What is Prestressed Concrete

Prestressed Concrete is an architectural and structural material possessing great strength. The
unique characteristics of prestressed concrete allow predetermined, engineering stresses to be
placed in members to counteract stresses that occur when the unit is subjected to service loads.
This is accomplished by combining the the best properties of two quality materials: high strength
concrete for compression and high tensile strength steel strands for tension.

Actually, prestressing is quite simple. High tensile strands are stretched between abutments at
each end of long casting beds. Concrete is then poured into the forms encasing the strands. As
the concrete sets, it bonds to the tensioned steel. When the concrete reaches a specific strength,
the strands are released from the abutments. This compresses the concrete, arches the member,
and creates a built in resistance to service loads.

Prestressed Concrete Beam

Prestressed or pretensioned before it leaves the plant, a slight arch or camber is noticeable.
Energy is stored in the unit by the action of the highly tension steel which places a high
compression in the lower portion of the member. An upward force is thereby created which in
effect relieves the beam of having to carry its own weight.

The upward force along the length of the beam counteracts the service loads applied to the
member.

Advantages:

1. The size or dimensions of structural members are reduced, which may increase the
clearances or reduce storey heights.

2. It permits the use of large spans (greater than 30 m) with shallow members, even when
heavy load are encountered.
 3. In addition to general advantages, such as excellent fire resistance, low maintenance
costs, elegance, high corrosion-resistance, adaptability etc, the prestressed concrete is
found to sustain the effects of impact or shock and vibrations.

4. Because of smaller loads due to smaller dimensions being used, there is considerable
saving cost of supporting members and foundations.

5. The prestressing technique has eliminated the weakness of concrete in tension and
hence crack free members of structure are obtained.

6. Because of better material (i.e. controlled concrete and high tension steel) being used
and nullifying the effect of dead loads, smaller deflections are caused.

Disadvantages:

1. The unit cost of high strength materials being used is higher.

2. Extra initial cost is incurred due to use of prestressing equipment and its installation.

3. Extra labour cost for prestressing is also there.

4. Prestressing is uneconomical for short spans and light loads.

Historical development of prestressed concrete

In posttensioning, the steel in the concrete is stretched after the curing process. Prestressing
places a concrete member in compression; these compressive stresses counteract the tensile
bending stresses of an applied load. The process was developed by the French engineer Eugène
Fressinet in the early 20th century.

What is Post-Tensioning

Post tensioning is a technique for reinforcing concrete. Post-tensioning tendons, which are
prestressing steel cables inside plastic ducts or sleeves, are positioned in the forms before the
concrete is placed. Afterwards, once the concrete has gained strength but before the service loads
are applied, the cables are pulled tight, or tensioned, and anchored against the outer edges of the
concrete.

Post-tensioning is a form of prestressing. Prestressing simply means that the steel is stressed
(pulled or tensioned) before the concrete has to support the service loads. Most precast,
prestressed concrete is actually pre-tensioned-the steel is pulled before the concrete is poured.
Post-tensioned concrete means that the concrete is poured and then the tension is applied-but it is
still stressed before the loads are applied so it is still prestressed.

What is Pre stressing concrete

Pre stressing concrete is a method to load the concrete before the actual design loads are
applied. Pre stressing can be pre tensioning or post tensioning. Pre tensioning is done by
applying a tensile force to the steel reinforcement prior to the concrete being set. The steel is
loaded with a tensile force and then the concrete is poured around it so that when it cures the
steel is locked in with that tension on it and it causes a compression within the concrete as it
tries to pull back to its original condition. Post tensioning does the same thing except that the
tension loads are applied after the concrete has cured and the steel cables are run through
conduits cast into the concrete.