What Is Post-Tensioning And Who Needs It?

A discussion on this mystical system which hides in concrete structures. It allows us to create larger concrete bridge spans, wider column spacing in offices and parking decks, thinner-walled concrete water tanks, and even resisting the forces anticipated in a nuclear explosion.

Although originally developed in the 1930s, the use and application of Post-Tensioning principles have changed very little. The original 1/4" (and more recently 7mm) single wires are still used in many worldwide applications, while America has transitioned to multi-weaved strands, again, primarily 0.5" to 0.6".

As you can imagine, since the 1930s, there have been many different uses, configurations, and adaptations as engineers and designers have used the capabilities of post-tensioning in different and often intriguing ways. Many years on, as we renovate, maintain, and repurpose these structures, we find ourselves faced with rehabbing and repairing these systems to give our structures many more years of useful life.

With that in mind, it stands to reason that there is no golden rule on how to find and repair issues with a post-tensioned structure. Almost every hole that you open could be different based upon, what they were trying to achieve, where it is located in a structure, or in some cases, what inventory they had at the time! Numerous companies have developed and sold post-tensioning parts over the years, with the same concept but with each manufacturer's interpretation of what they wanted to make and sell.

Due to the often minimal historical records and original construction information available for many structures, every repair that you attempt might be like opening a time capsule from the past. Consequently, options, methods, and procedures may vary wildly from project to project.

We have a large selection of parts for your post-tensioning and stressing equipment needs, such as anchors, cables, chucks, and couplers.