Allowable Stresses Specified in ACI 318-11

Classification of prestressed concrete members (based on maximum flexural tensile

stress in concrete under service loads):

Class U: 7.5
t c
f f Uncracked
Class T: 7.5 12
c t c
f f f Transition between uncracked and cracked
Class C: 12
t c
f f Cracked

t
f is the maximum flexural tensile stress in concrete calculated at service loads based on
an uncracked section.

Allowable Stresses in Concrete:

1. Concrete stresses I mmediately after prestress transfer:

a) Extreme fiber stress in compression 0.6
ci
f

b) Extreme fiber stress in compression at ends of simply supported members 0.7
ci
f

c) Extreme fiber stress in tension 3
ci
f

d) Extreme fiber stress in tension at ends of simply supported members 6
ci
f

ci
f is the concrete compressive strength at stress transfer.

2. Concrete stresses for Class U and T members at service loads:

a) Extreme fiber stress in compression due to prestress plus sustained load 0.45
c
f

b) Extreme fiber stress in compression due to prestress plus total load 0.60
c
f

No limit for Class C members. For Class U and T, stress is computed based on uncracked
section properties.
c
f is the concrete compressive strength at maturity (28 day).

Allowable stresses in prestressing steel:

a) 0.94
pj py
f f and 0.80
pu
f , or max. value recommended by the manufacturer

b) 0.82
pi py
f f and 0.74
pu
f