Performance Specification for Post

Tensioned Works


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Contents


PART 1 - GENERAL 3

1.1 SUMMARY 3
1.2 DEFINITIONS 3
1.3 COORDINATION 3
1.4 PRE-INSTALLATION MEETINGS 3
1.5 ACTION SUBMITTALS 4
1.6 INFORMATIONAL SUBMITTALS 5

PART 2 - PRODUCTS 7

2.1 MANUFACTURERS 7
2.2 PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS 7
2.3 PRESTRESSING TENDONS 8
2.4 ACCESSORIES 9

PART 3 - EXECUTION 10

3.1 FORMWORK 10
3.2 TENDON INSTALLATION 10
3.3 SHEATHING INSPECTION AND REPAIR 12
3.4 CONCRETE PLACEMENT 12
3.5 TENDON STRESSING 12
3.6 TENDON FINISHING 13
3.7 FIELD QUALITY CONTROL 14
3.8 PROTECTION 14
3.9 REPAIRS 14

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PART 1 - GENERAL


1.1 SUMMARY

A. Section Includes the Design and Build Requirements for:

1. Post-tensioning reinforcement and accessories including prestressing tendons,
pocket formers, support bars, bar chairs, and slab bolsters.

2. Post-tensioning operations including stressing, recording tendon elongations
and gage pressures, and finishing tendons.


1.2 DEFINITIONS

A. Strand Tail: Excess strand length extending past the anchorage device.

B. Stressing Pocket: Void formed by pocket former at stressing-end anchorage to
provide required cover over wedges and strand tail.

C. Wedge Cavity: Cone-shaped hole in anchorage device designed to hold the wedges
that anchor the strand.


1.3 COORDINATION

A. Attachments and Penetrations:

1. Attach permanent construction such as curtain-wall systems, handrails, fire-
protection equipment, lights, and security devices to the post-tensioned slab
using embedded anchors.

2. Drilled anchors, power-driven fasteners, and core drilling for sleeves or other
penetrations are not allowed unless authorized in writing by Engineer.

3. The Post Tensioned Concrete Contractor will be responsible for ensuring
coordination with all other Sub Contractors for correct provision of box outs,
sleeves, or cast in items.


1.4 PRE-INSTALLATION MEETINGS

A. A Pre-installation Conference may be arranged by the Design and Build Contractor.
The location and timing of this meeting will be communicated to the Post Tensioned
Concrete Sub Contractor by the Design and Build Contractor.

1. Review methods and procedures related to installation and stressing of post-
tensioning tendons including, but not limited to, the following:

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a. Construction schedule and availability of materials, personnel, and


equipment needed to make progress and avoid delays.
b. Storage of post-tensioning materials on-site.
c. Structural load limitations.
d. Coordination of post-tensioning installation drawings and nonprestressed
reinforcing steel placing drawings.
e. Horizontal and vertical tolerances on tendons and nonprestressed
reinforcement placement.
f. Marking and measuring of elongations.
g. Submittal of stressing records and requirements for tendon finishing.
h. Removal of formwork.


1.5 ACTION SUBMITTALS

A. Product Data: For the following:

1. Post-tensioning coating.

2. Tendon sheathing.

3. Anchorage devices.

4. Tendon couplers.

5. Bar and tendon supports.

6. Pocket formers.

7. Sheathing repair tape.

8. Stressing-pocket patching material.

B. Shop Drawings: Include the following, prepared by or under the supervision of a
qualified professional structural engineer, detailing tendon layout and installation
procedures:

1. Installation drawings including plans, elevations, sections, and details.

2. Numbers, arrangement, and designation of post-tensioning tendons.

3. Tendon profiles and method of tendon support including chair heights and
locations. Show tendon profiles at sufficient scale to clearly indicate all support
points, with their associated heights.

4. Tendon anchorage details including bundled tendon flaring.

5. Tendon clearances around slab openings and penetrations.

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6. Construction joint locations, pour sequence, locations of anchorages and


blockouts required for stressing.

7. Stressing procedures and jacking force to result in final effective forces used in
determining number of tendons required.

8. Calculated elongations for each tendon.

9. Details for horizontal curvature around openings and at anchorages.

10. Details for corners and other locations where tendon layouts may conflict with
one another or nonprestressed reinforcing steel.

11. Locations of nonprestressed reinforcement required for installing post-tensioning
tendons including, but not limited to, the following:

a. Support bars.
b. Backup bars and hairpins at anchorages.
c. Hairpins at locations of horizontal curvature.
d. Supplemental reinforcement at blockouts.
C. Samples: For the following products:
1. Each anchorage device assembly with a minimum of 610 mm of coated,
sheathed strand.

2. Each coupler assembly with a minimum of 610 mm of coated, sheathed strand.
D. Delegated-Design Submittal: For post-tensioning system.
1. Sealed design calculations prepared by a qualified professional structural
engineer indicating method of elongation calculation including values used for
friction coefficients, anchorage seating loss, elastic shortening, creep, relaxation,
and shrinkage.


1.6 INFORMATIONAL SUBMITTALS

A. Information submittals will comply with Quality Assurance requirements requested by
the Design and Build Contractor.

B. Qualification Data: Include resume of individual supervising installation and stressing
of post-tensioning tendons.

C. Product Certificates:

1. For each type of anchorage device and coupler.

D. Mill Test Reports: Certified mill test reports for prestressing strand used on Project
indicating that strand is low relaxation and including the following:

1. Coil numbers or identification.

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2. Breaking load.

3.

Load at 1 percent extension.

4.

Elongation at failure.

5.

Modulus of elasticity.

6.

Diameter and net area of strand.

E.

Fiel d quality-control reports.

F. Procedures Statement: Procedures for cutting excess strand tail and patching
stressing pocket.

G. Stressing Jack Calibration: Calibration certificates for jacks and gages to be used on
Project. Calibrate each jack-and-gage set as a pair.

H. Stressing Records: Submit the same day as stressing operations.
I. As Built Drawings to be provided.

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PART 2 - PRODUCTS


2.1 MANUFACTURERS

A. Source Limitations: Obtain post-tensioning materials and equipment from single
source.

1. Stressing jacks not provided by post-tensioning supplier must be calibrated and
approved for use on Project by post-tensioning supplier.


2.2 PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS

A. The Post Tensioning design shall be carried out in accordance with the QCS, the
latest edition of the Building Code Requirement for Structural Concrete (BS-8110) and
Concrete Society Technical Report 43. The design shall be in accordance with the
following minimum requirements;

1. Beams/slabs shall be designed with a beam/slab-column/wall connection fixed
at near and pinned at far. The design shall be checked for column/wall stiffness
not exceeding 20% of their actual stiffness.

2. All slab-column connections shall be checked for slab punching shear adequacy;
the Post Tensioning effect must not be taken into consideration in computing the
punching shear reinforcement.

3. A comprehensive design report including design assumptions and detailed
results shall be submitted to the Engineer.

4. A copy of the current license of the design software used for the project shall be
attached to first design submittal.

5. Applied loads shall confirm to the project specifications. Load reduction factors
are not allowed.

6. Pre-cambering shall not be allowed for PT elements.

7. Pattern loading shall be used in designing and modeling the Post Tensioned
slabs and beams.

8. Design of Post Tensioning Two Way Slabs: The stress limits used shall be
appropriate for the chosen design width (design strip, design section or
otherwise). Avoid the use of incorrect stress limits and/or inappropriate design
widths to prevent structures from experiencing excessive cracking and/or
deflections.

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B. Delegated Design: Engage a qualified Professional Structural Engineer, with
appropriate qualifications required to obtain design approvals from the Local Authority,
to design post-tensioned reinforcement.

C. The Post Tensioned Sub Contractor will be responsible for all PT works including
design, documentation and obtaining all relevant No Objection Certificates and
Approvals associated with this component of the works.

D. Structural Performance: Design cast-in-place, post-tensioned concrete reinforcement
as indicated in this Section. Show final effective forces, tendon profiles, and
nonprestressed reinforcement on design installation drawings.

E. Design structure to withstand the loads indicated on the Structural Drawings and
according to governing codes, within limits and under conditions indicated.

F. Average Pre-compression:

1. Minimum Average Pre-compression for Internal Structure: 1.4 MPa.

2. Minimum Average Pre-compression for External/Exposed Structure: 2.0 MPa

G. Fire Resistance: Design members such that thickness and concrete cover over
reinforcement comply with the following fire-resistance requirements:

1. Slabs supporting one floor: 2 hours.

2. Beams supporting one floor: 2 hours.

3. Beams and slabs supporting more than one floor: 3 hours

H. Deflection Limits Including Creep and Shrinkage Effects:

1. Total Dead Plus Live Load: [L/360] <Maximum 25mm>

2. Maximum Deflection at Transfer Structures (Total Dead Plus Live Load) : [L/750]
<Maximum 10mm>.

3. Maximum Deflection at Transfer Structures (Incremental) : [L/1000] <Maximum
10mm>.

4. Maximum deflection shall not exceed curtain walls suppliers requirements
where applicable.


2.3 PRESTRESSING TENDONS

A. Prestressing Strand: Shall comply with BS 5896, uncoated, seven-wire, low-
relaxation, 12.7-mm-15.2-mm diameter strands.

B. Tendon Sheathing:

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a. Minimum Thickness: 1.25 mm for polyethylene or polypropylene with a
minimum density of 0.9 g/cu. cm.

C. Anchorage Device and Coupler Assembly: Assembly of strand, wedges, and
anchorage device or coupler complying with static and fatigue testing requirements
and capable of developing 95 percent of actual breaking strength of strand.

1. Anchorage Bearing Stresses: Comply with BS 8110 for stresses at transfer load
and service load.

2. Fixed-End Anchorage Device Assemblies: Plant fabricated with wedges seated
at a load of not less than 80 percent and not more than 85 percent of breaking
strength of strand.


2.4 ACCESSORIES

A. Pocket Formers: Capable of completely sealing wedge cavity; sized to provide the
required cover over the anchorage and allow access for cutting strand tail.

B. Sheathing Repair Tape: Elastic, self-adhesive, moisture-proof tape with minimum
width of 50 mm, in contrasting color to tendon sheathing; nonreactive with sheathing,
coating, or prestressing steel.

C. One-component, polymer-modified, premixed patching material containing selected
silica aggregates and Portland cement, suitable for vertical and overhead applications.
Do not use material containing chlorides or other chemicals known to be deleterious to
prestressing steel or material that is reactive with prestressing steel, anchorage device
material, or concrete.

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PART 3 - EXECUTION


3.1 FORMWORK

A. Formwork shall be designed and installed in accordance with BS 5975. Design
formwork to support load redistribution that may occur during stressing operation.
Ensure that formwork does not restrain elastic shortening, camber, or deflection
resulting from application of prestressing force.

B. Do not remove forms supporting post-tensioned elements until tendons have been
fully stressed and elongations have been approved by Engineer.

C. Do not place concrete in supported floors until tendons on supporting floors have been
stressed and elongations have been approved by Engineer.


3.2 TENDON INSTALLATION

A. The minimum cover of concrete to the outside surface of any sheathing shall be 40
mm from beam soffits, and 35 mm elsewhere. This cover shall be increased by 20 mm
where members are in contact with the ground.

B. Tendon Supports: Provide continuous slab bolsters or bars supported on individual
high chairs spaced at a maximum of 1070 mm to ensure tendons remain in their
designated positions during construction operations and concrete placement.

1. Support tendons as required to provide profiles shown on installation drawings.
Position supports at high and low points and at intervals not exceeding 1220
mm. Ensure that tendon profiles between high and low points are smooth
parabolic curves.

2. Attach tendons to supporting chairs and reinforcement without damaging tendon
sheathing.

3. Support slab tendons independent of beam reinforcement.

C. Maintain tendon profile within maximum allowable deviations from design profile as
follows:

a. 6.3 mm for member depth less than or equal to 200 mm.
b. 9.5 mm for member depth greater than 200 mm and less than or equal to
610 mm.
c. 13 mm for member depth greater than 610 mm.

D. Maintain minimum radius of curvature of 480-strand diameters for lateral deviations to
avoid openings, ducts, and embedded items. Maintain a minimum of 50 mm of
separation between tendons at locations of curvature.

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E. Limit tendon bundles to five (5) tendons. Do not twist or entwine tendons within a
bundle. Maintain a minimum distance of 300 mm between center of adjacent bundles.

F. If tendon locations conflict with nonprestressed reinforcement or embedded items,
tendon placement governs. Obtain Engineers approval before relocating tendons or
tendon anchorages that interfere with one another.

G. Deviations in horizontal spacing and location of slab tendons are permitted when
required to avoid openings and inserts.

H. Installation of Anchorage Devices:

1. Place anchorage devices at locations shown on approved installation drawings.

2. Do not switch fixed- and stressing-end anchorage locations.

3. Attach pocket formers, intermediate anchorage devices, and stressing-end
anchorage devices securely to bulkhead forms. Install stressing-end and
intermediate anchorage devices perpendicular to tendon axis.

4. Install tendons straight, without vertical or horizontal curvature, for a minimum of
300 mm behind stressing-end and intermediate anchorages.

5. Embed intermediate anchorage devices at construction joints in first concrete
placed at joint.

6. Minimum splice length in reinforcing bars at anchorages is 600 mm. Stagger
splices a minimum of 1500 mm.

7. Place fixed-end anchorage devices in formwork at locations shown on
installation drawings. Support anchorages firmly to avoid movement during
concrete placement.

I. Maintain minimum concrete cover as follows:

1. From Exterior Edge of Concrete to Wedge Cavity: 50 mm

2. Top, Bottom, and Edge Cover for Anchorage Devices: 25 mm

J. Maintain minimum clearance of 150 mm between tendons and openings.

K. Prior to concrete placement, mark tendon locations on formwork with spray paint.

L. Do not install sleeves within 915 mm of anchorages after tendon layout has been
inspected.

M. Do not install conduit, pipe, or embeds requiring movement of tendons after tendon
layout has been inspected.

N. Do not use couplers unless location has been approved by the Engineer.

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3.3 SHEATHING INSPECTION AND REPAIR

A. Inspect sheathing for damage after installing tendons. Repair damaged areas by
restoring post-tensioning coating and repairing or replacing tendon sheathing.

1. Ensure that sheathing is watertight and there are no air voids.


3.4 CONCRETE PLACEMENT

A. Do not place concrete until placement of tendons and nonprestressed-steel
reinforcement has been inspected by The Engineer.

B. Provide the Engineer a minimum of 48 hours' notice before concrete placement.
C. Ensure compaction of concrete around anchorages.
D. Ensure that position of tendon and nonprestressed-steel reinforcement does not
change during concrete placement. Reposition tendons and nonprestressed-steel
reinforcement moved during concrete placement to original location.

E. Ensure that method of concrete placement does not damage tendon sheathing. Do
not support pump lines, chutes, or other concrete-placing equipment on tendons.


3.5 TENDON STRESSING

A. Calibrate stressing jacks and gages at start of project and at least every six months
thereafter. Keep copies of calibration certificates for each jack-and-gage pair on
Project site that are available for inspection. Exercise care in handling stressing
equipment to ensure that proper calibration is maintained.

B. Stress tendons only under supervision of a qualified post-tensioning superintendent.

C. The first stage of stressing is for 25% of the jacking force to be applied after one day
(f
cu
=12 MPa minimum) followed by the reminder of the jacking force at fcu = 30 MPa
unless noted otherwise. Each individual strand or bar shall be tensioned during the
first stage unless noted otherwise.

D. Complete stressing within 96 hours of concrete placement.

E. If detensioning and restressing of tendon is required, discard wedges used in original
stressing and provide new wedges.

F. Measure elongations to closest 3.2 mm

G. Submit stressing records within one day of completion of stressing. If discrepancies
between measured and calculated elongations exceed plus or minus 7 percent,
resolve these discrepancies to satisfaction of Engineer.

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H. Prestressing will be considered acceptable if gage pressures shown on stressing
record correspond to required stressing force and calculated and measured
elongations agree within 7 percent.

I. If measured elongations deviate from calculated elongations by more than 7 percent,
additional testing, restressing, strengthening, or replacing of affected elements may be
required.

J. Stressing Records: Testing agency shall record the following information during
stressing operations:

1. Name of Project.

2. Date of approved installation drawings used for installation and stressing.

3. Floor number and concrete placement area.

4. Date of stressing operation.

5. Weather conditions including temperature and rainfall.

6. Name and signature of inspector.

7. Name of individual in charge of stressing operation.

8. Serial or identification numbers of jack and gage.

9. Date of jack-and-gage calibration certificates.

10. Gage pressure to achieve required stressing force per supplied calibration chart.

11. Tendon identification mark.

12. Calculated tendon elongation.

13. Actual tendon elongation.

14. Actual gage pressure.




3.6 TENDON FINISHING

A. Do not cut strand tails or cover anchorages until stressing records have been reviewed
and approved by the Engineer.

B. Cut strand tails as soon as possible after approval of elongations.

C. Cut strand tail between 13 and 19 mm from wedges. Do not damage tendon or
concrete during removal of strand tail. Acceptable methods of cutting strand tail
include the following:

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1. Oxyacetylene flame.

2. Abrasive wheel.

3. Hydraulic shears.

4. Plasma cutting.


3.7 FIELD QUALITY CONTROL

A. Testing Agency: The Post Tensioned Concrete Sub Contractor will engage a qualified
independent testing agency to perform tests and inspections.

1. Before concrete placement, special inspector/testing agency will inspect the
following for compliance with post-tensioning installation drawings and the
Contract Documents:

a. Location and number of tendons.
b. Tendon profiles and cover.
c. Installation of backup bars, hairpins, and other nonprestressed
reinforcement shown on post-tensioning installation drawings.
d. Installation of pocket formers and anchorage devices.
e. Repair of damaged sheathing.

2. Special inspector/Testing agency will record tendon elongations during
stressing.

3. Special inspector/Testing will immediately report deviations from the Contract
Documents to Architect.

B. Prepare test and inspection reports.


3.8 PROTECTION

A. Do not expose tendons to electric ground currents, welding sparks, or temperatures
that would degrade components.

B. Protect exposed components within one workday of their exposure during installation.
C. Prevent water from entering tendons during installation and stressing.
D. If ducts are not grouted within 14 days of the commencement of stressing then ducts
should be sealed to protect tendons from corrosion, and an approved corrosion
inhibitor placed in the ducts. Single stage stressed tendons are to be grouted within 14
days.


3.9 REPAIRS

A. Submit repair procedure to Engineer for evaluation and approval.






B. Do not proceed with repairs requiring removal of concrete unless authorized in writing by
Engineer.