DIMENSIONING OF THE PRESTRESSED STRUCTURE

1) Choosing the cross-section dimensions and the required amount of reinforcement

(ultimate limit state, t = ∞)

2) Choosing the required prestress force (service limit state, t= ∞)

3) Prestress loss calculation

4) Stress and cracking analysis (service limit state, t=∞)

5) Ultimate limit state , t = ∞

• flexural resistance
• shear resistance
• torsion + combined actions

6) Lifting for precast unit

7) Deflection (service limit state, assembling and final stage t = ∞)

8) Anchorage and spalling at the end of the structure

9) Fire resistance
CHOOSING THE INITIAL PRESTRESS

1) Choosing the degree of prestress

• Fully prestressed structure

The structure is fully compressed, no tension stresses
water tight structures
explosure class

• Partially prestressed structure

Bridges ; no tension

Buildings: usually tension stresses are allowed

under quasi-permanent load cracking is allowed,
the crack width is limited

EC 2 table 7.1 N(FI):

Requirements at the cracking limit state depending on the exposure class

2) Choosing the initial prestress

- Code limitations:
EC2: σp0 ≤ 0,8 fpuk or 0,9 fp,0,1k

- The required balanced forces

- Cracking (or tension stress) in the tension side during prestressing

stage, transfer (release) stage or lifting stage before any imposed
loads

- Resistance of compressed area during prestressing stage, transfer

(release) stage or lifting stage before any imposed loads

- Typically the initial prestress is σp0 = 1000 ... 1300 MPa

Low prestress - disadvantages:
- cracking
- problem with strain about flexure
- prestressing steel is not optimically used
Yield force of φ 12,7 (99 mm2 ) corresponds reinforcing bar T 20
(A500HW)

High prestress – disadvantages:

- upward deflection (camber) is great
- much debonding is required
- much spalling reinforcement at the end of the structure
- too high prestress may cause prestressing work more difficult

Estimation of the prestress losses

Influencing factor Influence High losses Small losses
Mquasi-perm/Mtotal creep Mquasi-perm/Mtotal Mquasi-perm/Mtotal
small high
Conrete stress σcp at the creep σcp high σcp small
point of prestress tendons
Cross-section shrinkage light, slender, thick, massive
creep thin
Initial prestress σpo relaxation σpo high σpo small

Typically the prestress losses are:

pre-tensioned structure: 15 ... 25 %, normally about 20 %

post-tensioned structure: 10 ... 20 %, normally about 15 %

THE PRELIMINARY DIMENSIONING OF PRESTRESSED BEAM AND THE
CHOICE OF THE DIMENSIONS OF THE BEAM

Dimensions of the cross-section and the amount of the prestressing steel:

- 1. By the preliminary dimensioning at the ultimate state

=> the depth (h) and the width (b) of the beam, when the b/h-ratio is chosen by the
recommendation

=> the smallest possible amount of reinforcement, which gives the required resistance

For the pre-tensioned structures the aim is that the prestressing reinforcement alone
without any additional ordinary reinforcement is adequite for the required flexural
resistance

- 2. By the preliminary cracking limit state

2.1 Stress in the tension fibre at the final stage (t=∝)
- under the frequent load combination
- under the quasi-permanent (long-term) load combination
=> required prestressing force P∞

In the pre-tensioned structures the strands are straight with the equal
eccentricity and located so near the tension face (bottom face) as
possible
Normally the pre-tensioned structures are statically determinate
(simply supported with one span)

In the post-tensioned structures the shape of the tendon profile is

usually parabolic and the eccentricity varies along the span =>
the load-balancing forces which balance a part of the load
The post-tensioned structures can be statically indeterminate

2.2 Stress in the tension fibre at the prestressing or transfer stage

- with the loads affecting at the prestressing stage
- the lifting stage
=> max. prestressing force Pm0

=> For the pre-tensioned structures the initial prestress and the required
debonding of the strands if needed

For the post-tensioned structures the tendon profile and the max.
eccentrricity
- 2.3. Stress in the compressed fibre at the prestressing of transfer stage
- with the loads affecting at the prestressing stage
- the lifting stage

=> The required compressive strength of concrete at the prestressing

stage
=> The resistance the cross-section under the possible openings

- 2.4 Stress in the compressed fibre at the final stage

- under the frequent load
- under the quasi-permanent (long-term) load
- Dimensions of the beam according to the ultimate flexural limit state

f p , 0.1k
- Design strength of the prestressing steel f pyd =
γs
1600 MPa
for instance f pyd = = 1455 MPa
1 .1

- Concrete class ≥ C35/45-1

Compressive design strength fcd ≥ 22 MPa (γc=1,35)

- Bending moment MEd due to the design load is known:

- Estimate the initial prestress σpo = 1200 … 1350 MPa
- losses about 10 …20 % => prestress after the losses σp∞ = 950 MPa … 1200 MPa

Strain of the prestressing steel:

σ p∞ 950...1200 MPa
- strain for prestressing ε p∞ = = = 5...6 %o
Ep 195000 MPa

- total strain, when the prestressing steel is yielding (0,1-limit)

f p 0,1k 1600 MPa
εy = = + 1 = 9,2%o
Ep 195000 MPa

- Recommended value for total strain at least εsu = 10 %o (~0,2-raja)

- additional strain due to loading ∆εs=10 – 5...6 = 4...5 %
- Depth of the compression zone
ε cu 3,5
x ≤ 0,9 ⋅ d ⋅ = 0,9 ⋅ d ⋅ = 0,37...0,42 ⋅ d
ε cu + ∆ε s 3,5 + 4...5

- Inner lever z = d – 0,4 x = d – 0,4⋅(0,37...0.42)⋅d = 0,83...085 d

- Dimensionless effective depth of the compression zone β=0,8 x/d = 0,3....0.34

- Dimensionless bending resistance µ = β⋅(1 - β/2) = 0,25 ... 0,28

Ordinary reinforced structure ; reinforcement A500 HW fyd = 435 MPa, εyd = 2,17 %o
if the aim of the reinforcement degree is 0,9* balanced value: 0,9 µbal:
3,5
x ≤ 0,9 ⋅ d ⋅ = 0,53 ⋅ d
3,5 + 2,17
β ≤ 0,42
µ ≤ 0,33

For prestressed structures the recommended limit to the dimensionless moment µ is

about 75...85 % of the value for an ordinary reinforcement structure.
 M Ed
1. Known h (or d) Required amount of reinforcement As =
z ⋅ f pyd

A s ⋅ f pyd
checking the width b min =
0,8 ⋅ x ⋅ f cd

M Ed ⋅ 0,8 ⋅ b ⋅ f cd
2. Known b Required amount of reinforcement A s ≈ 2
2 ⋅f pyd

required minimum depth

As ⋅ f pyd
d min ≥
0,8 ⋅ (0,37...0,42) ⋅ b ⋅ f cd
Choosing the depth of the beam

Asumptations as above

Uniformly distributed load

M Ed
= µ ≤ 0,9 ⋅ µ bal = 0.25...0.28
b ⋅ d 2 ⋅ f cd

M Ed
d≥
0.25...0,.28 ⋅ b ⋅ f cd

q d ⋅ L2 q d ⋅ L2
d≥ M Ed =
2...2.24 ⋅ b ⋅ f cd 8

q d ⋅ L2
d≥ fcd ≥ 22 MPa
40...60 ⋅ b

q d ⋅ L2
d≥ 3
b ~ d/4
10...15

Remark! The above equations give as the results the minimum dimensions of the
cross-section. With these asumptations the beam is already tigh.

If there is torsion and so on it is a good idea to choose greater dimensions.

Rak-43.3111 Boxbeam 1

EXAMPLE: CHOICE OF THE DEPTH OF THE BEAM

Span L := 20⋅ m

Loads:
kN
Self-weight concrete ρ c := 25⋅
3
m
kN
soil (compost) ρ m := 12⋅ at least 150 mm hm := 0.15⋅ m
3
m
kN
lightweight ρ ks := 3⋅
gravel 3
m
(aggregate)
kN
snow qs := 3⋅ (drift)
2
m

L
Estimate the depth h := h = 1m d := h − 50⋅ mm d = 0.95 m
20

bottom flange thickness hf := 0.2⋅ m

web width bw := 0.25⋅ m + 0.25⋅ m

total width b := 1.2⋅ m

Rak-43.3111 Boxbeam 2

Materials

Concrete: C 35/45-1
Characteristic compressive strength fck := 35⋅ MPa
Partial safety factor for conrete γ c := 1.35
Compressive strength factor α cc := 0.85

α cc⋅ fck
Design compressive strength fcd := fcd = 22 MPa
γc

Prestressing steel St 1600/1860

0 , 1 − limit fp0.1k := 1600⋅ MPa
γ s := 1.1
Partial safety factor for
reinforcement
Stress-strain- diagram for prestressing steel; alternative: a horizontal top branch

Design strength for prestressing steel fp0.1k

fpd := fpd = 1454.5 MPa
γs
2
7-wire strand φ12,5 Area of one strand Ap1 := 93⋅ mm
Rak-43.3111 Boxbeam 3

Loads:
kN
self-weight g0 :=  bw⋅ h + b − bw ⋅ hf  ⋅ ρ c
( ) g0 = 16
  m

kN
soil g1 := hm⋅ b − bw  ⋅ ρ m
( ) g1 = 1.26
  m

lightweight kN
g2 :=  h − hf − hm ⋅ b − bw  ⋅ ρ ks
( )( ) g2 = 1.365
gravel   m
(aggregate)
________________________________________________________________________

kN
Total dead load g := g0 + g1 + g2 g = 18.625
m
kN
Snow load q := qs⋅ b q = 3.6
m

partial safety factors for laods:

dead load γ g := 1.15 variable load γ q := 1.5

kN
Design value of pd := γ g⋅ g + γ q⋅ q pd = 26.8
the load m
2
pd⋅ L
Bending moment at the ultimate MEd := MEd = 1340.9 kNm
limit state 8

The dead/long-term load is large compared to the total load, so the losses are smaller;
in addition the structure is located outdoor environment, where shrinkage and creep are small

Losses are estimated n. 12 % => x := 0.4⋅ d x = 0.38 m

z := 0.84⋅ d z = 0.798 m

The narrow comression side may be critical =>

MEd 2
Equation 1: Amount of reinforcement As := As = 1155 mm
z⋅ fpd
=> 14 φ 12,7 np := 14
2
As := np⋅ Ap1 As = 1302 mm

As⋅ fpd
Checking of the width bmin := bmin = 283 mm
0.8⋅ x⋅ fcd
Rak-43.3111 Boxbeam 4

=> web width 150+150 mm is sufficient bw1 := 2⋅ 150⋅ mm

If the webs are bw1 := 2⋅ 150⋅ mm, so the self-weight of the beam decrease

(  ) ( ) (
∆g := bw − bw1 ⋅  hm⋅ ρ c − ρ m + h − hf − hm ⋅ ρ c − ρ ks 
 )( ) ∆g = 3.25
kN
m
kN
g4 := g − ∆g g4 = 15.375
m

kN
pd1 := pd − γ g⋅ ∆g pd1 = 23.081
m
2
pd1⋅ L
MEd1 := 3
8 MEd1 = 1.154 × 10 kNm

3
2
pd1⋅ L
The necassary dmin := dmin = 0.87 m
effective depth MN
14⋅
2
m

If the depth is not changed h = 1m d = 0.95 m

Required amount of MEd1 2

reinforcement As1 := As1 = 994 mm
z⋅ fpd
=> 12 φ 12,5
Rak-43.3111 Boxbeam 5

If the width is not changed bw = 0.5 m the required minimum depth can obtained

Equation 2:

MEd⋅ 0.8⋅ bw⋅ fcd 2

As := As = 1671 mm
2
2⋅ fpd

2
Choose 20 φ12,5 np := 20 As := np⋅ Ap1 As = 1860 mm

As⋅ fpd
dmin := dmin = 767 mm
0.8⋅ 0.4⋅ bw⋅ fcd
=> hmin := dmin + 50⋅ mm hmin = 817 mm

The difference of the required depth compared the estimated value is about 170 mm.
If there is no special reason to aim the minimum depth, choose h=1000 mm;
the higher beam is also more economical.
Rak-43.3111 Boxbeam 6

Service limit state

The beam is in the outdoor environment => explosure class XC3

According to EC2 Table 7.1 N remark 2 tension stress is not allowed under the quasi-permanent
(long-term) combination of loads.

Long-term part of snow load ψ 2 := 0.2

kN
Quasi-permanent load pk := g0 + g1 + g2 + ψ 2⋅ q pk = 19.345
m
2
pk⋅ L
Bending moment due to MEk := MEk = 967.25 kNm
the quasi-permanent load 8

Section values (without reinforcement)

2 4
A := 0.64⋅ m I := 0.05963⋅ m centroid from pp := 413⋅ mm
the bottopm side
I 3
Section modulus about the Wa := Wa = 0.1444 m
bottom side pp

Assumed initial prestress σ p0 := 1300⋅ MPa and losses ~12 % r := 1 − 0.12 r = 0.88

Prestress force after the losses P∞ := r⋅ σ p0⋅ As P∞ = 2127.8 kN

The location of the strands from the bottom side 50 m

Eccentricity of the prestress force ep := pp − 50⋅ mm ep = 363 mm

Compression stress at the bottom fibre cause by the prestress force

−P∞ P∞ ⋅ ep
σ cPbot := − σ cPbot = −8.7 MPa
A Wa
MEk
Tensile stress at the bottom fibre cause by σ cMbot := σ cMbot = 6.7 MPa
the quasi-permanent load Wa

Total stress at the bottom fibre under the quasi-permant load

σ cbot := σ cPbot + σ cMbot σ cbot = −1.975 MPa

compression
Rak-43.3111 Boxbeam 7

Tensile stress at the top fibre at transfer (release)

At the release of the strands (the transfer of the prestress force to the beam) the beam is only
loaded by it's self-weight.
The calculation point about 1 m:n from the end of the beam, because at this point at the top
fibre there is the full influence of the prestress and at this point the bending moment due to
the self-weight of the beam is still quite small
x
x := 1⋅ m Bending moment du to self-weight at point x MEgx := g0⋅ ⋅ ( L − x)
2

MEgx = 152 kNm

I 3
Section modulus about top side Wy := Wy = 0.1016 m
h − pp

Concete strength at transfer is about 70 % from the nominal (final) strength

0.667
 fck 
Average tensile strength of concrete at transfer stage fctmi := 0.7⋅ 0.3⋅   ⋅ MPa
 MPa 

fctmi = 2.25 MPa

3
Prestress force just before transfer Po := As⋅ σ p0 Po = 2.418 × 10 kN

Tensile stress at the top fibre

− Po Po⋅ ep MEgx
σ ctop := + − σ ctop = 3.366 MPa
A Wy Wy
> fctmi = 2.25 MPa

=> the average tensile strength of concrete at the transfer stage is exceeded;
cracking may occur at the top side of the beam; EC2 allows 0.2 mm:n crack width under the
frequent combination of loads
2
g0⋅ L
Maximum bending moment due to the self weight MEg := MEg = 800 kNm
8

Concrete stress at th etop fibre at the point of the maximum bending moment

− Po Po⋅ ep MEg
σ ctop := + − σ ctop = −3.013 MPa
A Wy Wy

The cross-section remains compressed at the point of the maximum bending moment.
Rak-43.3111 Boxbeam 8

The cross-section remains compressed at the point of the maximum bending moment.

At the point x=1 m the top side of the beam may cracks because the tensile stress ecxeeds
the average tensile strength of concrete

If cracking is not allowed the tensile sress should restrict to the value of the average tensile
strenght of concrete ie. fctmi = 2.25 MPa

This requirement is fullfileld if the prestress force at this point is smaller by unbonding some
strands with tape or plastic tube a certain distance from the end of the beam.

We should calculate the permissible prestress force for different points near the end of the
beam.

In this example we calculate the permissible prestress force at the point x=1 m from the end of
the beam.

Another solution is to use strands also at the top side of the beam. This cause tension to the
bottom fibre and maybe more strands at the bottom of the beam.

The debonding some strands can be used if tensile stength is exceeded only near the end of
the beam. Top strands is used if tensile strength is exceeded also at the point of the
maximum moment.
Another solution is used the lower initial prestress or the greater concrete strength at transfer.

The permissible prestress force at the point x := 1⋅ m if the allowed tensile stress is
fctmi = 2.25 MPa

 MEgx 
 fctmi + 
Wy
Po1 :=
  3
e Po1 = 1.863 × 10 kN
−1 p
+
A Wy

if the initial prestress is σ p0 = 1300 MPa the permissible number of the strands is

Po1
np1perm := np1perm = 15.408
σ p0⋅ Ap1

5 strands should be unbonded at least the distance 1 m from the end of the beam.

As an alternative without the unbonding the strands ( np = 20 fully functioning strands)

the allowed initial prestress should be
Po1
σ p0red := σ p0red = 1002 MPa
np⋅ Ap1

This value is smaller than the used prestress after the losses r⋅ σ p0 = 1144 MPa
The prestress after the losses is about r⋅ σ p0red = 881.337 MPa

σ p0red
The stress at the bottom fibre is σ cbotred := σ cPbot⋅ + σ cMbot
σ p0

σ cbotred = 0.016 MPa OK