The benefits of post tensioned slabs/beams

[joemarch]

I've seen a bunch of threads lately about post tensioned slabs and beams. I've been practicing about 10 years now and never had the opportunity of designing using post tensioned members. I probably would shy away from it since I've don't have any experience designing or detailing. Is this more of a specialty design? What are the benefits? Is it compariable to prestressed concrete members?

 

[rapt]

joemarch

They are prestressed concrete members. I presume you mean pretensioned members.

Post-tensioned members are more flexible in that they are insitu and the tendon profiling options are more flexible and you get the advantage of continuity and 2way action if you want. Same as the difference between RC precast and RC insitu members.

Yes, the design is a speciality, basically because we are taught very little of it in University and many builders and design consultancies have no experience in it.