pre-stressed
Tensioned before loading
Pre-stressed describes materials, especially concrete, that have been subjected to internal stresses during manufacture to counteract the stresses they'll face in use.
Pre-stressed concrete contains tensioned steel cables or rods that compress the concrete, making it stronger under load: pre-stressed beams, pre-stressed slabs.
The technique allows lighter, longer spans in bridges and buildings.
Shaped before placement
- beamsRays or supports
- slabsThick flat pieces
- girdersHorizontal structural supports
- tendonsFibrous connective cords
reinforcement · load-bearing · cantilever · construction · structural · composite · span · columns
Fibrous connective cords
- strandsTwisted filaments or elements
- cablesHeavy ropes or wires
- tensileCapable of elongation
- elongationIncrease in length
force · compression · load · stiffness · strain · elasticity · stretching · deformation
Duration of existence
- resilienceCapacity to recover quickly
- robustnessResistance to failure
- corrosion-resistantWithstands oxidation and decay
- reliabilityConsistent, predictable performance
strength · endurance · maintenance-free · serviceability · weathering · lifespan
Structures spanning obstacles
- viaductsElevated bridges over valleys
- overpassesElevated road crossings
- spansReaches across a gap
- flyoversElevated road crossings
culverts · aqueducts · footbridges · elevated · underpasses · roadways · tunnels · arches
precast
Shaped before placement
tendons · reinforcement · load-bearing · cantilever · construction · structural · composite · span · columns · trusses
tendons
Fibrous connective cords
elongation · force · compression · load · stiffness · strain · elasticity · stretching · deformation · flexure
longevity
Duration of existence
- resilienceCapacity to recover quickly
- robustnessResistance to failure
- corrosion-resistantWithstands oxidation and decay
reliability · strength · endurance · maintenance-free · serviceability · weathering · lifespan
bridges
Structures spanning obstacles
- viaductsElevated bridges over valleys
- overpassesElevated road crossings
- spansReaches across a gap
flyovers · culverts · aqueducts · footbridges · elevated · underpasses · roadways · tunnels · arches · superstructures