1.8 - Prestress Losses

Prestress losses
Prestress losses are defined as the reduction in the tensile stress in prestressing tendons. They are
categorized as either instantaneous losses or long-term losses. Instantaneous losses include
frictional losses, elastic shortening (ES) and seating loss or anchorage slip. Long term losses
occur over a period oftime. They include losses in prestress due to concrete creep (CR),
shrinkage (SH) and relaxation of prestressing strands (RE). The generalized variation of the
stress over time is due to the various losses illustrated in Figure 2-1.
2.1.2 Elastic Shortening (ES)

Loss due to Elastic Shortening is caused by the instantaneous compression of concrete when the
prestress force is transferred to the hardened concrete member. As the concrete shortens it allows
the prestressing steel to shorten with it. It is defined as the loss of tensile stress in prestressing
steel due to the prestress combined with the stress gain due to the self weight of the member. The
Elastic Shortening depends on the modular ratio and the average stress in the concrete at the
level of prestressing steel.
2.1.3 Concrete Creep (CR)

The prolonged time-dependent deformation of the concrete under sustained compressive load or
stress is called the creep. Concrete creep is subdivided into two parts, basic creep and drying
creep. Basic creep is the continual deformation occurring in a sealed specimen subjected to a
hydro-equilibrium environment. An unsealed specimen undergoes additional creep ( drying
creep) due to free exchange of moisture with the environment.
This prolonged shortening ofthe concrete girder results in the loss of prestress. The rate of creep
depends on various factors such as: time, magnitude of stress, water-cement ratio, amount and
type of cement, ambient relative humidity, and aggregate properties.
2.1.4 Concrete Shrinkage (SH)

The volumetric contraction of concrete specimen due to the loss of free water through
evaporation, carbonation or continued cement hydration, in the absence of load is called
shrinkage. It is composed of three components: drying shrinkage, autogenous shrinkage and
carbonation. The decrease in the volume of concrete due to the diffusion of water into the
environment is called the drying shrinkage. Autogenous shrinkage occurs when free water is
used in continued hydration ofthe cement paste after hardening. Carbonation results from the
chemical reaction ofthe carbon dioxide from the atmosphere with hardened cement paste. Again
free water is used in the carbonation reaction.
Regardless the source of shrinkage, the change in volume of the concrete causes an overall
shortening of the strand length and thus reduces the strand stress resulting in prestress losses.
2.1.5 Relaxation (RE)

Relaxation is the gradual reduction of stress over time subjected under sustained strain. It occurs
without the changes in the length ofthe steel. Relaxation is a property of the prestressing steel
and is independent of concrete properties. The most common types of prestressing strands today
are Low Relaxation strands which normally have losses that do not exceed 5 ksi.
2.1.6 Camber and Deflection

Camber is the common word for the upward deflection of eccentrically prestressed bridge
girders. The amount of camber is governed by the combined action of the prestress force which
causes the camber and self weight ofthe girder to work against the camber. Self weight and other
sustained gravity loads can cause downward deflections to exceed the amount of overall camber.
The beams and bridges can deflect downward as a result.
Camber and/or deflection are also a function of time dependent concrete creep and prestress loss.
Proper estimation of camber or alternatively deflection is essential for an efficient use of longer
spans in HPC bridge girders. The PCI Handbook (PCI 1999) provides equations for deflection
and initial and long term cambers. In addition, the new PCI Bridge Design Manual (1997)
provides the "Improved Multiplier Method" with intent to predict cambers and deflection. This
method, build upon the existing method found in the PCI Handbook, specifically modifies the
multipliers. This method also considers the Time to Erection and the creep properties ofthe
concrete.
2.2 Prestress Loss Prediction Methods

Several loss prediction methods have been developed over the years, but simple practical
solutions for accurate estimation of prestress loss have proved difficult. The accurate estimation
oflosses requires more precise knowledge of material properties as well as the interaction
between creep, shrinkage of concrete and the relaxation of steel. The current methods for the
prediction of losses can be classified according to their approach for the calculation oflosses.
They are listed according to their descending order of perceived accuracy:
(a) Time-Step methods;
(b) Refined methods;
(c) Lump-Sum methods.
2.2.1 Time-Step methods
These methods fit in to the most detailed group ofloss prediction methods based on a step-by-
step numerical procedure and they are implemented in specialized computer programs. This
method has found its appreciation in multi-stage bridge construction especially in spliced girder
and segmental box girder bridges. The method was developed by dividing the time into intervals
whose duration can be increased as the concrete age increases. The stress in the strands at the end
of each interval represents difference between the initial conditions at the beginning of that time
interval and the calculated prestress losses during that interval. The stresses and deformations at
the beginning of each interval equal those at the end of the preceding interval. The research
programs performed by Tadros et al (1977), Abdel-Karim (1993) and the PCI-BDM (1997)
provide more information on the Time-Step methods.
2.2.2 Refined Methods

In these methods each individual component of prestress losses (elastic shortening and time-
dependent losses) is calculated separately. The individual losses are then summed up to obtain
the total loss. The difficulty lies in the accurate computation of the interdependency of these
individual components. The deck slab of composite sections creep less and shrink more than the
prescast girder. This can cause more prestress gain rather prestress loss (Tadros et.al., NCHRP
496 2003) The accuracy of these methods also depends on the properties of materials, loading
and environmental conditions as well as the pertinent structural details. The AASHTO standard
Specification method (1993), the AASHTO-LRFD (Refined) method (1998), and the pel Bridge
Design Manual method (1997) use this refined approach,
2,2.3 Lump-Sum methods

Various parametric studies were conducted on the prestress losses of different kinds of
prestressed beams under average conditions. The values and trends developed from these studies
were utilized in the approximate Lump-Sum methods. Although these methods were useful in the
preliminary design, they require reassessment in the final design. The current AASHTO-LRFD
Approximate method was developed using this method.

1.8 - Prestress Losses

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Prestress losses

2.1.2 Elastic Shortening (ES)

2.1.3 Concrete Creep (CR)

2.1.4 Concrete Shrinkage (SH)

2.1.5 Relaxation (RE)

2.1.6 Camber and Deflection

2.2 Prestress Loss Prediction Methods

2.2.2 Refined Methods

2,2.3 Lump-Sum methods

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