CIRCULAR PRESTRESSING

Circular Prestressing” is employed to denote the prestressing of circular structures

such as pipes and tanks where the prestressing wires are wound in circles. In
contrast to this term, “linear prestressing” is used to include all other types of
prestressing, where the cables may be either straight or curved, but not wound in
circles around a circular structure. In most prestressed circular structures, prestress
is applied both circumferentially and longitudinally, the circumferential prestress
being circular and the longitudinal prestress actually linear.
The circumferential prestressing resists the hoop tension generated due to the
internal pressure. The prestressing is done by wires or tendons placed spirally, or
over sectors of the circumference of the member. The wires or tendons lay outside
the concrete core. Hence, the centre of the prestressing steel (CGS) is outside the
core concrete section.
When the prestressed members are curved, in the direction of prestressing, the
prestressing is called circular prestressing. For example, circumferential
prestressing in pipes, tanks, silos, containment structures and similar structures is a
type of circular prestressing. In these structures, there can be prestressing in the
longitudinal direction (parallel to axis) as well. Circular prestressing is also applied
in domes and shells.

The circumferential prestressing resists the hoop tension generated due to

the internal pressure. The prestressing is done by wires or tendons placed spirally,
or over sectors of the circumference of the member. The wires or tendons lay
outside the concrete core. Hence, the center of the prestressing steel (CGS) is
outside the core concrete section. The hoop compression generated is uniform
across the thickness of a thin shell. Hence, the pressure line (or Cline) lies at the
center of the core concrete section (CGC). The following sketch shows the internal
forces under service conditions. The analysis is done for a slice of unit length along
the longitudinal direction (parallel to axis).
Liquid retaining structures, such as circular pipes, tanks and pressure vessels are
admirably suited for circular prestressing. The circumferential hoop compression
induced in concrete by prestressing counterbalances the hoop tension developed
due to the internal fluid pressure. A reinforced concrete pressure pipe requires a
large amount of reinforcement to ensure low-tensile stresses resulting in a crack-
free structure. However, circular prestressing eliminates cracks and provides for an
economical use of
materials. In addition, prestressing safeguards against shrinkage cracks in liquid
retaining structures.
 To reduce the loss of prestress due to friction, the prestressing can be done
over sectors of the circumference. Buttresses are used for the anchorage of the
tendons. The following sketch shows the buttresses along the circumference.

Here, you can see that the prestressing tendon is not continuous throughout
the circumference. It has been broken up into sectors, and it has been
anchored in these buttresses. This reduces the friction loss that occurs
during the circumferential prestressing. A closer view of buttresses shows that
one tendon is anchored at the left end, which can be the dead end and the other
tendon is anchored at the right end, which can be the stretching end.