Scribd
Upload
1K views2 pages

Reinforced Concrete (RC) Vs Pre-Stressed Concrete (PC)

The document compares reinforced concrete (RC) and pre-stressed concrete (PC). RC combines concrete and steel bars passively, while PC combines high-strength materials and applies tension to the steel before embedding it, making the structure stronger. PC is better suited for long or heavy loads, allows for slimmer and more artistic designs, has fewer cracks, and is more resistant to corrosion. However, PC requires more complex formwork and labor to implement.

Uploaded by

moonna
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
1K views2 pages

Reinforced Concrete (RC) Vs Pre-Stressed Concrete (PC)

The document compares reinforced concrete (RC) and pre-stressed concrete (PC). RC combines concrete and steel bars passively, while PC combines high-strength materials and applies tension to the steel before embedding it, making the structure stronger. PC is better suited for long or heavy loads, allows for slimmer and more artistic designs, has fewer cracks, and is more resistant to corrosion. However, PC requires more complex formwork and labor to implement.

Uploaded by

moonna
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 2

Reinforced concrete (RC) Vs Pre-stressed Concrete (PC)

RC combines concrete and steel bars by simply putting them together and letting
them act together as they may wish. Whereas, PC combines high strength concrete
with high strength steel in an active manner. This is achieved by tensioning the steel
and holding it against the concrete.
PC design is more suitable for structures of long spans and those carrying heavy
loads.
PC structures are more slender and more adaptable to artistic treatment.
PC structures yield more clearance where it is needed. They do not crack under
working loads.
PC elements are more adaptable to pre-casting because of the light weight.
The resistance to corrosion is better than that of RC for the same amount of cover,
owing to the non-existing of cracks and high quality of concrete used for PC.
Regarding fire resistance, high tensile steel more sensible to high temperatures.
From an economical point of view, for PC smaller quantity of materials, both steel
and concrete, are required to carry the same load, since the materials are of higher
strength.
The reduced weight of the member will help in economizing the section.
In pre-cast member, a reduction of weight saves handling and transportation costs.
In contrast, the stronger materials (PC) will have a higher unit cost.
For PC, more auxiliary materials are required for pre-stressing such as end
anchorages, conduits and grouts.
Comparing with RC, PC need more complicated formwork, as non-rectangular
shapes are often necessary for PC.
More labor is required to place a unit weight of steel in PC.
More attention to design is involved and more supervision is necessary for PC
structures.

Difference between Pre-tensioning Vs Post-tensioning


PRE-TENSIONING
1. Tendons are tensioned before the placing
of concrete.

POST-TENSIONING
1. Tendons are tensioned after the placing of
concrete.

2. Pre-stress transferred to the concrete


after it was set.

2. Pre-stressing performed against the


hardened concrete.

3. Tendons are temporarily anchored


against some abutments when tensioning.

3. Tendons are anchored against concrete


immediately after pre-stressing.

4. Straight wire is usually used.

4. Curved and bent wire is usually used.

5. In general, pre-tensioning is carried out in


a factory.

5. Post-tensioning may be carried out in a


factory but is more suitable for site work.

You might also like