Post-tensioned residential floors

Today the building industry is taking the next step in concrete technologies by using post-tension cables in slab construction. Post-tensioning is a method of strengthening concrete using high-strength steel strands or cables, typically referred to as tendons. Slabs using the post-tension method can be built thinner, which can cut down on construction costs and curing time.

The post-tensioning method is the best practice for building stronger, more reliable foundation slabs.

Post-tension concrete construction creates a tight grid of steel cables that actively help support the slab. Unlike conventional “inactive” re-bar, which only helps keep the slab intact after cracking, post-tension tendons continually contribute to the structural integrity of home. Plastic sheathing is used to cover the cables to protect them from corrosion.

Concrete is very strong in compression, usually rated up to 2,500 PSI for most homes, but up to 3,000 for a IST Home, but even that could be relatively weak in tension. This means that a concrete slab can be prone to cracking due to deflection, or bending, when the earth under the slab sinks or becomes unstable. This is common in areas with expansive soil such as Denver and Houston. Expansive soil is a type of soil that expands and contracts based on its moisture level, and it can damage the structural integrity of homes.