EAS 453 Pre-stressed Concrete Design

Pre-stress Losses

Dr. NORAZURA MUHAMAD BUNNORI (PhD), USM

Nature of Losses of Pre-stress

The initial pre-stress in

concrete undergoes a
gradual reduction with
time from the stage of
transfer due to various
causes - loss of pre-stress
2

Dr. NORAZURA MUHAMAD BUNNORI

(PhD), USM

The different types of losses encountered in the pre-tensioning

and post-tensioning systems are compiled in Table below:
N
o

Pre-tensioning

N
o

Post-tensioning

1.

Elastic deformation of
concrete.

1.

No loss due to elastic deformation

if all the wires are simultaneously
tensioned. If the wires are
successively tensioned, there will
be loss of pre-stress due to elastic
deformation of concrete.

2.

Relaxation of stress in
steel.

2.

Relaxation of stress in steel.

3.

Shrinkage of concrete.

3.

Shrinkage of concrete.

4.

Creep of concrete.

4.

Creep of concrete.

5.

Friction.

6.

Anchorage slip.

Dr. NORAZURA MUHAMAD BUNNORI

(PhD), USM

Loss Due to Elastic Deformation of Concrete

The loss of pre-stress due to elastic
deformation of concrete depends on the
modular ratio and the average stress in
concrete at the level of steel.
IF

fc = pre-stress in concrete at the level of steel

Es = modulus of elasticity of steel
Ec = modulus of elasticity of concrete
Es
e
= modular ratio Ec
4

Dr. NORAZURA MUHAMAD BUNNORI

(PhD), USM

 fc =
Strain in concrete at the level of steel

Ec

Stress in steel corresponding to this strain

f =

Therefore,
Loss of stress in steel =

Es

Ec

e fc

If the initial stress in steel is known, the

percentage loss of stress in steel due to the
elastic
deformation of concrete can be computed.

Dr. NORAZURA MUHAMAD BUNNORI

(PhD), USM

Example 1

A pre-tensioned concrete beam, 100mm

wide and 300mm deep, is pre-stressed by
straight wires carrying an initial force of
150kN at an eccentricity of 50mm. The
modulus of elasticity of steel and concrete
are 210 and 35kN/mm2 respectively.
Estimate the percentage loss of stress in
steel due to elastic deformation of concrete
if the area of steel wires is 188mm2.

Dr. NORAZURA MUHAMAD BUNNORI

(PhD), USM

Solution:
P = 150kN;

d 300
e
50mm
6
6

A = (100*300) = 3x104 mm2; I = 225x106 mm4

Es
e 6
Ec
Initial stress in steel = (150x10 3)/188 = 800 N/mm2

150 x103 150 x103 x50 x50

2
Stress in concrete f c

6
.
66
N
/
mm
3 x10 4

225 x10 6

Loss of stress due to elastic deformation of concrete

e f c 6 x6.66 40 N / mm
=
Percentage loss of stress in steel = (40x100) / 800 = 5%
7

Dr. NORAZURA MUHAMAD BUNNORI

(PhD), USM

Loss Due to Shrinkage of Concrete

The shrinkage of concrete in pre-stressed member
results in a shortening of tensioned wires and
hence contributes to the loss of stress.
The shrinkage of concrete is influenced by the
type of cement and aggregates and the method of
curing used.
Use of high strength concrete with low water
cement ratios results in a reduction in shrinkage
and consequent loss of pre-stress.
The primary cause of drying shrinkage is the
progressive loss of water from concrete.

Dr. NORAZURA MUHAMAD BUNNORI

(PhD), USM

The rate of shrinkage is higher at the surface of the

members.
The differential shrinkage between the interior and surface
of large members may result in strain gradients leading to
surface cracking proper curing is essential.
In the case of pre-tensioned members, generally moist
curing is resorted to in order to prevent shrinkage until the
time of transfer.
The total residual shrinkage strain will be larger in pretensioned members after transfer of pre-stress in
compression.
For post-tensioned members, the portion of shrinkage will
have already taken place by the time of transfer of stress.

Dr. NORAZURA MUHAMAD BUNNORI

(PhD), USM

According to cl. 4.8.4, BS 8110: Part 1:1985,

Losses due to shrinkage = residual shrinkage strain x E s

Recommended residual shrinkage strain in Malaysia with the

temperature and high relative humidity is 200 x 10-6

10

Dr. NORAZURA MUHAMAD BUNNORI

(PhD), USM

Loss Due to Creep of Concrete

The sustained pre-stress in the concrete of a pre-stressed

member results in creep of concrete which effectively
reduces the stress in high tensile steel.

The loss of stress in steel due to creep of concrete can be

estimated if the magnitude of ultimate creep strain or creep
coefficient is known.

According to cl. 4.8.5, BS 8110: Part 1: 1985

Pre-stress losses due to creep = creep concrete strain

at tendon level x Ec

11

Dr. NORAZURA MUHAMAD BUNNORI

(PhD), USM

Creep strain = (creep coefficient / Ec ) x average stress in concrete during

transfer at tendon level

Ec = modulus of elasticity of concrete during transfer

Recommended creep coefficient in Malaysia are 1.5 for
transfer time after 7 days.
Ultimate Creep Strain Method
If, cc = ultimate creep strain for a sustained unit stress

fc = compressive stress in concrete at the level of steel

Es = modulus of elasticity of steel
Then the loss of stress in steel due to creep of concrete
= cc fc Es
12

Dr. NORAZURA MUHAMAD BUNNORI

(PhD), USM

Creep Coefficient Method

If; = creep coefficient
c = creep strain
e = elastic strain
e = modular ratio
fc = stress in concrete
Ec = modulus of elasticity of concrete
Es = modulus of elasticity of steel
Creep Coefficient = (Creep Strain)/ (Elastic
Strain)
c e f c E
c

Thus; = (c ) /(e ),
c Es f c E Es f c e
c
Hence, loss of stress in steel =
13

Dr. NORAZURA MUHAMAD BUNNORI

(PhD), USM

Loss Due to Relaxation of Stress in Steel

The loss of stress due to relaxation of steel as a percentage of

the initial stress in steel.

Percentage of loss is the relaxation factor multiple with

relaxation value in 1000 hrs.-- from supplier

Table 4.6, BS8110:Part 1: 1985: steel relaxation factor

Force
Type

Wires and
strand with
relaxation
class.

Wires and
strand with
relaxation
class.

14

Bar

Pretensioning

1.5

1.2

2.0

Posttensioning

2.0

1.5

2.0

Dr. NORAZURA MUHAMAD BUNNORI

(PhD), USM

Relaxation value in 1000 hrs.

Strand of tendon

Initial force
(%
characteristic
strength)

Maximum
relaxation after
1000 hrs
(Class 1) (%)

Maximum relaxation
after 1000 hrs
(Class 2) (%)

Cold-drawn steel
and seven-wire
strand

60
70
80

4.5
8.0
12.0

1.0
2.5
4.5

Cold-drawn steel in
factory

60
70

8.5
10.0

Alloy Steel

60
70
80

1.5
3.5
6.0

For initial force that less than 60%, cl. 4.8.2.2, BS 8110:Part 1: 1985
recommended that the initial value is linearly different as stated in
60% to zero for 30% initial force.
The initial value for pre-tensioning must be taken as the immediate
force after the tendon being stressed.
15 initial value for post-tensioning,
Dr. NORAZURA MUHAMAD
BUNNORI
The
the initial
force is when the
(PhD), USM

Example 2
A rectangular concrete beam, 300 mm deep
and 200 mm wide is pre-stressed by means
of fifteen 5 mm diameter wires located 65
mm from the bottom of the beam and
three 5 mm wires, located 25 mm from the
top of the beam. If the wire initially
tensioned to a stress of 840 N/mm2,
calculate the percentage loss of stress in
steel immediately after transfer, allowing
for the loss of stress due to elastic
deformation of concrete only.
16

Dr. NORAZURA MUHAMAD BUNNORI

(PhD), USM

Solutions
Es

= 210kN/mm2

Ec = 31.5kN/mm2
Position of the centroid of the wires from the soffit of the
(15 * 65) (3 * 275)
y

beam,

100mm

(15 3)

Eccentricity, e = (150-100)mm = 50mm

Area of concrete, A = (200*300) = 6 x 104 mm2
Second moment of area, I = (200*3003)/12 = 45 x 107 mm
Prestressing force P = (840) (18x19.7) = 3x105 N = 300kN

17

Dr. NORAZURA MUHAMAD BUNNORI

(PhD), USM

Stress in concrete:
300 *103 300 *103 * 50 *125
At the level of top wires
= 4
0.83 N / mm 2
7
45 *10
6 *10

At the level of bottom

300
*
10
wires=

4
6 *10

300 *103 * 50 * 85

7.85 N / mm 2
7
45 *10

Modular ratio = (210)/(31.5)= 6.68

Loss of stress in wires at top = (6.68*0.83) = 5.55 N/mm2
Loss of stress in wires at bottom = (6.68*7.85) = 52.5 N/mm2

18

Dr. NORAZURA MUHAMAD BUNNORI

(PhD), USM

Percentage loss of stress

For wires at

5.55
*100 0.66%
top =
840

52.5
For wires at bottom =
*100 6.25%
840

19

Dr. NORAZURA MUHAMAD BUNNORI

(PhD), USM

Loss of Stress Due to Friction

In post-tensioning systems there will be movement

of the greater part of the tendon relative to the
surrounding duct during the tensioning operation.
If the tendon is in the contact with either the duct
or any spacer provided, friction will cause a
reduction in the pre-stressing force as the distance
from the jack increases.
Whether the desired duct profile is straight or
curved or a combination of both, there will be a
slight variations in the actual line of the duct, which
may cause additional points of contact between the
tendon and the sides of the duct ---- FRICTION


a)

There are two types of friction losses:

Loss of stress due to wobble effect, which depends upon the local
deviations in the alignment of the cable. The wobble or wave effect is
the result of accidental or unavoidable misalignment, since ducts or
sheaths cannot be perfectly located to follow a predetermined profile
throughout the length of the beam.

Po

Magnitude of
the prestressing
force, Px

Px Po e
Px
Po
e
K

Kx

=
=
=
=

magnitude of pre-stressing force

pre-stressing force at the jacking end
Napier logarithm (2.718)
profile coefficient depending on the type of duct or
sheath employed, the nature of its inside surface, the
method of forming it and the degree of vibration
employed in placing the concrete (cl.
4.9.3.3 BS 8110:Part 1: 1985)
K value per meter length
Contact types

K/m

Normal condition

33 x 10-4

Greased strands running in

plastics sleeves

25 X 10-4

Strong rigid sheaths or duct

formers, closely supported so that
they did not displaced during the
concreting operation

17 x 10-4

b) Friction due to curvature of tendons

The loss of tension due to friction is depend on the angle turned
through and the coefficient of friction between the tendon and
its support.

rps

rps

Po
straight

x
curve

Pre-stress in x distance from curvature

tangent, Px

The pre-stressing force, Px, at any distance x along the curve from
the tangen point may be calculated from the following equation:

Px Po e
Px
Po

rps
e

=
=
=
=
=
=

x / rps

Po e

pre-stressing force
pre-stressing force at the jacking end
coefficient of friction
radius of curvature
Napier logarithm (2.718)
x/rps = tendon curvature angle (radian)

The value of depends upon the type and the surface conditions
of the tendon and the duct (cl 4.9.4.3 BS 8110)
Contact type

Lightly rusted strand running on unlined concrete duct

0.55

Lightly rusted strand running on lightly rusted steel

duct

0.30

Lightly rusted strand running on galvanized duct

0.25

Bright strand running on galvanized duct

0.20

Greased strand running on plastic sleeve

0.12

Combination of the frictions.

Px Po e

kx

Kx +

0.01

0.990

0.02

0.980

0.03

0.970

0.04

0.961

0.05

0.951

0.19

0.827

0.20

0.819

-(kx+)

Draw-in during anchorage

Cl 4.8.6 BS 8110:Part 1:1985

In post tensioning systems allowance should be made for any
movement of the tendon at the anchorage when the pre-stressing
force is transferred from the tensioning equipment to the anchorage.
The loss due to this movement is particularly important in short
members and the allowance made in design should be checked on
site.
The loss in anchorage system usually in a range of 3mm. For a
longer member, loss of pre-stress can be encounter with giving an
extra force to the tendon---- 5-10%.