7/28/2019 Prestressed Concrete- Advantages and Disadvantages

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Prestressed Concrete- Advantages and Disadvan

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Prestressed concrete is the most durable, reliable and strongest concrete that is widely used
construction of mega buildings and bridges. It is a type of concrete in which high-strength te
tension regions of the cross-section are stressed during the construction of the element to act
stresses generated due to applied loads.

Prestressed concrete is very beneficial to construct crack-free structural members and tackle
temperature effects. As a result, the ingression of detrimental agents is prevented which help
reinforcement corrosion.

The prestressed concrete allows the construction of longer span beams and girders in additio
ultimate load carrying capacity for the same member cross-section.

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7/28/2019 Prestressed Concrete- Advantages and Disadvantages

However, the construction process in prestressed concrete requires extensive monitoring an

devices and equipment
at all stages.

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Advantages of Prestressed Concrete

1. Contrary to conventional concrete elements, the entire concrete cross-section of prestresse
applied load. This is because the concrete in tension zone does not suffer cracking and hence
in carrying loads.

2. The spans of prestressed beams and girders are longer compared with that of reinforced co

3. Longer span length increases untroubled floor space and parking facilities.

4. Longer spans results in fewer joints, as a result, less maintenance is needed.

5. Possibility of steel corrosion and subsequent concrete deterioration is declined because con

6. It has long-term durability.

7. Prestressed concrete members are able to bear reversal of stresses, impact, vibration and s
absence of cracks.

8. Practically, dead loads are neutral in a prestressed concrete beam. Consequently, the dead l
structure is decreased which results in reduced consumption of materials.

9. Thinner slabs, that are important for high-rise building as with the same amount of cost, it
slabs than traditional thicker slabs.

10. The use of curved tendons and the pre-compression of concrete helps to resist shear.

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7/28/2019 Prestressed Concrete- Advantages and Disadvantages

11. The quantity of required steel in prestressed concrete is 1/3 of that required for reinforce
steel for the former should have high tensile strength.

12. The development of prestressed concrete results in the construction of a sizable liquid-ret
that would not otherwise be possible.

13. Large liquid retaining structures constructed from prestressed concrete have low cost and
safe against cracking and consequent leakage.

14. Prestressed concrete can be used with advantage in all those structures where tension dev
and suspender of a bow string girder, railway sleepers, electric poles, upstream face of gravit

15. Prestressed concrete beams have usually low deflection.

Fig. 1: Thin Concrete Floor Constructed Using

Prestressed Concrete

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7/28/2019 Prestressed Concrete- Advantages and Disadvantages

Fig. 2: Prestressed Concrete Bridge

Disadvantages of Prestressed Concrete

1. Prestressed concrete requires high-quality dense concrete of high strength. Perfect quality
production, placement and compaction is required.

2. It requires high tensile steel, which is 2.5 to 3.5 times costlier than mild steel.

3. Prestressing process requires complicated tensioning equipment and anchoring devices.

4. Construction requires perfect supervision at all stages of construction.

5. Prestressed concrete needs skilled labors.

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7/28/2019 Prestressed Concrete- Advantages and Disadvantages

About Madeh Izat Hamakareem

(https://theconstructor.org/author/madeh/)
Madeh is a Structural Engineer who works as Assistant Lecturer in Koya University. He is the a
partner at theconstructor.org.

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