Considerations regarding the optimum design of prestressed elements

Abstract

Engineering education in our universities tackles the theory of prestressed elements as part of the studies of reinforced concrete. However, the prestressing problem has a much more general nature. It is known that in the case of nonhomogenous elements, during the elastic-linear behaviour, it is not possible to reach the integral strength capacity in each material. This disadvantage may be removed by prestressing the material with higher strength. Thus, we obtain prestressed steel elements or another combination of two different materials. This paper presents the general theory of the prestressed elements, using the equivalent section method.