Getting the Best from Prestressed Concrete

1. Prestressed concrete has captured the imagination of many designers. It enables lighter construction than ordinary reinforced work. Although prestressed concrete is increasingly used for buildings, its full potentialities have not yet been realized.

2. There must be full cooperation between architect, engineer and contractor if full advantage is to be taken of prestressed concrete. The most interesting and successful buildings in recent years have been those in which all three have worked together from the start.

3. The practical, economic and aesthetic benefits of prestressed concrete for buildings are evident. From the practical viewpoint, it permits large spans with relatively shallow-section members even when heavy loads are required. This means fewer columns, more unrestricted floor space and, of course, a reduction in weight and the distance from floor to floor.

4. Economically, prestressing means a saving in materials. It is particularly economical where large spans or heavy loads, or both, are involved by prestressed concrete. The advantages of large uninterrupted spans from the aesthetic point of view are self evident, as are the canopies and cantilivers that prestressing makes possible.

5. For the framed multistorey block, prestressing is most useful where the open flexible plan is required. Large spans and the minimum of internal columns are necessary, and prestressed beams and floors can provide an efficient and attractive solution.

6. An interesting development in prestressed concrete recently has been its popularity for multistorey car parks, where free space for parking maneuvering is essential. One of the most successful multistorey car parks houses some 800 cars on six floors, many more similar car parks being planned.

VII. Read the statements. Mark with the letter "t" if the statement is true and with "f" if the statement is false

1. Thanks to prestressing, we can produce large uninterrupted spans with canopies and cantilevers.

2. We use prestressed concrete only when light loads are required.

3. Prestressed concrete has a bunch of positive properties, its only disadvantage being a poor aesthetic appearance.

4. Car owners can now hope to use multistorey car-parks, because of the steady development of prestressed concrete for this very purpose.

Part VI

I. Copy the sentences. Underline the Subjective Infinitive Complex with I line, the Objective Infinitive Complex with 2 lines. Translate the sentences

1. Civil engineering is known to be subdivided into several branches.

2. The strength of this structure seems to be provided by steel and reinforced concrete.

3. We expect him to be responsible for speeding up this construction work.

4. I think the house to be roofed in 3 weeks.

II. Copy the sentences. Underline Participial Constructions. Translate the sentences

1. Using the term "structural engineering" (будівельна техніка) we mean the calculation and design of all kinds of structures whose strength is mostly provided by steel, reinforced, prestressed or precast concrete, or other alloys.

2. Providing every building with water, electricity, ventilation and heating systems we make it comfortable to live in.

3. Then a framework is formed, the walls being carried upon the wall girders at each storey level.

4. Control tests having been discussed, the new material was recommended to production.