PRESTRESSED CONCRETE DESIGN

Losses of Prestress
 PRESTRESSED CONCRETE DESIGN

Types of Losses of Prestress

 PRESTRESSED CONCRETE DESIGN

Loss due to Elastic Deformation of

Concrete
The loss of prestress due to elastic deformation of
concrete depends on the modular ratio and the average stress
in concrete at the level of steel.

If fc = prestress in concrete at the level of steel

Es = modulus of elasticity of steel
Ec = modulus of elasticity of concrete
!!
α! = = modular ratio
!!
 PRESTRESSED CONCRETE DESIGN

Loss due to Elastic Deformation of

Concrete
!!
Strain in concrete at the level of steel =
!!

!!
Stress in steel corresponding to this strain = 𝑥𝐸!
!!

Loss of stress in steel = 𝛼! 𝑓!

If the initial stress in steel is known, the percentage

loss of stress in steel due to the elastic deformation of
concrete can be computed.
 PRESTRESSED CONCRETE DESIGN

Practice Problem 1
A pre – tensioned concrete beam, 100mm wide and

300mm deep, is prestressed by straight wires carrying an initial

force of 150 kN at an eccentricity of 50mm. The modulus of

elasticity of steel and concrete are 210 and 35 kN/sq.mm

respectively. Estimate the percentage loss of stress in steel due to

elastic deformation of concrete if the area of steel wires is 188

sq.mm.
 PRESTRESSED CONCRETE DESIGN

Practice Problem 2
A rectangular concrete beam, 300mm deep and 200mm wide,

is prestressed by means of fifteen 5mm diameter wires located 65mm

from the bottom of the beam and three 5mm wires, located 25mm

from the top of the beam. If the wires are initially tensioned to a stress

of 840 MPa, calculate the percentage loss of stress in steel immediately

after transfer, allowing for the loss of stress due to elastic deformation

of concrete only. Es=210MPa and Ec = 31.5 MPA

 PRESTRESSED CONCRETE DESIGN

Practice Problem 3
A post – tensioned concrete beam, 100mm wide and
300mm deep is prestressed by three cables, each with a cross –
sectional area of 50 sq.mm and with an initial stress of 1200 Mpa.
All the three cables are straight and located 100mm from the
soffit of the beam. If the modular ratio is 6, calculate the loss of
stress in the three cables due to elastic deformation of concrete
for only the following cases:
a) Simultaneously tensioning and anchoring of all the three
cables
b) Successive tensioning of the three cables, one at a time
 PRESTRESSED CONCRETE DESIGN

Loss of Stress due to Successive

Tensioning of Curved Cables
In most bridge girders, the cables are curved with
maximum eccentricity at the center of the span. In such cases the
loss of stress due to the elastic deformation of concrete is estimated
by considering the average stress in concrete at the level of steel.
Consider a beam shown in the figure below, which is post –
tensioned by 3 parabolic cables. The stress distribution in concrete
at the level of cable 1 is also shown in the figure when cable 2 is
tensioned. For computing the loss of stress, the average stress
(shown in figure) is considered. When cable 3 is tensioned, there
will be losses of stress in both cables 1 and 2. This is illustrated in
the following example.
 PRESTRESSED CONCRETE DESIGN

Loss of Stress due to Successive

Tensioning of Curved Cables
 PRESTRESSED CONCRETE DESIGN

Practice Problem 4
A post – tensioned concrete beam, 100mm wide and
300mm deep, spanning over 10m is stressed by successive
tensioning and anchoring of three cables 1, 2 and 3 respectively.
The cross – sectional area of each cable is 200 sq.mm and the
initial stress in the cable is 1200 N/sq.mm, 𝑛 = 6. The first cable
is parabolic with an eccentricity of 50mm below the centroidal
axis at the center of span and 50mm above the centroidal axis at
the support sections. The second cable is parabolic with zero
eccentricity at the supports and an eccentricity of 50mm below
the centroidal axis. The third cable is a straight cable with a
uniform eccentricity of 50mm. Estimate the percentage loss of
stress in each of the cables, if they are successively tensioned and
anchored.
 PRESTRESSED CONCRETE DESIGN

Practice Problem 5
A simply supported concrete beam of uniform section is
post – tensioned by means of two cables, both of which have an
eccentricity of 100mm below the centroid of the section at mid –
span. The first cable is parabolic and is anchored at an
eccentricity of 100mm above the centroid at each end. The
second cable is straight and parallel to the line joining the
supports. If the cross – sectional area of each cable is 100 sq.m.,
the concrete beam has a sectional area 2x104 sq.mm and a radius
of gyration of 120mm, calculate the loss of stress in the first cable
when the second is tensioned to a stress of 1200 N/sq.mm. Take
the modular ratio as 6 and neglect friction.
 PRESTRESSED CONCRETE DESIGN

Loss due to Shrinkage of Concrete

The shrinkage of concrete in prestressed members results
in a shortening of tensioned wires and hence contributes to the loss
of stress. The shrinkage of concrete is influenced by the type of
cement and aggregates and the method of curing used. Use of high-
strength concrete with low water cement ratios result in a reduction
in the shrinkage and consequent loss of prestress. The primary
cause of drying shrinkage is the progressive loss of water from the
concrete. 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
the surface cracking. Hence, proper curing is essential to prevent
shrinkage cracks in prestressed members.
 PRESTRESSED CONCRETE DESIGN

Loss due to Shrinkage of Concrete

In the case of pretensioned members, generally moist
curing is resorted to in order to prevent shrinkage until the time of
transfer. Consequently, the total residual shrinkage strain will be
larger in pretensioned members after transfer of prestress in
comparison with post – tensioned members, where a portion of
shrinkage will have already taken place by the time of transfer of
stress. This aspect has been considered for the loss of prestress due
to the shrinkage of concrete and is detailed below.
𝜀!! = total residual shrinkage strain having values of
!!!!!!!!
300x10-6 for pretensioning and for post tensioning.
!!!!! !!!
where, t = age of concrete at transfer in days.
 PRESTRESSED CONCRETE DESIGN

Loss due to Shrinkage of Concrete

In the case of pretensioned members, generally moist
curing is resorted to in order to prevent shrinkage until the time of
transfer. Consequently, the total residual shrinkage strain will be
larger in pretensioned members after transfer of prestress in
comparison with post – tensioned members, where a portion of
shrinkage will have already taken place by the time of transfer of
stress. This aspect has been considered for the loss of prestress due
to the shrinkage of concrete and is detailed below.
𝜀!! = total residual shrinkage strain having values of
!!!!!!!!
300x106 for pretensioning and for post tensioning.
!!!!! !!!
where, t = age of concrete at transfer in days.
 PRESTRESSED CONCRETE DESIGN

Loss due to Shrinkage of Concrete

This value may be increased by 50 percent in dry
atmospheric conditions, subject to a maximum value of 300x10-6
units.
The loss of stress in steel due to the shrinkage of concrete is
estimated as,
𝐿𝑜𝑠𝑠 𝑜𝑓 𝑠𝑡𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑠 = 𝜀! 𝑥 𝐸!
Where Es = modulus of elasticity
The shrinkage includes environmental humidity as a factor.
The recommended residual strain is 300x10-6 for normal and
100x10-6 for humid conditions for pretensioning and 200x10-6 for
normal and 70x10-6 for humid conditions for post – tensioning. A
relative humidity of 70 percent is considered as normal, while a
relative humidity of 90 percent is considered as humid.
 PRESTRESSED CONCRETE DESIGN

Practice Problem 6
A concrete beam is prestressed by a cable carrying an
initial prestressing force of 300 kN. The cross – sectional area of
the wires in the cable is 300 sq.mm. Calculate the percentage loss
of stress in the cable only due to shrinkage of concrete assuming
to be:
a) Pre – tensioned
b) Post – tensioned
Assume Es = 210 kN/sq.mm and age of concrete at
transfer = 8 days.
 PRESTRESSED CONCRETE DESIGN

Loss due to Creep of Concrete

Factors Influencing Creep of Concrete
ü Relative Humidity
ü Stress Level
ü Strength of Concrete
ü Age of the Concrete at Loading
ü Duration of Stress
ü Water / Cement Ratio
ü Type of Cement and Aggregate in the Concrete
 PRESTRESSED CONCRETE DESIGN

Loss due to Creep of Concrete

The sustained prestress in the concrete of a prestressed
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.
 PRESTRESSED CONCRETE DESIGN

Loss due to Creep of Concrete

Ø Ultimate Creep Strain Method

If 𝜀!! = ultimate creep strain for a sustained unit stress

𝑓! = compressive stress in concrete at the level of steel
𝐸! = modulus of elasticity of steel

Then the loss of stress in steel due to creep of concrete is:

𝐿𝑜𝑠𝑠 = 𝜀!! 𝑓! 𝐸!
 PRESTRESSED CONCRETE DESIGN

Loss due to Creep of Concrete

Ø Creep Coefficient Method
If ∅ = creep coefficient
𝜀! = creep strain
𝜀! = elastic strain
𝑛 = modular ratio
𝑓! = stress in concrete
𝐸! = modulus of elasticity of concrete
𝐸! = modulus of elasticity of steel

𝑐𝑟𝑒𝑒𝑝 𝑠𝑡𝑟𝑎𝑖𝑛 𝜀!
𝐶𝑟𝑒𝑒𝑝 𝐶𝑜𝑒𝑓𝑓𝑖𝑐𝑖𝑒𝑛𝑡 ∅ = =
𝑒𝑙𝑎𝑠𝑡𝑖𝑐 𝑠𝑡𝑟𝑎𝑖𝑛 𝜀!

𝐿𝑜𝑠𝑠 𝑜𝑓 𝑠𝑡𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑠 𝑖𝑛 𝑠𝑡𝑒𝑒𝑙 = ∅𝑓! 𝑛

 PRESTRESSED CONCRETE DESIGN

Loss due to Creep of Concrete

Ø Creep Coefficient Method

The magnitude of the creep coefficient, ∅, varies depending

upon the humidity, concrete quality, duration of applied laoding
and the age of the concrete when loaded. The general values
recommended for the creep coefficient vary from 1.5 for watery
situations to 4.0 for dry conditions with a relative humidity of 35
percent.
The design values of ultimate creep strain of 48𝑥10!! for
pre – tensioning and 36𝑥10!! for post – tensioning. These values
have to be increased in proportion if the compressive strength of
concrete at transfer is less than 40 N/sq.mm.
 PRESTRESSED CONCRETE DESIGN

Practice Problem 7
A concrete beam of rectangular section, 100mm wide and
300mm deep, is prestressed by five wires of 7mm diameter
located at an eccentricity of 50mm, the initial stress in the wires
being 1200 Mpa. Estimate the loss of stress in steel due to creep
of concrete using the ultimate creep strain method and the creep
coefficient method. Use the following data:
𝐸! =210 kN/sq.mm 𝐼 = 225𝑥10!𝑚𝑚!
𝐸! = 35 kN/sq.mm 𝐸! = 3x10! sq.mm
!!!!! !! !!
Ultimate Creep Strain 𝜀!! = 𝑝𝑒𝑟 𝑀𝑃𝑎
!!
Creep Coefficient = 1.6
 PRESTRESSED CONCRETE DESIGN

Practice Problem 8
A post – tensioned concrete beam of rectangular section,
100mm wide and 300mm deep, is stressed by a parabolic cable
with zero eccentricity at the supports and an eccentricity of 50mm
at the center of span. The area of the cable is 200 sq.mm and
initial stress in the cable is 1200 MPa. If the ultimate creep strain
!! !!
is 30𝑥10 𝑝𝑒𝑟 𝑀𝑃𝑎 of stress and modulus of elasticity of
!!
steel is 210 sq.mm, compute the loss of stress in steel only due to
creep of concrete.
 PRESTRESSED CONCRETE DESIGN

Loss due to Relaxation of Stress in

Steel
Most of the codes provide for the loss of stress due to
relaxation of steel as a percentage of the initial stress in steel. The
standard recommends a value varying from 0 to 90 MPa for stress
in wires varying from 0.5𝑓!! to 0.8𝑓!! . The loss of prestress due to
relaxation of steel recommended is shown below. Temporary over
– stressing by 5 to 10 percent for a period of 2 min is sometime
used to reduce this loss as in the case of drawn wires.
However, over – stressing does not appear to be beneficial
for established wires which, as a result of heat treatment, have 0.1
percent proof stress in excess of 85 percent of the tensile strength,
since such wires suffer very little permanent deformation when over
– stressed.
 PRESTRESSED CONCRETE DESIGN

Loss due to Relaxation of Stress in

Steel
 PRESTRESSED CONCRETE DESIGN

Loss due to Friction

In the case of post – tensioned members, the tendons are

housed in ducts preformed in concrete. The ducts are either straight
or follow a curved profile depending upon the design requirements.
Consequently, on tensioning the curved tendons, loss of stress
occurs in the post – tensioned members due to friction between the
tendons and the surrounding concrete ducts. The magnitude of this
loss is of the following types:
 PRESTRESSED CONCRETE DESIGN

Loss due to Friction

a) Loss of stress due to the curvature effect, which depends upon

the tendon form or alignment which generally follows a curved
profile along the length of the beam.
b) Loss of stress due to the wobble effect, which depends upon the
local deviations in the alignment of the cable. The wobble or
wave effect is the result of accidental or unavoidable
misalignment, since ducts or sheath cannot be perfectly located
to follow a predetermined profile throughout the length of the
beam.
 PRESTRESSED CONCRETE DESIGN

Loss due to Friction

Ø Friction Loss in Post – Tensioning Tendons
NSCP Provision (Section 418.7.2)

418.7.2.1 𝑃!! force in post – tensioning tendons a distance 𝑙!!

from the jacking end shall be computed by:
𝑃!! = 𝑃!! 𝑒 ! !!!!!!! !!! (418-1)

When 𝐾𝑙!! + 𝜇! 𝛼!! is not greater than 0.3, 𝑃!! shall

be permitted to be computed by:
𝑃!! = 𝑃!! 1 + 𝐾𝑙!! + 𝜇! 𝛼!! (418-2)
 PRESTRESSED CONCRETE DESIGN

Loss due to Friction

Ø Friction Loss in Post – Tensioning Tendons
NSCP Provision (Section 418.7.2)

418.7.2.2 Friction loss shall be based on experimentally

determined wobble K and curvature 𝜇! friction coefficients and
shall be verified during tendon stressing operations.

418.7.2.3 Values of K and 𝜇! coefficients used in design shall be

shown on design drawings.

418.7.3 Where loss of prestress in member may occur due to

connection of member to adjoining construction, such loss of
prestress shall be allowed for in design
 PRESTRESSED CONCRETE DESIGN

Loss due to Friction

Where:

𝑃! = prestressing tendon force at any point x

𝑃! = prestressing tendon force at jacking end
e = base of Naperian logarithms
K = wobble friction coefficient per mm of prestressing tendon
𝑙! = length of prestressing tendon element from jacking end to any
point x
𝜇 = curvature friction coefficient
 PRESTRESSED CONCRETE DESIGN

Loss due to Friction

Friction Coefficients for Post – Tensioned Tendons
(NSCP Table 418-1)
Curvature
Wobble Coefficient, K
coefficient, 𝝁 𝒑 per
per meter
radian

Grouted Tendons Metal Sheathing Wire tendons 0.0033 – 0.0049 0.15 – 0.25
High – strength
0.0003 – 0.0020 0.08 – 0.30
bars
7 – wire strands 0.0016 – 0.0066 0.15 – 0.25

Wire tendons 0.0033 – 0.0066 0.05 – 0.15

Mastic
7 – wire strands 0.0033 – 0.0066 0.05 – 0.15
Unbonded
Tendons
Wire tendons 0.0010 – 0.0066 0.05 – 0.15
Pre - Greased
7 – wire strands 0.0010 – 0.0066 0.05 – 0.15
 PRESTRESSED CONCRETE DESIGN

Loss due to Friction

Frictional losses can be reduced by several methods, such as:

ü Overtensioning the tendons by an amount equal to the

maximum frictional loss
ü Jacking the tendons from both ends of the beam, generally
adopted when the tendons are long or when the angles of
bending are large
 PRESTRESSED CONCRETE DESIGN

Practice Problem 9
A concrete beam of 10m span, 100mm wide and 300mm
deep is prestressed by 3 cables. The area of each cable is 200
sq.mm and the initial stress in the cable is 1200 N/sq.mm. Cable
1 is parabolic with an eccentricity of 50mm above the centroid at
the supports and 50mm below at the center of span. Cable 2 is
also parabolic with zero eccentricity at supports and 50mm below
the centroid at the center of span. Cable 3 is straight with uniform
eccentricity of 50mm below the centroid. If the cable due to
friction. Assume 𝜇 = 0.35 and K = 0.0015 per m.
 PRESTRESSED CONCRETE DESIGN

Practice Problem 10

A post – tensioned concrete beam, 200mm wide and

450mm deep, is prestressed by a circular cable (total area = 800
sq.mm) with zero eccentricity at the ends and 150mm at the
center. The span of the beam is 10m. The cable is to be stressed
from one end such that an initial stress of 840 N/sq.mm is
available in the unjacked end immediately after anchoring.
Determine the stress in the wires at the jacking end and the
percentage loss of stress due to friction.
 PRESTRESSED CONCRETE DESIGN

Practice Problem 11

A cylindrical concrete tank, 40m external diameter, is to

be prestressed circumferentially by means of a high – strength
!!
steel wire 𝐸! = 210 jacked at 4 points, 90 degrees apart.
!!.!!
If the minimum stress in the wires immediately after tensioning is
to be 600 N/sq.mm and the coefficient of friction is 0.5, calculate:
a) The maximum stress to be applied to the wires at the jack
b) The expected extension at the jack
 PRESTRESSED CONCRETE DESIGN

Loss due to Anchorage Slip

In most post – tensioning systems, when the cable is
tensioned and the jack is released to transfer prestress to concrete,
the friction wedges, employed to grip the wires, slip over a small
distance before the wires are firmly housed between the wedges.
The magnitude of slip depends upon the type of wedge and the
stress in the wires. In systems where the tendons are looped around
concrete anchorage blocks, loss of stress may take place due to the
wires biting into anchorage. When anchor plates are employed, it
may be necessary to allow for the small settlement of the plate into
the end of the concrete member.
 PRESTRESSED CONCRETE DESIGN

Loss due to Anchorage Slip

The loss during anchoring, which occurs with wedge –

grips, is normally allowed for on the site by over – extending the
tendon in the prestressing operation by the amount of the draw – in
before anchoring. However, this method is satisfactory provided the
momentary over – stress does not exceed the prescribed limits of 80
to 85 percent of the ultimate tensile strength of the wire.
 PRESTRESSED CONCRETE DESIGN

Loss due to Anchorage Slip

The magnitude of the loss of stress due to the slip in
anchorage is computed as follows:
If
∆ = slip of anchorage, mm
L = length of the cable, mm
A = cross – sectional area of the cable, sq.mm
Es = modulus elasticity of steel, N/sq.mm
P = prestressing force in the cable, N
Then,
⎛ PL ⎞
⎜⎝ AE ⎟⎠ = Δ
s

𝑃 𝐸! ∆
𝐿𝑜𝑠𝑠 𝑜𝑓 𝑠𝑡𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑠 𝑑𝑢𝑒 𝑡𝑜 𝑎𝑛𝑐ℎ𝑜𝑟𝑎𝑔𝑒 𝑠𝑙𝑖𝑝 = =
𝐴 𝐿
 PRESTRESSED CONCRETE DESIGN

Practice Problem 12
A concrete beam is post – tensioned by a cable carrying
an initial stress of 1000 N/sq.mm. The slip at the jacking end was
observed to be 5mm. The modulus of elasticity of steel is 210
kN/sq.mm. Estimate the percentage loss of stress due to
anchorage slip if the length of the beam is
a) 30m
b) 3m
 PRESTRESSED CONCRETE DESIGN

Practice Problem 13
A post – tensioned cable of beam 10m long is initially
tensioned to a stress of 1000 N/sq.mm at one end. If the tendons
are curved so that the slope is 1 in 24 at each end, with an area of
600 sq.mm, calculate the loss of prestress due to friction given
the following data.
Coefficient of friction between duct and cable = 0.55;
friction coefficient for “wave” effect = 0.0015 per m. During
anchoring, if there is a slip of 3mm at the jacking end, calculate
the final force in the cable and the percentage loss of prestress
due to friction and slip. Es = 210 kN/sq.mm
 PRESTRESSED CONCRETE DESIGN

Total Losses Allowed in Design

It is normal practice in the design of prestressed concrete
members to assume the total loss of stress as a percentage of the
initial stress and provide for this in the design computations. Since
the loss of prestress depends on several factors, such as the
properties of concrete and steel, method of curing, degrees of
prestress and the method of prestressing, it is difficult to generalize
the exact amount of the total loss of prestress. However, typical
values of the total loses of stress that could be encountered under
normal conditions of worl are outlined below.
 PRESTRESSED CONCRETE DESIGN

Total Losses Allowed in Design

Percentage loss of stress
Type of Loss
Pretensioning Post - tensioning

Elastic shortening and

4 1
bending of concrete

Creep of concrete 6 5

Shrinkage of concrete 7 6

Creep in Steel 8 8

Total 25 20
 PRESTRESSED CONCRETE DESIGN

Practice Problem 14
A pretensioned beam, 200mm wide and 300mm deep, is
prestressed by 10 wires of 7mm diameter initially stressed to 1200
N/sq.mm, with their centroids located 100mm from the soffit. Find the
maximum stress in concrete immediately after transfer, allowing only for
elastic shortening of concrete.
If the concrete undergoes a further shortening due to creep and
shrinkage while there is a relaxation of 5 percent of steel stress, estimate
the final percentage loss of stress in the wires using the following data:
Es = 210 kN/sq.mm
Ec = 5700 𝑓!! !/!
fcu = 42 N/sq.mm
Creep coefficient ∅ = 1.6
Total residual shrinkage strain = 3𝑥10!
 PRESTRESSED CONCRETE DESIGN

Practice Problem 15
A prestressed concrete beam, 200mm wide and 300mm deep is
prestressed with wires (Area = 320 sq.mm) located at a constant eccentricity of
50mm and carrying an initial stress of 1000 N/sq.mm. The span of the beam is
10m. Calculate the percentage loss of stress in wires if
a) The beam is pre – tensioned
b) The beam is post – tensioned
Use the following data:
Es = 210 kN/sq.mm
Ec = 35 kN/sq.mm
Relaxation of steel stress = 5 percent of the initial stress
Shrinkage of concrete = 300𝑥10!! for pretensioning and 200𝑥10!! for post
– tensioning
Creep coefficient = 1.6
Slip at anchorage = 1mm
Frictional coefficient for wave effect = 0.0015 per m
 PRESTRESSED CONCRETE DESIGN

Practice Problem 16
A concrete beam AB of span 12m is post – tensioned by
a cable which is concentric at supports A and B and has an
eccentricity of 200mm in the mid – third span with a linear
variation towards the supports. If the cable is tensioned at the
jacking – end A, what should be the jacking stress in the wires if
the stress at B is to be 1000 N/sq.mm. Assume the coefficient of
friction between the cable duct and concrete as 0.55 and the
friction coefficient for the wave effect as 0.0015/m.
 PRESTRESSED CONCRETE DESIGN

Practice Problem 17
A concrete beam AB of span 12m is post – tensioned by
a cable which is concentric at supports A and B and has an
eccentricity of 200mm in the mid – third span with a linear
variation towards the supports. If the cable is tensioned at the
jacking – end A, what should be the jacking stress in the wires if
the stress at B is to be 1000 N/sq.mm. Assume the coefficient of
friction between the cable duct and concrete as 0.55 and the
friction coefficient for the wave effect as 0.0015/m.
 PRESTRESSED CONCRETE DESIGN

Practice Problem 18
A concrete beam AB of effective span 20m is post –
tensioned by a cable which is concentric at supports A and B with
an eccentricity of 400mm for a length of 10m in the mid – span
zone. The cable is horizontal in the middle 10m portion and has
a parabolic profile in the remaining 5m near the supports. If
𝜇=0.35 and K=0.002/m, estimate the stress in the cable at B if the
jacking stress at A is 1200 MPa. What will be the minimum stress
in the cable if it is tensioned from both ends with a jacking stress
of 1200 MPa.
 PRESTRESSED CONCRETE DESIGN

Reference:
Raju, N. K. (2006). Prestressed concrete. Tata McGraw-
Hill Education.