NPTEL ONLINE CERTIFICATION COURSES

COURSE NAME: BRIDGE ENGINEERING

ASSIGNMENT – WEEK 6

Number of Questions: 10 Total Marks: 10 × 2 = 20

1. A semi-circular masonry arch bridge has a span length S of 14 m. The rise and radius of the
arch are

A. 5 m and 7 m
B. 7 m and 7 m
C. 5 m and 8 m
D. 6 m and 8 m

Right Answer: B. 7 m and 7 m

Detailed Solution: Span of the Arch S = 14 m

Rise of the Arch Intrados r = Span/ 2 = 14/2 = 7 m (Semi-circular)
Radius of the Arch Intrados R = (S2 + 4r2)/8r = (142 + 4 × 72)/ (8 × 7) = 7 m.

2. A masonry arch bridge has a span length S of 12 m, rise r of 3 m, radius R of 7.5 m. Thickness
of arch ring is

A. 0.475 m
B. 0.5 m
C. 0.585 m
D. 0.625 m

Right Answer: C. 0.585 m

Detailed Solution: Thickness of the Arch by Trautwyne’s formula t = [√(R + 0.5S)]/7 + 0.06 =
[√(7.5 + 0.5 × 12)]/7 + 0.06 = 0.585 m.
3. Relationship between radius R, rise r and span L of circular arch is

A. R = L2/4R + r/2
B. R = L2/4r + r/2
C. R = L2/2R + r/2
D. R = L2/8r + r/2

Right Answer: D. R = L2/8r + r/2

Detailed Solution: 3. Relationship between radius R, rise r and span L of circular arch is R =
L2/8r + r/2.

4. A two hinged parabolic arch has 20 m span length and 5 m rise. Equation of arch rib is

A. y = (x − x2/20)
B. y = (x − x2/40)
C. y = (x − x2/60)
D. y = (x − x2/80)

Right Answer: A. y = (x − x2/20)

Detailed Solution: Equation of parabolic arch rib is y = 4rx/L2 (L ‒ x) = 4 × 5x/ 202 × (20 ‒ x)
= x/ 20 × (20 ‒ x) = (x ‒ x2/20).

5. A two hinged parabolic arch has 20 m span length and 5 m rise. It has 100 kN vertical load
applied at crown. ∫ (Mydx for the entire arch can be determined as

A. 2083 kNm2
B. 20833 kNm3
C. 2083 kNm3
D. 20833 kNm2

Right Answer: B. 20833 kNm3

Detailed Solution: Equation of parabolic arch rib is y = 4rx/L2 (L ‒ x) = 4 × 5x/ 202 × (20
‒ x) = x/ 20 × (20 ‒ x) = (x ‒ x2/20).
Vertical support reaction VA = VB = 100/ 2 = 50 kN
For 0 < x < 10 m, Moment from A to C = 50x kN-m
For 0 < x < 20 m, Moment from C to B = 50x ‒ 100(x ‒ 10) = (‒ 50x + 1000) kN-m
∫010 (Mydx) = ∫01050x × (x ‒ x2/20) dx = ∫010(50x2 ‒ 5x3/2) dx = (50x3 /3‒ 5x4/8) 010 = 10416.67
kN-m3
∫1020 (Mydx) = ∫1020(‒ 50x + 1000) × (x ‒ x2/20) dx = ∫1020(‒50x2 + 5x3/2+1000x ‒50x2) dx=
∫1020(5x3/2+1000x ‒100x2) dx = (5x4 /8 +500x2‒ 100x3/3) 1020 = 10416.67 kN-m3
∫020 (Mydx) = 2 × 10416.67 = 20833.34 kN-m3
6. Ratio of side span to main span in suspension bridge vary between

A. 0.17-0.50
B. 0.25-0.60
C. 0.35-0.70
D. 0.45-0.85

Right Answer: A. 0.17-0.50

Detailed Solution: The ratio of side span to main span in suspension bridge generally varies
from 0.17 to 0.50.

7. Arrangements for passing the cables over the towers from the main span to the side span

A. Guide Pulley Support

B. Roller Support
C. Guide Pulley Support and Roller Support
D. None of the above

Right Answer: C. Guide Pulley Support and Roller Support

Detailed Solution: There are two arrangements generally made for passing the cables over the
towers from the main span to the side span.
a) Guide Pulley Support b) Roller Support.

8. For reduced girder deflections, cable inclination must vary between

A. 20-70 degrees
B. 25-65 degrees
C. 30-60 degrees
D. 35-55 degrees

Right Answer: B. 25-65 degrees

Detailed Solution: For reduced girder deflections, cable inclination may vary in the reasonable
limits of 25°-65°

9. Central span of a balanced cantilever bridge can be up to

A. 30 m
B. 40 m
C. 50 m
D. 60 m
 Right Answer: A. 30 m

Detailed Solution: Central span of a balanced cantilever bridge can be up to 30 m.

10. Articulation is connection between

A. simply supported span and cantilever span

B. suspended span and cantilever span
C. suspended span and simply supported span
D. None of the above

Right Answer: B. suspended span and cantilever span

Detailed Solution: Articulation is connection between suspended span and cantilever span.