The earth is often shifting, swelling, and contracting in ways that make construction difficult. Across much of the United States, ground composed largely of clay, karst, and other unpredictable ingredients presents real problems to builders.
When concrete is poured for use in slab-on-grade construction projects, it has traditionally most often reinforced through the introduction of rebar-format steel. Unfortunately, this measure regularly proves to be insufficient to withstand and combat the stress that shifting soils can produce.
A more advanced and effective alternative is the Post Tension Slab Grade Solution. With an entire slab being poured first and tension then applied by an appropriate means thereafter, a number of associated advantages arise.
A Better Answer to Uncertain, Challenging Ground
Rebar-reinforced concrete is found in many places and different applications, but its weaknesses are well known. While it can make for an economical solution in cases where the demands will not be especially high, it regularly comes up short in others. By
post tension floor , post-tensioned approaches to concrete reinforcement regularly stand out with respect to a number of important factors:
Ruggedness. Applying tension only after a slab has been poured allows for a dynamic form of application that accounts better for local conditions. As a result, slabs produced in this way consistently resist cracking better than those based on rebar reinforcement.
Predictability. Slabs that incorporate rebar for reinforcement can also be surprisingly prone to problems such as shrinkage over time. The post-tensioning approach can almost eliminate this danger, in many cases, leading to far more predictable and reliable results.
Efficiency. Reinforcing a concrete slab with rebar inevitably requires a good deal of labor and time. Making use of a post-tensioned technology instead can cut the associated costs while speeding up work and making on-time completion that much more likely.
Supplementing a Proven Approach in Suitable, Custom-Tailored Ways
Slabs created in this manner can also be enhanced through any of a number of commonly useful measures. In many cases, for example, the introduction of stud rails into the slab at the time of pouring will allow for a similar number and type of benefits as will the use of post-tensioning.
When an advanced engineered product that provides for a particularly notable degree of shear stud reinforcement is employed, the resulting slab can easily end up being a match for even the most challenging and unpredictable types of soil. Because of this, builders increasingly look into options like these instead of sticking to the type of rebar-based reinforcement that was the norm for so long.