What are the two types of post-tensioning systems?

29, Apr. 2024

 

Types of Post Tensioning

Types of Post Tensioning

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Bonded Tendons

Bonded post-tensioned concrete is the descriptive term for a method of applying compression after pouring concrete and during the curing process (in situ). The concrete is cast around a plastic, steel or aluminium curved duct, to follow the area where otherwise tension would occur in the concrete element.

A set of tendons are fished through the duct and the concrete is poured. Once the concrete has hardened, the tendons are tensioned by hydraulic jacks that react (push) against the concrete member itself.

When the tendons have stretched sufficiently, according to the design specifications (Hooke's law), they are wedged in position and maintain tension after the jacks are removed, transferring pressure to the concrete. The duct is then grouted to protect the tendons from corrosion. This method is commonly used to create monolithic slabs for house construction in locations where expansive soils (sometimes called adobe clay) create problems for the typical perimeter foundation. All stresses from seasonal expansion and contraction of the underlying soil are taken into the entire tensioned slab, which supports the building without significant flexure.

Post-tensioning is also used in the construction of various bridges, both after concrete is cured after support by false work and by the assembly of prefabricated sections, as in the segmental bridge.


Among the advantages of this system over unbonded post-tensioning are:

* Large reduction in traditional reinforcement requirements as tendons cannot de-stress in accidents.
* Tendons can be easily "woven" allowing a more efficient design approach.
* Higher ultimate strength due to bond generated between the strand and concrete.
* No long term issues with maintaining the integrity of the anchor/dead end.

UnBonded Tendons
Unbonded post-tensioned concrete differs from bonded post-tensioning by providing each individual cable permanent freedom of movement relative to the concrete. To achieve this, each individual tendon is coated with grease (generally lithium based) and covered by a plastic sheathing formed in an extrusion process. The transfer of tension to the concrete is achieved by the steel cable acting against steel anchors embedded in the perimeter of the slab. The main disadvantage over bonded post-tensioning is the fact that a cable can de-stress itself and burst out of the slab if damaged (such as during repair on the slab).



The advantages of this system over bonded post-tensioning are:
* The ability to individually adjust cables based on poor field conditions (For example: shifting a group of 4 cables around an opening by placing 2 on each side).
* The procedure of post-stress grouting is eliminated.
* The ability to de-stress the tendons before attempting repair work.[3]

Picture number one (below) shows rolls of post-tensioning (PT) cables with the holding end anchors displayed. The holding end anchors are fastened to rebar placed above and below the cable and buried in the concrete locking that end. Pictures numbered two, three and four shows a series of black pulling end anchors from the rear along the floor edge form. Rebar is placed above and below the cable both in front and behind the face of the pulling end anchor. The above and below placement of the rebar can be seen in picture number three and the placement of the rebar in front and behind can be seen in picture number four. The blue cable seen in picture number four is electrical conduit. Picture number five shows the plastic sheathing stripped from the ends of the post-tensioning cables before placement through the pulling end anchors. Picture number six shows the post-tensioning cables in place for concrete pouring. The plastic sheathing has been removed from the end of the cable and the cable has been pushed through the black pulling end anchor attached to the inside of the concrete floor side form. The greased cable can be seen protruding from the concrete floor side form. Pictures seven and eight show the post-tension cables protruding from the poured concrete floor. After the concrete floor has been poured and has set for about a week, the cable ends will be pulled with a hydraulic jack.

Unbonded post-tensioned concrete differs from bonded post-tensioning by providing each individual cable permanent freedom of movement relative to the concrete. To achieve this, each individual tendon is coated with grease (generally lithium based) and covered by a plastic sheathing formed in an extrusion process. The transfer of tension to the concrete is achieved by the steel cable acting against steel anchors embedded in the perimeter of the slab. The main disadvantage over bonded post-tensioning is the fact that a cable can de-stress itself and burst out of the slab if damaged (such as during repair on the slab).The advantages of this system over bonded post-tensioning are:* The ability to individually adjust cables based on poor field conditions (For example: shifting a group of 4 cables around an opening by placing 2 on each side).* The procedure of post-stress grouting is eliminated.* The ability to de-stress the tendons before attempting repair work.[3]Picture number one (below) shows rolls of post-tensioning (PT) cables with the holding end anchors displayed. The holding end anchors are fastened to rebar placed above and below the cable and buried in the concrete locking that end. Pictures numbered two, three and four shows a series of black pulling end anchors from the rear along the floor edge form. Rebar is placed above and below the cable both in front and behind the face of the pulling end anchor. The above and below placement of the rebar can be seen in picture number three and the placement of the rebar in front and behind can be seen in picture number four. The blue cable seen in picture number four is electrical conduit. Picture number five shows the plastic sheathing stripped from the ends of the post-tensioning cables before placement through the pulling end anchors. Picture number six shows the post-tensioning cables in place for concrete pouring. The plastic sheathing has been removed from the end of the cable and the cable has been pushed through the black pulling end anchor attached to the inside of the concrete floor side form. The greased cable can be seen protruding from the concrete floor side form. Pictures seven and eight show the post-tension cables protruding from the poured concrete floor. After the concrete floor has been poured and has set for about a week, the cable ends will be pulled with a hydraulic jack.

[RCC] Types Of Post Tension Methods.

TYPES OF POST TENSION METHODS -

1. Freyssinet System:

Freyssinet system was introduced by the French Engineer Freyssinet and it was the first method to be introduced. High strength steel wires of 5mm or 7mm diameter, numbering 8 or 12 or 16 or 24 are grouped into a cable with a helical spring inside. Spring keeps proper spacing for the wire. Cable is inserted in the duct.

Anchorage device consists of a concrete cylinder with a concentric conical hole and corrugations on its surface, and a conical plug carrying grooves on its surface (Fig. 3). Steel wires are carried along these grooves at the ends. Concrete cylinder is heavily reinforced. Members are fabricated with the cylinder placed in position. Wires are pulled by Freyssinet double acting jacks which can pull through suitable grooves all the wires in the cable at a time. One end of the wires is anchored and the other end is pulled till the wires are stretched to the required length. An inner piston in the jack then pushes the plug into the cylinder to grip the wires.

2. Magnel Blaton system:

In Freyssinet system several wires are stretched at a time. In Magnel Blaton system, two wires are stretched at a time. This method was introduced by a famous engineer, Prof. Magnel of Belgium. In this system, the anchorage device consists of sandwich plate having grooves to hold the wires and wedges which are also grooved. Each plate carries eight wires. Between the two ends the spacing of the wires is maintained by spacers. Wires of 5mm or 7mm are adopted. Cables consists of wires in multiples of 8 wires. Cables with as much as 64 wires are also used under special conditions. A specially deviced jack pulls two wires at a time and anchors them. The wires with the sandwich plate using tapered wedge.

3. Gifford Udall System:

This system originated in Great Britain, is widely used in India. This is a single wire system. Each wire is stressed independently using a double acting jack. Any number of wires can be grouped together to form a cable in this system. There are two types of anchorage device in this system.

a) Tube anchorages

b) Plate anchorages

Tube anchorage consists of a bearing plate, anchor wedges and anchor grips. Anchor plate may be square or circular and have 8 or 12 tapered holes to accommodate the individual prestressing wires. These wires are locked into the tapered holes by means of anchor wedges. In addition, grout entry hole is also provided in the bearing plate for grouting. Anchor wedges are split cone wedges carrying serrations on its flat surface. There is a tube unit which is a fabricated steel component incorporating a thrust plate, a steel tube with a surrounding helix. This unit is attached to the end shutters and form an efficient cast-in component of the Anchorage.

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4. Lee McCall System:

This method is used to prestress steel bars. The diameter of the bar is between 12 and 28mm. bars provided with threads at the ends are inserted in the performed ducts. After stretching the bars to the required length, they are tightened using nuts against bearing plates provided at the end sections of the member

5. Other Methods of Prestressing:

a) Electrical Prestressing:

in this method, reinforcing bars is coated with thermoplastic material such as sulphur or low melting alloy and buried in the concrete. After the concrete is set, electric current of low voltage but high amperage is passed through the bar. Electric current heats the bar and the bar elongates. Bars provided with threads at the other end are tightened against heavy washers, after required elongation is obtained. When the bar cools, prestress develops and the bond is restored by resolidification of the coating.

b) Chemical Prestressing:

Chemical prestressing is done using expanding cement. Prestressing can be applied b embedding steel in  concrete made of expanding cement. Steel is elongated by the expansion of the concrete and thus gets prestressed. Steel in turn produces compressive stress in concrete.


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