Post-tension FAQ

A post-tensioned concrete slab with high-strength steel tendons that are stressed after the concrete hardens. The tendons balance part of the load and put the slab into compression, allowing thinner slabs and longer spans.

Four post-tension design services (PT design review, PT design optimisation, preliminary design support and full PT design packages) plus site supervision and stressing support, for projects in the UAE and GCC.

No. Iron Axis is a design and supervision practice. Materials and site work are provided by the PT specialist contractor appointed for the project, so our design and supervision stay focused on the engineering.

Our engineering team, led by our Lead Engineer, with 15+ years of post-tension experience across the GCC, working to Dubai Municipality and UAE authority PT criteria, with Saudi Council of Engineers registration and RAM Concept.

The UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Oman, Bahrain and Kuwait. Site attendance is mainly in the UAE; other countries are supported remotely with planned visits.

Usually for spans above roughly 7–8 m, where thinner slabs, fewer columns and faster cycles pay back. See our PT vs RC guide.

Unbonded monostrand is common for typical floors; bonded multistrand for transfer structures and high forces. See bonded vs unbonded PT.

The project specification governs; ±7% between measured and calculated elongation is commonly used in ACI 318 based specifications and PTI practice.

Yes. We prepare the PT design, drawings and calculation report for the consultant of record to submit. See full post-tension design package.

Only after scanning to locate tendons and with an engineer's approval. Cutting a tendon can affect a large area of slab. See PT slab openings and coring and our structural strengthening design service.

Monostrand tendons are single greased and sheathed strands, usually unbonded, common in building slabs. Multistrand tendons group several strands in a duct that is grouted after stressing (bonded), used for transfer beams and high forces.

A check where the jack is re-applied to a stressed tendon until the wedges just lift, to confirm the force held. It is used when elongations fall outside tolerance. See PT losses and elongation calculation.

Flat slabs suit regular grids and fast cycles; banded beam slabs suit long spans in one direction such as car parks. See PT flat slab vs banded beam.

ACI 318 with PTI guidance as standard, Eurocode 2 (EN 1992) or BS where specified, and SBC 304 for Saudi Arabia. Analysis and design is in RAM Concept.

Yes: PT podium slabs, car park slabs, PT transfer slabs and beams, and PT rafts or ground-bearing slabs using the geotechnical report.

Yes, we design PT slab strengthening for new openings or added loads: steel framing, FRP, external post-tensioning or local thickening, checked against the original design. See structural strengthening design.

Iron Axis is a PT design consultancy: an engineering team led by our Lead Engineer. We can act as PT designer or reviewer to consultants, contractors and PT specialists.

No. Fees are quoted against a defined scope after we review the drawings.

Send the drawings, location and what you need by WhatsApp or email.