Failed PT cables can quietly compromise an entire slab. We locate, expose, and repair tensioned cables with the precision this work demands — and full documentation.
Post-tension cable repair in Fort Lauderdale is among the most specialized structural repair services available — and one where the stakes of getting it wrong are extremely high. Post-tensioned concrete slabs are common throughout South Florida's residential and commercial buildings, and when a tendon fails, the consequences for slab performance and structural integrity can be significant. At Planet Construction FL, we work with licensed structural engineers to identify, assess, and repair post-tension failures in Fort Lauderdale's buildings — safely, correctly, and with full documentation.
Pinpoints post-tension cable depth, tendon profile, and lateral position to within 1/8", preventing catastrophic accidental severing during chipping.
Engineered mechanical couplers join replacement strands seamlessly, restoring full engineering tension capacity without building redesign.
Calibrated 33,000-lb hydraulic monostrand stressing jacks re-establish design tension with precision gauge and elongation verification.
Post-tension cables are the hidden tensioned steel that holds many modern slabs together. When one fails — from corrosion, water intrusion, or impact — the slab silently loses structural capacity in a way that visual inspection alone can't catch. Working on PT slabs without the right knowledge and equipment is dangerous; ignoring the problem is worse.
We work with the precision PT repair demands: locating the cable accurately, exposing it carefully, repairing or replacing the affected section under proper tension, and rebuilding the slab to spec. Every repair is photographed, measured, and documented for the engineer of record, so you have full records of the work performed.
Post-tensioned concrete slabs are reinforced with high-strength steel tendons — cables or strands — that are tensioned after the concrete has cured. This tensioning places the slab in compression, dramatically increasing its load capacity and allowing thinner, longer-span slabs than conventional rebar reinforcement allows. In South Florida, post-tensioned slabs are common in condominium buildings, parking garages, and residential construction built from the 1970s onward. Tendon failure occurs when corrosion attacks the high-strength steel wire — which is far more susceptible to stress corrosion than conventional rebar — or when mechanical damage severs a tendon during construction or renovation. Salt air, moisture infiltration, and construction damage are the primary failure causes in Fort Lauderdale's buildings.
TENDON SPLICING
Surgical excavation of broken or corroded cables, installation of engineered dogbone couplers, replacement of 0.5" or 0.6" 270k low-relaxation strands, and calibrated hydraulic re-stressing.
ANCHOR POCKETS
Chipping out porous shrinkage grouts around slab-edge stressing pockets, abrasive cleaning of anchor heads and wedges, application of zinc primer, and sealing with non-shrink polymer grout.
GPR MAPPING
Pre-construction non-destructive radar profiling to map exact cable parabolic drape, buried rebar layers, and embedded conduit, eliminating drill and sawcut strikes completely.
GREASE INJECTION
Vacuum-assisted purging of trapped moisture and dry nitrogen flushing inside plastic sheaths, followed by pressure injection of PTI-approved corrosion-inhibiting PT grease.
HYDRODEMOLITION
High-pressure water jetting (up to 20,000 PSI) selectively removes delaminated concrete around live tendons without mechanical impact vibration or accidental micro-fracturing.
CFRP BACKUP
When severely corroded tendons cannot be safely spliced, high-modulus carbon fiber laminates are bonded to slab undersides to permanently replace lost flexural and shear capacity.
Post-tension tendon failures produce specific, recognizable indicators. A loud report — often described as a gunshot sound — heard within the building is sometimes the first sign of a tendon failure as the severed, high-energy strand releases its stored tension. Cracking that follows the tendon layout grid — running in straight lines across the slab in both directions — indicates loss of compression in the slab from one or more failed tendons. Visible corrosion staining at the slab soffit along tendon lines, combined with spalling along those lines, is a clear visual indicator of tendon corrosion. Tendon end anchor blowouts — where the concrete around the tendon pocket at the slab edge fails — are another indicator. Any of these signs requires immediate professional assessment, not observation and waiting.
Post-tensioned concrete carries massive stored mechanical energy. Slicing trades across uncoordinated subcontractors invites catastrophic structural failure.
Generic concrete patchers using heavy jackhammers frequently strike live cables, instantly severing 30,000 lbs of tension. Slabs crack across entire bays, and the contractor denies liability.
John Kraja directs all PT repairs under Florida license CGC1517295. From pre-scan GPR mapping to calibrated hydraulic stressing and waterproofing encapsulation, dedicated in-house crews execute every step.
We collaborate with your structural Engineer of Record (EOR) daily. Calibrated elongation readings, pressure gauge logs, and shoring calculations are documented for seamless municipal milestone approvals.
Post-tensioned slabs are under active, high-energy compression — the steel tendons contain enormous stored energy. Disturbing the slab or tendons without understanding the tendon layout and current tension state is dangerous. Cutting through a post-tensioned slab for plumbing or mechanical penetrations without identifying and protecting the tendons can sever live tendons, releasing energy suddenly and catastrophically. Planet Construction FL strictly follows established protocols for working in and around post-tensioned slabs: tendon identification using ground-penetrating radar or existing structural drawings before any cutting or coring, coordination with the structural engineer of record, and repair execution that follows the approved repair design. No shortcuts are acceptable on PT slab repair.
High-frequency GPR scanning identifies exact tendon parabolic profiles, live conduit locations, and slab thickness, establishing safe excavation boundaries.
Engineered multi-tier hydraulic shoring towers are erected directly below active spans to safely absorb structural loads before any concrete chipping starts.
Pneumatic chipping or hydrodemolition carefully exposes damaged monostrand sections without nicking adjacent live plastic sheaths or anchor wedges.
Corroded strands are excised and replaced with PTI-certified 270k steel, coupled with mechanical dogbone connectors, and prepared for stressing.
Calibrated monostrand jacks apply engineered tension up to 33,000 lbs. Elongation is verified, anchor pockets are grouted, and city permits are signed off.
Post-tension tendon repair begins with a structural assessment coordinated with a licensed structural engineer. The failed tendon location is identified and the extent of corrosion or damage is mapped. The repair design — developed by the engineer — specifies the repair method: in most cases, the failed tendon is cut beyond the corrosion zone, a new coupler and supplemental tendon segment are installed, and the tendon is re-stressed to restore the original design tension level. The concrete at the repair zone is then rebuilt with FDOT-approved repair mortar, and the anchor pocket is restored. Throughout the process, the slab is monitored for any additional tendon failures triggered by changes in the compression state, and the structural engineer approves each phase before work proceeds.
Phased construction logistics, resident notices, reserve study alignment, and direct engineer of record milestone recertification sign-offs.
Documented case studies showcasing engineered structural repairs across Broward and Palm Beach County properties.
Remediated 16 severed unbonded balcony tendons, installed dogbone splices, re-tensioned to 33,000 lbs, and encapsulated anchor pockets on a 18-story coastal condominium.
GPR scanned 28,000 sq ft elevated deck, spliced 24 compromised tendon strands, injected corrosion-inhibiting grease, and sealed with heavy-duty traffic membranes.
Combined post-tension tendon replacement with supplemental underside carbon fiber (CFRP) laminates to restore load transfer capacity across retail loading docks.
Clear answers regarding engineering specifications, municipal code compliance, and structural concrete restoration standards.
It depends on the number of failed tendons, their location, and the slab's overall structural condition. A single isolated tendon failure in a slab with significant redundancy may not create an immediate life safety risk, but requires prompt engineering assessment. Multiple failures, failures at critical slab locations, or failures combined with existing slab distress may require immediate load restrictions or area closures. This determination must be made by a licensed structural engineer — not assumed to be safe.
Ground-penetrating radar (GPR) scanning is the most reliable non-destructive method for locating post-tension tendons in a concrete slab before cutting. GPR produces a scan of the tendon layout that allows penetrations to be located between tendons rather than through them. Planet Construction FL coordinates GPR scanning for any project involving cuts or penetrations in a suspected post-tensioned slab — it is non-negotiable on these projects.
Most post-tension tendon failures can be repaired with the coupler and re-stressing approach described above, provided the corrosion or damage is localized rather than distributed along the tendon's full length. Tendons with widespread corrosion that extends through multiple bays may require a different structural solution — supplemental conventional reinforcement or CFRP strengthening — rather than individual tendon replacement. The structural engineer assesses each failure and specifies the appropriate repair or strengthening approach.
Yes — post-tension structural repair is a permitted structural repair requiring engineering drawings and calculations for permit submission. Planet Construction FL manages the full permit process and works with the structural engineer to prepare the documentation required for building department review and approval.
Tell us what your engineer flagged. We'll review the situation, scope the repair, and execute it with full documentation.
Speak directly with John, Qualifying Contractor (CGC1517295 & CCC1329271). We review GPR data and engineer-of-record repair mandates promptly.
(754) 301-6747
