Basic Principles

EAS 453 Pre-stressed Concrete Design

Stress Limit of Pre-stressed Concrete

1 Dr. NORAZURA MUHAMAD BUNNORI (PhD), USM 2 Dr. NORAZURA MUHAMAD BUNNORI
(PhD), USM

Basic Principles Basic Principles

3 Dr. NORAZURA MUHAMAD BUNNORI 4 Dr. NORAZURA MUHAMAD BUNNORI

(PhD), USM (PhD), USM
Example 1 :

A pre-stressed concrete rectangular beam 500 mm x 750 mm with 7.30m span is for top fibre,
loaded by a uniform load of 45 kN/m including its own self-weight. The pre-stressing
tendon is located 145 mm below the neutral axis at mid-span of the section (take it
= 1620 x 1000 – 1620 x 1000 x 145 x 375 + 299.76 x 106x 375
as +ve sign) and produces an effective pre-stress of 1620 kN. Calculate the fibre
375,000 1.758 x 1010 1.758 x 1010
stresses in the concrete at mid-span. Assume compressive stress as +ve.
= 5.70 N/mm2 (MPa) - compression
Answer,
P = 1620 kN A= 500 x 750 = 375,000 mm2
for bottom fibre,
e = 145 mm I= bd /12 = 500x7503/12 = 1.758 x 1010 mm4
3

y = 750/2 = 375 mm (top and bottom)

Moment at mid-span = 45 x 7.32/8 = 299.76 kNm
= 1620 x 1000 + 1620 x 1000 x 145 x 375 - 299.76 x 106x 375
f = P/A ± Pey/I ± Mxy/I (y/I = 1/Z) 375,000 1.758 x 1010 1.758 x 1010
(prestress) (eccentric) (load)
= 2.94 N/mm2 – compression
5 Dr. NORAZURA MUHAMAD BUNNORI 6 Dr. NORAZURA MUHAMAD BUNNORI
(PhD), USM (PhD), USM

Example 2 :

Compute the mid-span stresses for the pre-stress beam

with parabolic tendon as shown in figure below. At Transfer
45kN/m This is when the concrete first feels the pre-stress. The concrete is less strong
e=145mm
but the situation is temporary and the stresses are only due to pre-stress
and self weight.
Prestress 1620kN

At Service
The stresses induced by the SLS loading, in addition to the pre-stress and self
weight, must be checked. At service stage, the concrete has its full strength
but losses will have occurred and so the pre-stress force is reduced.

Top fibre?
Bottom fibre?

7 Dr. NORAZURA MUHAMAD BUNNORI 8 Dr. NORAZURA MUHAMAD BUNNORI

(PhD), USM (PhD), USM
 STRESS LIMIT

a. Concrete

} Minimum concrete grade for PC is strongly recommended

at 35 N/mm2 for pre-tension and 40 N/mm2 for post-
tension (Clause 4.1.8.1)
} Concrete strength versus age is given under Table 7.1
} Important information for concrete is given under Section 7
BS 8110

9 Dr. NORAZURA MUHAMAD BUNNORI 10 Dr. NORAZURA MUHAMAD BUNNORI

(PhD), USM (PhD), USM

b. Strand c. Classification – serviceability & transfer

Type Nominal Characteristic Cross sectional, Aps Breaking Load, Aps fcu
Diameter Strength, fpu Area (mm2) (kN)
} i. Limit of tensile stress at service
(mm) (N/mm2)

7-wire 15.2 1670 139 232 } Clause 4.1.3 of BS 8110 as recommended by CEB-FIP (Comite Europeen
(standard) 12.5 1770 93 164
Du Beton – Federation Internationale de la Precontrainte). The basis are
11.0 1770 71 125
:-
9.3 1770 52 92

7-wire 15.7 1770 150 265

} Class 1 – No tensile stress
(super) 12.9 1860 100 186
11.3 1860 75 139 } Class 2 – flexural tensile stresses but no visible cracking
9.6 1860 55 102 } Class 3 – flexural tensile stresses but surface width of cracks not exceeding
8.0 1860 8 70
0.1 mm (severe environments) nor 0.2 mm (others)
19-wire 31.8 1485 660 979
28.6 1540 535 823
25.4 1560 423 659
18.0 1760 210 370

11 Dr. NORAZURA MUHAMAD BUNNORI 12 Dr. NORAZURA MUHAMAD BUNNORI

(PhD), USM (PhD), USM
 } Flexural tensile stress limit due under service load under Clause 4.3.4.3 } Class 3 – cracking is allowed but assumed the concrete section is uncracked and
} Class 1 – No tensile stress that design hypothetical tensile stresses exist at the limiting crack width as in
Clause 4.1.3
} Class 2 – Design tensile stress should not exceed the design flexural tensile
strength for pre-tensioned members nor 0.8 of the design flexural tensile strength } The cracking in pre-stressed concrete flexural members is dependent on the
for post-tensioned members. Limiting tensile stresses are 0.45√fcu for pre-tension member depth and the design stress given in Table 4.2 BS 8110 should be modified
members and 0.36√fcu for post-tensioned members by multiplying the appropriate factor from Table 4.3
Design hypothetical flexural tensile stresses for Class 3 members (N/mm2) – Table 4.2
} In general, the design of Class 1 and Class 2 members is controlled by the concrete Limiting Design stress for concrete grade
tension limitations Group Crack Width 30 40 50 and over
(mm) (N/mm2) (N/mm2) (N/mm2)
Design flexural tensile stresses for Class 2 members (N/mm2) – T4.1
Pre-tensioned 0.1 - 4.1 4.8
Type of Design stress for tendons 0.2 - 5.0 5.8
Pre-stressed concrete grade
Grouted post- 0.1 3.2 4.1 4.8
Member 30 40 50 60 tensioned tendons 0.2 3.8 5.0 5.8
Pre-tensioned - 2.9 3.2 3.5
Pre-tensioned 0.1 - 5.3 6.3
Post-tensioned 2.1 2.3 2.6 2.8
tendons…….. 0.2 - 6.3 7.3

13 Dr. NORAZURA MUHAMAD BUNNORI Dr. NORAZURA MUHAMAD BUNNORI

(PhD), USM 14 (PhD), USM

} ii. Limit of design tensile stresses in flexure at transfer for beams } iv. Limit of compressive stress at transfer
} Clause 4.3.5.1
} Clause 4.3.5.2 of BS 8110 } In flexural members, the compressive stress should not exceed 0.5fci at the
} Class 1 – 1.0 N/mm2 extreme fibre (for all classes) nor 0.4fci for near uniform distribution of pre-
stress
} Class 2 – 0.45√fci for pre-tensioned members and 0.36√fci for post-tensioned
members. fci = concrete strength at transfer
} Class 3 – should not exceed the limit for Class 2 in . If the stress exceeded, } Notes **
members should be designed as cracked 1. The guidelines on the selection to use Class 1,2 or 3 members are not explained in
details in BS 8110
} iii. Limit of compressive stress at service 2. In general, Class 1 is used for structures that are not ‘allowed’ to cracks such as
water retaining structures, structures subjected to aggressive environment
(maritime) or abnormal/high/cyclic loadings (bridges & highways)
} Clause 4.3.4.2 3. Class 2 & 3 use lesser amount of pre-stressing tendons – cheaper
} In flexural members, the compressive stress should not exceed 0.33fcu at the
4. Class 1 – more likely to have cambering due to excessive upward deflection and
extreme fibre (for all classes) except for continuous beam or other statically
the design load are over estimate.
indeterminate structures, this value can be increased to 0.4fcu
5. The design principles for Class 1 and 2 are almost the same
15 Dr. NORAZURA MUHAMAD BUNNORI 16 Dr. NORAZURA MUHAMAD BUNNORI
(PhD), USM (PhD), USM
 Example 1

6. Class 3 – often known as partial pre-stressing, represents a form of construction } A simply supported Class 1 post-tensioned beam will be stressed at
which is intermediate between reinforced and pre-stressed concrete. concrete strength of 30 N/mm2. Determine all the stresses limit at transfer
7. The limits shown above also serve to avoid excessive deflection (however, and at service if the concrete strength at service is 40 N/mm2.
deflection must be checked)
8. the constant for limiting the compressive stress (0.5) at transfer is higher
} Limit of tensile stress at transfer = -1.0 N/mm2
compared to at service (0.33). This is due to the fact that pre-stressing force at
transfer decrease with time due to pre-stress loss at simultaneously the concrete } Limit of tensile stress at service =0
is in the process of gaining its full strength
} Limit of compressive stress at transfer = 15 N/mm2
} Limit of compressive stress at service = 13.2 N/mm2

17 Dr. NORAZURA MUHAMAD BUNNORI 18 Dr. NORAZURA MUHAMAD BUNNORI

(PhD), USM (PhD), USM

Example 2 d. Notations and sign conventions

} A simply supported Class 2 post-tensioned beam will be stressed at } varies (US – UK)
concrete strength of 30 N/mm2. Determine all the stresses limit at transfer } F. K. Kong suggested the followings to be compatible with UK practice
and at service if the concrete strength at service is 40 N/mm2.
i. Moment due to applied load
} Limit of tensile stress at transfer = -1.97 N/mm2
Sagging = positive
Hogging = negative
} Limit of tensile stress at service = -2.3 N/mm2
ii. Stress
} Limit of compressive stress at transfer = 15 N/mm2 Compression = positive
} Limit of compressive stress at service = 13.2 N/mm2 Tension = negative

iii. Eccentricity of cable force

Downward (from N.A) = positive
Upward (from N.A.) = negative

19 Dr. NORAZURA MUHAMAD BUNNORI 20 Dr. NORAZURA MUHAMAD BUNNORI

(PhD), USM (PhD), USM
 ft’ = top fiber stress at transfer condition
fb’ = bottom fiber stress at transfer condition
ft = top fiber stress at service condition
fb = bottom fiber stress at service condition
f’min = permissible tensile stress at transfer condition
f’max = permissible compressive stress at transfer condition
fmin = permissible tensile stress at service condition
fmax = permissible compressive stress at service condition
Po = pre-stressing force at transfer
Pe = pre-stressing force at service (effective pre-stressing)
K = loss factor
Mmin = moment at transfer
Mmax = moment at service
Zt = section modulus for top of section
Zb = section modulus for bottom of section
e = tendon eccentricity

21 Dr. NORAZURA MUHAMAD BUNNORI 22 Dr. NORAZURA MUHAMAD BUNNORI

(PhD), USM (PhD), USM

e. Basic Equations
Positive tendon (tendon placed below the Neutral Axis)

} The design of pre-stressing requirements is based on the

Po Pe M min
manipulation of the 4 basic equations (as shown below) - o + = f t ' ³ f 'min
describing the stress distribution across the concrete A Zt Zt
section.
Po Pe M min
} These are used in conjunction with the permissible stresses + o - = f b ' £ f 'max
appropriate to the class of member coupled with the final A Zb Zb
pre-stress force after losses and the maximum and minimum KPo KPo e M max
loadings on member - + = f t £ f max
} These loadings must encompass the full range that the A Zt Zt
member will encounter during its life KPo KPo e M max
} Partial factor of safety = 1.0 (SLS) both dead & live load + - = f b ³ f min
A Zb Zb

23 Dr. NORAZURA MUHAMAD BUNNORI 24 Dr. NORAZURA MUHAMAD BUNNORI

(PhD), USM (PhD), USM
Negative tendon (tendon placed above the Neutral Axis)

Po Pe M min } Note :
+ o + = f t ' ³ f 'min
A Zt Zt
} all stresses (at transfer or service) shall not exceed the limit
Po Pe M min
- o - = f b ' £ f 'max (tensile or compressive) regardless whether at top or
A Zb Zb bottom
} The above equations is meant at any section considered
KPo KPo e M max
+ + = f t £ f max (mid-span, end span, quarter span, etc)
A Zt Zt } K (pre-stress loss factor) must be assumed first at this stage.
KPo KPo e M max A value of 0.8 or 0.75 is considered appropriate
- - = f b ³ f min
A Zb Zb

25 Dr. NORAZURA MUHAMAD BUNNORI 26 Dr. NORAZURA MUHAMAD BUNNORI

(PhD), USM (PhD), USM