BASIC CONCEPTS OF PRESTRESSING

Prestressing force P is generally found from geometry, loading, principles of

mechanics and stress-strain relationships. If the force is applied concentrically,

P
f =−
Ac
If external transverse loads are applied to the beam, causing a maximum moment of

M,

P Mc
f =− ±
Ac I g

cgc (also cgs)

y

x
P P
P
A

(a) Concentric tendon, prestress only

x cgc (also cgs)

+
P P +

P Mc
A I

(b) Concentric tendon, self-weight added

Concrete fiber stress distribution in rectangular beam with straight tendon

1
 Straight tendon
placements

2
 The above relationship shows that the presence of the prestressing compressive

force reduces the tensile flexural stress, either eliminating tension totally, inducing

some compression, or permitting some tensile stress within code limits. The concrete’s

inability to withstand much tensile stress is effectively compensated.

The compressive stress at the top fibers is magnified by the prestressing

stresses. Therefore, the compressive capability of the beam is substantially reduced.

To alleviate this, the prestressing tendon is placed eccentrically below the neutral axis.

This approach induces tensile stresses at top and compressive stresses at the bottom

through an eccentric moment Pe. Then

P Pec Mc
ft =− + −
Ac I g Ig

P Pec Mc
fb =− − +
Ac I g Ig

Because the support section of a simply supported beam carries no external

moment, high tensile stresses may be caused at the top fibers. To alleviate this,

draped tendons may be used for which the eccentricity is reduced or totally eliminated

at the end section.

3
 y

x cgc e +
+ =
cgs
P P
y
P Pec
− −
A I
(c) Eccentric tendon, prestress only

P Pec
− +
y A I

cgc e
+ =
cgs
P P
y

P Pec Mc
− − I
A I

(d) Eccentric tendon, self-weight added

Concrete fiber stress distribution in rectangular beam with straight tendon

4
 Draped
tendon
placement

Substituting r2 = Ig Ac , we get stresses at the initial transfer condition:

Pi  ect 
f t =− 1− 
Ac  r 2 

Pi  ecb 
fb = − 1 + 
Ac  r 2 

As soon as the prestress is transferred, the beam camber causes a self weight

moment MD to be applied to the beam, which will be supported at the ends by

formwork or casting bed. The beam maximum stresses then become:

Pi  ect  M D
f t =− 1 − 2  − t
Ac  r  S

Pi  ecb  MD
fb = − 1+ 2  +
Ac  r  Sb

5
After the beam is transported to the site, installed and put into service, a total moment

consisting of self weight, superimposed dead load and live load must be considered as

follows:

MT = MD + MSD + ML

The prestressing force at this point should be the effective value after time dependent

losses:

Pe  ect  MT
f t =− 1−  −
Ac  r 2  St

Pe  ecb  MT
fb = − 1+  +
Ac  r 2  Sb

Intermediate loading conditions such as transportation to temporary yard storage

and permanent location, partial live load and construction load should be considered in

design, together with reduced strength values for green concrete at early stages.

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 Pi Pi ect Pi  ect 
− − 1 − 2 
Ac Ic Ac  r 

ct

e + =
cb

Pi Pi ecb Pi  ecb 
− − − 1 + 2 
Ac Ic Ac  r 

(a) Initial prestress before losses.

Pi  ect  MD Pi  ect  M D
− 1 − 2  − − 1 − 2  −
Ac  r  St Ac  r  St

+ =

Pi  ecb  MD Pi  ecb  M D
− 1 + 2  + − 1 + 2  +
Ac  r  Sb Ac  r  Sb

(b) Addition of self-weight.

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 Pi  ect  M D MSD + ML
− 1 − 2  − − Pi  ect  M T
Ac  r  St − 1 − 2  −
St Ac  r  ST

+ =

Pi  ecb  M D M SD + M L Pi  ecb  M B
− 1 + 2  + + − 1 + 2  +
Ac  r  Sb Sb Ac  r  Sb

(c) Service load at effective prestress.