PRE STRESSED CONCRETE Ar. Ajaideep Singh Turna Lecturer, Indo Global College of Architecture, Abhipur.

The word concrete comes from the Latin word "concretus" (meaning compact or condensed). Concrete is a construction material composed of cement, (commonly Portland cement) as well as other cementitious materials such as fly ash, aggregate (generally a coarse aggregate such as gravel, limestone, or granite, plus a fine aggregate such as sand), water, and chemical admixtures. CEMENT + AGGREGATE. HYDRATION SOLIDIFIES/HARDENS INTO STONE LIKE MATERIAL

It is a well established fact that concrete is strong in compression, that is, it carries compressive loads efficiently due to the presence of the aggregate. But at the same time concrete is weak under tension, that is, it does not carry tensile stresses efficiently and tensile forces can lead to development of cracks in cement holding the aggregate together.

STRONG IN COMPRESSION

WEAK IN TENSION

Reinforced concrete solves these problems by adding metal reinforcing bars, steel fibers, glass fiber, or plastic fiber to carry tensile loads. Generally when a member is subject to loading, it experiences bending. The upper surface experiences compressive loads and the lower surface experiences tensile stresses. Hence, it is a common practice to use reinforcement in the lower section only.

CONCRETE

REINFORCEMENT

Fig 1. Reinforced Cement Concrete under bending load. SURFACE UNDER TENSION

Fig 2. Bending in R.C.C. member due to load.

SURFACE UNDER COMPRESSION

Pre-stressed concrete is a method for overcoming the concrete's natural weakness in tension. Prestressing tendons (generally of high tensile steel cable or rods) are used to provide a clamping load which produces a compressive stress that offsets the tensile stress that the concrete compression member would otherwise experience due to a bending load.

REINFORCED COMENT CONCRETE WHEN SUBJECTED TO LOADING WILL EXPERIENCE BENDING.

PRESTRESSING CABLES/RODS ARE INTRODUCED THAT PRODUCE COMPRESSIVE STRESSES.

THE COMPRESSIVE STRESS HENCE PRODUCED COUNTERS THE TENSILE STRESS.

Fig 3. Graphical representation of how Pre-stressing works. Fig 4. Difference between Reinforced and Prestressed concrete when subject to loading.

Pre-stressing can be accomplished in three ways: 1. Pre-tensioned Concrete. 2. Bonded Post tensioned Concrete.

3. Unbonded Post-tensioned Concrete. PRE-TENSIONED CONCRETE: In this method, concrete is cast around already tensioned tendons. Stout anchoring points are provided between which the tendons are stretched. Concrete is then poured and allowed to set in. ADVANTAGES/ DISADVANTAGES: Good bond between tendon & concrete, which both protects the tendon from corrosion and allows for direct transfer of tension. The cured concrete adheres and bonds to the bars and when the tension is released it is transferred to the concrete as compression by static friction. Most Pre-tensioned concrete elements are prefabricated in a factory and must be transported to the construction site, which limits their size. USES: Pre-tensioned elements may be balcony elements, lintels, floor slabs, beams or foundation piles.

BONDED POST-TENSIONED CONCRETE: Compression is applied after concrete has been poured and hardened. Sets of tendons are passed through plastic, steel or aluminum ducts around which concrete is poured. After the hardening of concrete, the tendons are stretched (tensioned) using hydraulic jacks. When tendons are sufficiently stretched according to design specification, jacks are removed and tendons are held in place by wedges, hence transferring pressure to concrete. The ducts are then filled with cement mortar to prevent the tendons from corrosion. ADVANTAGES: Higher ultimate strength due to bond generated between the strand and concrete. No long term issues with maintaining the integrity of the anchor/dead end.

Rolls of post-tensioning (PT) cables with the holding end anchors displayed. Cable conduits in formwork.

Post-tensioning cables protruding from the poured concrete floor.

UNBONDED POST-TENSIONED CONCRETE: In this method, each cable has permanent freedom of movement relative to concrete.

Individual tendon is coated with grease and covered by a plastic sheathing. The tension is transferred to the concrete through tendons acting against steel anchors embedded in the perimeter of the slab.

ADVANTAGES: The procedure of post-stress grouting is eliminated. The ability to de-stress the tendons before attempting repair work.

Series of black pulling end anchors from the rear along the floor edge form.

Greased tendons with plastic sheathing pulled back in place for concrete pouring.

APPLICATIONS: Pre-stressed concrete is the predominating material for floors in high-rise buildings and concrete chambers in nuclear reactors. the distance that can be spanned by post-tensioned slabs exceeds that of reinforced constructions with the same thickness- especially important in high rise buildings. Increasing span lengths increases the usable floor space in buildings.