Prestressed members deteriorate in a fashion similar to ordinary concrete.

Prestressed members deteriorate in a fashion similar to ordinary concrete.

• A. Not Applicable
• B. Both
• C. False
• D. True

Answer: (D)

Prestressed concrete deteriorates through the same fundamental processes as ordinary concrete because both are exposed to the same environmental and loading effects. Water, chlorides, and carbon dioxide ingress lead to matrix deterioration, carbonation, and potential corrosion of embedded steel. The prestressing tends to keep cracks closed initially, so deterioration may progress more slowly at first, but once cracks form or grout degrades and moisture reaches the tendons, loss of prestress and further cracking, spalling, and strength reduction occur in patterns that follow the same underlying mechanisms as nonprestressed concrete. So the statement is true.

Prestressed concrete deteriorates through the same fundamental processes as ordinary concrete because both are exposed to the same environmental and loading effects. Water, chlorides, and carbon dioxide ingress lead to matrix deterioration, carbonation, and potential corrosion of embedded steel. The prestressing tends to keep cracks closed initially, so deterioration may progress more slowly at first, but once cracks form or grout degrades and moisture reaches the tendons, loss of prestress and further cracking, spalling, and strength reduction occur in patterns that follow the same underlying mechanisms as nonprestressed concrete. So the statement is true.