2026 MNSEA Tradeshow and Seminar: Post-Tension Design: Principles and Practice

Description

Post-Tension Design: Principles and Practice 

Join us Tuesday May 12th for the 2026 MNSEA Seminar and Trade Show, Post-Tension Design: Principles and Practice. We have exciting presentations and vendors lined up for you in the Discovery Hall of the Science Museum of Minnesota.

Click here for presentation materials.

Session 1 - Practical Post-Tensioning for Buildings
Structural Principles and Execution Strategies
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Post-tensioned concrete systems can make buildings more efficient, more durable, and more adaptable. This presentation offers a practical overview of how these systems work and the key ideas engineers should understand when using them. We’ll look at the basic design principles, the major components, and how detailing and layout choices affect performance. The session also highlights what happens in the field—from construction sequencing to stressing operations—and shares lessons learned from past projects. Attendees will leave with a clearer sense of how to apply post-tensioning effectively in real-world building design and construction. 


Session 2 - When Things Go Wrong 
Post-Tension Repairs

This session will review investigative and repair methods related to corrosion-induced deterioration in parking facility post-tension slabs and beams. Starting with the history of post-tension systems, the session will explain common investigative methods to assess 
tendon condition and determine structural review needs. Considerations for repair planning, shoring, methods of tendon restoration and restressing will be presented. Additionally, case studies will be presented to provide real-world applications. In particular, the session will 
explore a slab investigation to gauge the risk of hidden, but suspected damaged tendons in a 680 space multi-level garage. Additionally, the session will present a unique application of beam repair featuring external post-tensioning to restore safe load-carrying capacities. 


Session 3 - Putting the Pieces Together
A Project Case Study Involving Precast, Post-Tensioned Concrete Foundation Elements in the Remote Arctic 

As part of a radar facility being constructed for the U.S. Government in the remote Arctic, several logistical challenges confronted the project team. Procurement of construction materials in the U.S., delivery to Greenland, limited availability of construction equipment, and a restrictive two-and-a-half-month construction season all contributed to a complex engineering and construction project.

For foundation construction, traditional cast-in-place-concrete construction was not possible given the lack of batch plants near the remote site. Precast segmental-concrete elements were the alternative, including a mat foundation for the radar tower and deep footings for an ancillary support structure. To accelerate the erection schedule, the design engineers engaged a domestic concrete precaster to cast 
elements in Massachusetts and truck them to a port in Norfolk, Virginia. From there, segments were loaded onto a boat that carries supplies to the project site once a year. The segments had to be small enough to fit into shipping containers, be light enough for site cranes to manipulate, and act as a cohesive foundation system once installed. Using a combination of grouted splice sleeves and bonded post-tensioning techniques, the contractor completed foundation construction within the short construction season. This case study shows how the U.S.-based design engineers worked creatively and successfully with a domestic precaster and foreign contractor to provide a solution that satisfied the project’s many technical and logistical challenges.

Trade Show:

Suppliers from many areas of the construction industry ranging from fabricators to providers of design tools will be available to update us on products and services. Suppliers will be happy to answer your questions and provide solutions for your every-day challenges.

Agenda: MNSEA May Seminar Tradeshow

7:30 a.m. -8:15 a.m.	Registration, Breakfast & Trade Show		11:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m	Technical Session 2
8:15 a.m.-9:00 a.m.	MNSEA General Meeting		2:00 p.m.-1:15 p.m.	Lunch, Networking and Trade Show
9:00 a.m.-9:30 a.m.	Trade Show Exhibitors Introductions		1:15 p.m.-2:15 p.m.	Technical Session 3
9:30 a.m.-9:45 a.m.	Technical Session 1		2:15 p.m.-3:00 p.m	Closing remarks and Trade Show
10:45 a.m.-11:00 p.m.	Trade Show and Coffee Break		3:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m.	Social Hour & Venue Exploration

Click here for the full event flyer.

If you have any questions about this seminar, please contact Phil Cici at pcici@bkbm.com