapet loading.
 Solid Slab Decks (cont.)

Solid Box Beam

profile span range (in metres)
typical applications:
Short to long span bridges. Ideal for 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 22 24 26 28 30 32 34 36 38 40
use over busy railway lines.

advantages:
Provides a quick, safe working
platform.

SBB Beam (Standard Bridge Beam)

typical applications:
Ideal for short span bridges and
profile span range (in metres)
2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 22 24 26 28 30 32 34 36 38 40
why use
precast concrete
commercial developments.

advantages:
Provides a closely assembled soffit
and less insitu concrete. No need for
formwork. Can be readily designed
for continuity.

Well first, it's renowned for its strength,

durability and versatility. ten good reasons for
Then there are the significant cost savings -
using precast concrete:
precast concrete reduces initial construction
costs, accelerates build programmes and 1. Lowest whole-life cost
requires lower levels of maintenance 2. Fast and efficient build
over a project's life. 3. Factory quality with engineered
tolerances
Precast concrete units are also quick and 4. Low maintenance
easy to install, minimising on-site labour 5. Long spans
time, and because there's no need to
6. Strong and durable
wait for the concrete to cure allow you
to progress to the next stages immediately. 7. Low noise transmission
8. Environmentally friendly
9. Built-in fire protection
10. Efficiency of thermal mass

3 8
7

technical
services
Tarmac can provide a full range
of technical services including:
7 4
Advice on TAI Certificate content
Deck analysis and design including
beam design and detailing
Beam design and detailing
from clients analysis output
Advice on installation
Arrangement for provision of
Category 1, 2 or 3 checks
Voided Slab Decks
A voided slab deck is useful where service decks
are required and in situations with very high skews.
U beam with rebate
DECK SECTION
U Beam
typical applications: profile span range (in metres)
Medium and long span bridges.
2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 22 24 26 28 30 32 34 36 38 40
advantages:
Suitable for skew decks where torsion
is high. Provides a ready made edge
detail and easy provision for services.
the leading
UK manufacturer
of precast concrete
offering our customers
a unique package
of benefits
1
Beam & Slab Decks
Beam and slab bridges are economical from 18m to 40m.
The beams are parallel spaced at 2.0m centres
(depending on layout) and a top deck or end diaphragm
is cast insitu to connect them.
TY beam with rebate
DECK SECTION
Y Beam
typical applications:
Medium and long span bridges
and commercial developments.
advantages:
The beams are spaced apart,
facilitating easy access to
the underside of the structure.
YE Beam
typical applications:
Complementary edge beam
to the ‘Y’ beam.
advantages:
Can be used for either a solid infill
deck or beam and slab construction.
Increased section properties to support
parapet loading.
M Beam
typical applications:
Provides voided bridge deck
for medium and long span road
bridge construction.
advantages:
Closed soffit to underside ideal for
pseudo-box type construction.
5 6
Beam & Slab Decks (cont.)
SY Beam
typical applications: profile span range (in metres)
Longer spans. Major motorway
2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 22 24 26 28 30 32 34 36 38 40
schemes.
advantages:
Provides a practical and economical
solution for spans up to 40 metres.
TYE beam with rebate
DECK SECTION
TY Beam with rebate
typical applications: profile span range (in metres)
Short and medium span bridges
profile span range (in metres) and commercial developments. 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 22 24 26 28 30 32 34 36 38 40
2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 22 24 26 28 30 32 34 36 38 40
advantages:
The beams are spaced apart,
facilitating easy access to
the underside of the structure.
TYE Beam with rebate
typical applications: profile span range (in metres)
profile span range (in metres) Complementary edge beam
to the ‘TY’ beam. 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 22 24 26 28 30 32 34 36 38 40
2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 22 24 26 28 30 32 34 36 38 40
advantages:
Can be used for beam and slab
construction. Increased section
properties to support parapet loading.
UM Beam
typical applications: profile span range (in metres)
profile span range (in metres) Complementary edge beam
2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 22 24 26 28 30 32 34 36 38 40
to the ‘M’ beam.
2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 22 24 26 28 30 32 34 36 38 40
advantages:
Provides a clean vertical face
with a variety of finishes
along with a channel void
for incorporation of services.
Beam & Slab Decks
Beam and slab bridges are economical from 18m to 40m.
The beams are parallel spaced at 2.0m centres
(depending on layout) and a top deck or end diaphragm
is cast insitu to connect them.
TY beam with rebate
DECK SECTION
Y Beam
typical applications:
Medium and long span bridges
and commercial developments.
advantages:
The beams are spaced apart,
facilitating easy access to
the underside of the structure.
YE Beam
typical applications:
Complementary edge beam
to the ‘Y’ beam.
advantages:
Can be used for either a solid infill
deck or beam and slab construction.
Increased section properties to support
parapet loading.
M Beam
typical applications:
Provides voided bridge deck
for medium and long span road
bridge construction.
advantages:
Closed soffit to underside ideal for
pseudo-box type construction.
5 6
Beam & Slab Decks (cont.)
SY Beam
typical applications: profile span range (in metres)
Longer spans. Major motorway
2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 22 24 26 28 30 32 34 36 38 40
schemes.
advantages:
Provides a practical and economical
solution for spans up to 40 metres.
TYE beam with rebate
DECK SECTION
TY Beam with rebate
typical applications: profile span range (in metres)
Short and medium span bridges
profile span range (in metres) and commercial developments. 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 22 24 26 28 30 32 34 36 38 40
2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 22 24 26 28 30 32 34 36 38 40
advantages:
The beams are spaced apart,
facilitating easy access to
the underside of the structure.
TYE Beam with rebate
typical applications: profile span range (in metres)
profile span range (in metres) Complementary edge beam
to the ‘TY’ beam. 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 22 24 26 28 30 32 34 36 38 40
2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 22 24 26 28 30 32 34 36 38 40
advantages:
Can be used for beam and slab
construction. Increased section
properties to support parapet loading.
UM Beam
typical applications: profile span range (in metres)
profile span range (in metres) Complementary edge beam
2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 22 24 26 28 30 32 34 36 38 40
to the ‘M’ beam.
2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 22 24 26 28 30 32 34 36 38 40
advantages:
Provides a clean vertical face
with a variety of finishes
along with a channel void
for incorporation of services.

technical
services
Tarmac can provide a full range
of technical services including:
7 4
Advice on TAI Certificate content
Deck analysis and design including
beam design and detailing
Beam design and detailing
from clients analysis output
Advice on installation
Arrangement for provision of
Category 1, 2 or 3 checks
Voided Slab Decks
A voided slab deck is useful where service decks
are required and in situations with very high skews.
U beam with rebate
DECK SECTION
U Beam
typical applications: profile span range (in metres)
Medium and long span bridges.
2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 22 24 26 28 30 32 34 36 38 40
advantages:
Suitable for skew decks where torsion
is high. Provides a ready made edge
detail and easy provision for services.
the leading
UK manufacturer
of precast concrete
offering our customers
a unique package
of benefits
1
 Solid Slab Decks (cont.)

Solid Box Beam

profile span range (in metres)
typical applications:
Short to long span bridges. Ideal for 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 22 24 26 28 30 32 34 36 38 40
use over busy railway lines.

advantages:
Provides a quick, safe working
platform.

SBB Beam (Standard Bridge Beam)

typical applications:
Ideal for short span bridges and
profile span range (in metres)
2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 22 24 26 28 30 32 34 36 38 40
why use
precast concrete
commercial developments.

advantages:
Provides a closely assembled soffit
and less insitu concrete. No need for
formwork. Can be readily designed
for continuity.

Well first, it's renowned for its strength,

durability and versatility. ten good reasons for
Then there are the significant cost savings -
using precast concrete:
precast concrete reduces initial construction
costs, accelerates build programmes and 1. Lowest whole-life cost
requires lower levels of maintenance 2. Fast and efficient build
over a project's life. 3. Factory quality with engineered
tolerances
Precast concrete units are also quick and 4. Low maintenance
easy to install, minimising on-site labour 5. Long spans
time, and because there's no need to
6. Strong and durable
wait for the concrete to cure allow you
to progress to the next stages immediately. 7. Low noise transmission
8. Environmentally friendly
9. Built-in fire protection
10. Efficiency of thermal mass

3 8
7

bridge designer’s checklist
The following design notes are offered for guidance purposes and
reflect our standard manufacturing techniques. Should you have other
requirements our technical department will be pleased to offer advice.
Bearings
As a general rule the edge of the bearing closest to the
abutment should be detailed a minimum of 150mm from
the end of the beam.
Camber
Due to the properties of prestressed concrete units upward
camber will be present. As our standard beams are cast on flat
bases built in cambers cannot normally be accommodated.
Cast in items
Cast in items can be included providing that they do not
project through the sides or soffit of our standard mouldage.
Care should be taken to ensure that any cast in items do not
conflict with reinforcement or prestressing of strand locations.
Concrete
The use of cementitious materials other than RHPC may require
a longer curing period prior to detensioning and therefore are
to be avoided. Our standard concrete mixes have been designed
to attain a transfer strength of 40N/mm2 and a 28 day strength
of 60N/mm2. Other concrete strengths can be considered.
Ends
Skews up to 45 can normally be incorporated within
0
our standard manufacturing procedures. The acute corner
will be blocked out above 240 to avoid the risk of spalling.
At the beam ends chamfers are provided across the soffit
to prevent spalling on detensioning. Scarfed ends and solid
end blocks should be avoided where possible. Where dowel
slots are specified account should be taken of the implications
of reinforcement and cover detailing.
Finishes
Top finish will be as cast with the side and soffit finishes to
the DTp Highway Specification or BS 5400. Colour variations
between units may occur and also between our units
and any site insitu works.
Lifting
Our standard lifting methods are as detailed on the attached CD.
Lengths
The overall length after transfer should be specified.
Small variations in length should be avoided.
9 2
Solid Slab Decks
Solid slab bridges are the most economical solution
for short spans, up to 18m.
The beams are laid side by side, bottom steel
is placed transversely through specially cast holes
in the beam and a top mat of steel is then fitted.
Quality Assurance
Tarmac Precast Concrete is a BSI Registered Company. The Quality
System fully complies with the requirements of BS EN ISO 9001:2000. The deck is then completed with a pour of
insitu concrete. TY beam
Reinforcement DECK SECTION
Links are tied to the prestressing strand using stainless steel tying wire
as standard. Links must be dimensioned to take account of strand
positions and link diameters when considering cover requirements.
For skewed beams links should be detailed square to the beam
T Beam
centreline and skewed only at the beam ends. Two piece links of
different diameters and/or centres should be avoided.
To avoid displacement of reinforcement in complex cages during casting
it may be necessary to use tack welding. Reinforcement projecting typical applications: profile span range (in metres)
through the sides and soffit should be avoided and reinforcement Short and medium span bridges and
2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 22 24 26 28 30 32 34 36 38 40
couplers should be considered as an alternative. Reinforcement commercial developments.
projecting from the beam end should be straight where possible.
Special stop ends/couplers may be provided to accommodate a bob advantages:
on the projecting bar. Provides a closely assembled soffit.
No need for formwork.
Stacking Bearers
Stacking bearers are generally located at lifting positions or 500mm
from beam end.
Strand
TY Beam
Our preferred strand sizes and types are indicated on the design
drawings on the attached CD. Standard strand positions are as shown
typical applications: profile span range (in metres)
Short and medium span bridges,
on the attached CD and debonding techniques can be used. 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 22 24 26 28 30 32 34 36 38 40
commercial developments, jetties
Testing and marine decks.
Our high standards of quality control make routine load testing advantages:
unnecessary. Provides a closely assembled soffit with
lower number of beams required and less
Tolerances insitu concrete. No need for formwork.
Tolerances should be to either DTp Highways Specification or BS 5400.
Web Openings
Web holes are provided at 900 to the beam sides for both square
and skewed beam ends at centres as given on the attached CD
TYE Beam
for all beam types. The centres of the end web holes should be at least
400mm from the beam end to avoid the risk of horizontal splitting. typical applications: profile span range (in metres)
Complementary edge beam to the
Weight ‘TY’ beam. 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 22 24 26 28 30 32 34 36 38 40
The weight of the beams used for handling and erection purposes
is that indicated on the design drawings on the attached CD. advantages:
Can be used for a solid infill deck.
Increased section properties to support
parapet loading.
product specifications
Tarmac prestressed concrete beams can be used to form
bridge decks with bearings and expansion joints as well as
integral bridges.

Integral bridges, which bear directly onto their abutments

and against the soil on each side, without bearings or joints,
are now a modern, economical option.

Prestressed concrete beams can be used conveniently in the further

construction of elevated decks, podia, jetties and in forming
slabs to cover shafts and other excavated voids. technical information
On the attached CD
you will find the following
supplementary technical
This brochure contains an overview of the technical specifications for our full range of standard bridge beams information:
with further technical information contained on a CD on the inside back cover.

Beam section
properties

Strand layout

Detailing advice

Installation advice
For additional information on Tarmac’s precast products
please contact us on the number below.
prestressed beams
Other technical information for each individual precast Tarmac Precast Concrete – product overview
unit is available for the following products:

box culverts
Charcon tunnels

double tee beams

retaining walls and barriers
thermocast

Literature covering our full range of products

for specific industry sectors is available on request.

commercial
energy
rail

road
sport and leisure
water

Tarmac Precast Concrete Limited

Tallington
Stamford
Lincolnshire
PE9 4RL

t 01778 381000
f 01778 348041
e precastenquiries@tarmac.co.uk

www.tarmacprecast.co.uk

Tarmac and the ‘T’ mark are registered trademarks of the Tarmac Group.

Although Tarmac Limited does its best to ensure that any advice, recommendations or information it may give is accurate, no liability or responsibility of any kind (including liability for
negligence) is accepted in this respect by Tarmac Limited, its staff or agents. Claims and statements made by Tarmac Limited regarding its products refer to those which have been properly
handled on site. Tarmac Limited cannot accept any liability or responsibility of any kind (including liability for negligence) for problems caused by the acts or omissions of third parties or
by poor site practices.

0251 / 806