--- title: What are post-tension slabs and why do we use them? description: At Capital Homes, we work with StressCon to ensure each home has the best line of defense against that moving clay. image: https://blog.capitalhomes.com/hubfs/Goodale_wide%20view-1.jpg --- [![22_Capital_Homes_Logo_Horizontal_2C_RGB](https://blog.capitalhomes.com/hs-fs/hubfs/22_Capital_Homes_Logo_Horizontal_2C_RGB.png?width=257&height=29&name=22_Capital_Homes_Logo_Horizontal_2C_RGB.png "22_Capital_Homes_Logo_Horizontal_2C_RGB")](https://www.capitalhomes.com/) - [Homes](https://www.capitalhomes.com/homes) - [Communities](https://www.capitalhomes.com/communities) - [About](https://www.capitalhomes.com/our-standards) - [Design](https://www.capitalhomes.com/design-center) - [Resources](https://www.capitalhomes.com/blueplan-tutorial) - [Contact](https://www.capitalhomes.com/contact-us) - [Warranty](https://www.capitalhomes.com/warranty) #### Questions? Ask our team! 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Resources Menu - [Blueplan Tutorial](https://www.capitalhomes.com/blueplan-tutorial) - [Home Financing](https://www.capitalhomes.com/home-financing) - [HOA Contacts](https://www.capitalhomes.com/hoa-contacts) - [Building Process](https://www.capitalhomes.com/building-process) - [Builder FAQ](https://www.capitalhomes.com/builder-faq) - [Blog](https://www.capitalhomes.com/blog) [Categories](havascript:;) - [0 down (1)](https://blog.capitalhomes.com/tag/0-down) - [blueprint (3)](https://blog.capitalhomes.com/tag/blueprint) - [broken arrow (7)](https://blog.capitalhomes.com/tag/broken-arrow) - [broken arrow (4)](https://blog.capitalhomes.com/tag/broken-arrow) - [build your home (20)](https://blog.capitalhomes.com/tag/build-your-home) ### Latest Posts #### [December 29, 2021 Home is Where the Heart is.](https://blog.capitalhomes.com/home-is-where-the-heart-is) #### [December 29, 2021 A Time for Gratitude.](https://blog.capitalhomes.com/a-time-for-gratitude) #### [December 29, 2021 People First](https://blog.capitalhomes.com/people-first) #### [December 29, 2021 BRILLIANT!!!](https://blog.capitalhomes.com/brilliant) #### [December 29, 2021 Get Inspired with Design!](https://blog.capitalhomes.com/get-inspired-with-design) #### [December 29, 2021 Why Fall in Oklahoma is our Favorite!](https://blog.capitalhomes.com/why-fall-in-oklahoma-is-our-favorite) #### [December 29, 2021 Parker Village is Coming SOON!](https://blog.capitalhomes.com/parker-village-is-coming-soon) #### [December 29, 2021 Let the Competition Begin!](https://blog.capitalhomes.com/let-the-competition-begin) #### [December 29, 2021 Come on now! 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In Oklahoma, our soil has high clay content, so it expands and contracts easily with the weather. A heavy rain can cause expansion, and lead to extra pressure on your home's slab. A dry spell can cause contraction, which leads to empty voids underneath. Either way, you're looking at potential foundation and structural issues.  Enter the post-tension slab system. This method allows the slab to move with the soils, which  prevents the slab from separating and causing structural issues. At Capital Homes, we work with [StressCon](https://www.stresscon.net/pages/about) to ensure each home has the best line of defense against that moving clay. Here's how it works:    "The Stress-Con Post Tension System uses a high strength seven strand steel cable with a coating of lubricant and plastic.   ![stress1](https://blog.capitalhomes.com/hs-fs/hubfs/stress1.jpg?width=460&name=stress1.jpg) The cable is installed inside the concrete form boards according to engineering specifications. A typical installation includes cables in both directions to form a reinforcement grid. The cables are supported by plastic chairs and have steel anchors attached at each end.     ![stress2](https://blog.capitalhomes.com/hs-fs/hubfs/stress2.jpg?width=298&name=stress2.jpg) After the concrete has been placed and set to meet specifications, the tensioning process (called stressing), is applied to the cables. The stressing operation is accomplished using a hydraulic jack which attaches to the protruding cable end after the forms have been removed. The lubricant inside the plastic liner allows the cable to slide while the pressure is being applied. After the cable has been stressed, it is locked in place by steel wedges in the anchorage assembly. Upon completion of stressing, the slab is in a state of compression, applied at the anchor points of each cable end. ![stress4](https://blog.capitalhomes.com/hs-fs/hubfs/stress4.jpg?width=460&name=stress4.jpg)   The residual compression distributed throughout the slab supports the structure on top, and actively resists soil movement occurring under the slab. The StressCon System exponentially increases stability in the normal life of the structure."  [Previous Post](https://blog.capitalhomes.com/best-christmas-lights-in-tulsa) [Next Post](https://blog.capitalhomes.com/floor-plan-spotlight-the-tacoma) - [Why Capital Homes?](https://www.capitalhomes.com/our-standards) - [Building Process](https://www.capitalhomes.com/building-process) - [First Time Homebuyers](https://www.capitalhomes.com/rent-vs-buy) - [Financing](https://www.capitalhomes.com/home-financing) ### Capital Homes News Visit All Articles - ###### [November 28, 2022 Home is Where the Heart is.](https://blog.capitalhomes.com/home-is-where-the-heart-is) - ###### [November 22, 2022 A Time for Gratitude.](https://blog.capitalhomes.com/a-time-for-gratitude) - ###### [November 15, 2022 People First](https://blog.capitalhomes.com/people-first) - [![facebook Image](https://blog.capitalhomes.com/hubfs/raw_assets/public/CapitalHomes_August2021/images/facebook-white.svg)](https://www.facebook.com/capitalhomesok) - [![Youtube Image](https://blog.capitalhomes.com/hubfs/raw_assets/public/CapitalHomes_August2021/images/youtube-white.svg)](https://www.youtube.com/user/CapitalHomesTulsa) - [![Instagram Image](https://blog.capitalhomes.com/hubfs/raw_assets/public/CapitalHomes_August2021/images/instagram-white.svg)](https://www.instagram.com/capitalhomesok/) © 2021  Capital Homes. 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