Since the s, post-tensioning concrete has grown in popularity. Whether you're trying to streamline the building process, reduce costs or give a structure the best chance of surviving weather hazards, there are numerous benefits of post-tension slabs.
The company is the world’s best post tension anchor supplier. We are your one-stop shop for all needs. Our staff are highly-specialized and will help you find the product you need.
Here's a look at some hidden advantages of post-tensioning concrete and why you should consider these methods for new structures.
Post-tensioning concrete is the process of adding steel bars (tendons) below a mixture's surface. Once the concrete fully cures, tension is applied to the steel bars. These reinforcements introduce stress to the concrete, which can prevent cracks and shifting down the road.
Construction teams rely on post-tensioning methods to help concrete reach its strongest state. This process is efficient for creating surfaces that can withstand the loads required for a newly developed structure.
Consider these surprising advantages of post-tensioning.
Prestressed concrete supports larger loads compared to traditional pouring. Using post-tension methods means concrete substrates are thinner, sometimes by as much as 20%.
When a building is complete, the total height of the structure is shorter than constructing slabs without post-tension reinforcements. Smaller buildings call for teams to use less cladding, concrete, cement and shear. Extra materials can be used for future projects or returned to the manufacturer to increase your bottom line. Either way, you'll save on costs and materials.
When you rely on post-tensioning concrete methods, fewer materials are involved in the final structure. This includes the amount of cement used to create concrete mixtures ' a significant source of carbon emissions.
It's possible the timeline for a building project will be shorter with post-tensioning concrete, which lessens the amount of time gas-powered tools and vehicles run from the start of the assignment through completion.
The setup for post-tension procedures can be done quickly without the variables of traditional curing. The fact that crews spend less time laying steel supports means teams will be ready to pour mixtures and let the concrete dry on an impressive timeline. Your post-tension building project can progress consistently.
Post-tensioning results in compressive stress in concrete, which helps to reduce the effects of shrinkage and temperature changes that can cause cracking. The post-tensioning system consists of steel strands that are tensioned after the concrete has hardened, creating internal forces that resist external loads.
Post-tensioning systems are effective for crack control because the tendons act as reinforcement for the concrete and prevent it from splitting apart. The tendons are anchored at both ends of the concrete member and are usually placed in ducts or sleeves to allow them to move freely during tensioning.
The tendons are tensioned by hydraulic jacks and then locked in place by wedges or nuts at the anchorages. The tension in the tendons induces a compressive stress in the concrete, which counteracts the tensile stress caused by shrinkage or bending. This way, the concrete remains relatively crack-free and watertight throughout its service life.
Many property owners building post-tension structures find surfaces do a fantastic job of limiting unwanted vibration and sag. Inside the poured concrete, cables help to balance the load.
Rather than the center of slabs being put under immense stress where they can crack, the internal cables take care of the heavy lifting. Over time, concrete maintains its shape and refrains from dipping downward when objects are placed on top of it.
STRUCTURAL TECHNOLOGIES provides VSL post-tensioning products as well as construction systems in the United States. Whether you want to build or repair a commercial building, parking lot or similar structure, we will assist with design, installation and material fabrication for unbonded monostrand post-tension systems, bonded multistrand post-tension systems, shear reinforcements, barrier cables and lockable dowels.
We specialize in external and internal post-tensioning technology. STRUCTURAL TECHNOLOGIES provides you with solutions for installations outside a structural element ' within grouted ducts ' or within an existing member ' via core drilling ' to handle the scope of your project.
To learn more about post-tensioning products and our service capabilities, submit a contact form with STRUCTURAL TECHNOLOGIES.
Post tensioned concrete is an improved version of reinforced concrete. It has a greater resistance to tensile stresses, thanks to its manufacturing method.
Generally, the construction method used to produce post-tensioned concrete is known as prestressing, which is also used to make pre-tensioned concrete, another improved version of reinforced concrete.
Post-tensioned concrete is more complex than reinforced concrete, which is why it is used in specific structures; mainly those in which heavy loads and complicated geometry are present.
What is post tensioned concrete?
Post-tensioned concrete is a type of prestressed concrete that is subjected to compressive stress after the pouring and setting of the fresh concrete mix, that is, when the concrete is in its early stages of hardening and developing its characteristic resistance.
Source: construblogspain.files.wordpress.com//09/dsc-large.jpg?w=940&h=704The compressive stresses are caused by the tensioning of metallic reinforcement steel bars or cables, which are encapsulated in plastic or metallic 'tubes' enclosed and placed during the formwork, carefully following the design specifications.
Contact us to discuss your requirements of wholesale post tension wedges. Our experienced sales team can help you identify the options that best suit your needs.
After the reinforcement cables are tensioned, they are anchored to the structure using of special components.
Post-tensioning, allows concrete to store additional compressive stresses that counteract the tensile stresses caused by heavy loads, and avoids the structural element to noticeably deform and crack.
Types of post-tensioning
Most of the post-tensioned concrete reinforcement plays an active part by creating additional mechanical stresses that interact with those caused by service loads. The remaining part of the reinforcement acts passively, anchoring or fixing the active pieces.
By the time the active post-tensioning reinforcement reaches the desired stress value, the steel cables that compose it are anchored to the structural element by the passive reinforcement. Once this is done, there are two options to finish the post-tensioning process:
Bonded post-tensioning
In this construction method, the active reinforcement conduits are filled by pressure with high-strength mortar masonry to guarantee the adherence of the reinforcement to the conduit, creating a monolithic section. This way, the active steel reinforcement is prevented from seriously deteriorating due to corrosion.
Unbonded post-tensioning
In contrast to the previous method, the active reinforcement conduits are not filled in, which means the tensioned cables are only connected to the concrete by the anchor heads.
Generally, the reinforcement cables are coated with grease and are contained in plastic conduits, to reduce the environmental impact and guarantee their useful lifespan.
Characteristics of post-tensioned concrete
Although post-tensioned concrete is not a recent construction material, since it originated during the end of the XIX century, it currently presents a high level of innovation and optimization that gives it an endless number of characteristics. Among the most relevant we highlight the following:
Use of post-tensioned concrete
As a general rule, post-tensioned concrete is used for structures that receive heavy loads and with large spans in between supports (spans). In these kinds of situations, its use is essential due to the overall cost of materials and weight of the structure, which would lead to cracking, deformation and reduction of the construction's useful life.
Source: es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Archivo:Acero_postesado.jpgHowever, the prestressed construction system when using post-tensioned concrete is significantly more complicated than using standard reinforced concrete, so usually the profit by gained by saving material costs tends to be minimized by the requirement of using specialized personnel and equipment.
This type of concrete has mainly been used to build cable-stayed bridges and is also widely used to build viaducts and concrete voussoirs.
On the other hand, is also used in construction for making parking lots, industrial buildings, hotels, sports complexes, airports, auditoriums and other structures that have large spans.
Although this concrete is frequently carried out in situ, it's possible to purchase precast post-tensioned concrete structural elements, usually, precast slabs and beams.
Advantages and disadvantages of post-tensioned concrete
Post-tensioned concrete stands out for its high mechanical resistance and the reduced transverse dimensions of the elements that form it. However, these technical advantages are followed by certain aspects that make the construction process difficult to carry out, due to the high level of precision and detail that is required in the design.
Thus, to obtain a complete perspective, its advantages and disadvantages are presented below:
Advantages of post-tensioned concrete
Disadvantages of post-tensioned concrete
Want more information on bulk supply post tension anchor? Feel free to contact us.