Benefits of Post-Tensioning

Architects, structural engineers, general contractors, real estate developers, and owners integrate post-tensioning systems into their projects to achieve cost-effectiveness, efficiency, faster construction timelines, and a reduction in the overall lifetime costs of structures. But why is this? Because post-tensioning systems significantly enhance the strength of concrete under both tensile and compressive stresses.

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Post-tensioning tendons are positioned in a parabolic shape before concrete placement and later stressed according to specified concrete strength. This technique introduces compressive forces within the concrete and reactions that counterbalance service loads, leading to substantial advantages.

Post-tensioning often addresses design and construction challenges that other methods find difficult to resolve. Key advantages include:

MATERIAL SAVINGS

• Thinner concrete members allow for a reduction in concrete usage by approximately 20%.
• Rebar requirements for floor elements can decrease by 60% to 75%.
• Lower dead loads reduce the volume of rebar and concrete needed for columns and foundations.
• A reduction in building height lowers costs for building cladding, vertical mechanical/service elements, and materials in shear walls.

QUICKER CONSTRUCTION

• Potential pour cycles can be achieved in just 3-4 days.
• There are fewer requirements for re-shoring.
• Seamless coordination with embeds and mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) openings is facilitated.

INCREASED PERFORMANCE

• Enhanced seismic performance due to improved structural integrity.
• Reduced deflection and vibration levels contribute to comfort and safety.
• Improved crack control and waterproofing features are particularly beneficial for structures like parking garages and balconies.
• Longer spans and fewer columns provide more flexibility in office/residential layouts and enhance lighting in parking garages, improving safety for users.

REDUCED LIFETIME COSTS

• Lower overall maintenance and lifecycle costs help in long-term financial planning.
• Reduced building height naturally results in energy conservation, especially for office spaces.
• Eligibility for potential LEED® credits boosts marketing for green building design and construction initiatives.

AMSYSCO offers cost-effective post tension system solutions for a diverse array of structures and applications, including condominiums, offices, parking garages, hospitals, schools, slab-on-ground foundations, storage tanks, stadiums, and various repair and restoration projects.

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Builders opt for post-tension slabs during the construction of homes or buildings for two key reasons.

A post-tension slab is reinforced with stranded steel cables that are tensioned (pulled tight) after the concrete cures. These cables are encased in a plastic sheathing to prevent direct contact with the concrete. Once the concrete has adequately set, the sheathing is pulled to stretch the post-tensioned cables, applying significant force to the slab. This action compresses the concrete system, minimizing shrinkage cracks and those caused by challenging soil conditions.

Problems With Post Tension Slabs

One significant issue with post-tension slabs is cracking. The cables embedded in the concrete aren’t typically tightened until 7-10 days post-placement. Because the cables remain slack during the initial curing period, they do not offer any crack control in the early days.

Cracks can also emerge when a vehicle or heavy object exerts tension on the concrete slab. To alleviate this, post-tensioned steel tendons can be incorporated when the concrete is poured, along with traditional reinforcement bars.

Another concern is that the foundational footings must anchor the structure securely in place. The tension needed to bind additional concrete within the footings, alongside the soil between them, may not be achievable.

Repairing defects such as slab cracks can be an expensive challenge once construction wraps up. Consider the hassle of removing flooring or carpeting to fix a minor crack that often goes unnoticed; the process can be time-consuming and costly. Repairing serious issues may even require families to vacate their homes temporarily, driving repair costs even higher.

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