This paper evaluates the advantages of designing prestressed concrete members with low-relaxation strand. It also investigates the feasibility of using higher initial strand tension (75 percent of nominal breaking strength), and answers some of the questions regarding the most efficient use of low-relaxation strand and what effects mixing it with stress-relieved strand might have. The main conclusions of this paper show that low-relaxation strand can result in strand savings, especially in the longer, heavier structural members. Low-relaxation strand can also provide improvements in deflection and cracking control. It is also shown that low-relaxation strand can be mixed with stress-relieved strand in a design based on stress-relieved strand properties without harmful effects.
