The Stress-Con Post
Tension System uses a high strength seven strand steel cable with a
coating of lubricant and plastic. The cable is installed inside the
concrete form boards according to engineering specifications.
A typical installation includes cables running 90 degree to each other to form a
reinforcement grid. The cables
are held in place by
cast iron
anchors secured to the form boards with nails. Plastic chair supports
hold the cables at the proper height for the depth of concrete being
poured. After the concrete has been poured and hardened to meet
specifications the tensioning process, called stressing, is applied
tothe cables. The stressing operation is
accomplished by using a hydraulic jack which attaches to the
protruding cable end after the forms have been removed. The lubricant
inside the plastic liner allow the cable to slide while the pressure
is being applied. After the cable has been stretched to proper
specifications it is locked in place by steel wedges in the anchor.
After all cables are stressed, the slab is in a state of compression,
applied at the anchor points of each cable end. The residual
compression distributed through the slab supports the structure on top
and actively resists soil movement occurring under the slab. The
Stress-Con System exponentially increases stability in the normal life
of the structure.
