All About Tension

 

 Understanding the force and how it affects an object or material is important in construction of any kind. Tension plays a role in many physics, mechanical engineering, and civil engineering applications.

 

 Post-tensioning is a process used to strengthen/ reinforce concrete by applying tension to the reinforcing rods after the concrete has set. Post tensioning makes it possible for cost-effective construction of high-quality bridges over a wide range of conditions and span lengths. Bridge structures constructed using post-tensioning have high natural durability and are able to be built quickly with minimal impact on the human and natural environment. Also, structures constructed using post-tensioning also benefit from the method's ability to limit cracking, reduced structural depth, ease of accommodating curved roadway alignment and low maintenance costs.

 

 The Golden Gate Bridge is a suspension bridge and has cables suspended between towers, plus vertical suspender cables that carry the weight of the deck below, upon which traffic crosses, this allows the deck to be level or to arc upward for additional clearance. Using tension in the bridge stenghtens it and its durablitity to be able to support weights acting on the bridge, and to carry more traffic, which could be a solution to reduce the traffic on the streets.