Post-Tension Slab Issues and Benefits
Are you familiar with post-tension slabs? What exactly are post-tension slabs? This article discusses post-tension slab issues and benefits. Follow along as we provide you with all the necessary information.
Other articles you may discover on this topic are oriented toward individuals with engineering or construction experience. Here, we shall explain post-tension slabs to a person who may be unfamiliar with the topic.
What exactly is a post-tensioned slab?
A post-tensioned slab is a sort of foundation-building technique. Many homebuilders shifted to this method in the early 1970s due to poor soil conditions around the Gulf Coast and the fact that the construction procedure was less expensive than standard slab-on-grade construction.
After the concrete has hardened, stranded steel wires are tensioned (tightened) to support a post-tension slab. The cables are placed inside a plastic sleeve, similar to a wrapping. This keeps the cables from making contact with the concrete. The plastic covering is stretched when the concrete has properly hardened. Stretching the post-tensioned cables delivers significant strain to the concrete structure, raising the slab into a compressed state and so reducing shrinkage cracks and soil-induced cracks.
Why do contractors utilize post-tension slabs?
During the construction of a house or structure, post-tensioned slabs were employed for two reasons.
Due to the poor soil conditions in the Gulf Coast region, contractors choose post-tension slabs. The shallow freezing depth in southern regions is a soil concern.
Post tension slabs are less expensive, resulting in increased profit for the builder. Unfortunately, this move has terrible consequences for homeowners. Before failing, conventional concrete and rebar foundations last between 20 and 30 years. Post-tension slabs are collapsing at a significantly faster rate and only survive about 15 to 20 years.
Difficulties With Post-Tensioned Slabs
Cracks are one of the greatest issues with post-tension slabs. Generally, the wires laying in the concrete are not tightened until 7 to 10 days after the concrete has been poured. Due to the lack of stretching or elongation, the cables are unable to provide any crack control in the first few days.
When a truck or other large object is placed on a building and the concrete slab is subjected to tension, fractures may also appear. To remedy this issue, post-tensioned steel tendons are inserted when the concrete is poured, and standard reinforced bars are then used to apply tension.
A second difficulty with post-tensioned slabs is that the footings are used to secure the foundation. The needed tension to bind the extra concrete in the footings and the soil between the footings cannot be satisfied. As a result, the cable tension is insufficient to withstand bending movements.
Cracks in slabs can be costly to repair once construction is complete. Imagine tearing up flooring or carpet to fix a little crack that you may never notice. Attempting to repair cracks can be time-consuming and costly. Depending on the amount of damage, a family may be required to vacate their house for repairs. Price inflation is discussed.
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