STRENGTH REQUIREMENTS OF CONCRETE

By, Deepti Susan CE S7

INTRODUCTION
In reinforced concrete, concrete and steel are combined such that concrete resists compression and steel resists tension. In prestressed concrete high strength concrete and high strength steel are combined such that the full section is effective in resisting tension and compression.

STRENGTH OF CONCRETE
The strength of concrete is required to calculate the strength of the members. For prestressed concrete applications, high strength concrete is required for the following reasons;
To sustain the high stresses at anchorage regions. To have higher resistance in compression, tension, shear and bond. To have higher stiffness for reduced deflection. To have reduced shrinkage cracks.

COMPRESSIVE STRENGTH
The compressive strength of concrete is given in terms of the characteristic compressive strength of 150 mm size cubes tested at 28 days (fck). The characteristic strength is defined as the strength of the concrete below which not more than 5% of the test results are expected to fall. The minimum grades of concrete for prestressed applications are as follows. 30 MPa for post-tensioned members 40 MPa for pre-tensioned members.

TENSILE STRENGTH
The tensile strength of concrete can be expressed as follows; Flexural tensile strength Splitting tensile strength Direct tensile strength In absence of test results, the Code recommends to use an estimate of the flexural tensile strength from the compressive strength by the following equation; fcr = 0.7 x Vfck
fcr = flexural tensile strength in N/mm2 fck = characteristic compressive strength of cubes in N/mm2

STIFFNESS OF CONCRETE
The stiffness of concrete is required to estimate the deflection of members. The stiffness is given by the modulus of elasticity. The modulus of elasticity for short term loading (neglecting the effect of creep) is given by the following equation. EC= 5000 Vfck Ec = short-term static modulus of elasticity in N/mm2 fck =characteristic compressive strength of cubes in N/mm2

DURABILITY OF CONCRETE
The durability of concrete is defined as its ability to resist weathering action, chemical attack, abrasion, or any other process of deterioration. The common durability problems in concrete are as follows. Sulphate and other chemical attacks of concrete. Alkali-aggregate reaction. Freezing and thawing damage in cold regions. Corrosion of steel bars or tendons. For high durability, the concrete should have low permeability and adequate cover to reinforcing bars.

CREEP OF CONCRETE
Creep of concrete is defined as the increase in deformation with time under constant load. Due to the creep of concrete, the prestress in the tendon is reduced with time. The creep occurs due to two causes. 1. Rearrangement of hydrated cement paste 2. Expulsion of water from voids under load

SHRINKAGE OF CONCRETE
Shrinkage of concrete is defined as the contraction due to loss of moisture. The shrinkage occurs due to two causes. 1. Loss of water from voids 2. Reduction of volume during carbonation

ALLOWABLE STRESSES
ALLOWABLE COMPRESSIVE STRESSES

ALLOWABLE TENSILE STRESSES

Prestressed members are classified into 3 types based on allowable tensile stresses;

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