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Post-tensioned transfer slabs and beams
Transfer slabs, transfer beams and girders that carry columns and walls over open podium, lobby and car park levels, designed or reviewed with post-tensioning.
Why post-tension a transfer structure.
When tower columns do not line up with the podium or basement grid, a transfer slab or transfer beam picks up the loads and carries them to the columns below. These members are deep, heavily loaded and often on the critical path. Post-tensioning lets the designer balance a large part of the load, which reduces depth, deflection and reinforcement congestion.
What we check and design
- A RAM Concept model of the transfer level, with the transferred column and wall loads applied as they occur in the construction sequence.
- Load balancing ratio and tendon profile for the transferred column and wall loads.
- Staged stressing matched to the construction sequence, so the member is not over-stressed before the floors above are built.
- Shear and punching at the transferred columns, and anchorage zone and bursting reinforcement.
- Long-term deflection with creep and shrinkage, and its effect on the floors and facades above.
- Restraint from cores and walls, and the effect of shortening on vertical elements.
- Congestion: tendon, duct and reinforcement clearances at beam-column joints.
Which service fits
A transfer structure can be designed from scratch in a full design package, checked in a PT design review, or slimmed down in a PT design optimisation where an RC or PT transfer has already been designed. At concept stage, preliminary design support gives depth and tendon quantities for the tender.
Staged stressing of transfer members needs close coordination on site; stressing support covers the stressing sequence, calculated elongations and record review.
Who does the work: our engineering team, led by our Lead Engineer, brings 15+ years of post-tension design and site experience across the GCC. We work to Dubai Municipality and the other UAE authorities' PT design and submission criteria, our lead engineer is registered with the Saudi Council of Engineers (SCE), and PT slabs are analysed and designed in RAM Concept. Iron Axis provides design and engineering only; PT materials and site works stay with the PT specialist contractor appointed for the project.
Questions we are asked about this.
Can a transfer beam be post-tensioned in stages?
Yes. Staged stressing is common so that prestress keeps pace with the load from floors built above.
Is a PT transfer slab always better than RC?
No. It depends on the loads, depth limits and programme. A preliminary comparison shows which works for the project.
Can you review an existing transfer design?
Yes. A PT design review checks the analysis, staged stressing, anchorage zones and detailing.
Related services and guides.
Most projects touch more than one of these. The Iron Axis home page has the full overview.
Send the drawings. Get an answer from our engineers.
WhatsApp or email the architectural or structural set, the location and what you need. The reply comes from the engineers who will do the work, with a proposed scope and programme.
- +971 52 118 2569
- Telephone
- +971 52 118 2569
- Office
- Al Warqa 1, Dubai, UAE
- Hours
- Sunday – Thursday, 09:00 – 18:00 GST