CIEM 5380

BRIDGE ENGINEERING
Dr. Barry K.W. Lee, B.Eng, M.Phil, Dr.-Ing, CEng, FICE

7th Lecture 04 Design of Prestress Concrete

23rd September 2023
October
 Lecture 4: Agenda
2

Part 1: Review of Prestressed Concrete and Prestressing System

Part 2: Type of Tendons (Bonded or unbounded)

Part 3: Introduction to requirement of new prestressing system

Part 4: Structural behavior of prestressed concrete

Part 5: Design of Prestressed Concrete – Part 1

 Prestressed Concrete
Review: Classification
3

Prestressed Concrete

Reinforced Pre-tensioned Post-tensioned

Prestressed force = 0

Bonded Tendon unbonded Tendon

(internal tendon) (External tendon)
 Prestressed Concrete
Review: Pre-tensioning
4

Ø For pretensioning the tendon is jacked against a temporary

anchor frame before concreting and the force released from the
anchor frame to the concrete when sufficient strength has
developed.
Ø The concrete can be either fully
prestressed, which ensures that
the longitudinal stresses are
always in compression, or partially
prestressed which allows some
tension to occur under certain
loading conditions.
Ø Zero prestressed concrete =
reinforced concrete
Video of Pre-tensioning operation
 Prestressed Concrete
Review: Post-tensioning
5

Ø All precast segmental bridge must be post-tensioning.

Ø Most cast-insitu bridge is post-tensioning.
Ø For post-tensioning, the
tendon is pulled using a
jack and the force is
transferred directly on to
the hardened concrete.

Video of Post-tensioning operation

 Prestressed Concrete Bridge
Review: pre- and post-tensioning
6

Type of
Advantages Disadvantages
Prestressing
Pretensioned • No anchorages or anchors • Heavy and robust stressing
(hence less rebars conflict bed required
issue) • More difficult to incorporate
• Grouting or other protection deflected tendons.
of tendons are not required
as the strands are directly
protected by concrete.
• Prestressing force is
generally better distributed in
transmission zones
Post-tensioned • No external stressing bed • Tendons require a protective
required system against corrosion
• More flexibility in tendon • Large concentrated forces in
layout end blocks
• High prestressing forces can
be applied.
 Prestressed Concrete Bridge
Review: Prestressing Materials
7

Ø Materials in Prestressed Concrete

Ø Concrete
Ø Reinforcement Steel DO NOT MIX UP STRAND AND TENDON!!
Ø Prestressing Steel

7-wires strand

Multiple strands form tendon

e.g. this tendon is composed of
Ø Grout/Grease/Wax 7 number of 7-wires strands
 Prestressed Concrete
Review: Post-tensioning system
8

Ø Prestressing System – Tendons/Bars

Ø A seven-wires strand with a tensile strength of
1860MPa and either with a diameter of 13mm
(0.5 inch) or 15mm (0.6 inch) is a very common
form of prestressing strands in the industry;
Ø It can either be used singularly for pretensioning
or in bundles to form multi-strands tendon for
post-tensioning. 12 strands in this tendon

Ø The most common post-tensioned tendon sizes

utilise 7, 12, 19 or 27 strands to suit the standard
anchor blocks, but tendons can incorporate up to
55 strands for larger tendons. 1860MPa x 75% x 100mm2
Ø For example, stressing to 75% tensile strength = 140kN
gives a typical jacking force of 140kN or 209kN 1860MPa x 75% x 150mm2
for the 13mm (area=100mm2) or 15mm = 209kN
(150mm2) diameter strand, respectively, while
the larger multi-strand tendons can carry forces
to 10,000kN (48 x 15mm strands).
 Prestressed Concrete
Example of a general prestressing system
9
Preferred in HK
Market, also
commonly adopted
in Europe
 Prestressed Concrete
Details in Prestressing system
10

Ø How does nominal cross section area, 100mm2

or 150mm2 come from?
Ø If nominal diameter of 12.9mm for a 7 wires strand is
considered.

Ø12.9mm

Ø Diameter of each wire is therefore 12.9mm/3

!.#$$ %
Ø Area of each wire is 𝐴 = 𝜋( % )
!.#$$ %
Ø Total area for a 7-wires strand = 7×𝜋( % ) ≈
100𝑚𝑚%
 Prestressed Concrete
Details in Prestressing system
11

Ø How does breaking load, 279kN in the previous

slide, come from?
Ø If nominal area of 150mm2 for a 0.6-inch strand is
considered.

Ø15.7mm

Ø Min. Breaking Load = 150mm2 x 1860MPa = 279kN

 PRESTRESSED CONCRETE BRIDGE
12
 Prestressed Concrete
Details in Prestressing system
13

Ø What does 6-37 in the previous slide mean?

Ø 6 refers to 0.6-inch strand of a prestressing system.
Ø 37 means the tendon has 37 number of 0.6-inch strand
in this 6-37 tendon system.
Ø Total area of prestressing steel in the 6-37 tendon is 37
x 150mm2 = 5550mm2.
Ø Min. breaking load for this tendon is 5550 x 1860 =
10323kN
 Prestressed Concrete Bridge
Prestressing system - Review
14
 Prestressed Concrete Bridge
Prestressing system - Review
15

WEDGES
 Prestressed Concrete
Post-tensioning system (we stop here last lecture)
16

How are strands elongated?

Ø Prestressing System – Jack

Ø Single-strand and multi-strand tendons

jack are typically used.
Ø For single strands, smaller tendons or
smaller bars, the jacks, weighing up to 250
kg, can usually be easily handled and
maneuvered into position with readily
available lifting equipment
Ø For the larger tendons special lifting
frames or cranes are required to move the
jacks which can weigh up to 2000 kg.
Ø Designs should always take into account
the access needed to set up and operate
the jacks and associated equipment (How
can it be done?). Video of prestressing jack operation
 Lecture 4: Agenda
17

Part 1: Review of Prestressed Concrete and Prestressing System

Part 2: Type of Tendons (Bonded or unbounded)

Part 3: Introduction to requirement of new prestressing system

Part 4: Structural behavior of prestressed concrete

Part 5: Design of Prestressed Concrete – Part 1

 Prestressed Concrete Bridge
Bonded or unbonded tendon
18

Bounded Tendons
¨ Obviously, tendons are embedded to the concrete.
¨ Strands are housed in ducts that are buried in the concrete
webs and slabs of the bridge deck to form tendon. These
internal tendons are protected from corrosion by adequate
concrete cover and by filling the ducts with cement grout.
¨ A correctly designed and built prestressed concrete deck with
internal tendons will be more durable than an equivalent
reinforced concrete structure, due principally to the much-
reduced incidence of cracking.
¨ There is the possibility that the tendons will be subject to
corrosion due to cracking under permanent loads or to voids in
the grout.
 Prestressed Concrete Bridge
Bonded or unbonded tendon
19

Unbonded tendons
¨ From the name, the tendons do not form any bond to the
concrete.
¨ In some types of bridge deck, the prestressing tendons may
be housed in ducts that are external to the concrete, generally
within the void of a box section deck.
¨ The ducts are usually made of high-density polyethylene
(HDPE).
¨ Once the tendons have been stressed, the ducts are grouted
with cement, or with a petroleum jelly.
 Prestressed Concrete Bridge
Bonded or unbonded tendon
20
 Prestressed Concrete Bridge
Bonded or unbonded tendon
21

Type of Advantages Disadvantages

Prestressing
Bonded • Tendons are more effective • Tendons cannot be
at the ultimate limit state inspected or replaced
• Force transfer does not • Tendons cannot be
depend on the anchorage restressed once grouted
after grouting

Unbonded • Tendons can be removed for • Less efficient at ultimate limit

inspection and are state
replaceable if corroded. • Relies on the integrity of the
(practically NO or extremely difficult) anchorages and deviators
• Reduced friction losses • Less efficient in controlling
• Generally faster construction cracking
• Tendons can be re-stressed • Eccentricity is smaller than
(jelly filled, not grout) (practically internal tendons
extremely difficult unless…)
• Thinner members
 Lecture 4: Agenda
22

Part 1: Review of Prestressed Concrete and Prestressing System

Part 2: Type of Tendons (Bonded or unbounded)

Part 3: Introduction to requirement of new prestressing system

Part 4: Structural behavior of prestressed concrete

Part 5: Design of Prestressed Concrete – Part 1

 Prestressed Concrete
Internal Prestressing System
23

Electrically Isolated Tendons (EIT)

Why?
Ø Chloride containing water penetrating into the
ducts is the major cause of corrosion of the
prestressing steel even in fully grouted ducts.
Ø Until now no non-destructive technique exists
that can reliably assess the condition of a
tendon with metallic duct.
What is EIT?
Ø Industry has developed new tight plastic ducts for bonded post-tensioning tendons that
greatly improve corrosion protection of the steel. Together with electrically isolated
anchorages, the degree of corrosion protection of the high strength steel can be
assessed by non-destructive impedance measurements.
Ø These systems provide full electrical isolation of the steel PT tendons from the
surrounding concrete of the bridge structure.
Ø With isolation, the PT steel cannot form a corrosion cell with the exterior reinforcement,
and corrosion of the tendon is nearly eliminated because the amount of oxygen within the
duct is low.
 Prestressed Concrete
Internal Prestressing System
24

¨ Electrically Isolated Tendons (EIT) – How?

PT-PLUS duct with couplers

Insulation plate

GC anchorage

Plastic trumpet

Protection cap with connection

 Prestressed Concrete
Internal Prestressing System
25

¨ Electrically Isolated Tendons (EIT) – How to

monitor?
Ø EIT can assess the quality of the encapsulation of
the tendon through measuring the resistance
between the PT strands and reinforcing steel.
 Prestressed Concrete
Internal Prestressing System
26

Web tendons

Anchorages
 Prestressed Concrete
Internal Prestressing System
27

Stressing in progress
 Prestressed Concrete
Internal Prestressing System
28

Close up of anchorage
(the yellow plate is the insulation plate)
 Prestressed Concrete
Internal Prestressing System
29

Rebar fixing for end cap

protection concrete
(that’s why we cannot
see the end cap on site)
 Prestressed Concrete
Internal Prestressing System
30
 Prestressed Concrete
Internal Prestressing System - VCsensor
31

(VC1)

(VC2)
Result Comparison Grout Level Passivation of steel No Corrosion
and complete ongoing
setting of grout (no
soft grout)
VC1 Full Partial Empty Good Yes

Similar to VC2 ü ü ü

Lower than VC2 ü Risk of corr. Risk of corr.

VC1 Open circuit ü Risk of corr. Risk of corr.

VC1, VC2 Open circuit ü Risk of corr. Risk of corr.

31
 Prestressed Concrete
Mono-strand - Background
32

Traditional external tendons

 Prestressed Concrete
Mono-strand
33

Ø In a mono-strand system, no tendon sheath is provided, hence, no grout is required, and all
strands are inspectable. In return, each individual strand is protected by HDPE sheathing
and protective filler.

Traditional external tendon

Ø Compared to conventional system, stiffness is reduced because grouting is no longer

required. Damping systems were provided at intermediate locations to reduce vibration
problem.

Ø Strands are threaded and stressed in sequence with specific location order, hence, all
strands are parallel to each other and friction loss is nearly negligible.
 Prestressed Concrete
Mono-strand
34

VSL Proposed
alternative anti-
vibration system
(see next slide)
 Prestressed Concrete
Mono-strand
35
 Prestressed Concrete
Mono-strand
36

Strand threading Front view of anchor block

General view of partially stressed strand Anti-vibration unit

 Prestressed Concrete
Mono-strand
37
 Prestressed Concrete
Mono-strand
38

Protection of mono-strands not yet installed

Protection of mono-strands installed

 Prestressed Concrete
Mono-strand
39

Dampers

Completed
 Lecture 4: Agenda
40

Part 1: Review of Prestressed Concrete and Prestressing System

Part 2: Type of Tendons (Bonded or unbounded)

Part 3: Introduction to requirement of new prestressing system

Part 4: Structural behavior of prestressed concrete

Part 5: Design of Prestressed Concrete – Part 1

Behavior of Prestressed Concrete
Structural Behavior of RC (zero prestressed force)

Reinforced concrete beam on ground

A
0 MPa

0 MPa

A-A Stress
distribution
A
Behavior of Prestressed Concrete
Structural Behavior of RC (zero prestressed force)

Simply Supported reinforced concrete beam geometric centre

C = Myt/I
C
yt

yb
T

T = Myb/I
Stress
distribution

w = D.L. of beam

wl2 s = My/I
Moment @ mid-span =
8
Behavior of Prestressed Concrete
Structural Behavior of RC (zero prestressed force)

Validity of linear relationship

Stress
THINK!!!
The general equation, My/I,
is an equation assuming the
material behaves linearly
[recall mechanics of material].
However, we always say that
concrete is a nonlinear
material.
How can this equation be
valid to use?
Strain
Stress strain behavior of plain concrete
 Behavior of Prestressed Concrete
Concentric Prestress

Prestressed concrete beam on ground

A

A-A
A
C = P/A

P P P = Effective
prestressing force
A = Area of
concrete

Schematic Stress
distribution
 Behavior of Prestressed Concrete
Concentric Prestress

Simply supported Prestressed concrete beam

A

A
Cd = Myt/I
w = D.L. of beam Cp = P/A

P P

Schematic Td = Myb/I
Stress distribution
Behavior of Prestressed Concrete
Eccentric Prestress

Prestressed concrete beam

with eccentric prestressing tendon supported on ground
A A-A

yt

e
yb

A Tp = Mpyt/I
Cp = P/A

Mp = P×e

Why does it bend up? Cp = Mpyb/I

Stress distribution (due to eccentric tendon)
Behavior of Prestressed Concrete
Eccentric Prestress

Simply supported Prestressed concrete beam

with eccentric prestressing
A

w = D.L. of beam A

P P

Schematic
Behavior of Prestressed Concrete
Eccentric Prestress

Simply supported Prestressed concrete beam

with eccentric prestressing
Cd = Myt/I

w = D.L. of beam

st

Td = Myb/I

Tp = Peyt/I
Cp = P/A
sb

≥0 Fully prestressed
P P sb :
< 0 partial prestressed

Schematic

Cp = Peyb/I
Stress distribution
 Behavior of Prestressed Concrete
Illustrative Example
49

Problem Descriptions
Ø Simply supported beam of 15m long

Ø Self weight + external UDL is 50kN/m

Ø Prestressing force is 2000kN (400mm below Neutral Axis)

Ø Section properties:
Ø I/yb = I/yt = 70.73 x 106 mm3
Ø Ac = 2.9 x 105 mm2
A

N.A.
400mm
P P

A Section A-A

Determine the stress distribution at mid-span

 Behavior of Prestressed Concrete
Illustrative Example
50

Ø Ignore all load factors:

Ø Design Moment = 50kN/m × 15m2 ⁄ 8 = 1406.3 kNm (mid-span moment)

Ø Concrete top fibre, σtop

Due to D.L. + External Load → Compression (+ve)
σtop Due to prestressing force → Compression (+ve) (Only prestressing force, i.e. P/A)
Due to eccentricity of prestressing force → tension (-ve)
$!"#$%&×&'() ( (×*++×&'()
Ø 𝜎!"# = + +
' ) '
Ø All parameters are +ve in the above equation except ecc as it is below the N.A. and -ve
quantity is used, it means the last term in the above equation will switch to –ve quantity,
i.e. tension in nature.
,-./.1×,.* 3...×,.+ 3...×,.+×(6-..)
Ø 𝜎!"# = + + = 19.88+6.9-11.31 = 15.47MPa
2..21×,.* 3.4×,., 2..21×,.*
Ø Therefore, 𝜎-./ is compression.
 Behavior of Prestressed Concrete
Illustrative Example
51

Ø Similar, σbot

Due to D.L. + External Load → tension (-ve)

σbot Due to prestressing force → Compression (+ve) (Only prestressing force, i.e. P/A)
Due to eccentricity of prestressing force → compression (+ve)
$!"#$%&×&0(' ( (×*++×&0('
Ø 𝜎8"! = + +
' ) '
Ø ybot & ecc as is below the N.A. and -ve quantities are used, it means the first term in the
above equation will switch to –ve quantity, i.e. tension in nature, which match with
description in bullet point 1.
,-./.1×,.* 3...×,.+ 3...×,.+×(6-..)
Ø 𝜎!"# = − + + = -1.67MPa (tension)
2..21×,.* 3.4×,., 2..21×,.*
19.88MPa 6.9MPa -11.31MPa 15.47MPa

+ + =

-19.88MPa 11.31MPa 1.67MPa

DL + External Load Prestress Eccentricity of prestress tendons Resultant

 Lecture 4: Agenda
52

Part 1: Review of Prestressed Concrete and Prestressing System

Part 2: Type of Tendons (Bonded or unbounded)

Part 3: Introduction to requirement of new prestressing system

Part 4: Structural behavior of prestressed concrete

Part 5: Design of Prestressed Concrete – Part 1

 Design of Prestressed Concrete
General Philosophy
53

¨ What is the design criteria of Concrete Structure?

¤ ULS and SLS
¨ What is the procedure for design of reinforced concrete
structure?
¤ Step 1 : Design cross section and rebars quantities
¤ Step 2 : Check step 1 design against ULS (strength, fire and
fatigue)
¤ Step 3: Check against SLS (Deflection, cracking and durability)
based on concluded design from step 1 and step 2.
¨ What about design of prestressed concrete structure?
¤ Objective is to achieve cracks free and control of deflection;
¤ The procedure is to design cross section, rebars and prestressing
steel quantities, then check SLS (i.e. cracks and deflections);
¤ Check section against ULS.
 Design of Prestressed Concrete
Loss of prestressing force
54

¨ The prestressing force applied to the concrete

immediately after tensioning and anchoring (post-
tensioning) or after transfer (pretensioning) will be less
than the jacking load due to one or more of the following:
• elastic deformation of the concrete;
• losses due to friction, and;
• wedge slip in the anchorages.
¨ The value of the prestressing force inside a tendon will
continue to reduce with time due to:
• relaxation of prestressing steel;
• creep of the concrete;
• shrinkage of the concrete.
 Design of Prestressed Concrete
Loss of prestressing force
55

This is the
Response immediately after stress

Original length of concrete beam situation before

stress transfer
transfer from strand to concrete

It is also the elongated length of the strand

from strand to
Effective prestressing force concrete

Original stress free length (L) of strand

This portion is therefore
the DL that generate the
required prestress force
(i.e. P= E x DL/L)
Time dependent loss

Instantenous elastic
shortening of concrete

Further shortening due to creep,

shrinkage and relaxation
 Design of Prestressed Concrete
Loss of prestressing force
56

¨ Two critical stages in design of prestressed concrete

under SLS
¤ Stage 1: Immediately after prestress (release of jack, instantaneous
loss)
n i.e. when the structure is under min. external load imposed to the structure
n and max. prestress force applied to the structure
¤ Stage 2: After time dependent loss (long term loss)
n i.e. min. prestress force (after creep, shrinkage and relaxation loss)
n and max. external load (e.g. after road opening)

PJ or P0 Pi Pe
Initial Prestressing or (1) Elastic Instantaneous Effective Prestress force
Jacking force Shortening Prestress force (1) Creep
(2) Wedge (2) Shrinkage
drawn in (3) Relaxation
(3) Friction
Max. permissible force to
tendon (or strands) is limited
in accordance with codes
 Design of Prestressed Concrete
Example to demonstrate stage effects
57

¨ Example LL = 12kN/m Find the stress distribution at mid-span

(only effective during operation stage)
N.A
e = 325mm
Pj Pj

15m

¨ Pj = 1100 kN (jacking force, it is the force in tendon before release of the

hydraulic jack for load transfer)
¨ Ac = 2.38 x 105 mm2
The objectives of this example are:
¨ Ic/yb = Ic/yt= 36.63 x 106 mm3 (1) To let you have a feeling on loss of
prestressing force due to long term
¨ g = 24kN/m3 and short term situation.
(2) To let you understand the structural
Assumptions on losses: implication of the prestressing
1) Short term loss = 6% losses.
2) Long term loss = 14%
 Design of Prestressed Concrete
Example to demonstrate stage effects
58

Part 1: Stress distribution immediately after release of hydraulic jack

stop
N.A.
e = 325mm
Pj Pj
sbot

! !
Mid-span moment = 𝜔𝐿# = (24𝑘𝑁/𝑚 $ ×𝐴% )×15# = 160.3𝑘𝑁𝑚
" "
Moment @ Support = 0𝑘𝑁𝑚

¨ Imagine that this structural member is still under construction and effectively
NO or only negligible live load is imposed on the beam. As a result,
calculation of stress distribution at this stage includes only structural dead
load and prestressing force.
¨ Pi is the prestressing force in the tendon after instantaneous/short-term loss,
i.e. Pj→Pi, Pi=Pj×(1-0.06), or Pi=1100kN×0.94=1034kN as 6% loss is
mentioned in the assumption stated in the previous slide.
1! 1! ×4×5" 7# ×5" 1! 1! ×4×5$ 7# ×5$
¨ 𝜎-./ = 2
+ 6
+ 6
and 𝜎8.- = 2
+ 6
+ 6
 Design of Prestressed Concrete
Example to demonstrate stage effects
59

Part 1: Stress distribution immediately after release of hydraulic jack

¨ Stress distribution at mid span:
7! 7!×9×:" <#×:"
¤ 𝜎456 = 8
+ ;
+ ;
= 4.34 − 9.17 + 4.38 = −0.45𝑀𝑃𝑎 (tension)
7! 7!×9×:$ <#×:$
¤ 𝜎=54 = 8
+ ;
+ ;
= 4.34 + 9.17 − 4.38 = 9.13𝑀𝑃𝑎 (compression)

¨ Stress distribution at supports

7! 7!×9×:" >×:"
¤ 𝜎456 = 8
+ ;
+ ;
= 4.34 − 9.17 + 0 = −4.83𝑀𝑃𝑎 (tension)
7! 7!×9×:$ >×:$
¤ 𝜎=54 = 8
+ ;
+ ;
= 4.34 + 9.17 + 0 = 13.51𝑀𝑃𝑎 (compression)
 Design of Prestressed Concrete
Example to demonstrate stage effects
60

Part 2: Stress distribution after consideration of long-term loss

¨ Pe is final prestressing force after all losses and it is also called
effective prestressing force i.e. Pe=Pj×(1-total prestressing loss), or
Pe=1100kN×(1-0.06-0.14)=880kN as 6% and 14% short term and
long-term loss is assumed.
$! $!×'×(" *#$%×("
¨ 𝜎!"# = %
+ )
+ )
.
¨ 𝑀+,- = / 24×𝐴0 + 12𝑘𝑁/𝑚 ×151 = 497.8𝑘𝑁𝑚
¨ Stress distribution at mid-span
¤ 𝜎456 = 3.7 − 7.81 + 13.59 = 9.48𝑀𝑃𝑎 (Compression)
¤ 𝜎=54 = 3.7 + 7.81 − 13.59 = −2.08𝑀𝑃𝑎 (tension)
¨ Stress distribution at support
¤ 𝜎456 = 3.7 − 7.81 + 0 = −4.11𝑀𝑃𝑎 (tension)
¤ 𝜎=54 = 3.7 + 7.81 + 0 = 11.51𝑀𝑃𝑎 (Compression)
 Design of Prestressed Concrete
Example to demonstrate stage effects
61

Discussion of result
stop
N.A.

Pj
sbot

-0.45MPa -4.83MPa

Stress distribution (Short-term)

L.L and long term loss 9.13MPa 13.51MPa

are added -4.11MPa
9.48MPa

Stress distribution (Long-term)

-2.08MPa 11.51MPa
 Design of Prestressed Concrete
Example to demonstrate stage effects
62

Discussion of result
q This is one of the important difference between prestressed concrete and
reinforced concrete, the term, “stage effect”, is used.
q For R.C., once cracks are formed, they will be with the structural during the
service left unless loading conditions are changed.

¨ For prestressed concrete, if cracks formed during the construction stage, the
cracks will close gradually during operation stage. Just like the previous
example, cracks are formed at top surface during stressing stage but they
closed during operation.
NOTE:
When we design prestressed
concrete structure, we need to
pay attention to check stresses
at varies stages!
 Design of Prestressed Concrete
Loss of prestressing force – Elastic Shortening
63

Pre-tensioning
¨ Objective is to derive the equation of elastic shortening from pre-tensioning
behaviour. L

@ this stage P=0 as force has

not yet transferred to concrete

D Elastic shortening due to compression force

Concrete behavior immediately

after load transfer.
s=Pi/Ac s=Pi/Ac

∆ ;%
¨ Strain in concrete when it is under the pretensioning force: =
: <%
¨ Since perfect bonding is assumed, shortening of the prestressing steel must
be the same as the strain in concrete.
∆;&'()"'())!*+ )"((-
¨ That means: <)
= strain of prestressing steel due to elastic
∆;. ∆ ; ∆;. ;
shortening, i.e., <)
= : = <% or <)
= <%
% %
 Design of Prestressed Concrete
Loss of prestressing force – Elastic Shortening
64

Remarks
¨ In contrast with the pre-tensioned member, elastic shortening,
in general, do not require to consider in post-tensioned
concrete member as PT force will be adjusted in real time by
the hydraulic jack throughout the stressing operation;
¨ However, if a structural member has more than ONE post-
tensioning tendon, you still need to consider elastic shortening
(except the last tendon to be stressed or all tendons are to be
stressed simultaneously), see next slide.
 Design of Prestressed Concrete
Loss of prestressing force – Elastic Shortening
65

Remarks
P2 P2

P1 P1

¨ Stressing sequence:
¤ Step 1: Stress P1, say P1 = 1000kN

P1 is still 1000kN as the jacking force

P1 P1 is self adjusting to response the
shortening of concrete member

¤ Step 2: Stress P2, say P2 = 1000kN

P2 is still 1000kN as the jacking force
P2 P2 is self adjusting to response the
shortening of concrete member

P1 P1 However, P1 is < 1000kN due to the

member shortening resulting from P2.
 Design of Prestressed Concrete
Loss of prestressing force – Elastic Shortening
66

¨ Example
DL = 9.9kN/m

N.A
e = 560
Pj Pj

20m

¨ Pj = 3530 kN
¨ Ac = 4.2 x 105 mm2
¨ Ap = 2850 mm2
¨ Ic = 9.3 x 1010 mm4
'/
¨ = 471 mm
)/
 Design of Prestressed Concrete
Loss of prestressing force – Friction
67

Remarks
¨ NOT in pre-tensioning
¤ As elongated strands are bonded to concrete after wet concrete is
hardened.
¨ Since friction only occurs when the non-stressed strands
elongated within the post-tensioning tendons.
¨ During the elongation of strands, the contact between strands
and tendon duct is the source of friction.
¨ For post-tensioned system:
Friction coefficient depends on type of tendon system

𝑃& = 𝑃' 𝑒 ()(∑ ,-.&)

It is the cumulated angle turned throughout the member Wobble factor, it is related to the unintended variations
counting between the anchorages (unit in radian). in the alignment of tendon duct and therefore it is a
Designer will always have the full control to minimize system dependent coefficient. e.g. w=0.005 to 0.01.
this component by using a flat tendon profile.
 Design of Prestressed Concrete
Loss of prestressing force – Friction
68

Example of ∑ 𝛼

¨ Case 1 a2 ∑ 𝛼 = 𝛼1 + 𝛼2
a1

¨ Case 2 ∑𝛼 = 0

¨ Case 3 ∑ 𝛼 = 𝛼1

a1
 Design of Prestressed Concrete
Loss of prestressing force – Friction
69

¨ Example

¨ Friction coefficient = 0.12

¨ Wobble factor = 0.005
¨ Po = 2511kN
¨ P(x) = Poe-µ(Sa+kx)
 Design of Prestressed Concrete
Loss of prestressing force – Wedge draw-in
70

¨ A prestressing tendon may undergo a small contraction during

the process of transferring the tensioning force from the jack to
the anchorage; this is known as wedge ‘draw-in’.
¨ The exact amount of this contraction depends on the type of
wedge used and is usually specified by the manufacturer of the
system.
¨ The slip of wedges can be reduced by ensuring that they are
pushed forward as far as possible to grip the tendons before
releasing the jack.
¨ The effect is much greater on a short
prestressed concrete member than
on a long one.
 Design of Prestressed Concrete
Loss of prestressing force – Wedge draw-in
71

P(x)

P0

P0-∆P
Force at dead end
after all losses
Losses due to
wedge draw in

XA

x
Length of tendon from stressing end to dead end
 Design of Prestressed Concrete
Loss of prestressing force – Long term loss
72

¨ Creep
¤ Depends on age of concrete at first load;
¤ Depends on magnitude of load.
¨ Shrinkage
¤ Depends on humidity;
¤ Depends on how the concrete is cured.
¨ Relaxation
¤ Depends on temperature;
¤ Depends on stress level of steel.
 Design of Prestressed Concrete
Loss of prestressing force – Creep
73

Creep:
Ø Creep is time-dependent deformation (strain) under sustained loading,
excluding nonload-induced deformations such as shrinkage, swelling,
thermal strain.
Ø Creep strain is typically two to four times the elastic strain and
knowledge of creep is needed for several reasons:
Ø To estimate long-term deflections in beams and long-term shortening in
columns and walls.
Ø To estimate prestress losses (before doing this, we need to know how to
estimate creep coefficient).
Ø To estimate stress relaxation and redistribution over time. This may be
beneficial in reducing the risk and/or extent of cracking. Creep in tension
may also partly relieve the stresses induced by other restrained
movements, for example, drying shrinkage, thermal contraction; or by
loading.
 Design of Prestressed Concrete
Loss of prestressing force – Creep
74

In accordance with EN1992-1-1, we can find creep coefficient by 2

approaches
Ø Formula Approach; or
Ø Graphical Approach
 Design of Prestressed Concrete
Loss of prestressing force – Creep (Formula)
75

Formula Approach
Ø Creep of the concrete depends on the ambient humidity, the
dimensions of the element and the composition of the concrete. Creep
is also influenced by the maturity of the concrete when the load is first
applied and depends on the duration and magnitude of the loading.
Ø The creep coefficient, 𝜙(t,t0), can be understood as the creep value at
time “t” when loading started applying on the sample at time ” t0” and it
lasts until ”t”. In Eurocode, it can be expressed as:

𝜙 𝑡, 𝑡2 = 𝜙2 ×𝛽0 𝑡, 𝑡2

Ø Details of this formular is not discussed here, but the dependent

variables mentioned in bullet point 1 above can be found in the
formular.
Ø You can experience the detail from the tutorial exercise next week.
 Design of Prestressed Concrete
Loss of prestressing force – Creep (Graphical I)
76

Graphical Approach
Ø Where great accuracy is not required, the values of 𝜙(∞,t0), final creep,
from Figure 3.1 of EN1992-1-1:2004 may be considered as the creep
coefficient, provided that the concrete is not subjected to a
compressive stress greater than 0.45×fck(t0) at an age t0, the age of
concrete at the time of loading.
Ø This method only applies to t=∞
Ø Details refers to next slide.
 Design of Prestressed Concrete
Loss of prestressing force – Creep (Graphical)
77

Creep Value for ᵠ(∞,7)

Step 1: Confirm cement type and intersect with horizontal line of t0 (say, 7 days in this example)
Step 2: draw a line to connect point (0,100) and the intersection point in step 1
Step 3: draw a vertical line from h0 and intersect with the concrete strength (say, 500mm and
C40/50 in this example)
Step 4: draw a horizontal line from intersection point in step 3 to meet the green line in step 2
Step 5: The creep coefficient can be found if you follow the orange line
 Design of Prestressed Concrete
Loss of prestressing force – Creep (Graphical II)
78

0.75

Creep coefficient of concrete strength 60MPa; Relative Humidity = 80% (Close to HK condition); H0 = 1000mm
 Design of Prestressed Concrete
Loss of prestressing force – Creep (Graphical II)
79

1.856-1.25 = 0.606
 Design of Prestressed Concrete
Loss of prestressing force – Shrinkage
80

Shrinkage:
Ø Shrinkage is also time-dependent deformation (strain), however, it
happens even without external load, shrinkage strain commences
once curing stop. To estimate prestressing loss due to shrinkage it is
important to know how to estimate shrinkage strain.
Ø Shrinkage is composed of two nature:
Ø Autogenous Shrinkage
Water hydration, this part is relatively constant and cannot avoid.
Ø Drying Shrinkage
Loss of water to atmosphere, this is relative humidity (RH) dependent, so, if
the concrete is at a wet area or with high RH%, this component is smaller
compared to dry area.
Ø Problem associated with shrinkage?
Ø If it is a plain concrete, no effect other than shrinking of the concrete.
Ø If it is a reinforced concrete, it will have shrinkage cracks.
 Design of Prestressed Concrete
Loss of prestressing force – Shrinkage
81

Shrinkage:
Ø In EN 1992-1-1, εcs, total shrinkage, is defined as the addition of the
drying shrinkage strain and the autogenous shrinkage strain. The
drying shrinkage strain develops slowly, since it is a function of the
migration of the water through the hardened concrete. The autogenous
shrinkage strain develops during hardening of the concrete: the major
part therefore develops in the early days after casting. Autogenous
shrinkage is a linear function of the concrete strength.
Ø Hence the values of the total shrinkage strain εcs follow:
 Design of Prestressed Concrete
Loss of prestressing force – Shrinkage
82

Creep and Shrinkage:

Ø In estimation of coefficient or strain of either cases, an interesting
parameter, notional size, ho, is involved.
Ø It is defined as ho = 2A/u. A is cross section area and u is perimeter of
that cross section exposed to atmosphere (or dying).
Ø The physical meaning of this parameter is to measure the length of
cross section that will be potentially exposed to the atmosphere.
Ø Examples to think:

A (exclude void) A (exclude void)

solid opening Opening with door

 Design of Prestressed Concrete
Loss of prestressing force – Relaxation
83

Ø Similar to Creep, shrinkage is also time-dependent deformation

(strain), however, it happens even without external load, shrinkage
strain commences once curing stop.
Ø Shrinkage is composed of two nature:
Ø Autogenous Shrinkage

Water hydration, this part is relatively constant and cannot avoid.

Ø Drying Shrinkage

Loss of water to atmosphere, this is relative humidity (RH)

dependent, so, if the concrete is at a wet area or with high RH%,
this component is smaller compare to dry area.
Ø Problem associated with shrinkage?
Ø If it is a plain concrete, no effect other than shrinking of the
concrete.
Ø If it is a reinforced concrete, it will have shrinkage cracks (how?).

Ø If it is prestressed concrete, it will have shrinkage loss.

 Design of Prestressed Concrete
Loss of prestressing force – Relaxation
84

Relaxation of Prestressing Steel:

Ø Relaxation is a material property of the prestressing steel and
behaves inversely to concrete creep.
Ø The term relaxation describes the reduction of the existing stress at a
constantly applied material strain.

L
original unstressed length of a tendon

L + dL
By definition, if this stress is at high
level, say 75% of yield strength, the
s = Es x dL stress level within the steel will
L decrease from time to time even L+dL
do not change
 Design of Prestressed Concrete
Loss of prestressing force – Relaxation
85

Relaxation Losses According to EN 1992-1-1:

Ø The relaxation behavior of prestressing steels is determined
according to the specifications of EN 15630 at a constant permanent
temperature of 20 °C.
Ø Concerning the time and stress-dependent relaxation behavior, the
prestressing steels are classified by different classes. Cold-drawn
wires and strands are nowadays manufactured with appropriate
thermo treatment with low and very low relaxation.
Ø Prestressing bars are in most cases hot-rolled and hardened and
normally have higher relaxation losses.
Ø Factors affecting relaxation:
Ø Temperature of steel: relaxation will increase when background temperature
increase.
Ø Stress level: relaxation will be larger when stress level increase.
 Design of Prestressed Concrete
Loss of prestressing force – Relaxation
86

Relaxation Losses According to EN 1992-1-1:

Ø To what extent the stress losses from relaxation in prestressed
concrete design have to be applied depends on the relevant valid
design standard of the respective country.
Ø It may happen that a prestressing steel of a manufacturer in the
European countries Germany, Austria and Switzerland has to be
designed with different relaxation losses. Eurocode 2 classifies the
prestressing steels in three different classes of relaxation:
Ø Class 1: prestressing wires and
strands with high relaxation
Ø Class 2: prestressing wires and
strands with low relaxation
Ø Class 3: hot-rolled or hardened
prestressing steel bars
 Design of Prestressed Concrete
Loss of prestressing force – Relaxation
87

Relaxation Losses According to EN 1992-1-1:

Ø Calculation approaches are mentioned in Clause 3.3.2 of EN1992-1-
1, which allow to determine relaxation-related prestressing losses
against time after prestressing, with reference to the applied stress in
the prestressing steel with a reference value of ρ1000.
Ø The reference value ρ1000 defines the relaxation losses after 1,000
hours of tension at an average temperature of 20 °C and a prestress
of 0.7 ∙ fp.
Ø fp is here the actual, experimentally determined tensile strength of the
prestressing steel, i.e. not characteristic strength.
 Design of Prestressed Concrete
Loss of prestressing force – Relaxation
88

Relaxation Losses According to EN 1992-1-1:

Ø The reference values ρ1000 to be applied to the following formulas
have to be taken either from the test report of the prestressing steel or
can be estimated with the values specified in EN1992-1-1. They are:
Ø 8% for class 1
Ø 2.5% for class 2
Ø 4% for class 3
Ø Prediction formulas
 Design of Prestressed Concrete
Loss of prestressing force – Relaxation
89

Relaxation Losses According to EN 1992-1-1:

Ø The reference values ρ1000 to be applied to the following formulas
have to be taken either from the test report of the prestressing steel or
can be estimated with the values specified in EN1992-1-1. They are:
Ø 8% for class 1
Ø 2.5% for class 2
Ø 4% for class 3
Ø Prediction formulas
 Design of Prestressed Concrete
Loss of prestressing force – Combined Effect
90

Creep and Shrinkage relationship:

Stress

Time
Strain
Creep Strain
C

Instantaneous

Shrinkage

Time
 Design of Prestressed Concrete
Loss of prestressing force – Combined Effect
91

Ø So far, we discussed relaxation loss (lecture and tutorial)

Ø We discussed creep coefficient (next tutorial) and shrinkage strain
(tutorial on yesterday).
Ø However, they are not exactly prestressing loss that we need for
design. How can these parameters be transformed to some usable
form for prestressing calculation?
Ø EN1992-1-1 considers the loss due to each effect, as if that effect were
acting alone, and then combines them taking 80% of the relaxation
loss to account for the effect of creep and shrinkage reducing the
stress in tendon. You can see a factor of 0.8 is included in equation
5.46 as indicated below.
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