Prestressed members deteriorate in a fashion similar to ordinary concrete.

• A. They never deteriorate
• B. They deteriorate in the same way as ordinary concrete
• C. They corrode only when exposed to moisture
• D. They become stronger over time

Answer: (B)

Deterioration mechanisms in prestressed concrete follow the same basic pathways as in ordinary concrete. The concrete matrix wears and cracks under load and environmental exposure, allowing moisture, chlorides, and carbon dioxide to penetrate. This leads to cracking, spalling, and loss of cover, which in turn reduces strength and service life. The prestressed condition adds a critical factor: if the concrete cover is compromised, corrosion of the embedded tendons can occur and prestress can be lost, accelerating deterioration. Yet the overall pattern—the progression from cracking to moisture ingress to material loss—resembles what happens in plain concrete, so describing their deterioration as occurring in a similar fashion is the most accurate general statement.