Nature of Losses of Pre-stress

The initial pre-stress in concrete

undergoes a gradual reduction
with time from the stage of
transfer due to various causes -
EAS 453 Pre-stressed Concrete Design
loss of pre-stress
Pre-stress Losses

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

The different types of losses encountered in the pre-tensioning

and post-tensioning systems are compiled in Table below: Loss Due to Elastic Deformation of Concrete
N Pre-tensioning N Post-tensioning
o o
1. Elastic deformation of 1. No loss due to elastic deformation if all the
} The loss of pre-stress due to elastic deformation of
concrete. wires are simultaneously tensioned. If the concrete depends on the modular ratio and the
wires are successively tensioned, there will
be loss of pre-stress due to elastic average stress in concrete at the level of steel.
deformation of concrete. } IF
2. Relaxation of stress in steel. 2. Relaxation of stress in steel.
3. Shrinkage of concrete. 3. Shrinkage of concrete. fc = pre-stress in concrete at the level of steel
4. Creep of concrete. 4. Creep of concrete.
5. Friction.
Es = modulus of elasticity of steel
6. Anchorage slip. Ec = modulus of elasticity of concrete
E
ae = s = modular ratio
Ec
3 Dr. NORAZURA MUHAMAD BUNNORI 4 Dr. NORAZURA MUHAMAD BUNNORI
(PhD), USM (PhD), USM
Strain in concrete at the level of steel = æ fc ö
ç
çE ÷ ÷
è cø Example 1
Stress in steel corresponding to this strain = æ f ö } A pre-tensioned concrete beam, 100mm wide and
c
çç ÷÷ Es 300mm deep, is pre-stressed by straight wires
è Ec ø carrying an initial force of 150kN at an eccentricity of
Therefore,
Loss of stress in steel = a e fc 50mm. The modulus of elasticity of steel and concrete
are 210 and 35kN/mm2 respectively. Estimate the
percentage loss of stress in steel due to elastic
If the initial stress in steel is known, the deformation of concrete if the area of steel wires is
percentage loss of stress in steel due to the elastic 188mm2.
deformation of concrete can be computed.

5 Dr. NORAZURA MUHAMAD BUNNORI 6 Dr. NORAZURA MUHAMAD BUNNORI

(PhD), USM (PhD), USM

Solution:
Loss Due to Shrinkage of Concrete
P = 150kN; d 300
e= = = 50mm } The shrinkage of concrete in pre-stressed member results in a
6 6
shortening of tensioned wires and hence contributes to the
A= (100*300) = 3x104 mm2; I = 225x106 mm4
æE ö
loss of stress.
a e = çç s ÷÷ = 6 } The shrinkage of concrete is influenced by the type of cement
è Ec ø
Initial stress in steel = (150x103)/188 = 800 N/mm2 and aggregates and the method of curing used.
} Use of high strength concrete with low water cement ratios
Stress in concrete æ 150 x103 ö æ 150 x103 x50 x50 ö
f c = çç 4 ÷
÷ + çç ÷÷ = 6.66 N / mm 2 results in a reduction in shrinkage and consequent loss of pre-
è 3 x10 ø è 225 x10 6 ø stress.
Loss of stress due to elastic deformation of concrete
} The primary cause of drying shrinkage is the progressive loss
( )
= a e f c = 6 x6.66 = 40 N / mm
2 of water from concrete.
Percentage loss of stress in steel = (40x100) / 800 = 5%

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

(PhD), USM (PhD), USM
 } According to cl. 4.8.4, BS 8110: Part 1:1985,
} The rate of shrinkage is higher at the surface of the members.
} The differential shrinkage between the interior and surface of large
members may result in strain gradients leading to surface cracking – proper Losses due to shrinkage = residual shrinkage strain x Es
curing is essential.
} In the case of pre-tensioned members, generally moist curing is resorted to } Recommended residual shrinkage strain in Malaysia with the temperature
in order to prevent shrinkage until the time of transfer. and high relative humidity is 200 x 10-6
} The total residual shrinkage strain will be larger in pre-tensioned members
after transfer of pre-stress in compression.
} For post-tensioned members, the portion of shrinkage will have already
taken place by the time of transfer of stress.

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

(PhD), USM (PhD), USM

Loss Due to Creep of Concrete

Creep strain = (creep coefficient / Ec ) x average stress in concrete during transfer at tendon level

} The sustained pre-stress in the concrete of a pre-stressed member results

in creep of concrete which effectively reduces the stress in high tensile
steel.
} The loss of stress in steel due to creep of concrete can be estimated if the
magnitude of ultimate creep strain or creep coefficient is known.
} According to cl. 4.8.5, BS 8110: Part 1: 1985
Pre-stress losses due to creep = creep concrete strain at tendon
level x Ec
Ec = modulus of elasticity of concrete during transfer
} Recommended creep coefficient in Malaysia are 1.5 for transfer time
after 7 days.
Ultimate Creep Strain Method
If, εcc = ultimate creep strain for a sustained unit stress
fc = compressive stress in concrete at the level of steel
Es = modulus of elasticity of steel
Then the loss of stress in steel due to creep of concrete
= εcc fc Es

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

(PhD), USM (PhD), USM
Creep Coefficient Method
If; φ = creep coefficient Loss Due to Relaxation of Stress in Steel
εc = creep strain } The loss of stress due to relaxation of steel as a percentage of the initial stress
in steel.
εe = elastic strain } Percentage of loss is the relaxation factor multiple with relaxation value in
αe = modular ratio 1000 hrs.--à from supplier

fc = stress in concrete Table 4.6, BS8110:Part 1: 1985: steel relaxation factor

Ec = modulus of elasticity of concrete Force Type Wires and strand Wires and Bar
with relaxation strand with
Es = modulus of elasticity of steel class. relaxation
class.
Creep Coefficient = (Creep Strain)/ (Elastic Strain)
1 2
Thus; φ = (εc ) /(εe ), e c = fe e = f æç f c ö÷ Pre- 1.5 1.2 2.0
è Ec ø tensioning
Post- 2.0 1.5 2.0
Hence, loss of stress in steel = e c Es = f æç f c E ö÷ Es = ff ca e tensioning
è c ø
13 Dr. NORAZURA MUHAMAD BUNNORI 14 Dr. NORAZURA MUHAMAD BUNNORI
(PhD), USM (PhD), USM

Relaxation value in 1000 hrs. Example 2

Strand of tendon Initial force Maximum relaxation Maximum relaxation
(% characteristic after 1000 hrs after 1000 hrs A rectangular concrete beam, 300 mm deep and 200
strength) (Class 1) (%) (Class 2) (%)
mm wide is pre-stressed by means of fifteen 5 mm
Cold-drawn steel and
seven-wire strand
60
70
4.5
8.0
1.0
2.5
diameter wires located 65 mm from the bottom of
80 12.0 4.5 the beam and three 5 mm wires, located 25 mm from
Cold-drawn steel in
factory
60
70
8.5
10.0
-
-
the top of the beam. If the wire initially tensioned to a
Alloy Steel 60 - 1.5 stress of 840 N/mm2, calculate the percentage loss of
70 - 3.5
80 - 6.0 stress in steel immediately after transfer, allowing for
For initial force that less than 60%, cl. 4.8.2.2, BS 8110:Part 1: 1985 recommended that the loss of stress due to elastic deformation of
the initial value is linearly different as stated in 60% to zero for 30% initial force. concrete only.
The initial value for pre-tensioning must be taken as the immediate force after the
tendon being stressed.

The initial value for post-tensioning, the initial force is when the transfer happen.
15 Dr. NORAZURA MUHAMAD BUNNORI 16 Dr. NORAZURA MUHAMAD BUNNORI
(PhD), USM (PhD), USM
Solutions
Es = 210kN/mm2 Stress in concrete:
Ec = 31.5kN/mm2
At the level of top wires = æçç 300 *104 ö÷÷ - æçç 300 *10 * 507 *125 ö÷÷ = 0.83N / mm 2
3 3

è 6 *10 ø è 45 *10 ø
Position of the centroid of the wires from the soffit of the beam,
é (15 * 65) + (3 * 275) ù
y=ê ú = 100mm At the level of bottom wires= æ 300 *103 ö æ 300 *103 * 50 * 85 ö
(15 + 3) çç ÷÷ + çç ÷÷ = 7.85 N / mm 2
ë û è 6 *10
4
ø è 45 *10 7 ø

Modular ratio = (210)/(31.5)= 6.68

Eccentricity, e = (150-100)mm = 50mm
Area of concrete, A = (200*300) = 6 x 104 mm2 Loss of stress in wires at top = (6.68*0.83) = 5.55 N/mm2
Second moment of area, I = (200*3003)/12 = 45 x 107 mm Loss of stress in wires at bottom = (6.68*7.85) = 52.5 N/mm2
Prestressing force P = (840) (18x19.7) = 3x105 N = 300kN

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

(PhD), USM (PhD), USM

Loss of Stress Due to Friction

Percentage loss of stress
} In post-tensioning systems there will be movement of the
æ 5.55 ö
ç ÷ *100 = 0.66%
greater part of the tendon relative to the surrounding duct
For wires at top = è 840 ø during the tensioning operation.
For wires at bottom = æç 52.5 ö÷ *100 = 6.25%
} If the tendon is in the contact with either the duct or any spacer
è 840 ø provided, friction will cause a reduction in the pre-stressing
force as the distance from the jack increases.
} Whether the desired duct profile is straight or curved or a
combination of both, there will be a slight variations in the actual
line of the duct, which may cause additional points of contact
between the tendon and the sides of the duct ß---- FRICTION

19 Dr. NORAZURA MUHAMAD BUNNORI

(PhD), USM
 Px = Po e - Kx
} There are two types of friction losses: Px = magnitude of pre-stressing force
a) Loss of stress due to wobble effect, which depends upon the local Po = pre-stressing force at the jacking end
deviations in the alignment of the cable. The wobble or wave effect is e = Napier logarithm (2.718)
the result of accidental or unavoidable misalignment, since ducts or K = profile coefficient depending on the type of duct or
sheaths cannot be perfectly located to follow a predetermined profile sheath employed, the nature of it’s inside surface, the
throughout the length of the beam. method of forming it and the degree of vibration
employed in placing the concrete (cl.
4.9.3.3 BS 8110:Part 1: 1985)
K value per meter length
Contact types K/m
Po
Normal condition 33 x 10-4
Greased strands running in plastics sleeves 25 X 10-4
Strong rigid sheaths or duct formers, 17 x 10-4
closely supported so that they did not
Magnitude of the displaced during the concreting operation
x
pre-stressing
force, Px

- µx / rps
Px = Po e = Po e - µq
b) Friction due to curvature of tendons Px = pre-stressing force
Po = pre-stressing force at the jacking end
} The loss of tension due to friction is depend on the angle turned through and
μ = coefficient of friction
the coefficient of friction μ between the tendon and its support.
rps = radius of curvature
e = Napier logarithm (2.718)
rps
θ
rps
θ = x/rps = tendon curvature angle (radian)
Po
The value of μ depends upon the type and the surface conditions of
straight x the tendon and the duct (cl 4.9.4.3 BS 8110)
curve
Contact type μ
Lightly rusted strand running on unlined concrete duct 0.55
Pre-stress in x distance from curvature tangent, Px
Lightly rusted strand running on lightly rusted steel duct 0.30
Lightly rusted strand running on galvanized duct 0.25
} The pre-stressing force, Px, at any distance x along the curve from the tangen
point may be calculated from the following equation: Bright strand running on galvanized duct 0.20
Greased strand running on plastic sleeve 0.12
Combination of the frictions. Draw-in during anchorage
- ( kx + µq )
Px = Po e
} Cl 4.8.6 BS 8110:Part 1:1985
Kx +μθ e -(kx+μθ) } In post tensioning systems allowance should be made for any
0.01 0.990 movement of the tendon at the anchorage when the pre-stressing
0.02 0.980 force is transferred from the tensioning equipment to the anchorage.
0.03 0.970 } The loss due to this movement is particularly important in short
members and the allowance made in design should be checked on
0.04 0.961
site.
0.05 0.951
} The loss in anchorage system usually in a range of 3mm. For a
- - longer member, loss of pre-stress can be encounter with giving an
- - extra force to the tendon----à 5-10%.
- -
0.19 0.827
0.20 0.819