federation internationale du beton (fib)
International federation for structural concrete
Case Postale 88, 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
Phone +41 21 693 2747 * Fax +41 21 693 6245
fib@epfl.ch * www.fib-international.org


For immediate release

Press contact:  Laura Thommen-Vidale, Editor
Email:  laura.thommen-vidale@epfl.ch
Tel.:  +41 21 693 2747
Fax:  +41 21 693 6245
Press area: www.fib-international.org/press

Lausanne, 1 March 2005
ref. PR05002

fib Bulletin 31: Post-tensioning in buildings

In spite of the simplicity of its basic concepts and well-known advantages, the application extent of post-tensioning solutions cannot be considered to be harmonized in the different areas and structural applications. In fact, for various reasons, it appears that the potential offered by prestressing is far from being fully exploited, especially in building structures field. In many cases where post-tensioning would provide a visibly superior solution, it happens in fact that a more conventional non-prestressed solution is often selected.

The main objective of this fib Technical Report, published in February 2005, is therefore to show the benefits of using post-tensioning for the more common practical applications in concrete buildings. The document is mainly aimed at architects, contractors and owners. It is also drafted with the goal of motivating building designers to use post-tensioning: basic design aspects related to prestressing effects and design criteria are summarized and conceptual design aspects are emphasized.

A set of practical examples is presented, showing the adopted solutions and their advantages when meeting the requirements of specific problems. The selected examples were precisely chosen because they are not outstanding structures. Indeed, post-tensioning principles and technology can be used in any structure, independently of its importance, covering a wide range of building structural applications, improving the structure quality and promoting concrete as a structural material.

The advantages of using post-tensioning, with respect to structural behaviour, economy, detailing and constructive aspects, are illustrated by the presentation of several existing structures, most of them designed by Working Party members. General design calculations are not presented, but design results showing the improvement in structural behaviour are illustrated.

Pages: 116
Price: CHF 100 (non-member price)
ISBN 2-88394-071-1
To order this Bulletin, use the order form at www.fib-international.org/publications/order/.

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Note: On request, the text of this press release can be provided in French or German