Post-tensioned Reinforcing refers to which practice?

• A. The Reinforcing steel is tensioned after the concrete is hardened
• B. The Reinforcing steel is tensioned before the concrete is poured
• C. Reinforcement is removed after curing
• D. No tensioning is involved in the process

Answer: (A)

Post-tensioning involves placing ducts for high-tensile steel inside the concrete, pouring and curing the concrete, and then threading and tensioning the tendons to compress the concrete. The steel is tensioned after the concrete has hardened, which creates internal compression that helps resist bending and cracking. This technique also allows for longer spans and thinner slabs compared to non-tensioned or pretensioned methods. It differs from tensioning before pouring (which is pretensioning) and from any approach that would remove reinforcement after curing.