I know….you’re asking “What is post-tensioning and why is it important to SMART?”
Post-tensioning is adding plastic sleeved steel cables to a concrete slab before the slab is poured to give the slab extra strength. When the slab is poured, the cables are pulled tight and anchored to the border of the slab. Post-tensioning accomplishes two things. First, it adds strength to the concrete slab. Second, it stops the slab from cracking. That’s really important if you’re building a house and never want the tiles in the kitchen or bathroom to crack….or you don’t want to see cracks in the garage floor. The OpenBuildings software provided to the competition by Bentley Systems makes it possible for architects and building designers to include post-tensioning in the design process.
Anyway….
The American Concrete Institute (ACI) and Post-Tensioning Institute (PTI) have announced an expanded partnership, formalized through the new joint ACI-PTI Committee 320, Post-Tensioned Structural Concrete Code, in response to expressed industry need for building code requirements addressing the unique aspects of post-tensioned concrete design.
ACI-PTI 320 will develop and maintain a companion to ACI 318, “Building Code Requirements for Structural Concrete.” Chairing the committee will be Dr. Carol Hayek, a member of ACI Committee 318, Structural Concrete Building Code; PTI Committee DC-20: Building Design; and, Joint ACI-ASCE Committee 423: Prestressed Concrete.
“Post-tensioning allows for design flexibility, materials reduction, and efficient constructability,” says PTI Executive Director Tony Johnson. “Establishment of ACI-PTI Committee 320 will not only help expedite the adoption of post-tensioning provisions into the concrete building code, but it will also enhance usability for the design engineer by consolidating post-tensioning design provisions into one convenient document. Dr. Hayek has been one of PTI’s most influential and active members, and her leadership of this committee is sure to result in the creation of excellent technical information for design professionals.”
“ACI and PTI, by combining volunteer and staff efforts, are well-positioned to meet the needs of the industry by producing new and user-friendly structural post-tensioning concrete building code requirements that complement existing code requirements,” adds ACI Executive Vice President Ronald Burg, P.E.
Written by Concrete News
