It's more a question of economics and the engineer's discretion as to which
is used - both can be equally good or bad. In residential applications,
post-tensioned is usually cheaper right now b/c less steel is used, but it
is critical that the tendons are adequately and properly tensioned. I've
looked at a lot of homes where the tendons were understressed or not
stressed at all. If going P-T I would hire a testing lab to observe the
stressing of the tendons. In either case have an engineer perfrom a
pre-pour inspection FOR YOU, not for the builder. It's amazing what the
builder's guy will pass.

Jeff


wrote in message
ups.com...
What are the differences between:
1. Post Tension type, and
2. Pier and Grade Beam type.

I saw this in the builder's documents. Same builder but two
different cities in the same locale (Bay Area, California).
What're the implications on the soil type (e.g. would one be
used in more solid soil type, etc)?

Thanks,
Raymond