ABSTRACT
If a structural member is subjected primarily to axial compression, with little or no bending, prestress causes a small reduction in the load-carrying capacity. For most prestressed concrete columns, the level of prestress is usually between 1.5 and 5 MPa, which is low enough not to cause significant reductions in strength. When the eccentricity of the applied load is large and bending is significant, however, prestress results in an increase in the moment capacity, in addition to improved behaviour at service loads.
