Control of Tensile Stress in Prestressed Concrete Members Under Service Loads

Abstract

This study proposes a simplified methodology to estimate the net tensile stress (Δfps) in prestressing strands of Class C prestressed concrete members under service loads, avoiding complex cracked section analysis. Based on nonlinear flexural analyses of 1248 PSC members, the authors developed a straightforward estimation method tied to effective prestress (fse) and presented summary tables for quick checks against code stress limits (250 or 350 MPa), facilitating practical serviceability design in line with ACI 318‑14 requirements.