Chapter 4

Partial Loss of Prestress

4.1 Introduction

Prestressing a concrete member effectively applies a substantial axial force to the

member that is in place for its entire service life. In both pretensioned and post-
tensioned methods of prestressing, this prestressing force begins to decline imme-
diately upon its application and continues to decline throughout its service life. This
reduction in force is referred to as partial prestress loss and is addressed as part of
the design of a prestressed member. Partial prestress losses, typically referred to as
“prestress losses,” are divided into two broad categories: initial and time-dependent
effects. Initial losses occur during stressing operation and include anchor seating,
elastic shortening, and friction between prestressing steel and post-tensioning ducts
or tendon deviators and harped pretensioned strands. Long-term losses occur
because of viscoelastic material effects and include concrete shrinkage, creep, and
tendon relaxation.
This chapter covers the causes of prestress losses as well as techniques for
estimating those losses. Numerous methods are available for estimating losses.
This is likely due, at least in part, to the difficulty in accurately predicting losses.
ACI 423-10 (2016) devotes an entire chapter to the variability of loss calculations
and the reader is referred there for more detail. In summary, the variability in
concrete mechanical properties, curing conditions, and exposure to environment
are the primary causes of this difficulty. While there are many different approaches
for determining initial and time-dependent effects on prestressed concrete, the most
effective method is to construct the element and measure the losses in the field.
Corrections are done in the field for friction losses on occasion; other corrections are
not common except for research. In many cases, a high level of accuracy is not
needed to ensure suitable strength and serviceability. Consequently, the design
engineer estimates the losses and bases the design on this estimate.

© Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2019 85

C. W. Dolan, H. R. Hamilton, Prestressed Concrete,
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-97882-6_4
86 4 Partial Loss of Prestress

P 200 ksi
H

60 ksi
1
0 2 4 6
Strain (x1000)

Member subjected to prestress force at Elastic stress-strain curve

centroid

Fig. 4.1 Effect of steel strength on prestress losses. (a) Member subjected to prestress force at
centroid. (b) Elastic stress–strain curve

4.2 Effect of Losses

Early attempts at prestressing were unsuccessful because losses were not fully
understood. Eugene Freyssinet, generally recognized as the founder of modern
prestressed concrete, was successful because he recognized the value of high-
strength prestressing materials and successfully incorporated high-strength materials
into his designs. Figure 4.1 illustrates such a need for high-strength reinforcement in
prestressed concrete. Figure 4.1a indicates a member one unit long subjected to a
prestressing force from a central internal tendon. The axial force produces an initial
strain in the concrete and that initial strain increases due to shrinkage and creep ε. For
discussion, assume that the total strain due to losses is 0.0015. A Grade
60 reinforcing bar is stressed to 0.002 strain, just below the yield stress of 60 ksi.
Figure 4.1b indicates the initial strain and the corresponding loss of stress due to the
0.0015 strain, in this case 0.0015 Es ¼ 45 ksi. The final stress is 15 ksi or a loss of
75% of the initial prestress. Next a high-strength strand is loaded to an initial stress of
200 ksi or a strain of 0.0066. The same loss of 0.0015 is applied. The final stress is
approximately 155 ksi corresponding to a loss of 22.5%.
Prestress losses affect the serviceability of prestressed members but have little
effect on the strength of a member, unless the tendon is unbonded. The losses
directly affect member deflection, camber, cracking, and amount of prestressing
reinforcement. Thus, loss calculations are necessary for prudent design. The defor-
mations required to develop the bending strength in beams with bonded tendons
generally include sufficient strain to recover losses. The recovery is validated during
detailed calculation of member strength or by assumed stress levels if empirical
nominal tendon stress equations are used.
4.3 Addressing Losses in Design 87

4.3 Addressing Losses in Design

All prestressed members are subject to losses resulting from elastic shortening,
shrinkage, creep, and relaxation. In addition, post-tensioned members are subject
to losses resulting from anchor set and friction (Zia et al. 1979; ACI 423-10 2016).
The ACI Building Code (ACI 318-14) requires prestress losses to be considered in
the calculation of effective tensile stress in the prestressed reinforcement, fse. The
following loss mechanisms have historically been listed by the code for
consideration:
(a) Prestressed reinforcement seating at transfer (initial)
(b) Elastic shortening of concrete (initial)
(c) Creep of concrete (long-term)
(d) Shrinkage of concrete (long-term)
(e) Relaxation of prestressed reinforcement (long-term)
(f) Friction loss due to intended or unintended curvature in post-tensioning tendons
(initial)
Losses affect the serviceability of the member rather than strength, which is
primarily why they are not addressed prescriptively in the ACI Building Code.
Although discussed in the commentary, the code provisions do not directly address
the effect of losses on serviceability issues such as deflections, camber, and cracking
load. The code, however, addresses the effect of shortening on connections.
Losses are calculated at the tendon centroid and include consideration of the
stress and strain in the tendon. In the example presented in Fig. 4.1, the tendon is
concentric with the member, so no adjustment for tendon position is needed. For
beams and other eccentrically loaded members, changes in strain and stress are
calculated at the centroid of the tendon.
Depending on the method used, losses can be calculated at a selected section in
more simplified methods or along the entire length in more refined methods. For
precast pretensioned beams, the losses are usually calculated at the critical sections,
which are typically at midspan and the end of the member. For post-tensioned
members, the critical sections are at the member end, maximum positive moment
locations, typically close to midspan, and maximum negative moment locations,
usually over the supports. Applied concentrated loads or abrupt changes in curvature
are locations requiring attention and are considered critical locations. In more refined
methods, the losses can be estimated along the full length of the tendon.
In all cases, the loss calculations occur at service load levels and the member is
assumed to behave linearly elastic. Therefore, reinforcement stress changes may be
calculated as the stress in the concrete times the modular ratio n, the ratio of
modulus of elasticity of the prestressing reinforcement divided by the modulus of
elasticity of the concrete. Losses from various sources are cumulative.
The level of effort required to calculate losses varies depending on the experience
with a specific design, product, or construction method. For instance, a precast plant
that has been fabricating double tees for many years will have a backlog of data on
88 4 Partial Loss of Prestress

the long-term effects for their products. Likewise, a specialty engineer for a post-
tensioning company may use prestress loss data gathered over many years of
designing similar post-tensioned slab systems. The most important aspect of loss
calculations is to make a best estimate. If the calculated losses are too high, that is,
higher than actual losses, then more prestressing reinforcement is used and camber
increases. If the calculated losses are too low, the beam sags and cracks under service
load. Loss calculations should neither be overly conservative nor ignored.
Methods available for this task vary in complexity and accuracy. In general, the
methods are categorized as follows:
1. Lump sum
2. Detailed
3. Time-dependent
For engineers wishing to move forward with their coverage of prestressed
concrete design, lump sum losses provide a valid starting point for design and are
used in the examples in this book. Use of lump sum losses is presented with the
understanding that individual losses should be estimated to complete a design, which
can be completed using the remainder of this chapter. For a much deeper background
and a detailed coverage of the methods available for calculating losses, the reader is
directed to ACI 423.10 (2017). ACI 423.10 includes material such as detailed
treatment of creep by alternative approaches, losses affected by composite action,
and effects of shrinkage of composite decks.

4.4 Lump Sum Losses

Often detailed calculations can only be performed after the member section has been
selected and prestressing levels established. For decades engineers have used lump
sum losses, the total combined losses in the prestress based on experience or
historical data, to select the initial prestress. Later during the design development,
the detailed loss calculations are conducted and loss assumptions verified.
Beginning in 1963, the ACI Building Code commentary recognized lump sum
losses as an approach to calculating the total prestress loss in a member. The
commentary suggested the following values based on an ACI/ASCE Committee
323 report (1958).

Pretensioning losses ¼ 35 ksi

Post-tensioning losses ¼ 25 ksi

In keeping with design practice, the lump sum losses noted here are used in most
of the examples in this book. Lump sum losses should be used with the understand-
ing that a detailed check of losses is eventually required to complete a design.
Assuming a pretensioned tendon is initially stressed to 200 ksi, a 35 ksi loss
represents approximately a 17.5% reduction in prestress. ACI/ASCE Committee
4.5 Detailed Losses 89

report 423.10 (2016) includes measured prestress losses for various members. The
report states that losses range between 9 and 39% with a mean value of 19%, or
37.5 ksi, and a coefficient of variation of 32% for normal weight concrete members.
The PCI Design Handbook (2017) suggests losses range between 25 and 50 ksi, or
12 and 25%. Both sources are consistent with the experimental data. For sand
lightweight concrete, the PCI Handbook suggests losses range between 30 and
55 ksi, or 17 and 27%. The PCI Handbook also suggests that it is sufficiently precise
to assume that elastic shortening is 40% of the total and that creep and shrinkage is
50% of the total loss. The AASHTO Bridge Design Specification (2017) specifies
slightly higher lump sum losses. The higher losses reflect, in part, the fact that bridge
members are often more heavily prestressed than building members.

4.5 Detailed Losses

Understanding how initial prestressing stresses are determined is necessary to

calculate prestressing losses. Table 20.3.2.5.1 of ACI 318-14 limits the jacking
stress to 0.80 fpu. Previous versions of the Code further limited the tendon stress to
0.75 fpu at the time of transfer. The higher jacking stress allowed prestressing
operations to pull the tendon to a slightly higher stress to compensate for anchor
seating. The ambiguity in the code resulting from only specifying jacking stress
leaves the issue of knowing the stress in the tendon at the time of load transfer to
either the engineer or the prestressing contractor.
Post-tensioning tendons are stressed to 0.80 fpu to account for seating and friction
losses. The ACI Building Code restricts the stress in the post-tensioning tendon to
0.70 fpu at the anchor immediately after seating. Pretensioning operations typically
are conducted in long-line facilities. The ACI Building Code does not provide a
limiting initial tensile stress for pretensioning. Plant operation typically stresses the
tendon to about 0.76 fpu. After the strand chuck seats, the remaining tendon stress is
0.75 fpu and no allowance for anchorage seating is calculated for pretensioned
members. Loss calculations that follow are based on the industry practice of an
initial strand stress of 0.75 fpu for pretensioning and 0.70 fpu after seating for post-
tensioning.
The total amount of loss of prestress is the sum of anchor set fanc, friction ffr,
elastic shortening fES, creep fCR, shrinkage fSH, and relaxation effects fRE. Symbol-
ically, the cumulative loss floss is:
X
f loss ¼ f anc þ f fr þ f ES þ f CR þ f SH þ f RE ð4:1Þ

Each of these effects is discussed individually. Simplified methods for calculation

of long-term losses follow the detailed discussion.
90 4 Partial Loss of Prestress

Fig. 4.2 Beam

geometry for Example 4.1

ec e
ee

eccentricity = 13"

4.5.1 Anchor Set

When a prestressing tendon is released from the jack, there is a small amount of
movement, or set, as the anchor wedges move inward and the teeth on the wedges
bite into the steel. The amount of movement ranges between 1/8 in. and 1 in.
depending on the anchorage system. Anchor set of ¼ to 3/8 in. is common for single
stand systems and the larger values are for some center plug multistrand systems.
In pretensioning operations, anchor set is compensated by overstressing the
tendon to account for the seating. In post-tensioning operations, the loss of prestress
is calculated by dividing the anchor set by the length of the tendon to arrive at an
average strain then multiplying that strain by the strand modulus of elasticity to
determine the stress. If there is significant curvature in the tendon, friction affects the
distribution of losses.
Example 4.1: Calculate Anchor Seating Losses
In the examples that follow, the loss of prestress is calculated for a 60 ft
long AASHTO Type III beam, Fig. 4.2. The beam has a cross-sectional area of
560 in.2, a moment of inertia of 125,390 in.4, a weight of 583 plf, and a surface
volume-to-surface ratio of 4.09. Section properties can be found in Appendix C.2.
One beam is pretensioned with 16½ in. diameter strands which are deflected to an
eccentricity of 13 in. at midspan. A second beam is post-tensioned with two 8-strand
tendons placed in a parabolic drape creating an eccentricity of 13 in. at midspan,
shown in the figure below. For this, and the examples that follow, the specified
transfer strength of the concrete is f 0ci of 3500 psi and the 28-day strength is 6000 psi.
The beams are cured in a relative humidity of 35%. A ½ in. strand has an area of
0.153 in.2, a tensile strength of 270 ksi, and a modulus of elasticity of Ep ¼ 28,500 ksi.
The post-tensioned beam uses a corrugated steel duct with a wobble friction of
0.0001 and a curvature friction of 0.20.
Solution pretensioned beam: by stressing the strands to compensate for the anchor
set there is no calculated loss. The final stress in the tendon following seating is 0.75
fpu or fi ¼ 200 ksi. The area of a ½ in. strand is 0.153 in.2. For 16 strands the initial
prestress force is
4.5 Detailed Losses 91

P j ¼ 16  0:153 in:2  200 ksi ¼ 489:6 kips

Solution post-tensioned beam: The post-tensioned tendon is initially stressed to

0.80 fpu or 216 ksi. The distance to seat the anchor is taken as 3/8 in. The strain
resulting from seating is the anchor set divided by the beam length or 0.375 in./
(60  12) ¼ 5.21  104. The corresponding stress loss is the strain times the
modulus of elasticity, 28,500 ksi of the strand or

f anc ¼ 5:21  104  28, 500 ¼ 14:8 ksi

Thus, the initial stress for the post-tensioned tendon is

f i ¼ 216  14:8 ksi ¼ 201:2 ksi

corresponding to a force of 242.6 kips per tendon. ACI 318-14 Table 20.3.2.5.1
limits the stress in the tendon at the anchorage device to 0.70 fpu immediately after
transfer. Therefore, the maximum initial prestress force allowed by Code for the
post-tensioned beam is fi ¼ 270 ∙ 0.70 ¼ 189 ksi or an initial prestress force of

Pi ¼ 16  0:153 in:2  189 ¼ 462:7 kips

which controls in this case. The jacking stress would be fj ¼ 189 ksi +
14.8 ksi ¼ 203.8 ksi and the initial jacking force of 249.5 kips/tendon is used.

4.5.2 Losses due to Friction

A post-tensioned tendon is anchored, or fixed, at one end and jacked from the other
end. As the tendon is drawn through the duct the force along the tendon is reduced by
friction due to the roughness and unintentional misalignment of the duct and by
contact along intentionally curved sections of the duct. Thus, the total loss due to
friction is the sum of wobble friction due to misalignment and curvature friction
due to the intentional curvature resulting from the alignment the duct in the member.
Wobble friction is a function of the duct material. Wobble friction values k are
assumed to be constant along the duct and present even in nominally straight ducts.
Total frictional losses due to wobble equal kl. Curvature friction is a function of the
angle of curvature α intentionally designed into the duct placement and the coeffi-
cient of friction μ between the tendon and the duct with a total effect equal to μα. The
effects of wobble and curvature friction are cumulative. Typical friction coefficients
are given in Table 4.1.
Calculation of friction losses in post-tensioned members can be complex
depending on whether jacking from one end is sufficient or, if the friction is high,
secondary jacking is required from the originally fixed end. Full development of
 92

Table 4.1 Friction coefficients

Smooth steel Smooth plastic
Corrugated metal duct Corrugated plastic duct pipe pipe No duct plastic sheathing
Type of prestressing k, ft k, ft
1 1
steel μ k, ft1 M k, ft1 μ μ μ k, ft1
Strand 0.15–0.25 0.00005–0.0003 0.10–0.14 0.00005–0.0003 0.25–0.30 0 0.10–0.14 0
Strand in precast ele- 0.15–0.25 0.00005–0.0003 0.10–0.14 0.00005–0.0003
ments and constant
curvature tendons
External tendons bare 0.25–0.30 0 0.12–0.15 0
dry strand
Lubricated strand 0.12–0.18 0.00005–0.0003 0.20–0.25 0
Strand coated and 0.01–0.05 0.00005–0.0003 0.01–0.05 0.00005–0.0003 0.01–0.05 0 0.01–0.05 0 0.01–0.07 0.00005–0.0003
extrudeda
Bars, deformed, 0.30 0–0.0002 0.30 0–0.0002
smooth, and round
Adapted from ACI 423.10 (2016)
a
PT coating in accordance with the performance specification (PTI M10.3-00)
4 Partial Loss of Prestress
4.5 Detailed Losses 93

equations for frictional losses is given in Sect. 4.7.2. Derivation of properties for
calculating angular change is given in Sect. 4.7.3. Effects of anchorage with higher
tendon curvature, members with multiple tendon curvatures, and effects from
jacking from both ends are given in Example 4.8. For a simple member with a
combined wobble and curvature friction kl + μα less than 0.3, the loss of prestress ff
due to friction may be calculated as shown in Eq. (4.2).

f fr ¼ f j ðkl þ μαÞ ð4:2Þ

The angular change in the tendon is found from Eq. (4.3) where y is the
eccentricity or drape of the tendon and l is the tendon length.

8y
α¼ ð4:3Þ
l

Example 4.2: Calculate Friction Losses

Calculate friction losses using the data from Example 4.1.
Solution pretensioned beam: there is no friction loss to be calculated. Any friction
losses due to harping the tendon are corrected in the prestressing plant.
Solution post-tensioned beam: The wobble friction is given as 0.001 and the
curvature friction as 0.20, consistent with the values given in Table 4.1. The angle
change is

8  13
α¼ ¼ 0:144 rad
60  12

and the frictional loss is

f fr ¼ 203:8 ksið0:001  60 þ 0:144  0:20Þ ¼ 18:1 ksi

Thus, the loss at midspan is 18.1 ksi/2 ¼ 9.1 ksi.

Comment: The combined value of wobble and curvature friction is 0.089, less than
the 0.30 limit, thereby validating the use of Eq. (4.2).
Example 4.2 calculates losses assuming the frictional effect is small and extends
over the entire length of the member. Section 4.7 develops the equations for
frictional effects and presents an example where the frictional losses along a member
are higher and jacking is required from both ends of the beam.

4.5.3 Elastic Shortening

Transfer of the prestress force from the tendon to the concrete results in elastic
shortening of the member. This shortening reduces the strain in the tendon. Treat-
ment of elastic shortening varies whether the member is pretensioned or post-
tensioned.
94 4 Partial Loss of Prestress

Pretensioned Members

The entire prestressing force is assumed transferred in a single operation in

pretensioned members. The force in the tendons transfers when the stressing bed
is detensioned or strands are individually cut or burned. The corresponding stress
loss is calculated at the level of the tendon as given in Eq. (4.4). The elastic
shortening loss fES is based on the stress in the concrete times the ratio for the
modulus of elasticity of the strand and the concrete.
 
E ps Pi Pi  ep  ep M g  ep
f ES ¼   þ ð4:4Þ
Eci Ag Ig Ig

where, Eps is the modulus of elasticity of the tendon, psi; Eci is the modulus of
elasticity of the concrete at the time of transfer, psi; Pi is the initial prestress force,
lbs; Ag is the gross area of the section, in.2; ep is the eccentricity of the tendon at the
critical section, in.; Ig is the gross moment of inertia of the section, in.4; and Mg is the
dead load moment due to girder weight, lb-in.; and the resulting negative value
means the prestressing stress is reduced.
The negative signs in Eq. (4.4) indicate a reduction in tendon stress. The prestress
eccentricity generates a positive camber; hence, the dead load moment of the girder
tends to deflect downward to elongate the tendon and its effect is entered as a
positive value.
Equation (4.4) uses the gross section properties, as is common in practice. Some
members have ducts that accommodate larger post-tensioning tendons. In situations
where there are large longitudinal voids or large amounts of reinforcement present in
the member, use of net or transformed section is warranted.
The modulus of elasticity of the concrete is given in Eq. (4.5). This format of the
equation comes from the ACI Building Code and is one of many formulations for the
modulus of elasticity. A study conducted by members of the ACI Building Code
committee concluded that the scatter in the modulus of elasticity did not justify use
of an alternative or “more precise” formulation. Thus, Eq. (4.4) is valid for general
use. Should a project require more precise determination of the modulus of elasticity,
the calculations should be based on project mixture design test data.
qffiffiffiffiffi
E ci ¼ 33wc 1:5 f 0ci ð4:5Þ

where, wc is the unit weight of the concrete in pcf often taken as 160 pcf for precast
concrete and 150 pcf for cast-in-place concrete, and f 0ci is the strength of the concrete
at the time of transfer in psi.

Post-tensioned Members

Elastic shortening in post-tensioned members is a function of the post-tensioning

sequence. Tendons may be stressed to 0.80 fpu but the stress in the tendon
4.5 Detailed Losses 95

immediately after seating must be less than or equal to 0.70 fpu. This allows the
tendon to be stressed to account for seating losses and possibly elastic shortening. If
a single tendon is stressed to include elastic shortening, then the tendon undergoes
no axial loss from the initial member shortening. This condition occurs when
stressing beams with a single multistrand tendon and all strands are stressed simul-
taneously. It also occurs for slabs with monostrand tendons spaced such that the
stressing overlap is minimized.
Where multiple tendons are stressed individually, each successive tendon
stressing affects the previously stressed strand or tendon. The elastic shortening in
such cases is calculated based on one-half of the total initial prestress force. This
follows because last strand stressed has no effective elastic shortening and the first
strand stressed undergoes 100% of the shortening of all subsequent strands. Calcu-
lation of elastic shortening then follows the procedure indicated in Eq. (4.4).
Example 4.3: Calculate Elastic Shortening Losses, fES
The modulus of elasticity of the concrete at the load transfer is
pffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffi
E ci ¼ 33  1601:5 3500 ¼ 3, 951, 000 psi

giving a modular ratio of n ¼ 28,500/3951 ¼ 7.2 and the girder moment is

. .
¼ 0583  60
2 2
M g ¼ wl ¼ 262:3 kip-ft
8 8

Solution pretensioned beam: The concrete stress at midspan at the level of the
prestress tendon is

489:6 489:6  13  13 262:3  12  13

fc ¼ þ  ¼ 1210 psi
560 125, 390 125, 390

The corresponding elastic shortening loss is the stress in the concrete times the
modular ratio

f ES ¼ 7:2  1210 ¼ 8:7 ksi

Solution post-tensioned beam: The elastic shortening of the first tendon stressed is
the shortening due to stressing the second tendon. Thus, the change in concrete stress
at the level of the first tendon stressed due to a jacking force of 462.7 kips/2 is

231:3560  231:3  13  13 262:3  12  13

fc ¼  þ ¼ 400 psi
125, 390 125, 390

and the loss of prestress is

28, 500
f ES ¼ 400  ¼ 2:9 ksi
3587
96 4 Partial Loss of Prestress

For ease of calculation, a 1.5 ksi loss will be applied to each tendon resulting in
approximately the same total reduction in force.

4.5.4 Creep Losses

Creep is the continued deformation of the concrete under sustained loads. Typically
creep deformations are calculated by applying a multiplier from Table 3.2 to the
elastic deformation. Creep occurs over an extended time and applying a creep
coefficient to the initial elastic losses overestimates the total creep strain. To account
for the time effects, two adjustments to the creep calculations are made. First, the
elastic shortening is adjusted to use 90% of the initial prestressing force. This
adjustment reflects the behavior that the prestressing force is decreasing over the
life of the structure. Second, the modular ratio uses the 28-day concrete strength,
again reflecting the growth of concrete strength over time.
Example 4.4: Calculate Creep Losses, fCR
The creep coefficient for 6000 psi concrete from Table 3.2 is Cc ¼ 2.4. The modulus
of elasticity of the concrete at 28 days is
pffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffi
E c ¼ 33  1601:5 6000 ¼ 5, 173, 000 psi

giving a modular ratio of n ¼ 28,500/5173 ¼ 5.5.

Solution pretensioned beam: The change in concrete stress is

0:9  489:6 0:9  489:6  13  13 262:3  12  13

fc ¼   þ ¼ 1054 psi
560 125, 390 125, 390
f CR ¼ nC c f 0c ¼ 5:5  2:4  1054 ¼ 13, 290 psi

Solution post-tensioned beam: The tendon stress at midspan is 189 ksi-9.1 ksi
frictional loss or 179.9 ksi resulting in a prestressing force of
179.9  16 strands  0.153 in.2 per strand ¼ 440.4 kips. This gives a midspan
stress in the concrete of

0:9  440:4 0:9  440:4  13  13 262:3  12  13

fc ¼   þ ¼ 916 psi
560 125, 390 125, 390
f CR ¼ nCc f 0c ¼ 5:5  2:4  916 ¼ 12090 psi

giving a total loss of prestress of 9.6 ksi.

4.5 Detailed Losses 97

4.5.5 Shrinkage Losses

Shrinkage is the volume reduction of the concrete due to hydration of the cement and
loss of water from the concrete as it cures. Linear elements such as beams and
columns shorten significantly due to shrinkage, which results in an equal shortening
of the tendon and a partial loss of prestress. The loss in stress in the prestressing
reinforcement is calculated by multiplying the shrinkage strain occurring after the
member is stressed by the modulus of elasticity of the reinforcement. While concrete
shrinkage has many causes, it is exceptionally sensitive to the relative surface-to-
volume ratio of the cross section and relative humidity of the air surrounding the
concrete. Thus, a wide thin member has more shrinkage than a square section and
shrinkage in a rain forest is less than that in a desert. The shrinkage loss can be given
as:

f SH ¼ εsh, u Eps ð1  0:0024 V=SÞð100  RHÞ ð4:6Þ

where, fsh ¼ loss due to shrinkage; εsh,u ¼ total shrinkage occurring after application
of prestress; Eps ¼ modulus of elasticity of the tendon; V/S ¼ volume-to-surface
ratio of the member; RH ¼ relative humidity.
For pretensioned members, εsh,u is taken as 8.2  106. This value of εsh,u is valid
for post-tensioned members stressed within a few days of casting. If the member is
allowed to cure for more than a week, the value of the remaining shrinkage may be
reduced based on the shrinkage that has occurred prior to stressing. Similarly, the
post-tensioning losses for pretensioned beams integrated into a post-tensioned
structure should have the shrinkage losses adjusted accordingly.
Example 4.5: Calculate Shrinkage Losses, fsh
Solution pretensioned beam and post-tensioned beam: Using Eq. (3.4) for the
shrinkage strain, a V/S ratio of 4.5 and a 35% relative humidity gives a final
shrinkage strain
 
εsh, u ¼  8:2  106 ð1  0:06  4:05Þð100  35Þ ¼ 4:03  104

And the corresponding loss is

f SH ¼ Eps εsh, u ¼ 28:5  106  4:03  104 ¼ 11, 490 psi

Comment: The above calculation assumes the post-tensioned beam is stressed at

about the same age as the pretensioned beam. If the post-tensioning is delayed, the
shrinkage coefficient may be adjusted to account for shrinkage occurring prior to
stressing.
98 4 Partial Loss of Prestress

4.5.6 Relaxation of Prestressing Reinforcement

Prestressing reinforcement losses due to relaxation of the steel are calculated using
Eq. (3.9), reproduced below for convenience.
!
fp logt f pi
¼1  0:55 ð4:7Þ
f pi 45 f pyi

Example 4.6: Calculate Relaxation Losses

The yield stress for a 270 ksi strand occurs at a strain of 0.0086 from Eq. (3.7) giving
a yield stress of 245 ksi. Assuming a 50-year service life requires calculating the
relaxation loss for 438,000 h.
Solution pretensioned beam:
 
fp logð438; 000Þ 200
¼1  0:55 ¼ 0:967
f pi 45 245

Thus, the loss is 0.033  200 ksi ¼ 6.6 ksi.

Solution post-tensioned beam:
 
fp logð438; 000Þ 189
¼1  0:55 ¼ 0:972
f pi 45 245

Thus, the loss is fRE ¼ 0.028  189 ksi ¼ 5.3 ksi.

The losses are cumulative. Each of the above individual calculations is tabulated
to determine the best estimate of the total losses in the beam. The total loss in this
case is less than the lump sum losses, indicating that calculation of losses is
important in the final design.
Example 4.7: Summary of Prestress Losses
Pretensioned beam summary Post-tensioned beam summary
Condition Stress (ksi) Condition Stress (ksi)
Initial 200.0 Initial 189.0
Anchor set 0.0 Anchor set 0.0
Friction 0.0 Friction 9.1
Elastic shortening 8.7 Elastic shortening 1.5
Creep 13.3 Creep 12.1
Shrinkage 11.5 Shrinkage 11.5
Relaxation 6.6 Relaxation 5.3
Total losses 35.2 Total losses 37.0
Final stress 161.4 Final stress 149.5
Percent loss 19.8% Percent loss 20.9%