Which risk increases in a prestressed concrete beam if the steel tendons experience hydrogen embrittlement?

💡 Explanation

When hydrogen embrittlement occurs, atomic hydrogen permeates the grain structure of the high-strength steel tendons, reducing their ductility and tensile strength because dislocations are impeded, increasing risk of premature brittle failure. Therefore, brittle fracture is the highest risk, rather than excessive creep, corrosion or bond reduction, which involve different degradation mechanisms.

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