ADAPT-PT 10

Training
Manual
Version 0.0

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Table of Contents
Page
1. Initial Considerations
a. Pour Sequence and Stressing Conditions 4
b. Typical Span vs. Thickness 5
c. Cover Requirements 5-6
d. Loading 7
2. General Settings 7
3. Design Code 8
4. Design Setting 8
5. Span Geometry 9
6. Support Geometry and Stiffness 10
7. Support Boundary Conditions 10-11
8. Loads 11
9. Material-Concrete 11-12
10. Material-Reinforcement 12
11. Material-Post-Tensioning 13
12. Base Non-Prestressed Reinforcement 13
13. Criteria-Allowable Stresses 13-14
14. Criteria-Recommended Post-Tensioning Values 14-15
15. Criteria-Calculation Options 15
16. Criteria-Tendon Profile 15-16
17. Criteria-Cover/CGS 16
18. Criteria-Minimum Bar Extension 17
19. Criteria-Load Combinations 17
20. P/T Recycling 17-18
21. Report 18-20

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This manual was created to introduce new users to the basics of
designing post-tensioned slabs, beams, and girders using the ADAPT-
PT software from Adapt structural concrete software. This manual
should be used in conjunction with the CWI Design Guidelines for the
structural design of Parking Facilities. This manual is the sole property
and for the sole use of Carl Walker, Incorporated and its employees.
Any unapproved use or distribution of this manual is subject to legal
action.

For P/T garages, CWI typically uses ADAPT for three main purposes:

• Design of P/T Slabs

• Design of P/T Beams/Girders

• Analysis of deflections

• As with all engineering software, the output you receive from

software should be viewed with some skepticism. An improperly
created file is useless to the user. It may be a cliché, but it is a
good reminder: garbage in/garbage out.

• P/T garages will have a slope to allow for drainage. This means
that the T/beam elevations will vary along the length of the
beam. CWI will not model a sloping beam in ADAPT. The design
will be done for straight beams, unless there is an actual floor
offset.

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1.0 Initial Considerations
A. Pour Sequence and Stressing Conditions
The initial step in the P/T design of a structure should always
be the development of a suggested pour sequence for
construction. The suggested pour sequence should take into
account many factors including: pour sizes, contractor flexibility,
site limitations, and project phasing. The pour sequence should
be well thought out so that the contractor can most efficiently
work his way from the ground up and eventually off the site.
Ideally, the pour size should be around 10,000 square feet.
A reasonable upper limit for a pour is 15,000 square feet, while a
lower limit of 5,000 square feet should be used. Smaller pours
can always be combined, but large pours should be avoided as
they will add cost due to additional manpower and possible
reworking of the pour sequence.
If possible, the pours should be arranged so that the
contractor has flexibility in choosing his next pour. The engineer
should understand that once a pour has been made, the
stressing of the tendons may not occur for several days (see
spec section 03210, paragraph 3.4D for time limit on stressing).
If another pour can be made during this time frame, the
construction schedule can be shortened. A pour strip could be
added to allow more contractor flexibility, but the added cost of
the pour strip should be weighed against the potential benefit.
Site limitations will sometimes dictate the pour sequence.
Be especially aware of existing structures that may restrict
where the stressing of tendons can occur. Other site limitations
may involve the locations where cranes and concrete pumping
trucks will operate.
Many projects will involve special phasing issues that must
be addressed in the suggested pour sequence. Early occupancy
of any part of the final parking structure is an issue that should
be discussed prior to the development of the pour sequence. If
early occupancy is required, then the engineer must pay
attention to the need for operational stair/elevator towers and an
operational ramping system. Other potential phasing
considerations include: roadways and railways, construction of
adjacent buildings, and demolition of existing buildings.
The engineer should also understand that the contractor
may propose to change the pour sequence at a later time. A
disclaimer should be included stating that changes to the pour
sequence will require additional services by the engineer. Refer
to existing projects for examples of the wording.

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 B. Typical Span vs. Thickness
Most P/T slabs will fall within the range of 5 to 7 inches
thick; primarily because slabs less than 5 inches may not have
adequate tendon profile, and slabs greater than 7 inches are
usually to heavy. For moderate exposure conditions, a
depth/span ratio of L/45 is used, and for severe exposure
conditions a depth/span ratio of L/42 is used. Typical slab spans
would be as follows:

Exposure Condition
Southern Northern
Span (L/45) (L/42)
T" (actual) T" (actual)
18' 5" (4.8") 5.5" (5.14")
20' 5.5" (5.33") 6" (5.71")
22' 6" (5.87") 6.5" (6.29")
24' 6.5" (6.4") 7" (6.86")
26' 7" (6.93") 7.5" (7.43")

Post Tensioned beams have several variables that must be

considered in determining its size. As a general rule, most p/t
beams will be between 12-16” wide and 24-36” deep. For
instances where the design snow load is large or if there is
landscape loading the engineer should determine the depth and
width of the beam from a ADAPT run to ensure the floor to floor
heights are adequate. To simplify the process, a table was
developed below which lists beam depths for various exposure
conditions, slab spans, and beam spans. In developing the table,
the following assumptions were made:
Southern Exposure Allowable tensile stress =
9(f’c)^1/2
Northern Exposure Allowable tensile stress =
6(f’c)^1/2
Short Span Slab L = 18’-0”
Long Span Slab L – 26’-0”
Beam Width 14”-16”
Exposure Condition
Southern Northern
Span (L/45) (L/42)
56' 28-30 30-32
58' 30-32 32-34
60' 32-34 34-36
62' 34-36 36-38

As a general rule, girders will be 6 to 8 inches wider than

the beams to accommodate the increased number of p/t
anchorages.
C. Cover Requirements

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 Providing adequate cover for durability reasons is
discussed thoroughly in chapter 4.4 of the design guidelines.
The engineer should establish the proper cover values to ensure
adequate durability prior to performing any design calculations.
Another cover requirement that must be addressed prior to
design is the fire-resistance rating. The required fire-resistance
rating generally has the units of hours and is dictated by the
governing building code. The following discussion is based on
the IBC. The engineer should use the greater cover of either
durability or fire-resistance in the design.
1. Establish whether you have an open or enclosed parking
garage. If the structure does not meet the requirements
for an open parking garage then is it defined as an
enclosed parking garage. For open parking garages,
proceed to step 2. For enclosed parking garages proceed
to step 3.
2. Determine the type of construction by using Table 406.3.5.
Since garages are generally constructed from non-
combustible materials, the type of construction will fall into
one of five possible categories: IA, IB, IIA, IIB, or IV. If the
area of a tier exceeds 50,000 square feet or the structure
exceeds 8 tiers then the engineer must proceed up the
table from type IIB until both the tier area and the number
of tiers for the structure does not exceed the tabulated
values.
3. Determine the type of construction by using Table 503.
The occupancy group is S-2 per section 311.3. Since
garages are generally constructed from non-combustible
materials, the type of construction will fall into one of the
five categories: I, II, III, IV, or V. The engineer will need to
find the category that allows the area of each tier and
number of tiers for the garage. Also the overall height
should not be exceeded for the type of construction.
4. Determine the fire-resistance rating in hours. Enter table
601 with the construction type established in either step 2
or 3 and read the applicable fire-resistance rating for floor
construction.
5. Determine the required cover for structural elements.
Enter Table 720.1(1) with the fire-resistance rating
determined in step 4. The amount of concrete cover is
tabulated for different floor members and the different fire-
resistance rating values. It is important for the engineer to
note the difference between restrained and unrestrained
members. A restrained member is any interior span of a
continuous slab, beam or girder. End spans are generally

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 considered unrestrained and are therefore subject to more
stringent cover requirements.

D. Loading
The final consideration before proceeding into the actual
design of P/T members is the loading that will be placed on the
members during their service life. The engineer should review
the applicable building code provisions on live load reduction and
snow load. The IBC does not allow any reduction in live load for
floor members in parking garages. Be careful when examining
older projects that may have been designed for live load
reduction or a different live load than is specified today.
Snow loading should be calculated using the building code
procedure and added to the parking live load for any member
that is exposed to the sky. There fore the top tier will require
separate ADAPT runs from typical tiers. Refer to allowable
stresses for members with snow loading vs. members without
snow loading.

2.0 General Settings

When a user opens ADAPT-PT they will select a new file. The first thing
a user will need to do is enter the general settings of the current
design file. This is the location where you can name your file (i.e. Grid
5 A-B). The user can select what type of member they would like to
design (i.e. slab, beam). The user is given two options for the
geometry input, conventional and segmental. A conventional
geometry input is used when the beam will have a continuous width,
depth, and effective flange. If the beam will have a different width,
depth, or effective flange width along its span the user will need to
select the segmental geometry input. The CWI standard is to consider
effective flange width in bending (for beams and girders).

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Figure 1 General Settings

3.0 Design Code

This screen is pretty self explanatory. The user will need to select the
design code that will be used for their project.

Figure 2 Design Code

4.0 Design Setting

The execution mode should be set to interactive. This will allow the
designer the option to modify the final effective force and tendon
profile during the execution process. The CWI standard is to reduce
the moments to the face of support. Be aware that special
circumstances may arise when this is not the case. The CWI standard
is to not re-distribute moments during the design process. The CWI
standard is to NOT increase the moment of inertia over the support.

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Figure 3 Design Settings
5.0 Span Geometry

This is the screen where the user inputs all of the span properties. The
user will need to define the effective flange width (for T-beams) based
on the current ACI-318. The left and right multipliers are used to
dictate the amount of the effective flange on each side of the beam
stem. For an L-Beam, the multipliers would be 1 and 0. The user will
input the effective flange width for bf. The next screen will allow the
user to check the effective flange width based on ADAPT-PT’s ACI-318
effective flange width. Adapt does not center to center spacing of
beams for effective flange width. That means if Adapt shows a higher
effective flange width the user input may be ok. The effective flange
width should be based on the user input and not Adapt’s be. We do
not use the flange width for bf because ADAPT will use this value in
calculating the centroid of the beam, which is incorrect.

Figure 4 Span Geometry

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Figure 5 Effective Flange Widths
6.0 Support Geometry and Stiffness

This screen will allow the user to input the size and stiffness of the
supports conditions. For a slab the user the user will select the option
of lower wall. The wall height shall be set to zero. The dimension B
should be set to the width of the design slab strip, while D should be
set to the beam width. For a beam supported by a girder the user
would select the option to use no columns. This allows the beam to be
designed for the reduced moment at the face of the girder, since the
user will input the width of the girder as the D, while the B is the beam
width. If the beam is supported by columns the user will select the
correct support selection of either both columns or lower column. The
user can input a percentage of stiffness to use for the columns. It is
typical for CWI to assume 70% when designing the columns, so the
user would input 70 for the stiffness to accurately modal the designed
condition. When inputting the length for the lower columns on the first
supported level the designer should not forget to include the additional
distance to the top of footing.

Figure 6 Support Geometry and Stiffness

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7.0 Support Boundary Conditions

At this screen the user will then select the boundary conditions for the
supports. CWI typically checks the SW box. The user must ensure that
the dimensions for the supports are correct on the previous screen.
The user then can select whether the support is pinned or fixed.
Typically CWI assumes a pinned connection at the top of footing. The
CWI standard is to not consider full fixity at the ends of the slab/beam.
This will allow the program to determine the moments based on the
relative stiffness of the frame elements. Only in certain situations,
such as a stiff shear wall as a support, would the designer select this
option.

Figure 7 Support Boundary Conditions

8.0 Loads

This is the screen where the user will input the loads applied to the
beam/slab. CWI standard is to skip the live load with a skip factor of 1,
but the user should verify this with the applicable building code. For
concrete structures the unit weight is set to 150 pcf. For slabs the user
can either use the include self weight option or not. If the user
chooses not to include self weight they must ensure they include it as
a Dead load. For beams the user will not include the self weight
option. This is because the program will calculate the weight based on
the effective flange and this will not include the entire loading from the
slab. The user then can input loads as SW, SDL, LL, and X.

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Figure 8 Loads

9.0 Material-Concrete

The CWI standard is to use cylinder information. The user will input
the correct concrete strengths and modulus of elasticity for both the
beams/slab and columns. The creep coefficient is set to 2, which is the
CWI standard. The CWI standard is to set the f’ci to 3000 psi for
beams and 2500 psi for slabs.

Figure 9 Concrete

10.0 Material-Reinforcement

The user will specify the type of reinforcement to be used for the
project. The standard is fy=60 ksi, E= 29000 ksi. For beams and
girders the top and bottom bars should be selected as #11. This
allows the user to select any size bar for the mild reinforcement
without re-calculating the effective depth of the section. For slabs this
should be set to #5 bars, as CWI typically tries to limit the size of bars
in slabs to #5. The preferred stirrup size can be inputted at this
screen. When selecting a stirrup size the user must ensure the bends
can be made to fit in the beam size you have chosen (typically CWI

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uses #4 stirrups). It is typical for CWI to use 4 legs in beams greater
than or equal to 36” wide.

Figure 10 Reinforcement
11.0 Material-Post-Tensioning

CWI uses unbonded post tensioning in C.I.P. garages. The typical

inputs are as follows: area=.153 in^2, fpu= 270 ksi, and fse= 175 ksi.
There maybe some occasions when different post-tensioning would be
used.

Figure 11 Post-Tensioning

12.0 Base Non-Prestressed Reinforcement

The CWI standard is to select no.

13.0 Criteria-Allowable Stresses

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This is the screen where the user will input the allowable stresses for
an element. For slabs the tension stresses are as follows: initial = 3
ksi, final= 6 ksi. If the slab is to support plaza loads (hot-applied
waterproofing must be used) the allowable stress can be increase from
6 ksi to 9 ksi. For beams the following stresses are to be used: initial=
3 ksi, sustained=total= 7.5 ksi (for unreduced live load). For beams
that have Plaza loading (hot-applied waterproofing must be used) the
total and sustained stress can be 10 ksi. Compression stresses shall
be 0.6f’ci for initial stresses, 0.45f’c for sustained stresses, and 0.6f’c
for total stresses.

Figure 12 Allowable stresses

14.0 Criteria-Recommended Post-Tensioning Values

The next screen allows the user to input the recommended post
tensioning values. For slabs the minimum pre-compression value shall
be 150 psi for Zone 1 and 180 psi for Zone 2 & 3. The maximum pre-
compression value shall be 500 psi for all zones. The minimum and
maximum percentage of dead load is to be set at 25% and 85%

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respectively. These values can be altered, but deflections must be met
to ensure proper drainage and deflection criteria are met. For
beams/girders the minimum pre-compression shall be 150 psi for Zone
1 and 200 psi for Zone 2 &3. The maximum pre-compression shall be
set to 500 psi for beams and 999 psi for girders. These maximums can
be increased but the user must ensure that the end view detail can be
constructed (this is typical even if the maximum pre-compression is
not exceeded.). The minimum and maximum percentage of dead load
is to be set at 25% and 85% respectively. These values can be altered,
but deflections must be met to ensure proper drainage and deflection
criteria are met.

Figure 13 Recommended Post-Tensioning Values

15.0 Criteria-Calculation Options

The CWI standard is to select the force option method. This allows the
user to select the final effective force. CWI assumes that a tendon will
have a final effective force of 27 kips (1/2” diameter tendon). The
force the user will input will be a multiple of 27.

16.0 Criteria-Tendon Profile

The CWI standard is to use a reverse parabola tendon profile. The

inflection points will be at the 1/12th points (i.e. X1/L=X3/L=1/12=.083,
X2/L=0.5). The default extension of a terminated tendon as a fraction
of the span should be set to 0.2. This matches the CWI standard of
extending add tendons to L/5 of the adjacent span. The shape of the
tendon extension should be set to Downward Parabola; Anchor at the
centroid. If the user would like to specify a different tendon profile
they must be careful to properly show it on the drawings and make
sure the P/T supplier has properly accounted for the different profile in
the shop drawing process. CWI will typically try to avoid using

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alternative profiles to limit the possibilities of mistakes during
construction.

Figure 14 Tendon Profile

17.0 Criteria-Cover/CGS

This is the screen where the user will input the minimum clear cover to
the bottom and top mild reinforcement. They will also input the
minimum distance to the CGS from the top and bottom fibers. It is
important to include the effect of bundling when inputting the
minimum distance to the CGS. For example a garage in zone 3 will
have a minimum clear cover of 3”. If we assume there will be bundled
tendons the minimum CGS could be 3”+1/2”=3 ½”, CWI will use a
CGS=4”. CWI will typically round this number to the nearest whole
number for beams and girders. The clear covers and CGS will come
from the applicable codes.

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Figure 15 Cover/CGS
18.0 Criteria-Minimum Bar Extension

This screen is not used by CWI. The user can use the default settings.
The user will ensure from the report the cutoff lengths and extensions
of the bars. For beams the typical details will most likely control the
cutoff and extensions. For slabs the user will determine the location
that steel is no longer needed and from this determine the length of
the reinforcement bars. The user must also ensure that the minimum
lengths have also been met.

19.0 Criteria-Load Combinations

The user will input the applicable load combinations. The user should
remember to include the dead load only case. CWI will use the load X
for snow loading and the load combinations should reflect this. For
each load case the user must set the factor for HYP=1 (post-
tensioning). For the initial loading condition the user will set the PT
force to 1.25. Initial load factors should be determined by the amount
of each load case that will be present at the time of stressing (LL=0).
The load combinations and strength reduction factors will be
determined by the applicable code. The user will enter lateral load
combinations and moments for all applicable beams/girders. The user
should determine the sign convention in ADAPT and enter the lateral
moments correctly. Also the user must remember to select whether
the lateral moments are reversible.

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Figure 16 Load Combinations

20.0 PT Recycling

This is the screen where the user will determine the final effective
force and tendon profile required for the loading condition. The user
should seek to optimize the beams by minimizing the amount of post-
tensioning required and increasing the tendon drape. The user should
also use a PT force that is a multiple of 27. The user must have the
ordinate at the CGC at locations of stressing. This includes
construction joints and beam ends. Add tendons can be included in
two ways. The first is to use a single tendon path. This allows the user
to specify different PT forces for different spans. The next option is to
include the multiple tendon paths. This will require the user to input
information into multiple Tendons (i.e Tendon A, B, C). The user needs
to make sure the same profile is kept for each set of tendons in the
same spans. The user needs to make sure that are criteria are met.
This is shown by the green ok near the upper left corner. The PT force
max and balanced dead load are allowed to be NG. However the user
must ensure that the end anchorages can be constructed and the
deflection limits are met. For initial stresses the compression must be
ok before the user is to move on to the report. The tension stresses
can be slightly higher than allowed. The user will just require
additional mild steel in these locations, which is shown in the report.
There are multiple tabs on this screen. To see the actual stresses
select the extreme fiber stresses tab. Here you can determine how
close to the allowable stress you are. When the designer has a beam
and girder intersection where both sets of tendons would like a high
ordinate over the column the designer should be cautious on selecting
the ordinates for the girder. The designer needs to ensure that the
beam tendons can pass over the girder tendons.

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Figure 17 PT Recycling

21.0 Report

At this point the user will have defined the final effective force and
tendon profile for each beam/slab span. In the report sections 1-4
allow the user to check and verify their inputs. For beams supported
by girders the user will need to use sections 5.2 and 5.4 to determine
the point loads applied to each girder. When selecting the live load
point load the user will select the maximum value. The user will also
need to use section 7.6 to determine the point loads applied to the
girder from the tendons. Section 10 will not be used by the engineer.
This section provides the mild steel required, however the user will
determine the amount of mild steel at a later point from the report.
The next section is section 12. This is the section that ADAPT reports
on the shear design. It is important for the user to remember the size
and number of legs they selected in the input process. This screen will
inform the user on the maximum spacing at 1/20th points along the
beam. IF you are designing a slab there should be no required shear
reinforcing. The user must make sure that if the program informs the
user of required shear reinforcing that it is true for slabs. The program
will provide required shear spacing but indicate it would be only
applicable to beams. The CWI standard is to provide #4 shear
reinforcement at: 3@2”, 8@6”, BAL@24” for interior spans (T-Beams)

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and 3@2”, 8@6”, BAL@12” for exterior spans (L-Beams). The next
section provides the deflections from each load and the final long term
deflection. CWI tries to limit the long term deflection to L/400 to L/500.
This allows the drainage to still properly work along the length of the
beam. If the deflection is greater than L/500 the designer should
ensure that proper drainage can still be achieved. The next section
(section 21) allows the user to determine the height of the tendon
profile along the length of the span. This is used to determine the
distance from supports that the construction joints are placed for slabs.
It also allows the user to determine the CGS of the tendons at
construction joints. The CGS of the tendons needs to be near the CGC
at construction joints to allow all of the anchorages to fit properly. The
CGS can differ slightly from the CGC but the designer will need to
perform a calculation (CWI has a MathCAD file to perform this) to
determine the initial stresses at the construction joint. The designer
will then need to use Section 29 Detailed Rebar to design the mild
steel of the beams/slabs. This section will provide the designer with
the calculated required rebar and the minimum required rebar along
the span length. The user then can select the size and number of bars
to achieve this required rebar. For slabs the user will determine the
length from the support (plus development) that a bar is required and
verify this is not shorter than the minimum required length. For a
beam/girder the user will verify that the required rebar will match the
typical beam details for the locations of rebar. The CWI standard is to
provide a minimum of 2#4 bars at the top of the beam in the center of
the span and 3#6 bars at the bottom of the beam at the support. If
four legs of stirrups are used there will need to be 4#4 at the top and
4#6 used. Since this is a P/T garage the user should try to limit the
amount of reinforcing bars to allow the P/T tendons more access to fit
inside the beam/girder cage.

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Figure 18 Report Generator

References:

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1. “Analysis and Design of Post-Tensioned Buildings Beams, Slabs,
and Single Story Frames.” ADAPT Corporation. Redwood City,
CA. 2004.
2. “Building Code Requirements for Structural Concrete and
Commentary.” American Concrete Institute. Farmington Hill, MI.
2002.
3. “International Building Code.” International Code Council.
Country Club Hills, IL. 2006.
4. “Post-Tensioned Design Guidelines” Carl Walker, Inc.
Kalamazoo, MI.
5. ADAPT-PT ‘Help’ Menu.

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