Course Details

1. Discuss the principles of prestressing.
2. Describe the methods of prestressing.
3. Calculate the stresses on a concrete section under working loads.
4. Design a prestressed structural element for the SLS.
5. Design a prestressed structural element for the ULS.
6. Discuss the methods of modelling prestressing in FE analysis

Introduction: revision of relevant reinforced concrete design and analysis material, fundamental mechanics of prestressed concrete.

Concrete stresses: define stress and deflection behaviour of prestressed concrete beams under working loads and during collapse.

Prestressing forces:derivation of inequalities for sections of maximum bending moment to allow prestressing force and its eccentricity within the beam cross-section to be determined for specified loading and allowable concrete stresses.

Losses: estimation of loss in prestressing force.

Continuous beams:prestressing tendon profiles, concordant and non-concordant shapes.

Design: SLS and ULS design in accordance with Eurocode 2.

Construction: load balancing method for the construction of bridges and post-tensioned slabs.

Analysis: finite element analysis of prestressed concrete.

• “Reinforced and Prestressed Concrete Design to EC2: The Complete Process”, Second Edition by Eugene O'Brien, Andrew Dixon and Emma Sheils.

• “Eurocode 2: Design of concrete structures”

The course will be presented through theoretical lectures in class. The lectures will present to the student the course content and allow for questions. Part of the material will be presented using visual aids. Lecture notes, project assignments, practice questions, feedback and additional material such as site videos and photographs will be available to students at any time on the e-learning Moodle platform. The learning process will be enhanced with the requirement from the student to solve exercises. These include self-evaluation exercises which will be solved in class. These exercises will not be graded. Design projects will be given as part of their assessment. The instructor will be available to students during office hours or by appointment in order to provide any additional tutoring.