Methodology of Post-tensioning work
Post-tensioning work is divided into three major activities. The general methodology is given below.
- Profiling.
- Stressing.
- Grouting.
1) Profiling:
- Read the drawings and identify type of tendons, layout, locations, and number of strands per tendon, sequence of laying, number of tendons per pour, etc.
- Calculate the materials requirement such as Tube Units, Bearing Plates, Wedges, Sheathing and Prestressing Steel (HTS).
- Calculate the cut length of Strand inclusive of Jack Grip length & profile for each tendon and prepare Strand cutting schedule as per drawing.
- HT Strand must be cut by using cut-off wheel/abrasion blade.H T Strand shall be uncoiled using coil dispenser and it should not contact soil or dust while cutting.
- Mark the Tendons as per Tendon layout drawing, after the completion of formwork& reinforcement.Fix the fabricated tendon support bars (bar chairs) rigidly at every 1m (max.) interval according to the tendon layout and profile drawings.
- Lay the sheathing over the tendon support bars as per the tendon layout drawing and jointhe ducts using couplers and seal the joint using self-adhesive tape.
- Thread therequired number of Strands into Sheathing according to the Tendon type (strand schedule) and tie thesheathing with Bar Chairs using Binding wires rigidly.
- Profiling of Tendons, both horizontally and vertically as per drawingsand arresting it rigidly to avoid any disturbances in profile during concreting.
- Fix the Stressing anchorages and make Dead-end anchorages position as per the layout drawing. Fix the Grout vents at end portions and Air vents at high profile locations and seal it properly.
- Tie Bursting and Spiral reinforcements at the anchorages zones as per the details given in drawing. Final checking of all Tendons for profiling, supporting and sealing after the completion of reinforcement and formwork works and before concreting.
2) Stressing:
- Stressing shall be carried out only after the concrete has attainedthe required Compressive Strength and age of concrete as specified in the drawing.
- Check the Stressing equipments and hoses before stressing to ensure proper/smooth functioning.
- H T Strand/Wire/Bars shall be completely cleaned (oil, dust & etc.) for gripping of Jacks. Stressing can be carried out stage by stage if required, as per drawing.
- Calculate the Elongation or Modified Elongation for each tendon as per the physical values in TC.
- Calculate the Jack Pressure for the Design Load including Jack & Anchorage losses.
- Stressing shall be carried out only as per the specified sequence. Load shall be applied to the tendons by using calibrated hydraulic pumps and jacks and monitored through calibrated Pressure gauges.
- Fix the Bearing plate to the tube unit and lock it by wedges and mark a reference point on Strand to measure
- Stressing can be performed in single / multi strokes depend on Jack piston length.Fix the Hydraulic Jack (Mono/Multi) at stressing end (Single/Double) and ensure proper seating of jack with bearing plate and also connect the Jack & Pump by hydraulic hosepipes.
- Apply the calculated pressure (load) gradually in incremental basis on each strand or tendon by using hydraulic Jack and
- Apply jack pressure at both ends simultaneously for double-end stressing.While applying load check for required elongation & jack pressure during stressing and also note the Jack pressure & Elongation reading at every interval / stage in stressing format.Compute the total Jack Pressure applied and the total elongation arrived during stressing.
- If elongation reached, but pressure not reached apply 5% additional If pressure reached, but elongation not reached apply 5% additional pressure. After applying the additional pressure / elongation, if the Stressing result is within +/-5%, release the jack pressure slowly and then proceed for next stressing. If the stressing result / value is more than +/-5% inform the Design Engineer for further instruction. Same method shall be followed for all other Strands / Tendons.12 hours after the completion of stressing of all tendons, cut the strands leaving 25mm from the face of wedges by using angle grinder.
- After cutting fill the recess pockets (Stressing pocket) in layers using approved materials.
3) Grouting:
- After the setting / curing time of recess pockets, flush the tendons (sheathing) completely by water and then by compressed air. Potable water and OPC Cement should be used for preparation of grout. Suitable admixture (Non-Aluminium / Non-Chloride based) may be added to the grout as per specification.Fix the valves at all grout and air vents and also fix the pressure gauge.Mix Water followed by Cement of ratio 0.40 in the grouting machine.The grout shall be mixed in mixture for 2-3 minutes and until pumping of
- Grout should be colloidal mixture and free from any lumps and it should passed through sieve.Pump the grout into the tendon through grout vent pipe (inlet) and release the air inside the tendon through air vents.Plug all air vent pipes and also the outlet vent pipe after consistent grout is passed.
- After plugging all the vents pipes tightly, built the pressure of 5kg/cm2 and maintain for one minute. Then close the inlet valve also. The same method shall be followed for all other tendons.
- Grouting should be performed continuously to avoid grout setting. Any breakage occurred during grouting, flush the tendon with water and compressed air and do fresh grouting.
- Clean the vicinity by water after the grouting is completed.
- Cut all vent pipes projecting outside the surface after the grout is set.
