Advantages of Prestressed Concrete

Contrary to conventional concrete elements, the entire concrete cross-section of prestressed concrete
resists applied load. This is because the concrete in tension zone does not suffer cracking and hence it
would take part in carrying loads.

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

Longer span length increases untroubled floor space and parking facilities.

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

Possibility of steel corrosion and subsequent concrete deterioration is declined because concrete is
crack-free.

It has long-term durability.

Prestressed concrete members are able to bear reversal of stresses, impact, vibration and shock due to
the absence of cracks.

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

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

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

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

The development of prestressed concrete results in the construction of a sizable liquid-retaining

structure that would not otherwise be possible.

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

Prestressed concrete can be used with advantage in all those structures where tension develops, such as
tie and suspender of a bow string girder, railway sleepers, electric poles, upstream face of gravity dam
etc.

Prestressed concrete beams have usually low deflection.