Prestressed structure
In structural engineering, a prestressed structure is a load-bearing structure whose overall integrity, stability and security depend, primarily, on prestressing: the intentional creation of permanent stresses in the structure for the purpose of improving its performance under various service conditions. The basic types of prestressing are: Precompression with mostly the structure's own weight Pre-tensioning with high-strength embedded tendons Post-tensioning with high-strength bonded or unbonded tendons Today, the concept of a prestressed structure is widely employed in the design of buildings, underground structures, TV towers, power stations, floating storage and offshore facilities, nuclear reactor vessels, and numerous bridge systems.