Prestressed concrete primarily helps in achieving which of the following outcomes?

Prestressed concrete is a technique that involves pre-tensioning or post-tensioning steel tendons within the concrete, which enhances the material's load-bearing capacity. This process allows structures to handle greater loads while using less concrete than traditional methods. By introducing compressive stresses that counteract tensile stresses that occur when the structure is in use, prestressed concrete not only increases the overall strength of the structure but also optimizes material usage. As a result, engineers can design larger spans with thinner slabs, leading to lighter designs and reduced resource consumption. This efficiency in both strength and usage aligns perfectly with the outcomes associated with prestressed concrete.

The other options relate more broadly to potential benefits of building materials or design choices but do not capture the fundamental engineering advantage provided by prestressed concrete itself.