prestressed concrete

noun

1. concrete reinforced with wire strands, pretensioned or post-tensioned within their elastic limit to give an active resistance to loads.

prestressed concrete

noun

1. concrete that contains steel wires, cables, etc, that are prestressed within their elastic limit to counteract the stresses that will occur under load

Word History and Origins

Origin of prestressed concrete¹

First recorded in 1935–40

Example Sentences

The plant design includes an external reinforced concrete wall and internal protective shell made of “prestressed concrete,” with metal cables stretched inside the concrete shell to give additional solidity to the structure, the company said.

From Seattle Times

A routine inspection earlier this year rated the condition of the bridge as “poor,” citing an overall poor condition in the two prestressed concrete T-beams.

From Washington Post

“Due to continuing impact damage to the prestressed concrete T-beams, spalls and delaminations in the soffit, and deterioration of the walking surfaces and undersides of both pedestrian approach ramps, consideration should be given to replacing the bridge,” independent contractor Mercado Consultants said in a report prepared for the District Department of Transportation.

From Washington Post

Those concerns were far from theoretical, not least because of another of Mr. Morandi’s innovations: He suspended the roadway from the stays, essentially cables bundled together and encased in what is known as a prestressed concrete shell.

From New York Times

“What the general public does not comprehend is that bridges have been traditionally designed in the past for a life span of 50 years,” said Neil Hawkins, a professor emeritus of engineering at the University of Illinois, who specializes in reinforced and prestressed concrete design.

From Washington Times