By Brandon Harman, Engineer, Post-Tensioning Institute

CODE REQUIREMENTS FOR PTI CERTIFICATION

New code changes in the 2024 edition of the International Residential Code (IRC) directly influence the construction of residential post-tensioned slabs-on-ground (PT-SOG). Prior to the 2024 edition of the IRC, Section R506 “Concrete Floors (On Ground)” only referred to ACI 332 for the design and construction of concrete slab-on-ground floors. The 2024 edition of the IRC added a new Section R506.2 “Post-Tensioned Slab-on-Ground Floors,” which states that “post-tensioned concrete slab-on-ground floors placed on expansive or stable soils shall be designed in accordance with PTI DC10.5.”

PTI DC10.5-19 Standard Requirements for Design and Analysis of Shallow Post-Tensioned Concrete Foundations on Expansive and Stable Soils was also added to the IRC as a reference. DC10.5 refers to PTI M10.6 Specification for Unbonded Single Strand Tendons Used for Slab-on-Ground Construction, which requires that post-tensioning materials used in PT-SOG are sourced from Post-Tensioning Institute (PTI) certified plants and that installation and stressing of these materials are performed by PTI-certified field personnel.

A code pathway to DC10.5 and thus M10.6 can also be found in the International Building Code (IBC) for post-tensioned slabs-on-ground governed by the IBC. Post-tensioned concrete construction for multilevel, elevated structures adapted to similar code requirements long ago and has realized the short- and long-term benefits of having material from certified plants installed by certified personnel.

PT-SOG is no exception and stands to benefit from higher quality materials and workmanship, resulting from code requirements for PTI plant certification and PTI field personnel certification.

PTI CERTIFICATION BENEFITS

PTI certification benefits stakeholders across the residential construction industry by improving the quality of materials and workmanship for PT-SOG, which supports overall project objectives for quality, durability, safety and productivity by providing:

• Higher-quality post-tensioning (PT) system materials manufactured by certified plants.

• Higher-quality installation, stressing and finishing of PT materials by Post-Tensioning Institute (PTI)-certified field personnel.

• Improved safety during stressing of PT tendons due to training and education received by certified field personnel.

• Schedule savings from more efficient PT operations and fewer issues coordinating PT with other trades on the project.

• Fewer troubleshooting incidents (for the contractor and licensed design professional) that are more commonly encountered when using non-certified personnel.

• Improved structural durability and lower life-cycle costs due to higher-quality materials and workmanship.

• Fewer contractor warranty issues and greater risk mitigation.

To realize the benefits of PTI certification required by the code, it is imperative that licensed design professionals, owners, contractors, inspectors and municipalities take an active role in enforcing these code requirements. Materials and workmanship from non-certified plants and personnel are inferior, as they do not comply with code requirements and do not support overall project objectives for quality, durability, safety and productivity.

PTI FIELD PERSONNEL CERTIFICATION

PTI Level 1 & 2 Slab-on-Ground Installer & Inspector field personnel certification is a two-day workshop designed specifically for installation and inspection of single strand unbonded tendon systems in residential and light commercial slabs-on-ground. Attendees of this workshop can earn the following certifications, depending on their background, experience and exam score:

• • PTI Level 1 Slab-on-Ground Installer
• • PTI Level 2 Slab-on-Ground Installer
• • PTI Level 1 Slab-on-Ground Inspector
• • PTI Level 2 Slab-on-Ground Inspector

Code requires that field personnel be certified as follows:

• Installer Certification
  • Crew Foreman – PTI Level 1 Slab-on-Ground Installer
• Tensioning Certification
  • Crew Foreman – PTI Level 2 Slab-on-Ground Installer
  • Remainder of Personnel – PTI Level 1 Slab-on-Ground Installer
• Inspection Certification
  • Inspector – PTI Level 2 Slab-on-Ground Inspector

In February 2026, PTI presented a webinar titled “PTI’s Certification Programs: Field Personnel and PT Supplier Plants,” which is a great resource to learn more about PTI certification programs. This free webinar is available on demand on the Post-Tensioning Institute website at post-tensioning.org/academy or by scanning the QR code at the bottom of the page. For more information on PTI Certification, please visit post-tensioning.org/certification.