Description

The “Post-Tensioned Structural Concrete—Code Requirements and Commentary” (“Code”) provides minimum requirements for the materials, design, and detailing of post-tensioned concrete buildings and, where applicable, nonbuilding structures. This Code was developed by using a consensus process and addresses structural concrete members and systems that contain post-tensioned tendons. The Technical Advisory Board Code Task Group of the Post-Tensioning Institute was instrumental in the development of code provisions and commentary for this Code and whose efforts are gratefully acknowledged. Among the subjects covered are: design and construction for strength, serviceability, and durability; one-way slabs; two-way slabs; beams; post-tensioning anchorages; construction document information; and field inspection and testing.

This Code adheres to the chapter and section numbering of ACI CODE-318-25 and either references or repeats applicable provisions from ACI CODE-318. Provisions that are identical to ACI CODE-318 and are repeated in this Code are denoted with an equal sign (“=”). Provisions that are applicable to post-tensioned concrete but are not repeated in the Code are denoted as “See ACI CODE-318.” The Code organization is such that all design and detailing requirements for structural systems or for individual members are presented in chapters devoted to those individual subjects, and the chapters are arranged in a manner that generally follows the process and chronology of design and construction. Information and procedures that are common to the design of multiple member types are located in utility chapters. Within chapters, the terms “out of scope” are used for numbered section headings from ACI CODE-318 that are not covered by this Code, while the term “intentionally left blank” is used as a place holder to maintain consistency with section numbering in situations where ACI CODE-318 includes a numbered provision that is not also in this Code.

Uses of the Code include adoption by reference in a general building code, and earlier editions have been widely used in this manner. The Code is written in a format that allows such reference without change to its language. Therefore, background details or suggestions for carrying out the requirements or intent of the Code provisions cannot be included within the Code itself. The Commentary is provided for this purpose. Some considerations of the committee in developing the Code are discussed in the Commentary, with emphasis given to the explanation of new or revised provisions. The commentary also provides explanations regarding situations where use of ACI CODE-318 and this Code are used. For instance, design of cast-in-place, nonprestressed concrete members or structures requires the use of ACI CODE-318 alone. Design of post-tensioned concrete structures requires the use of this Code and ACI CODE-318. Design of precast, post-tensioned concrete structures requires the use of applicable provisions of this Code, ACI CODE-318, and ACI-PTI CODE-319. For provisions that specifically address precast concrete and are generally not within the scope of post-tensioning, this code references either ACI CODE-318 or ACI-PTI CODE-319, where applicable.

Much of the research data referenced in preparing the Code is cited for the user desiring to study individual questions in greater detail. Other documents that provide suggestions for carrying out the requirements of the Code are also cited, including PTI design manuals, recommended practices, and reports.

168 pages; 8½ x 11 in. PDF

Published April 2025

Table of Contents

TABLE OF CONTENTS

CHAPTER 1—GENERAL

1.1—Scope of ACI/PTI CODE-320

1.2—General

1.3—Purpose

1.4—Applicability

1.5—Interpretation

1.6—Building official

1.7—Licensed design professional

1.8—Construction documents and design records

1.9—Testing and inspection

1.10—Approval of specials systems of design, construction, or alternative construction materials

CHAPTER 2—NOTATION AND TERMINOLOGY

2.1—Scope

2.2—Notation

2.3—Terminology

CHAPTER 3—REFERENCED STANDARDS

3.1—Scope

3.2—Referenced standards

CHAPTER 4—STRUCTURAL SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS

4.1—Scope

4.2—Materials

4.3—Design loads

4.4—Structural system and load paths

4.5—Structural analysis

4.6—Strength

4.7—Serviceability

4.8—Durability

4.9—Sustainability

4.10—Structural integrity

4.11—Fire resistance

4.12—Requirements for specific types of construction

4.13—Construction and inspection

4.14—Strength evaluation of existing structures

CHAPTER 5—LOADS

5.1—Scope

5.2—General - See ACI CODE-318

5.3—Load factors and combinations

CHAPTER 6—STRUCTURAL ANALYSIS

6.1—Scope

6.2—General

6.3—Modeling assumptions

6.4—Arrangement of live load

6.5—Simplified method of analysis for nonprestressed continuous beams and one-way slabs - See ACI CODE-318

6.6—Linear elastic first-order analysis

6.7—Linear elastic second-order analysis - See ACI CODE-318

6.8—Inelastic analysis - See ACI CODE-318

6.9—Acceptability of finite element analysis - See ACI CODE-318

CHAPTER 7—ONE-WAY SLABS

7.1—Scope

7.2—General

7.3—Design limits

7.4—Required strength

7.5—Design strength

7.6—Reinforcement limits

7.7—Reinforcement detailing

CHAPTER 8—TWO-WAY SLABS

8.1—Scope

8.2—General

8.3—Design limits

8.4—Required strength

8.5—Design strength

8.6—Reinforcement limits

8.7—Reinforcement detailing

8.8—Nonprestressed two-way joist systems - Out of Scope

8.9—Lift-slab construction

CHAPTER 9—BEAMS

9.1—Scope

9.2—General

9.3—Design limits

9.4—Required strength

9.5—Design strength

9.6—Reinforcement limits

9.7—Reinforcement detailing

9.8—Nonprestressed one-way joist systems - Out of Scope

9.9—Deep beams - See ACI CODE-318

CHAPTER 10—COLUMNS

10.1—Scope

10.2—General - See ACI CODE-318

10.3—Design limits - See ACI CODE-318

10.4—Required strength - See ACI CODE-318

10.5—Design strength - See ACI CODE-318

10.6—Reinforcement limits

10.7—Reinforcement detailing

CHAPTER 11—WALLS

11.1—Scope

CHAPTER 12—DIAPHRAGMS

12.1—Scope

12.2—General - See ACI CODE-318

12.3—Design limits - See ACI CODE-318

12.4—Required strength - See ACI CODE-318

12.5—Design strength

12.6—Reinforcement limits - See ACI CODE-318

12.7—Reinforcement detailing - See ACI CODE-318

CHAPTER 13—FOUNDATIONS

13.1—Scope

CHAPTER 14—PLAIN CONCRETE (OUT OF SCOPE)

CHAPTER 15—CAST-IN-PLACE JOINTS

15.1—Scope

CHAPTER 16—CONNECTIONS BETWEEN MEMBERS

16.1—Scope

CHAPTER 17—ANCHORING TO CONCRETE

17.1—Scope

CHAPTER 18—EARTHQUAKE-RESISTANT STRUCTURES

18.1—Scope

18.2—General - See ACI CODE-318

18.3—Ordinary moment frames - See ACI CODE-318

18.4—Intermediate moment frames

18.5—Intermediate precast structural walls - Out of scope

18.6—Beams of special moment frames

18.7—Columns of special moment frames - See ACI CODE-318

18.8—Joints of special moment frames - See ACI CODE-318

18.9—Special moment frames constructed using precast concrete - See ACI/PCI-CODE 319

18.10—Special structural walls - See ACI CODE-318

18.11—Special structural walls constructed using precast concrete - See ACI/PCI CODE-319

18.12—Diaphragms and trusses

18.13—Foundations - See ACI CODE-318

18.14—Members not designated as part of the seismicforce-resisting system

CHAPTER 19—CONCRETE: DESIGN AND DURABILITY REQUIREMENTS

19.1—Scope

19.2—Concrete design properties - See ACI CODE-318

19.3—Concrete durability requirements - See ACI CODE-318

19.4—Grout durability requirements

CHAPTER 20—STEEL REINFORCEMENT PROPERTIES, DURABILITY, AND EMBEDMENTS

20.1—Scope

20.2—Nonprestressed bars and wires - See ACI CODE-318

20.3—Prestressing strands, wires, and bars

20.4—Headed shear stud reinforcement

20.5—Provisions for durability of steel reinforcement

20.6—Embedments - See ACI CODE-318

CHAPTER 21—STRENGTH REDUCTION FACTORS

21.1—Scope

21.2—Strength reduction factors for structural concrete members and connections

CHAPTER 22—SECTIONAL STRENGTH

22.1—Scope

22.2—Design assumptions for moment and axial strength

22.3—Flexural strength

22.4—Axial strength or combined flexural and axial strength

22.5—One-way shear strength

22.6—Two-way shear strength

22.7—Torsional strength

22.8—Bearing - See ACI CODE-318

22.9—Shear friction - See ACI CODE-318

CHAPTER 23—STRUT-AND-TIE METHOD

23.1—Scope

CHAPTER 24—SERVICEABILITY

24.1—Scope

24.2—Deflections due to service-level gravity loads

24.3—Distribution of flexural reinforcement in one-way slabs and beams

24.4—Shrinkage and temperature reinforcement

24.5—Permissible stresses in prestressed concrete flexural members

CHAPTER 25—REINFORCEMENT DETAILS

25.1—Scope

25.2—Minimum spacing of reinforcement - See ACI CODE-318

25.3—Standard hooks, seismic hooks, crossties, and minimum inside bend diameters - See ACI CODE-318

25.4—Development and anchorage of reinforcement - See ACI CODE-318

25.5—Splices - See ACI CODE-318

25.6—Bundled reinforcement - See ACI CODE-318

25.7—Transverse reinforcement - See ACI CODE-318

25.8—Post-tensioning anchorages and couplers

25.9—Anchorage zones for post-tensioned tendons

CHAPTER 26—CONSTRUCTION DOCUMENTS AND INSPECTION

26.1—Scope

26.2—Design criteria - See ACI CODE-318

26.3—Member information - See ACI CODE-318

26.4—Concrete materials, mixture requirements, and grouts - ACI CODE-318

26.5—Concrete production and construction - See ACI CODE-318

26.6—Reinforcement materials and construction requirements- See ACI CODE-318

26.7—Anchoring to concrete - See ACI CODE-318

26.8—Embedments - See ACI CODE-318

26.9—Additional requirements for precast concrete - See ACI/PCI CODE-319

26.10—Additional requirements for post-tensioned concrete

26.11—Formwork - See ACI CODE-318

26.12—Evaluation and acceptance of hardened concrete - See ACI CODE-318

26.13—Inspection - See ACI CODE-318

CHAPTER 27—STRENGTH EVALUATION OF EXISTING STRUCTURES

27.1—Scope

COMMENTARY REFERENCES

ADDENDA AND ERRATA INFO

Any applicable addenda or errata are included with individual documents at the time of purchase. For a listing of and access to all product addenda and errata, visit the Addenda and Errata page. Errata page.

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