Pre-Stressing in Structural Engineering

Applying force to a structure before it's loaded, making it stronger and more resistant to bending or breaking.

Tendons are stretched before the concrete is poured.

Tendons are stretched after the concrete has hardened.

A bundle of high-strength wires twisted together.

A single wire or a bundle of strands used in pre-stressing.

A group of tendons.

Tendons glued to the concrete, acting as one.

Tendons in plastic sheaths, not glued.

Tendons hold up some of the slab's weight, preventing sagging.

Concrete is strong under compression, vulnerable to cracking under tension.

Steel in tendons resists stretching (tension) exceedingly.

A slab supported by walls or narrow beams on two sides.

Pre-stressing reduces or eliminates concrete cracks

Pre-stressing manages the bending of a structure.

Specialized steel wires used in tendons for pre-stressing.

Applying forces to a structure before it carries loads, improving strength and performance.

Eliminate cracking, control deflection, and use high-strength materials to enhance structural performance.

Steel is stretched before pouring concrete, common in pre-cast construction like beams and panels.

Steel tendons are stretched after concrete hardens, often used in high-rise buildings and floor slabs.

Tendons embedded in concrete with grout, acting as a single unit for strength.

Coated tendons in a plastic sheath, allowing movement—used for flexibility.

Tendons counteract the slab's self-weight, preventing sagging.

Pre-stressed concrete requires higher compressive strength (32-50 MPa) to handle pre-stress and withstand time-dependent strains.

Tendons in pre-stressed concrete have high tensile strengths (up to 1,870 MPa), essential for sustaining the tension.

Reduction in initial pre-stress due to factors like elastic shortening, creep, shrinkage, and relaxation.

Slab supported on all four sides, often used in square rooms for flat surfaces.

Slab systems without beams, creating a flat ceiling; simpler and widely used.

Applying force to a structure before it is loaded, improving strength and reducing cracking/deflection.

Steel is stretched before the concrete is poured.

Steel tendons are stretched after the concrete hardens.

A slab supported on all four sides, often used in square rooms.

Slab systems that don't need beams, creating a flat ceiling.

Tendons counteract the structure's weight to prevent sagging.

Reduction in the initial pre-stress due to factors like material shrinkage and concrete creep.

Pre-stressed concrete needs high compressive strength (32-50 MPa) to handle pre-stress and withstand material changes.

Tendons in pre-stressed concrete have high tensile strengths (up to 1870 MPa) to resist stretching.

Reduce cracking, control deflection, and use stronger materials.

Applying force to a structure before it is loaded, increasing strength and preventing deflection.

Prevent cracking, control bending, and use stronger materials for superior performance.

Special steel wires called tendons used to pre-stress concrete.

The force that keeps concrete from cracking due to the stretched pre-stress tendons.

Tendons are stretched before the concrete is poured.

Tendons are stretched after the concrete has hardened.

A bundle of high-strength wires twisted together.

A single wire or a bundle of strands used in pre-stressing.

A group of tendons.

Tendons glued to the concrete, acting as one.

Tendons in a plastic sheath, allowing for movement.

Tendons hold up some of the slab's weight, preventing sagging.

Concrete is strong when compressed but can crack under tension.

Steel in tendons resists stretching (tension) very well.

Supported by walls or beams on two sides.