File talk:Prestressed concrete en.svg

Legend for the graphic

There is no explanation for what numbers 1-6 mean. My first look at this graphic seemed to be demonstrating 6 types of prestressing, but past that I couldn't get anywhere. After looking at it for another bit, I conclude that 1-2 demonstrate the logic behind the problem, 3 is the solution, and 4-6 exhibits how the solution works. To improve this to be encyclopedic, I'd like to suggest adding a legend to explain each graphic. With some paraphrasing, I think it should look something like this:

A load (including the beam's own weight) is applied to a straight concrete beam.
That load deflects the beam.
To counteract this deflection, one or more steel cables or reinforcing steel bars is placed in tension near the bottom of the beam as the concrete is poured.
After the concrete is cured, the steel continues to be in tension.
Prior to applying the design load, the beam appears to be deformed.
Upon applying the design load, the beam returns to the desired shape.

Feel free to correct me on this if I'm wrong. D. F. Schmidt (talk) 21:02, 14 December 2015 (UTC)[reply]