Prestressed concrete is an advanced form of reinforced concrete in which internal compressive stresses are deliberately introduced to counteract the tensile stresses that develop under service loads. This pre-compression is achieved by tensioning high-strength steel tendons (strands or cables) either before or after the concrete is cast.
Benefits of prestressed concrete:
- Enables longer spans with reduced structural depth
- Minimises or eliminates cracking under service loads
- Reduces deflections and improves serviceability
- Allows for more efficient use of materials
- Creates lighter, more economical structural elements
Prestressing transforms concrete’s inherent weakness in tension into a strength, making it ideal for bridges, long-span floors, parking structures, and other demanding applications.
