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Post-Tensioned Concrete
Principles and Practice
Second Edition
K. Dirk Bondy & Bryan Allred

Copyright 2013 K. Dirk Bondy & Bryan Allred

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ISBN: 978-1-4834-0372-4 (sc)
ISBN: 978-1-4834-0371-7 (e)
Library of Congress Control Number: 2013916599
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Table of Contents
Preface ....................................................................................................................................................... vi
1)

History of Post-Tensioned Concrete in United States Building Construction ...................................1

2)

Design Philosophy, Equivalent Loads & Concrete Stresses on Determinate Systems ....................23

3)

Review of Moment Distribution .......................................................................................................47

4)

Concrete Stresses in Indeterminate Systems ....................................................................................57

5)

Flexural Design.................................................................................................................................65

6)

Shear Design .....................................................................................................................................87

7)

Two-Span Beam Design Example..................................................................................................131

8)

One-Way Slab Design Example .....................................................................................................153

9)

Two-Way Slab Design Example ....................................................................................................165

10) Two-Way Podium Slab Design Example .......................................................................................185

11) Mat Foundation Design Example ...................................................................................................209
12) Seismic Diaphragm Design Example .............................................................................................223
13) Design & Detailing for Mitigation of Restraint to Shortening Cracking .......................................251
14) Construction Issues and Structural Observations ...........................................................................275
15) Slabs-on-Ground .............................................................................................................................311
16) External Post-Tensioning ...............................................................................................................339
17) About the Authors ..........................................................................................................................355

Preface
Writing this book has been a labor of love and it actually began back in the mid-1990s, though I didnt
realize it at the time. Much of the early chapters were written when I was teaching Prestressed Concrete
Design at California Polytechnic State University at Pomona. I was a young man at the time, but I was
lucky enough to have access to some of the greatest post-tensioned concrete engineers in the world.
Over the years Bryan and I have learned the art of designing and detailing post-tensioned concrete from
men such as my father, Ross Ellena, Ed Workman, Merrill Walstad, Florian Barth and Chris Deetz. We
both owe a tremendous debt of gratitude to all these men for sharing their wisdom. I also want to
acknowledge Trailer Martin, C.K. Allen, Bob Englekirk and Jim Cagley who were friends of my father
before I even knew I wanted to be a structural engineer and offered opportunities and served as role
models for me throughout my developing career.
Like most structural engineers in the post-tensioned concrete industry, Bryan and I were waiting for my
father to write this book. But when it became clear that he wasnt going to, we decided to step up and
take on the challenge. The book is a combination of history, academic notes intended for use at the
university level, design examples straight from actual jobs that Bryan and I have designed and practical
applications and detailing intended for the practicing engineer. Chapter 1 describes the history of posttensioned concrete in the United States as only my father can tell it. Chapters 2 through 8 are currently
the notes that I use to teach Design of Prestressed Concrete Structures at UCLA. Chapters 9 through 13
are practical design examples in which we attempt to address many of the decisions faced by practicing
engineers on typical projects including proper computer analysis and modeling techniques. Chapters 13
and 14 contain the true art of detailing and observing the construction of post-tensioned concrete. This
knowledge was obtained over many years of working on our own projects and from listening and
learning from the men who were the pioneers of post-tensioned concrete. Chapter 15 is a thorough
discussion of the slab on grade industry, which represents more sales of post-tensioning tendons than all
other post-tensioning applications combined. And finally, Chapter 16 discusses arguably the most fun
and challenging application of post-tensioning external post-tensioning.
I want to acknowledge and thank my 2012 UCLA CEE 143 students for helping me iron out the class
notes, and in particular Mr. Ryan Nakamoto and Mr. Christopher Smith for their reviews of the design
example chapters.
K. Dirk Bondy

This book reflects what Dirk and I do on a daily basis as structural engineers who specialize in posttensioned buildings. When my children ask me what I do for a living, I will give them this book and say
This should explain it. We tried to cover every detail from the beginning theory of balanced loads to
what to look for during the final structural observation. Over the years, we have engineered small
residential foundations to large hotels and everything in between. If its in a building and post-tensioned,
we have designed it, seen it constructed and tried to describe how to do it in the following chapters. As
Dirk wrote, we have both been extremely fortunate to be mentored by literally some of the best posttensioning engineers in the world. This book was written by them as much as us and will hopefully help
other engineers learn the art of post-tensioning.
Bryan Allred

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Post-Tensioned Concrete - Principles and Practice

Example Flexural Strength with Unbonded Tendons

Given:
Beam w/ 7 Unbonded Tendons with a Parabolic Profile
A ps /Tendon = 0.153in2

Find:
The maximum useable moment capacity, IM n at midspan.
40 (12)
= 16 < 35 (this is typical for beams)
30"

= f + 10,000 +
100U

Span to depth ratio =

? Use f

d f py & f se + 60,000

7(0.153in )
U =
= 0.000374
110"(26")
(note: b = width of the compression face = 110")
f se = 0.70f pu 15 ksi = 0.7(270 ksi) 15 ksi = 174 ksi
?f = 174,000psi + 10,000psi +

4,000psi
= 290,951psi = 291ksi
100(0.000374)

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75

But limited to:

f py = 243ksi
or f se + 60,000 = 174ksi + 60ksi = 234ksi < 291 ksi
? 234ksi controls
Assume the compression steel yields & draw the force diagram.

Using equilibrium, solve for the concrete force C c .

C c = T ps + T s C s = 250.6k + 189.6k 37.2k = 403k
Now use the Whitney Stress Block to find a & c.
a=

C
403k
=
= 1.08" < t slab =6" (rectangular assumption is correct)

0.85f b
0.85(4ksi)(110")

&

c=

a
1.08"
=
= 1.27"
E
0.85

This example demonstrates that including compression steel in a tee-beam is of very little value. The
neutral axis will typically be in the flange and therefore the compression steel will virtually never be
yielding in compression. Therefore for tee-beams we will ignore the compression steel.

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Post-Tensioned Concrete - Principles and Practice

Example

Service Loading:
w d = 3.50klf
w l = 1.25klf
Remember, V u & M u are defined by ACI 318 as 1.2D + 1.6L so even for continuous beams the strength
equation (11-9) will not include secondary effects. However, for the demand shear the secondary shears
should technically be included. We will demonstrate in the two-span beam design in the next chapter
that these shears are relatively small so ignoring them as most designers do is typically inconsequential.
Find: Stirrups and spacing required at a distance h/2 from the face of the support using:
a) V cn (Eqn. 11-9)
b) Minimum of V ci (Eqn. 11-10) & V cw (Eqn. 11-12)
c) V c as a non-prestressed member
Solution:
a) V cn (11-9)
V n = V c + V s IV n = IV c + IV s & IV n V u
w u = 1.2(3.50klf) + 1.6(1.25klf) = 6.20klf
V u (@ support) = 20(6.2klf) = 124k
V = 0.6 + 700

V d
b d
M

(11 9)

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91

d is defined as the distance from the compression face to the centroid of all tensile reinforcement, but
not less than 0.80h. Its typical to ignore the non-prestressed steel and take d to the prestressing
reinforcement only.
? d near the support will be controlled by 0.80(30) = 24 or 2-0
Somewhat inexplicably, d p does not have the 0.80h stipulation in this equation, though it does in all
other equations, as does d.
ACI 318 Section 11.1.3.2 states that sections located less than a distance h/2 from face of support shall
be permitted to be designed for V u computed at h/2. In non-prestressed concrete this critical shear
location is defined as d. However, the commentary explains that because d varies in prestressed
concrete members, h/2 was arbitrarily chosen as the critical section.
The centroid of the prestressing steel at h/2 from the support is:
d = 9.32" +

1.
(16.68") = 10.4"

V u @ h/2 = 124k (15/12)(6.2klf) = 116.3k

M u @ h/2 = the shaded area under the shear diagram since the moment at the support is zero.
124 + 116.3
=
(1.25 ) = 150.2
2
= 1,802
116.3 (10.4")
V = 0.64000psi + 700
(16")(24")
1,802
V d
Remember that the term
must be < 1.0
M
V d
116.3 (10.4")
=
= 0.671 < 1.0 ok
M
1,802
V = (37.9psi + 469.8psi)(16")(24")/1000 = 195.0
But V cn has an upper bound of 5f b d = 121.4k m Controls V cn

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Post-Tensioned Concrete - Principles and Practice

A computer software program would now begin iterating to determine the length of rail required by
adding studs incrementally, thus increasing Critical Section #2 until the factored shear stress is less than
2I . According to our software program, 8 studs are required.

Verify Punching Shear Capacity with 8 Studs Per Rail

Determine Section Properties of Critical Section #2

L x1 = 20 1.25 + 5.6(tan22.5q) = 21.07

L x2 = 20 + 2[(8)(2.75) + 2.8] = 69.6
L y1 = 12 1.25/2 + 5.6(tan22.5q)/2 = 12.53
L y2 = 12 + [(8)(2.75 + 2.8)] = 36.8
L = (36.8 12.53) 2 = 34.32
The perimeter of Critical Section #2 is:
b o2 = 2(34.32) + 2(12.53) + 21.07 = 114.8
The area of Critical Section #2 is:
A c2 = 114.8(5.6) = 642.7 in2
According to the American Concrete Institute document ACI421.1R-08, the polar moments of inertia
about each principle axis can be determined by summing the contributions of the individual segments
about those axes using the following equations:
Polar moment of inertia about the x-axis:
J = d /3y + y y + y
Polar moment of inertia about the y-axis:
J = d /3 + +

K. Dirk Bondy & Bryan Allred

123

Where x i , yi , x j and yj are coordinates of points i and j at the extremities of a segment measured from
the centroid of the total critical section, whose length is l.

Polar Moment of Inertia About the X-Axis

x cy2 = [(2)(34.32)(36.8-12.53)/2 + (2)(12.53)(36.8-(12.53/2))/] / 114.8 = 13.92

Segment #1 (occurs once):
21.07"
J = (5.6")
[(13.92") + (13.92")(13.92") + (13.92") ] = 22,863 in
3
Segment #2 (occurs twice):
19.69"
J = 2(5.6")
[(13.92") + (13.92")(0") + (0") ] = 14,244 in
3
Segment #3 (occurs twice):
14.63"
J = 2(5.6")
[(0") + (0")(10.35") + (10.35") ] = 5,851 in
3
Segment #4 (occurs twice):
12.53"
J = 2(5.6")
[(10.35") + (10.35")(22.88") + (22.88") ] = 40,577 in
3
Therefore, the total polar moment of inertia about the x-axis is:
J = 22,863 in + 14,244 in + 5,851 in + 40,577 in = ,

7
Two-Span Beam Design Example
Given:

The following two-span parking structure beam with dimensions, material properties and loads
shown below.

Find:
1. Determine the prestressing force & drape in both spans. Balance approximately 70% of the
concrete load in each span and provide a minimum of 250psi average compression.
2. Verify that all ACI 318 Code allowable service flexural stresses are satisfied.
3. Design the negative moment non-prestressed reinforcement at the interior support. Show all
secondary support reactions.
4. Use Eqn. (11-9) V cn , and determine the required spacing of #3 stirrups (2 legs) at the Span
1 side of the interior support.

131

K. Dirk Bondy & Bryan Allred

193

Stepped Structural Slab Prior to Placing Concrete

This detail is simple enough for relatively straight step conditions that do not occur over columns, shear
caps and beams. The top dashed line in the detail indicates the top of the assumed sloped structural slab.
This is similar to the construction of a parking slab at a ramp condition which sometimes slopes as much
as 20%. The small portion of concrete above the dashed line is not necessary structurally, and is
constructed only to create a flat surface for the wood construction. The weight of this portion of slab
must be accounted for in the design of the slab. Averaging this added load over the entire slab is usually
acceptable for the design of the columns, foundations and lateral system, but this may not be adequate
for the design of the slab itself.
The contractor will also often ask to square off the bottom soffit, instead of sloping the forms. This
request should be refused. The post-tensioning chairs supplied by the supplier will not account for
deeper sections of slab. The chairs will be supplied based upon the slab thickness assuming a flat or
sloped (like a parking structure) surface. If the supplied chairs are placed lower than assumed in the
design, a large localized balanced load will be generated by the kink in the tendon profile.

Incorrect Tendon Profile at Squared of Slab Step

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Post-Tensioned Concrete - Principles and Practice

A common response from contractors is they will field adjust the tendons to maintain the correct
parabolic profile. The iron workers are not qualified and should not be required to eye ball the tendons
and adjust them at their discretion to match the structural drawings. As described in the previous
chapters, the proper profile is critical in post-tensioning to generate the correct balance load and in the
intended direction. The consequences of placing the chairs off of localized deepened sections can be
very serious. The following photograph demonstrates what can happen when the tendons are installed
incorrectly and generate a balance load greatly in excess of the direct tensile strength of the concrete.

Resulting Damage Due to Incorrect Transitioning of Tendons at the Building Line Step

Utilizing a Concrete Over-Pour to Achieve the Building Line Step

The practically fool-proof method of achieving a step at the building line is to use a concrete over-pour
slab (or topping slab), and this is what will be done in this example. This slab usually only requires a 28day compressive strength of 3,000 psi and is reinforced with only plastic fibers, wire mesh or light rebar.
The cost of this slab is substantially less than that of the structural post-tensioned slab supporting it and
is comparable to or less expensive than a slab-on-ground.
The over-pour slab will require that the structural slab be approximately thicker than it would be
without the extra concrete, but the reduction in forming complications as well as the time and effort
required to verify that the construction is correct (not to mention the peace of mind you as the engineer
of record will have) will often compensate for this added cost.
The following is a typical detail depicting the concrete over-pour to achieve the step in a podium slab.

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Post-Tensioned Concrete - Principles and Practice

The concrete spalls because the corrosion byproduct initially expands the on the metal forcing the
concrete to dislodge. However, eventually the corrosion will consume and deteriorate the metal leaving
only a fossilized looking void.

Severely Corroded Tendon Wires and Complete

Voids Where Tendons Originally Existed

The spalling and corrosion evidence is limited to the bottom side only. The corrosion byproduct will
also spall the concrete at the top, but since it does not fall it is not always as noticeable.

Corroding Slab Tendon at High Point Over Beam

K. Dirk Bondy & Bryan Allred

343

Often a tendon will break in one location, but will loop out of the slab in a different location. The elastic
energy will find the point of least resistance to loop, which is usually the location with the least concrete
cover.

Broken Tendon Looping Out of Top of Slab

Broken Tendons Looping Out of Bottom of Slab

About the Authors

K. Dirk Bondy

Dirk Bondy earned his Bachelors degree from California Polytechnic State University at San Luis
Obispo in 1988 and his Masters degree from the University of California at Berkeley in 1989. He is the
president of Seneca Structural Engineering, Inc. and The Great American Cable Company II, Inc., both
located in Laguna Hills, California. While he has been the engineer of record on millions of square feet
of post-tensioned concrete structures he is probably best known for being the son of Ken Bondy. His
professional interest and expertise are in the area of post-tensioned and reinforced concrete, seismic
design, seismic retrofit and vertical load retrofit. In addition to his structural design experience, Mr.
Bondy currently teaches Prestressed Concrete Design at the University of California at Los Angeles in
the Spring Quarter, and has been an instructor at the University of California, Irvine and California
Polytechnic State University, Pomona where he taught courses on Prestressed Concrete Design,
Reinforced Concrete Design, Steel Design, Structural Design and Seismic Design. He has been
published in numerous journals and conference proceedings. He is a registered Civil and Structural
Engineer in the states of California, Nevada, Hawaii and Arizona as well as a licensed C50 contractor in
the state of California. He is a licensed private pilot (single-engine, multi-engine and instrument ratings)
with over 400 hours total pilot-in-command time. He resides in Laguna Hills, California with his wife
Kristen and their three children; Cameron, Ryan and Elizabeth.
Bryan Allred

Bryan Allred has been a practicing engineer since 1993 and is the Vice-President of Seneca Structural
Engineering Inc. in Laguna Hills California. He received his Bachelors and Masters degree in Civil
Engineering from the University of California at Irvine and is a licensed civil and structural engineer in
the state of California. Bryan specializes in the design of concrete buildings utilizing post-tensioned
floor systems, post-tensioned slab on ground foundations and retrofits of existing building using external
post-tensioning. He is a member of the Structural Engineers Association of California, American
Concrete Institute and is a Fellow of the Post-Tensioning Institute where he is also a member of the
Building Design, Slab on Ground and Education Committees. He has written several magazine articles
relating to post-tensioned construction and engineering and has also given numerous post-tensioning
educational seminars across the country. Bryan and his wife Marisa have three children, two beautiful
girls and one ultra cool son.

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