This paper aims to make a contribution to understanding which methods apply for structural analysis of beams prestressed with FRP cables. A parametric non-linear numerical analysis of simply supported beams has been performed. In this analysis the shape of the cross-section, the strength of concrete, the material adopted for the cables (steel, GFRP, CFRP), the prestressing system (bonded or unbonded prestressing) and the degree of prestressing were changed to collect a broad range of data which, the author contends, should cover the most frequent types of common practice. The output data themselves and their comparison allow us to suggest some rules that could be adopted when dealing with beams prestressed with these innovatory materials that have an elastic-brittle behaviour.