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Architecture Engineering QUESTION #2372
Question 1
In prestressed concrete design, the concept of the 'load balancing method' (T.Y. Lin's method) involves selecting the tendon profile such that the transverse component of prestress forces:
  • Maximizes the bending moment at midspan to increase the section capacity
  • Exactly balances a chosen portion of the applied gravity loads, resulting in a uniformly stressed (axially loaded) cross-section under the balanced load✔️
  • Eliminates all tensile stresses in the section at every load level
  • Positions the pressure line (C-line) at the kern point of the section
Correct Answer Explanation
In the load balancing method (T.Y. Lin, 1963), the tendon is profiled (typically parabolic for UDL) so its vertical component exactly counteracts a chosen portion of the gravity load (usually dead load or total service load). Under the balanced load \(w_b = \dfrac{8 P e}{L^2}\), the beam is in pure axial compression with uniform stress \(f = P/A\). Remaining loads (unbalanced) are analyzed by conventional elastic methods.