What is the purpose of post-tensioning?
If you’ve ever wondered what keeps the concrete floors of skyscrapers and bridges from collapsing, it’s not just the strength of the concrete itself. Post-tensioning is a crucial process that gives reinforced concrete structures additional strength and stability. But what exactly is post-tensioning, and why is it so important? What is post-tensioning? Post-tensioning is a method of reinforcing concrete by inserting steel cables or tendons into a concrete slab or beam before it cures. The steel cables are tensioned and anchored against the ends of the structure, putting the concrete under compression. This compression helps to counteract the tensile stresses that would otherwise cause the concrete to crack and fail. Post-tensioning can be done either on-site or off-site, but the principle is the same. Steel cables are run through ducts in the concrete, then tensioned and anchored at each end. This process compresses the concrete and provides additional stability and resistance to the b