Advantages:
1. The c/s ismore efficiently used in fully prestressed members.
2. Dead loads are reduced considerably.
3. Improved shear resistance, due to the effect of compressive prestress, which reducesthe principal tensile stress.
4. More resistance for impact and vibration.
5. Prestressed concrete ismore predictable than R.C.C.
6. Prestressed concrete has more fatigue resistance
7. Prestressed concrete ismore effective for water retaining structures
8. Deflections are less in prestressed structures and hence it is stiffer.
Disadvantages (or) Limitations of Prestressed Concrete
1. The availability of experienced builders isscanty.
2. Initial equipment cost is very high.
3.Availability of experienced engineers isscanty.
4. Prestressed sections are brittle.
5. Prestressed concrete sections are less fire resistant.
6. In order to get the maximum advantage of prestressed concrete member,it is necessary to use not only High strength concrete but also high tensile steel wires.
7. Concrete used for prestressed work should have a cube strength of 35 N/mm2 for Posttensioned system and 45 N/ mm2 for pretensioned system.