UNIT – 1

PRESTRESSED CONCRETE – INTRODUCTION

PRESTRESSED CONCRETE:

The pre stressed concrete is a concrete in which the initial stress is introduced during the
time of construction, which can resist the loads when applied externally during the
service period.

HOW IT WORKS:

In simple words we can say that the steel rods which are placed in the concrete are
subjected to tension and concrete is introduce and after the concrete is hardened the
tension or the stress is rods is removed and the extended length of the rods are cut off this
is the simple mechanism that takes place in the pre stressed concrete. The name itself has
the meaning saying that the stress is applied initially before hardening of the concrete.

IMAGE SHOWING THE INTERNAL RESISTANCE PRESTRESSED CONCRETE

(TAKEN FROM WEKI)

CONCEPT:
The basic concept of the pre stressed concrete is the internal stresses of suitable
magnitude is developed in the steel rods and this stress acts as a counter attack for the
external loads which acts on the concrete in the hardened state in its service period.

IMAGE 2
Pre-Stressed-Concrete-work-mechanism (taken from weki)

BASIC TERMS WE COME ACROSS THE PRESTRESSED CONCRETE:

1. TENDONS:

The tendon is basically a steel rod on which are placed in the concrete. These steel
rods when stretched and subjected to stress are basically referred to tendons.

2. ANCHORAGE:
It is device which is used to maintain the tension which is produced in the steel
rod.
 PRESTRESSING

1. PRE TENSISONING 2. POST

TENSIONING

1. PRE TENSIONING:

In the pre tensioning process the tendons are placed to tensioning state before the
fresh concrete is placed.

2. POST TENSIONING:

In the post tensioning process the tendons are placed to tensioned after the
concrete is hardened.

MATERIALS FOR THE PRESTRESSED CONCRETE:

CEMENT:
Cement is the material needed for binding ordinary Portland cement of IS269 and if the
Portland slag cement is used then it should confirm IS455 with amount not more than
50%. If any other cement are preferred then they should be taken as per IS. The cement
content should vary from 300 to 360kg/m3. The air entrained content is between 4 to 6
%.

STEEL:

Tendons, strands, cables are used as steel material in the pre stressed concrete. The
tendons, cables and strands which are used in the pre stressed concrete is subjected to
high stress. The hard drawn steel wire conforming to IS1785 and the cold drawn indented
wire conforming wire to IS6003 apart from this high tensile strength steel wire bars
conforming to IS2090 and the uncoated stress relived strand conforming to IS60006.

HIGH STRENGTH STEEL CONDITIONS:

0.7% to 0.8% Carbons.

0.6% Manganese.
0.1% Silica.
Fig 3 showing the tendons in the pre stressed concrete.
Fig 4 showing the pre stressed concrete cables.

Fig 5 showing the pre stressed concrete wires.

DURABILITY, FIRE RESISTANCE AND COVER REQUIREMENTS FOR P.S.C

MEMBERS:

According to IS: 1343 – 1980.

20mm cover for pre tensioned members.
30mm or size of the cable which ever is bigger for post tensioned members.
If the pre stressed members are exposed to aggressive environments then these
covers are increased by 10mm.