The Prestressed Composite Section Design approach brings together the benefits of prestressed concrete and the effectiveness of composite action between segments that have been designed precast and cast-in-place. This is the method typically adopted in a bridge girder, floor systems and long spans requiring strength, less deflection and economical use of material. As the precast part is prestressed, following the installation of the composite slab, the building will have the advantage of higher loading capabilities and crack control.
This Excel spreadsheet simplifies the procedure of assessing the stresses, determining the ultimate capacity and confirming the serviceability limits based on appropriate design codes. Section properties, tendon shapes, and composite parameters can be rapidly changed so as to observe the result in terms of performance. This yields a quick, accurate method of laying out or analysing prestressed composite members that avoids the tedium of tedious calculations.
