108

=
( 210 × 10 ) (5 ) = 35 N/mm2
3

30 × 1000
35
Percentage loss of stress = × 100 = 3.5 0 0
1000
Since the loss is caused by a definite total amount of shortening, the percentage loss is
higher for short members than for long members.

Total loses allowed for in a design

It is a normal practice in the design of prestressed concrete members to assume the total
loss of stress as a percentage of the initial stress & provide for this in the design
computation. Since the loss of prestress depends on several factors it is difficult to
generalize the exact amount of total loss of prestress. However, typical values of the total
losses of the stress that could be encountered under normal conditions of work are
recommended as follows:

The typical values for losses are as follows:-

Percentage loss of stress
Type of loss Pre-tensioning Post-tensioning
Elastic shortening & bending of concrete 4 1
Creep of concrete 6 5
Shrinkage of concrete 7 6
Creep in steel 8 8

Total 25 20

In thses recommendation, it is assumed that temporary over stressing is done to reduce

relaxation, and to compensate for friction and anchorage losses.
If
f pe ÆEffective stress in tendons after loss
f pi ÆStress in tendon at transfer
η ÆReduction factor for loss of prestress
f pe
Then, η= ;
f pi
η = 0.75 for pretensioned members
= 0.80 for post-tensioned member
 109

Lecture Note – 21

Pressure line or thrust line

In prestress, the combined effect of prestressing force & external load can be resolved
into a single force. The locus of the points of application of this force in any structure is
termed as the pressure line or thrust line. The load here is such that stress at top fiber of
support & bottom fiber of the central span is zero.
Let us consider a beam which is prestressed by a force P at a constant eccentricity e. The
magnitude of load & eccentricity is such that the stress at the bottom fiber at the mid span
is zero. It is possible if the eccentricity is e = d/6 it can be seen from the resultant stress
distribution at the support due to a prestressing force P at an eccentricity e = d/6 &
bending moment zero is equivalent to a force P applied at an eccentricity e = d/6. At
quarter span the resultant stress distribution due force P applied at an eccentricity e =
d/12. Similarly, at mid span the resultant stress distribution due to a force P at an
eccentricity e = d/6 & BM due to uniformly distributed load is equivalent to a force P
applied at an eccentricity e = -d/6.
Pressure line
e=d/12

e=d/6
e=d/6
P

L/4
Cable line
L/2
L

At support, x = 0
P M
− y=0
A I
d e = d/6
P⋅e⋅
P 2
⇒ =
bd 1
bd 3 P
12
d x=0
∴e =
6
 110

L
At mid span x =
2
Stress at the bottom is zero e = -d/6
P M P
So, + y=0
A I
d
Hence, e = −
6 x =L/2

The negative sign in eccentricity indicates that it is measured above the central line. Thus,
the pressure line has shifted from e = d/6 at the support to e = - d/6 at the mid span.

Example:
A prestressed concrete beam with a rectangular section 120 mm wide by 300 mm deep
supports a uniformly distributed load of 4 kN/m, which includes the self weight of the
beam. The effective span of the beam is 6 m. The beam is concentrically prestressed by a
cable carrying a force of 180 kN. Locate the position of the pressure line in the beam.

Solution:-
Data Provided;
Dimensions of the prestressed concrete Beam = 120 mm × 300 mm
Effective span, l = 6m
UDL, w = 4 kN/m (including self weight.)
Prestressing force P = 180 kN
Eccentricity, e =0
Area, A = 36 × 103 mm2
Section modulus, Zt = Zb = 18 × 105 mm3

Bending moment at the center of span, M = (0.125 × 4 × 62) =18 kNm

180 × 103
Direct stress (P/A) = = 5 N/mm2
36 × 10 3

18 × 106
Bending stress (M/Z) = = 10 N/mm2
18 × 105
Resultant stresses;
At top =10+5 =15N/mm2 (compressive)
At bottom = 5 – 10 = -5N/mm2 (tensile)

If N = Resultant thrust in the section

e = Corresponding eccentricity (shift of pressure line),
 111

then N/A +Ne/Z = 15

But, N = 180 kN, A= 36 × 103 mm2 and Z= 18 × 105mm3

Solving the above equation, e = 100mm;

5 10 15 N/mm2

5 N/mm2
10
Direct stress Bending stress Resultant stress

Pressure line

100mm

P P

6m Cable line

Fig. Location of pressure line in prestressed beam

Example:-
A prestressed concrete beam of section 120 mm wide by 300 mm deep is used over an
effective span of 6 m to support a uniformly distributed load of 4 kN/m, which includes
the self weight of the beam. The beam is prestressed by a straight cable carrying a force
of 180 kN & located at an eccentricity of 50 mm. Determine the location of the thrust-
line in the beam and plot its position at quarter and central span sections.

Solution:-
Here, Given P = 180 kN ; e = 50 mm
A = 36 × 10 mm2 ; Z = 18 × 10 5 mm3
3

At Central Span Section:

 112

⎛ P ⎞ ⎛ 180 × 10 ⎞
3
Prestress due to direct stress ⎜ ⎟ = ⎜⎜ 3 ⎟
⎟ = 5 N/mm2
⎝ ⎠ ⎝
A 36 × 10 ⎠
⎛ Pe ⎞ ⎛ 180 × 10 × 50 ⎞
3
Prestress due to bending ⎜ ⎟ = ⎜⎜ ⎟⎟ = 5 N/mm2
⎝ Z ⎠ ⎝ 18 × 10
5
⎠
BM at the centre = 4 × 6 2 8 =18 kNm
⎛ 18 × 10 6 ⎞
Bending stresses at the top and bottom =± ⎜⎜ ⎟ = ±10 N/mm2
5 ⎟
⎝ 18 × 10 ⎠
Resultant stresses at the central section:
At Top = (5 – 5 + 10) = 10 N/mm2
At bottom = (5 + 5 - 10) = 0 N/mm2
⎛ 18 × 106 ⎞
Shift of pressure line from cable line =M/P = ⎜ 4 ⎟
= 100 mm
⎝ 18 × 10 ⎠
At Quarter Span Section:
BM at quarter span section = (3/32) ql2 = 13.5 kNm.
⎛ 13.5 × 10 6 ⎞
Bending stresses at the top and bottom = ⎜⎜ ⎟⎟ = 7.5 N/mm2
⎝ 18 × 10
4
⎠
Resultant stresses at the quarter span section:
At Top = (5 – 5 + 7.5) = 7.5 N/mm2
At bottom = (5 + 5 – 7.5) = 2.5 N/mm2
⎛ 13.5 ×106 ⎞
Shift of pressure line from cable line =M/P = ⎜ 4 ⎟
= 75 mm
⎝ 18 ×10 ⎠

The location of the pressure line is shown in the figure

Pressure line
75mm

100mm
50mm
P
1.5m

6m Cable line

Fig. Location of pressure line in the prestressed concrete

Example:-
 113

A rectangular concrete beam 250 mm wide by 300 mm deep is prestressed by a force of

540 kN at a constant eccentricity of 60 mm.The beam supports a concentrated load of 68
kN at the centre of the span of 3 m. Determine the location of the pressure line at the
centre, quarter span and support sections of the beam. Neglect the self weight of the
beam.

Solution:-
Here, Given
250 × 3002
( )
P = 540 kN; A = (250 × 300) = 375 × 10 3 mm2; e = 60 mm; Z =
6
=375 × 104

mm3
At the centre of the span M q = (0.25 × 68 × 3) = 51 kNm
At the quarter span M q = (0.125 × 68 × 3) = 25.5 kNm
Stresses due to prestressing force:
⎛ P ⎞ ⎛ 54 × 10 ⎞
4
Prestress due to direct stress ⎜ ⎟ = ⎜⎜ ⎟⎟ =7.2 N/mm2
⎝ A ⎠ ⎝ 75 × 10
3
⎠
⎛ Pe ⎞ ⎛ 54 ×10 × 60 ⎞
4
2
Prestress due to bending ⎜ ⎟ = ⎜ ⎟ = 8.6 N/mm
⎝ Z ⎠ ⎝ 375 ×10 ⎠
4

Stresses due external loads

⎛ Mq ⎞ ⎛ 51 × 10 6 ⎞
At the centre of span ⎜⎜ ⎟⎟ = ⎜⎜ ⎟ = 13.6 N/mm2
4 ⎟
⎝ Z ⎠ ⎝ 375 × 10 ⎠
⎛ Mq ⎞ ⎛ 25.5 × 10 6 ⎞
At the quarter span ⎜⎜ ⎟⎟ = ⎜⎜ ⎟⎟ = 6.8 N/mm2
⎠ ⎝ 375 × 10
4
⎝ Z ⎠

5 .4
1 2 .2 (N /m m 2 )

y1
y2
300m m

2 .2 9
 114

The position of the resultant thrust from the top fibre of the beam is as follows:
⎡ (300 × 2.2 )150 + (1 2 × 300 × 10 )100 ⎤
y1 = ⎢ ⎥ = 115 mm
⎣ 660 + 1500 ⎦
⎡ (300 × 5.4 )150 + (1 2 × 300 × 3.6 )200 ⎤
y2 = ⎢ ⎥ = 162 mm
⎣ 1620 + 540 ⎦

Thus, the location of the pressure line will be as follows:

Pressure line

35mm
12mm

P P

3m Cable line

Fig. Location of pressure line in the prestressed concrete

 115

Lecture Note – 22

Concept of load balancing

In the prestress concrete, it is possible to select cable profile in such a way that the
transverse component of the cable force balances the given type of external loading.

If in a parabolic prestressing tendon

emax ÆMaximum eccentricity
PÆPrestressing force
Then the prestressing force may be considered as an upward uniformly distributed load.
The maximum prestressing moment can be equated to the maximum BM due to upward
uniformly distributed load on the beam. So
wp l 2
= Pemax
8
8 Pemax
⇒ wp =
l2
If wÆ The downward load
Then net load, w0 = w − w p
w0l 2
Net bending moment, M = =
8