Maximum flexibility
Whether for ground slabs or suspended floors, the advantages to be gained from using post-tensioned solutions are immense. Used for decades in Australia and the United States, post-tensioned slabs are now becoming popular throughout the world, as the enhanced value they deliver is being recognised by clients, developers and construction professionals.
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Meeting modern needs
Post-tensioned concrete can easily be adapted to accommodate complex geometry and special design challenges necessary to meet all the needs of modern architecture. For example, spans of up to 15 m are common in standard PT slabs - allowing larger column-free space in buildings.
As they are normally about 30% shallower, PT slabs can reduce the building height or even permit the addition of one or more floors within the same total building height.
Less material, faster program
As well as reducing the quantities of concrete and steel for the superstructure, post-tensioning can significantly reduce the amount of groundwork required. In addition, thinner PT slabs and early strength stressing using BBR VT CONA CMX promote a faster floor cycle time, allowing the structure to progress more rapidly.
Reduced maintenance costs
Post-tensioned structures are durable and require little maintenance because the compressive forces that are applied to the structure during prestressing result in better crack and deflection/vibration control.
Advantages of adopting PT approach
- Greater flexibility of design
- Faster construction program
- Lower construction material costs
- Reduced maintenance costs
- Potential for increased future loading
- Improved whole life costs & durability
- Reduced environmental impact
Largest joint-free PT slab
BBR Contech, the BBR Network Member in New Zealand, designed and installed what is thought to be the largest joint-free post-tensioned floor slab for the Courier Post distribution centre in Auckland.
The BBR CONA flat PT system was used and, over a two month period, multiple concrete pours were coupled together, effectively creating a single, continuous slab with no movement joints. The Courier Post building is a model of BBR Contech ingenuity – a simple, highly effective solution to a potentially damaging issue.