Stages Analysis of Prestressing and Post Tensioning

There are two methods of prestressing:

1. Pre-tensioning: Apply prestress to steel strands before casting concrete.
2. Post-tensioning: Apply prestress to steel strands after casting concrete.

Pre-tensioning:
This is the most common form for precast sections.
Pre-tensioning is accomplished by stressing wires or strands, called tendons, to predetermined
amount by stretching them between two anchorages prior to placing concrete as shown in
fig.1. The concrete is then placed and tendons become bonded to concrete throughout their
length.

After concrete has hardened, the tendons are released by cutting them at the anchorages. The
tendons tend to regain their original length by shortening and in this process transfer through
bond a compressive stress to the concrete.

The tendons are usually stressed by the use of hydraulic jacks. The stress in tendons is
maintained during the placing and curing of concrete by anchoring the ends of the tendons to
abutments that may be as much as 200m apart. The abutments and other formwork used in
this procedure are called prestressing bench or bed.

Figure 1

Steps in Pre-tensioning:

1. The casting bed and formworks are being prepare for initial stage.
2. The steel, wires, strands or like are being stressed using hydraulic jacks prior to casting of
concrete.

3. The concrete will be then poured into the stressed strands.

4. Once the concrete achieved its design strength, the tendons will be cut-off then transport it
to the storage.

Post-tensioning:

Stages of Post-tensioning

In post-tensioning systems, the ducts for the tendons (or strands) are placed along with the
reinforcement before the casting of concrete. The tendons are placed in the ducts after the
casting of concrete. The duct prevents contact between concrete and the tendons during the
tensioning operation. Unlike pre-tensioning, the tendons are pulled with the reaction acting
against the hardened concrete. If the ducts are filled with grout, then it is known as bonded
post-tensioning. The grout is a neat cement paste or a sand-cement mortar containing suitable
admixture.

In unbonded post-tensioning, as the name suggests, the ducts are never grouted, and the
tendon is held in tension solely by the end anchorages. The following sketch shows a schematic
representation of a grouted post-tensioned member. The profile of the duct depends on the
support conditions. For a simply supported member, the duct has a sagging profile between the
ends. For a continuous member, the duct sags in the span and hogs over the support.

The various stages of the post-tensioning operation are summarized as follows.

1. Casting of concrete.
2. Placement of the tendons.
3. Placement of the anchorage block and jack.
4. Applying tension to the tendons.
5. Seating of the wedges.
6. Cutting of the tendons.
References:

https://theconstructor.org/concrete/prestressed-concrete-pre-and-post-tensioning/3291/

https://www.quora.com/What-is-prestressed-concrete

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prestressed_concrete