ABSTRACT
BASIC CONCEPTS 1.1 INTRODUCTION The idea of applying forces to neutralize stresses caused by external loads is an old one. For example, as shown in Fig. 1.1, spokes of a bicycle wheel are pretensioned to prevent them from buckling under compressive loads applied by the rider. Similarly as shown in Fig. 1.1, stay cables, also called guy ropes, used to hold masts are pre-tensioned so that they are effectively under compressive forces induced by wind loads. The above examples refer to cases where it is necessary to prevent compressive forces from developing, which causes the member to be ineffective.
