Post-tensioning Association
Welcome to the Post-Tensioning Association.
The objectives of the Association are:
- To promote the use of post-tensioning in buildings, bridges,
silos and tanks, ground floor slabs and other structural types
throughout the UK construction industry.
- To promote best practice in the design, procurement and
execution of post-tensioned structures.
- To support and take part in research and development to improve
the efficiency and technical capabilities of post-tensioning.
- To support high quality in PT construction through the CARES QA
scheme and other relevant bodies
- To support safe working practices throughout the UK PT industry
and to maintain high levels of training.
Membership of the Association is open to companies directly
engaged in the manufacturing and/or installing of post tensioning
materials and/or the design of post tensioned structures in the
United Kingdom which share our beliefs. Contact the Chairman for
more information.
What is Post-Tensioning?
Concrete is strong in compression but relatively weak in
tension. One way to overcome this shortcoming is to impose a field
of compressive stress on the member so that even under maximum
loading the member is still in compression, or limited tension.
This is referred to as Prestressed Concrete as stress is
deliberately imposed prior to the member being put into use.
There are two common ways of prestressing concrete; by
pre-tensioning or by post-tensioning. With pre-tensioning, the
tendons are stressed before the concrete is placed. The tendons are
stretched between strong bulkheads which withstand the forces and
the concrete is poured around them. This system is most frequently
adopted in precasting yards.
Post-tensioning involves stressing the tendons after the
concrete has been placed and cured. The tendons are cast into ducts
or sleeves to allow the strand to slide through the hardened
concrete and corrosion protection is normally provided by injecting
cement grout or grease. Post-tensioning is used in bridges, floor
slabs, silos and many other forms of construction. It can bring
significant benefits in terms of economy, construction programme,
structural performance and reduction in material usage.
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Related information
Ben Ume
PTA Chairman
Email