pretensioning
Quick Summary
Prestressed concrete is a type of concrete that can support greater loads or span longer distances than standard reinforced concrete. This is achieved by placing the concrete under compression before it is subjected to external loads.
In a construction method called pretensioning, steel wires or cables are stretched within an empty mold. Concrete is then poured into the mold and allowed to set. Once the concrete has hardened, the tension is released from the steel cables. As the steel shrinks back, it compresses the concrete, increasing its load-bearing capacity. This technique was pioneered by French engineer Eugène Freyssinet in the early 20th century.1
Ask Britannica AI about this topic
Britannica doesn't have a full article on this topic, so we've curated a list of our relevant coverage.
concreteIt is achieved by either pretensioning or posttensioning processes. In pretensioning, lengths of steel wire, cables, or ropes are laid in the empty mold and then stretched and anchored. After the concrete has been poured and allowed to set, the anchors are released and, as the steel seeks to return…
Read MoreIt is achieved by either pretensioning or posttensioning processes. In pretensioning, lengths of steel wire, cables, or ropes are laid in the empty mold and then stretched and anchored. After the concrete has been poured and allowed to set, the anchors are released and, as the steel seeks to return…
Read More
constructionThe concrete dome…technology with the introduction of pretensioning. In this process, the reinforcing wires were stretched in tension, and the concrete was poured around them; when the concrete hardened, the wires were released, and the member acquired an upward deflection and was entirely in compression. When the service load was applied, the…
Read More…technology with the introduction of pretensioning. In this process, the reinforcing wires were stretched in tension, and the concrete was poured around them; when the concrete hardened, the wires were released, and the member acquired an upward deflection and was entirely in compression. When the service load was applied, the…
Read More- constructionConcrete
…floors and roofs are usually pretensioned, another prestressing technique, which is similar in principle to posttensioning. The reinforcement is again steel wire, but the wires are put into tension (stretched) on a fixed frame, formwork is erected around the taut wires, and concrete is poured into it. After the concrete…
Read More…floors and roofs are usually pretensioned, another prestressing technique, which is similar in principle to posttensioning. The reinforcement is again steel wire, but the wires are put into tension (stretched) on a fixed frame, formwork is erected around the taut wires, and concrete is poured into it. After the concrete…
Read More