Implications upon using exterior post-tensioning tendons to retrofit a low strength concrete waffle slab

A common problem when casting reinforced concrete structures is to have a lower concrete compressive strength as opposed to what has been assumed in design. The deflections that may occur under the serviceability conditions can exceed the maximum allowed. Although less frequent nowadays, there is still an ongoing demand to offer simple and practical retrofitting solutions for such situations. To cast a new concrete layer above an existing waffle slab facing these problems is sometimes, only by appearance, the simplest retrofitting method. The major disadvantages reside in the growth of the overall steel consumption and overall weight of the structure. Additional reinforcement is needed for the new slab and at the interface of the two concretes. Interventions that are not always simple and accessible to the builder may still be needed to satisfy the strength demands of the already cast elements. Therefore, a post-tensioning system placed bellow the existing concrete seems to be a better solution. The present study refers to a real-case investigation on a 5-level residual building where a low concrete class was identified for several waffle slabs. Casting an overall top concrete slab or applying an exterior post-tensioning system were the two main retrofitting solutions offered by the designer. Both solutions are compared in terms of structural performance and cost efficiency