DETERMINING SHORING LOADS FOR POST-TENSIONED CONCRETE CONSTRUCTION.

Since post-tensioned concrete is widely used in all types of buildings and civil works projects, the formwork designer and builder must understand how the post-tensioning will affect the selection and design of the shoring. Structural engineers today design unique structures using transfer girders, hanging floors, and stage-stressing in addition to the more common types of post-tensioned beams and slabs. Shoring that is designed to carry only the pouring load of the wet concrete can sometimes become severely overloaded during the post-tensioning process. Preliminary formwork studies at the bidding stage help the designer choose a forming system. The author explains how one can make sure that shoring loads are accurately estimated.