Minnesota Prestressed Concrete Special
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Rationales 2026 Q&A | Instant
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1. What is the primary purpose of prestressing concrete?
A. Increase concrete weight
B. Reduce cement content
C. Place concrete in compression before service loads are applied
D. Eliminate reinforcing steel
Answer: C
Rationale: Prestressing introduces compressive stresses into concrete to
counteract tensile stresses from service loads, improving structural
performance and crack resistance.
2. Which two major methods are used to prestress concrete?
,A. Welding and bolting
B. Pretensioning and post-tensioning
C. Grouting and anchoring
D. Casting and curing
Answer: B
Rationale: Pretensioning and post-tensioning are the two established
methods of prestressing concrete members.
3. In pretensioned construction, prestressing steel is tensioned:
A. After concrete hardens
B. During grouting
C. Before concrete is placed
D. After service loading begins
Answer: C
Rationale: In pretensioning, strands are stressed against abutments before
concrete placement.
4. In post-tensioning construction, tendons are stressed:
A. Before concrete placement
B. During batching
,C. After concrete reaches the required strength
D. During transportation
Answer: C
Rationale: Post-tensioning requires hardened concrete capable of resisting
prestressing forces.
5. Prestressing steel typically has:
A. Low tensile strength
B. Moderate tensile strength
C. No elasticity
D. Very high tensile strength
Answer: D
Rationale: High-strength steel is necessary to sustain large prestressing
forces efficiently.
6. What is the most common prestressing steel used in pretensioned
members?
A. Plain bars
B. Wire mesh
C. Seven-wire strand
D. Structural angles
, Answer: C
Rationale: Seven-wire strands are widely used because of their strength
and reliability.
7. Transfer strength refers to the concrete strength at:
A. Demolition
B. Final inspection
C. Service loading
D. Prestress force transfer to the concrete
Answer: D
Rationale: Transfer strength is the minimum concrete strength required
before releasing prestressing forces.
8. Which property of concrete is especially important in prestressed
members?
A. Color consistency
B. Workability only
C. High compressive strength
D. Aggregate size only
Answer: C
Inspector Exam Practice Questions And
Correct Answers (Verified Answers) Plus
Rationales 2026 Q&A | Instant
Download Pdf
1. What is the primary purpose of prestressing concrete?
A. Increase concrete weight
B. Reduce cement content
C. Place concrete in compression before service loads are applied
D. Eliminate reinforcing steel
Answer: C
Rationale: Prestressing introduces compressive stresses into concrete to
counteract tensile stresses from service loads, improving structural
performance and crack resistance.
2. Which two major methods are used to prestress concrete?
,A. Welding and bolting
B. Pretensioning and post-tensioning
C. Grouting and anchoring
D. Casting and curing
Answer: B
Rationale: Pretensioning and post-tensioning are the two established
methods of prestressing concrete members.
3. In pretensioned construction, prestressing steel is tensioned:
A. After concrete hardens
B. During grouting
C. Before concrete is placed
D. After service loading begins
Answer: C
Rationale: In pretensioning, strands are stressed against abutments before
concrete placement.
4. In post-tensioning construction, tendons are stressed:
A. Before concrete placement
B. During batching
,C. After concrete reaches the required strength
D. During transportation
Answer: C
Rationale: Post-tensioning requires hardened concrete capable of resisting
prestressing forces.
5. Prestressing steel typically has:
A. Low tensile strength
B. Moderate tensile strength
C. No elasticity
D. Very high tensile strength
Answer: D
Rationale: High-strength steel is necessary to sustain large prestressing
forces efficiently.
6. What is the most common prestressing steel used in pretensioned
members?
A. Plain bars
B. Wire mesh
C. Seven-wire strand
D. Structural angles
, Answer: C
Rationale: Seven-wire strands are widely used because of their strength
and reliability.
7. Transfer strength refers to the concrete strength at:
A. Demolition
B. Final inspection
C. Service loading
D. Prestress force transfer to the concrete
Answer: D
Rationale: Transfer strength is the minimum concrete strength required
before releasing prestressing forces.
8. Which property of concrete is especially important in prestressed
members?
A. Color consistency
B. Workability only
C. High compressive strength
D. Aggregate size only
Answer: C
