Prestressed structure
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/8c/Roman_Colosseum_With_Moon.jpg/220px-Roman_Colosseum_With_Moon.jpg)
Naturally precompressed exterior wall of Colosseum, Rome
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/93/ThreeTwrBrCenter.jpg/220px-ThreeTwrBrCenter.jpg)
Cable-stayed prestressed concrete bridge over Yangtze river
A prestressed structure is one whose overall integrity, stability and security depend, primarily, on prestressing: the intentional creation of permanent stresses in the structure for the purpose of improving its performance under various service conditions.[1]
The basic types of prestressing are:
- Precompression with mostly the structure's own weight
- Pre-tensioning with high-strength embedded tendons
- Post-tensioning with high-strength bonded or unbonded tendons
Today, the concept of a prestressed structure is widely employed in the design of buildings, underground structures, TV towers, power stations, floating storage and offshore facilities, nuclear reactor vessels, and numerous bridge systems.[2]
The idea of precompression was apparently familiar to ancient Roman architects. The tall attic wall of the Colosseum works as a stabilizing device for the wall piers beneath it.
References[]
Categories:
- Construction
- Structural engineering