Reinforced concrete structures-II

Previous year question and answers (Andhra university syllabus)

TWO MARK QUESTIONS

UNIT-1 - Retaining walls (Cantilever and counterfort retaining wall)

1. What is the function of weep holes in a retaining wall?

A. When water accumulates behind a retaining wall, the lateral forces acting on the wall increase.
The more water that has collected behind a retaining wall, the greater the hydrostatic pressure on
the wall will be. If the overturning moment (caused by the total lateral forces) exceeds the
resisting moment (caused by the total vertical forces), the wall will fail.
Hence, Weep holes should be drilled through the wall. Weep holes allow water to escape from
behind the wall. These holes should be regularly spaced in the horizontal direction. Retaining
walls with a height greater than a few feet should also have weep holes that are regularly spaced
in the vertical direction, forming a grid pattern.
2. What is the function of shear key?
To increase the sliding resistance of retaining walls, other than providing a large self-weight or a
large retained soil mass, shear keys are to be installed at the wall base. The principle of shear
keys is as follows:
The main purpose of installation of shear keys is to increase the extra passive resistance
developed by the height of shear keys. However, active pressure developed by shear keys also
increases simultaneously. The success of shear keys lies in the fact that the increase of passive
pressure exceeds the increase in active pressure, resulting in a net improvement of sliding
resistance.
3. What is the coefficient of earth pressure for a non-cohesive soil having angle of internal
friction 300 and angle of surcharge 150.

4. Why critical section for the heel design of a retaining wall should be taken at the face but
not “d” distance from the face of the retaining wall?
A. The heel slab is subjected to large downward forces to weight of column of earth above the heel
slab and self-weight of heel slab and small upward force due to upward soil reaction. The net
pressure being downwards it tends to bend the slab downwards so that tension develops on top
face. Hence main reinforcement in the heel slab is placed near the top face of the slab.
5. Give a sketch of reinforcement details in the toe slab of cantilever retaining wall?

B. Vidya, Assistant Professor, GVP College for Degree and PG courses, Visakhapatnam Page 1
 Reinforced concrete structures-II
Previous year question and answers (Andhra university syllabus)

6. When do you prefer a counterfort retaining wall to cantilever retaining wall?

The retaining wall height above 6m is designed as counterfort because as the height of retaining
wall increases the moment produce by earth pressure also increase faster and then it works out to
be uneconomical. So, it is designed as counterfort retaining wall.
7. Give an expression for the coefficient of passive earth pressure constant for an inclined
surcharge?

8. What is the factor of safety in case of retaining walls against sliding?

9. When do you construct counterfort retaining wall?

B. Vidya, Assistant Professor, GVP College for Degree and PG courses, Visakhapatnam Page 2
 Reinforced concrete structures-II
Previous year question and answers (Andhra university syllabus)
Same as Ans.6
10. What are the stability requirements of a retaining wall?
A. stability requirements of a retaining wall

11. What is the safety factor to be used the dead weight of a member resists the overturning?

12. Give the neat sketch of a cantilever retaining wall and mark the essential components?

13. When do you construct counterfort retaining wall? Mention the economical spacing of
counter forts in retaining wall?

B. Vidya, Assistant Professor, GVP College for Degree and PG courses, Visakhapatnam Page 3
 Reinforced concrete structures-II
Previous year question and answers (Andhra university syllabus)
A. Same as Ans.6.
The spacing of counterforts depends on several factors such as height of the wall, permissible
limit of pressure acting on the soil, cost of concrete, frame work etc. If the counterforts are kept at
closer spacing from the vertical wall and heel slab, then amount of concrete and steel is reduced.
The spacing should be such that, the total cost would be minimum. The most economical
spacing of counterfort varies from one-third of the height of retaining wall. The thickness of
counterfort is governed by the space required to adjust the steel.
14. Explain for what force stem, heel and toe slab are designed?
Parts of a cantilever retaining wall and its actions:
Vertical stem
Vertical stem in cantilever retaining wall resists earth pressure from backfill side. The thickness
of cantilever slab is larger at the base of stem and it decreases gradually upwards due to reduction
of soil pressure with decrease in depth.
Base slab
The base slab forms the foundation of the retaining wall. It consists of a heel slab and the toe slab.
The heel slab acts as a horizontal cantilever under the combined action of the weight of the
retaining earth from the top and the soil pressure acting from the soffit.
The toe slab also acts as a cantilever under the action of the soil pressure acting upward. The
stability of the wall is maintained by the weight of the earth fill and on the heel slab together with
the self-weight of the structural elements of the retaining wall.
15. Give an expression for the coefficient of active earth pressure on stem of retaining wall?

16. What are the forces on retaining wall?

There are various types of loads and forces acting on retaining wall, which are:
Lateral earth pressure
Surcharge loads
Axial loads
Wind on projecting stem
Impact forces
Seismic earth pressure
Seismic wall self-weight forces
17. Sketch the reinforcement details of heel slab?
A. Refer to Ans.5
18. Distinguish between active and passive earth pressure?
A. Active pressure is the condition in which the earth exerts a force on a retaining system and the
members tend to move toward the excavation. Passive pressure is a condition in which the
retaining system exerts a force on the soil. Since soils have a greater passive resistance, the earth
pressures are not the same for active and passive conditions.

B. Vidya, Assistant Professor, GVP College for Degree and PG courses, Visakhapatnam Page 4
 Reinforced concrete structures-II
Previous year question and answers (Andhra university syllabus)

19. Give the different checks to be adopted in the design of retaining wall?
A. Same as Ans. 10
20. Distinguish between cantilever and counterfort retaining wall?
Cantilever Retaining Walls
Cantilever walls are single-layered walls built in uniform thickness with its base connected to a
slab. These walls are capable of holding significant amount of earth and can support tall slopes.
Cantilever walls require steel reinforcement in both its base and its surface. The steel support
needs to extend from the base throughout the wall to ensure that both parts coordinate together.
Furthermore, the construction of the base is extremely important. It needs to be designed in a way
that it could resist the earth’s outward pressure. Proper engineering and construction is required to
ensure that the wall could best serve its purpose
Counterfort Retaining Walls
This type of retaining wall is closely similar to cantilever walls, except it is built with the addition
of thin vertical concrete webs (counterfort) installed at regular intervals along the rear side of the
wall. These counterforts connect the wall’s top and the base together lessening shear forces and
bending moments caused by the earth. This in turn, results in added strength. Counterfort
retaining walls are more preferable and economical to use than cantilever walls when building
structures of heights 25 feet and above.

21. What are the types of retaining walls?

A. Gravity wall
B. Cantilever wall
C. Counter fort wall
D. Buttress wall
22. Define “surcharge” and “backfill”?
A. A uniform vertical pressure applied to the ground surface in the vicinity of a retaining wall is
called a surcharge load. This surcharge load will result in an additional horizontal pressure on
the wall.
Backfill refers to the soil/gravel behind the wall. In order to provide proper drainage, at least 12
inches of granular backfill (gravel or a similar aggregate) should be installed directly behind
the wall.

B. Vidya, Assistant Professor, GVP College for Degree and PG courses, Visakhapatnam Page 5
 Reinforced concrete structures-II
Previous year question and answers (Andhra university syllabus)
UNIT-2 – Water tanks

1. What are the different loading conditions to be considered in the design of walls of
underground water tank?
The design principle of underground tank is same as for tanks are subjected to internal water
pressure and outside earth pressure. The base is subjected to weight of water and soil pressure.
These tanks may be covered at the top. Whenever there is a possibility of water table to rise, soil
becomes saturated and earth pressure exerted by saturated soil should be taken into consideration.
2. Sketch the typical reinforcement details at the corner wall junction of the rectangular water
tank?

3. For what forces the long walls of rectangular water tank is to be designed.
A. 1) Water pressure on the short wall will be transferred to the supporting long walls as tension
2) Soil pressure is also transferred to the long walls (in case of underground water tank)
4. Sketch the reinforcement details at the corner of the square water tank?
Same as Ans. 2
5. What shall be the wall thickness of a water tank if the wall is subjected to axial tension of
100kN/m and the resistance reinforcement is 100mm HYSD bars @100mm c/c on both faces
of the wall. Grade of concrete is M 20.
A. Formula: permissible tensile stress in concrete, σct= T/ tx1000+(m-1)At
6. Draw the joint between wall and floor of water tank?
Same as Ans. 2
7. What is the minimum % of steel and minimum cement content to be adopted in RC water
tank construction?
A. % of steel – not less than 0.3 % of the gross area of the wall.
B. minimum cement content – 320 kg/m3
8. What is the design criterion for long wall and short wall in rectangular tank?
ly and lx are center line dimensions.
If ly/lx<2, the walls are designed as continuous horizontal slab and subjected to a water pressure
of wh per unit area at depth h from the water surface.
The continuous strip of unit height, 1m can be analysed by the moment distribution method or
any other method. Often the bending moments are taken at the following values
BM at the centre of span = whl2/16, producing tension away from the water side.
BM at the ends of span = whl2/12, producing tension near the water side.
If ly/lx > or =2, the long walls are considered as vertical cantilevers. The short walls are
considered as spanning between the long walls and with ends taken as fixed.
9. Why the bracings of an elevated water tank shall be designed based on steel beam theory?

B. Vidya, Assistant Professor, GVP College for Degree and PG courses, Visakhapatnam Page 6
 Reinforced concrete structures-II
Previous year question and answers (Andhra university syllabus)

10. How do you ensure impermeability requirements in the design of a water tank?
The design of the concrete mix shall be such that the resultant concrete is sufficiently impervious.
Efficient compaction preferably by vibration is essential. The permeability of the thoroughly
compacted concrete is dependent on water cement ratio. Increase in water cement ratio increases
permeability, while concrete with low water cement ratio is difficult to compact. Other causes of
leakage in concrete are defects such as segregation and honey combing. All joints should be made
water-tight as these are potential sources of leakage.
Design of liquid retaining structure is different from ordinary R.C.C, structures as it requires that
concrete should not crack and hence tensile stresses in concrete should be within permissible
limits. A reinforced concrete member of liquid retaining structure is designed on the usual
principles ignoring tensile resistance of concrete in bending. Additionally, it should be ensured
that tensile stress on the liquid retaining face of the equivalent concrete section does not exceed
the permissible tensile strength of concrete.
11. Mention the advantages and disadvantages of rectangular tanks over circular tanks?

Compare to rectangular water tank circular water tanks are better in follwoing reasons

1. The internal and external loads which comes on wall will be taken care by Hoop compression,
hence tensile stress are less. less reinforcement steel is sufficient.
2. Concrete is very strong in compression, require concrete size will arrived by design.
3. Water retaining structures should be leak proof, hence crack width is checked in design.
4. Where as rectangular sections corners are having more stress concentration , the critical
portion are the corner junctions.
5. Re-steel more required to withstand the stress concentration.
6. compare to steel cost concrete cost is less, hence the same storage capacity circular tanks are
cheaper than rectangular tanks.
7. In over head tanks wind load is also govern. Due to circular shape the wind force action is less,
where as rectangular faces action is more.

12. What is the IS permissible compressive stress in tension to resist cracking for M20 concrete
and Fe415 steel for water retaining structures?

Ans. 175 N/mm2

13. State the impermeability requirements of water tank?

Ans. Same as 10
14. What are the various types of joints in water tanks?

1) Movement joints: Special types of materials are required to maintain water tightness while
accommodating relative movement between the side of joints. Movement joints are of 3 types:-

B. Vidya, Assistant Professor, GVP College for Degree and PG courses, Visakhapatnam Page 7
 Reinforced concrete structures-II
Previous year question and answers (Andhra university syllabus)

Movement Joint
i. Contraction joints: - A contraction joint is a typical movement joint which accommodates the
contraction of the concrete.
-It is of 2 types: - complete contraction joint- discontinuity of both steel and concrete
Partial contraction joint- discontinuity of concrete only

 These are usually applied after construction or just before the reservoir is put into service by
pouring in hot & cold state.

ii. Expansion joints: - It is a movement joint with complete discontinuity in both reinforcement and is
intended to accommodate either expansion or contraction of the structure
 Joint fillers are used to fill the initial gap provided in the joint and are usually a compressible
sheet or strip materials used as spaces.

iii. Sliding joint: - Sliding joint is a movement joint with complete discontinuity in both reinforcement
and concrete at which special provision is made to facilitate relative movement in place of the joint.
-This joint is provided between wall & floor in some cylinder tank designs

B. Vidya, Assistant Professor, GVP College for Degree and PG courses, Visakhapatnam Page 8
 Reinforced concrete structures-II
Previous year question and answers (Andhra university syllabus)
2) Construction joints: - A construction joint is a joint in the concrete introduced for convenience in
construction at which special measures are taken to achieve subsequent continuity without provision for
further relative movement.

3) Temporary open joints:- A temporary open joint is a gap temporarily left between the concrete of
adjoining parts of a structure which after a suitable interval and before the structure is put into use, is
filled with mortar or concrete completely or provided below with the inclusion of jointing material.

15. What is thickness of water tank wall if hoop tension is 42319N, area of steel 465mm 2 and m=
13.33. The tensile stress in concrete is 1.2 N/mm2?
Formula: permissible tensile stress in concrete, σct= T/ tx1000+(m-1)At
where t = thickness of water tank

16. What are the different types of water tanks?

Tanks situated on ground
Tanks situated under ground
Tanks situated above ground level
17. Name the different checks to be adopted in water tank design?
Check for tensile stresses
18. Give the design requirements for the staging of overhead water tank?
19. What type of stresses will be induced predominantly if the water tank is of circular shape?
Tensile stresses ( Hoop tension). These tanks behave has thin cylinders.
20. What is staging in a water tank?
It consists of components of structure supporting a liquid tank (container), to locate it
significantly above general ground level. Pedestals or blocks of short heights supporting
a tank will not be called as staging. In general the term staging includes the structural components
for foundations also
21. Classify the tanks based on shape?
Circular tanks

B. Vidya, Assistant Professor, GVP College for Degree and PG courses, Visakhapatnam Page 9
 Reinforced concrete structures-II
Previous year question and answers (Andhra university syllabus)
Rectangular tanks
Hopper bottom tank

UNIT-3 – Bridges

1. When do you prefer a girder bridge over a culvert slab bridge?

Girder bridge is used for spans ranging between 10 to 25m but culverts are used up to 8m.
In case of girder bridge, Deck slab is supported by longitudinal girders or beams which cast
monolithically with the slab hence act as T beams but deck slab serves as the main carrying
members in culvert slab bridge.
2. What is the condition for the economic span of the girder bridge?
A bridge has two abutments, one or more spans in superstructure and one less number of piers
than the number of spans. So if there are n spans in the bridge, then it will have n-1 number of
piers and 2 abutments.

Let the ratio of cost of one span to cost of one pier be R.

Then R=s/p. or s=pR
Where s= cost of one span and p= cost of one pier. If the cost of one abutment be A; then cost of
bridge C = 2A+ns+(n-1)p =2A+npR+(n-1)p
For C to be minimum dC/dn=0
0+pR+p=0
p(R+1)=0
Since cost of pier p will not be zero,
R+1=0
R=-1
Since R is the ratio of costs, so negative sign has not to be taken.
It means s/p=1
s= p
That means if the cost of one span and one pier is same then the bridge has minimum cost, hence
economical.
3. When do you adopt IRC class AA loading in design of road bridges?
National and state highways
4. State the provisions for fixing thickness concrete cover of bridges?
The minimum value of clear or nominal which is required to be provided to all reinforcing bars
including links and stirrups to different grade of concrete under different conditions of exposure
shall be as follows:

Conditions of Grade of concrete

exposure M 20 M 25 M 30 M 40 and above
1. Severe 50mm 40mm 30mm
2. Moderate 30mm 30mm 30mm 25mm
5. When do you use Courbon’s theory in the design of bridges?
This method is applicable only when the following conditions are satisfied: (T beam bridges)
1. The effective width of the deck is less than half the span and the span width ratio is less than
4.
2. There are 5 symmetrical cross girders or diaphragms integrated with longitudinal girders.

B. Vidya, Assistant Professor, GVP College for Degree and PG courses, Visakhapatnam Page 10
 Reinforced concrete structures-II
Previous year question and answers (Andhra university syllabus)
3. The depth of the cross girders or diaphragms is at least 3/4 th of the depth of the longitudinal
girders.
6. What is impact factor? How do you calculate impact factor for road bridges as per IRC?

The Impact load on bridge is due to sudden loads which are caused when the vehicle is moving on the
bridge. When the wheel is in movement, the live load will change periodically from one wheel to another
which results the impact load on bridge.

To consider impact loads on bridges, an impact factor is used. Impact factor is a multiplying factor which
depends upon many factors such as weight of vehicle, span of bridge, velocity of vehicle etc. The impact
factors for different IRC loadings are given below.

For IRC Class AA Loading and 70R Loading

Span Vehicle type Impact factor
Less than 9 meters Tracked vehicle 25% up to 5m and linearly reducing
to 10% from 5 m to 9 m.
Wheeled vehicle 25% up to 9 m
Greater than 9 meters Tracked vehicle (RCC bridge) 10% up to 40 m
Wheeled vehicle (RCC bridge) 25% up to 12m
Tracked vehicle (steel bridge) 10% for all spans
Wheeled vehicle (steel bridge) 25% up to 23 m
7. State the assumptions made in Courbon’s theory?

In Courbon’s theory, the cross-beams or diaphragms are assumed to be infinitely stiff. Due to the rigidity
of the deck, a concentrated load, instead of making the nearby girder or girders deflected, moves down all
the girders the relative magnitude of which depends on the location of the concentrated load or group of
concentrated loads.In case of a single concentric load or a group of symmetrical load, the deflection of all
the girders becomes equal but when the loads are placed eccentrically with respect to the centre line of the
deck, the deflection of all the girders does not remain the same but the outer girder of the loaded side
becomes more deflected than the next interior girder and so on but the deflection profile remains in a
straight line

8. Sketch the details of IRC class AA tracked Vechicle?

9. Write different classes of IRC loadings.

B. Vidya, Assistant Professor, GVP College for Degree and PG courses, Visakhapatnam Page 11
 Reinforced concrete structures-II
Previous year question and answers (Andhra university syllabus)
There are three types of standard loadings for which the bridges are designed namely, IRC
class AA loading, IRC class A loading and IRC class B loading. IRC class AA loading consists of
either a tracked vehicle of 70 tonnes or a wheeled vehicle of 40 tonnes
10. Write methods used for the design of Slab Type Bridge?
1. Pigeauds theory
2. Westergaurds method
3. Effective width method
11. What are the IRC loadings to be adopted in the design of bridges?
Same as Ans.9
12. How do you classify the bridges?

A bridge is a structure providing passage over an obstacle without closing the way beneath. The required
passage may be for a road, a railway, pedestrians, a canal or a pipeline. The obstacle to be crossed may be
a river, a road, railway or a valley.

Classification of Bridges
Classification of Bridges (According to form (or) type of superstructures)
1. Slab bridge
2. Beam bridge
3. Truss bridge
4. Arch bridge
5. Cable stayed (or )suspended bridge
Classification of bridges (According to material of construction of superstructure)
1. Timber bridge
2. Concrete bridge
3. Stone bridge
4. R.C.C bridge
5. Steel bridge
6. P.C.C bridge
7. Composite bridge
8. Aluminum bridge
Classification of bridges (According to inter-span relationship)
1. Simply supported bridge
2. Cantilever bridge
3. Continuous bridge

B. Vidya, Assistant Professor, GVP College for Degree and PG courses, Visakhapatnam Page 12
 Reinforced concrete structures-II
Previous year question and answers (Andhra university syllabus)
Classification of bridges (According to the position of the bridge floor relative to superstructures)
1. Deck through bridge
2. Half through or suspension bridge
Classification according to method of connection of different part of superstructures
1. Pinned connection bridge
2. Riveted connection bridge
3. Welded connection bridge
According to length of bridge
1. Culvert bridge(less than 6 m)
2. Minor bridge(less than 6 m-60m)
3. Major bridge(more than 60 m)
4. Long span bridge(more than 120 m)
According to function
1. Aqueduct bridge(canal over a river)
2. Viaduct(road or railway over a valley or river)
3. Pedestrian bridge
4. Highway bridge
5. Railway bridge
6. Road-cum-rail or pipe line bridge

13. What is kerb?

a stone edging to a pavement or raised path
14. Briefly explain Courbon’s theory of distribution of live load on longitudinal beams?

15. Define modular ratio, Kerb and footpath?

Modular Ratio is defined as the Ratio between Modulus of Elasticity of Steel and Modulus of Elasticity of
Concrete.

Kerb: a stone edging to a pavement or raised path

A footpath (also pedestrian way, walking trail, nature trail) is a type of thoroughfare that is intended
for use only by pedestrians and not other forms of traffic such as motorized vehicles, cycles, and horses.

16. Write standard specifications for road bridges?

GENERAL CONSIDERATIONS FOR ROAD/ BRIDGE APPROACHES

a) This section lays down the standards for Geometric Design and general features for existing Bridge
approaches/ existing road to two-lane with shoulders.

b) The Geometric Design of the Project Highway will conform to the standards set out in this chapter as a
minimum.

c) Existing Horizontal Curves which are found deficient in radius, layout, transition lengths or super-
elevation will be corrected to the specified standards. Similarly deficiencies in the vertical alignment will
also be corrected.

17. Write the importance of bearing?

B. Vidya, Assistant Professor, GVP College for Degree and PG courses, Visakhapatnam Page 13
 Reinforced concrete structures-II
Previous year question and answers (Andhra university syllabus)
A bridge bearing is a component of a bridge which typically provides a resting surface between bridge
piers and the bridge deck. The purpose of a bearing is to allow controlled movement and thereby reduce
the stresses involved.

UNIT-4 - Design of Piles and pile caps

1. What is a pile cap and what is its function?

A pile cap is a thick concrete mat that rests on concrete or timber piles that have been driven into
soft or unstable ground to provide a suitable stable foundation. It usually forms part of the
foundation of a building, typically a multi-story building, structure or support base for heavy
equipment.
2. What is a pile?
Pile foundations are deep foundations used when the site has a weak shallow bearing strata
making it necessary to transfer load to a deeper strata either by friction or end bearing principles.
Pile foundations are deep foundations which are formed by long slender columnar elements.
3. Draw typical reinforcement in under reamed piles?

4. What is the function of secondary reinforcement in pile cap?

Secondary reinforcement may not be necessary in pile cap. In fact, the primary aim of the
secondary reinforcement is to control cracking. However, as most pile caps are hidden from view
and it is considered not necessary to provide secondary reinforcement to pile caps based on
aesthetic reason.
5. Explain the difference between bearing and friction piles?
Difference between bearing piles and friction piles
The load is transferred downward and laterally to the soil is called friction pile. A friction
pile gets his bearing load mostly from friction along the shaft. Typical end-bearing piles are
driven through the very soft soil, such as a loose silt-bearing stratum underlain by compressible
strata.
6. What are the forces to be considered for the design of pile caps?

B. Vidya, Assistant Professor, GVP College for Degree and PG courses, Visakhapatnam Page 14
 Reinforced concrete structures-II
Previous year question and answers (Andhra university syllabus)
The pile cap should be deep enough for the pile reaction from below the pile caps to be
transferred to the pile cap. Similarly, considering the loads from the column at its top, the pile cap
should have sufficient capacity to resist the bending moment and shear forces as well as the
punching shear requirements to transfer the load to the piles through the pile cap.
7. What are different types of cast in situ piles?
Types of Cast-In-Situ Piles
Simplex pile
Franki pile
Vibro pile
Vibro-expanded pile
Raymond pile
Mac Arthur pile
8. Explain the bending and truss methods in design of pile cap?

There are two alternative theories on which pile caps can be assumed to transfer the
loads form the column to the pile foundation. They are (a) the truss theory and (b) the beam or
bending theory.

Truss theory: Even in the conventional design when the angle of dispersion of load is less than
30°( I.e the ration av/d is less than 0.6), we may assume the load to be transferred to the pile by
strut action. AB being in compression and BC in tension. This is called the truss action.
Experiments show that this action ( as in the case of deep beams and corbels) is predominant even
up to the ratio av/d equal to 2 or av=2d. In this truss action, the tensile force between the pile
heads is assumed to tie the ends of the reinforcement at its ends as needed in the case of an arch.
This is know as truss theory. The below figure shows the truss action for a four pile cap.

Bending theory: The action of the whole pile cap as a beam is easy to imagine. When the shear
span/depth of (av/d) is 2 or more, the bending action is more predominant than the truss action. Thus,
the tensile reinforcement at the bottom acts like the tension reinforcement in an ordinary beam. Then
the pile caps are designed by the beam theory.

In some cases, the design by beam theory may require less than steel than that by truss theory. It
should be however, be remembered that the realization of these different actions is not so much for
the determination of amount of steel and the savings that can be done in steel quantity as for the
appreciation of the real behavior of the pile cap in the field and for the method of dealing of steel in
pile caps. The necessity of anchoring the main steel at their ends should be fully appreciated
when conditions are favorable for truss action. With truss action the ends of the beams should be
given full Anchorage by providing the full development length by suitable bending of the steel inside
the pile cap.
9. What are different types of piles?

Classification of piles based on function

B. Vidya, Assistant Professor, GVP College for Degree and PG courses, Visakhapatnam Page 15
 Reinforced concrete structures-II
Previous year question and answers (Andhra university syllabus)
1. End bearing piles
2. Friction piles
3. Compaction piles
4. Tension piles
5. Anchor piles
6. Fender piles
7. Sheet piles
8. Batter piles
9. Cohesion piles

Classification of piles based on material and function

1. Concrete piles
2. Timber piles
3. Steel piles
4. Composite piles

Pre cast concrete piles

Cast in situ concrete piles

10. What are the advantages of pile caps?

A pile cap is a thick concrete mat that rests on concrete or timber piles that have been driven into soft or
unstable ground to provide a suitable stable foundation. It usually forms part of the foundation of a
building, typically a multi-story building, structure or support base for heavy equipment. The
cast concrete pile cap distributes the load of the building into the piles.

UNIT-5 – Pre stressed concrete

1. What is concentric and eccentric pre stressing?

The concentric or axial prestressing members in which the entire cross section of concrete has a
uniform compressive prestress. In this type the centroid of the tendon coincides with that of the
concrete section. Where as in eccentric prestressing is a section at which the tendons are eccentric
to the centroid, resulting in a triangular or trapezoidal compressive stress distribution.
2. What is the minimum grade concrete to be used for pre tensioning works?
The minimum 28 day cube compressive strength prescribed in the Indian standard code Is 1343 –
1980 is 40N/mm2 (M40) for pretensioned members & 30N/mm2 (M30) for post tensioned
members.
3. What is wobble effect in PSC members?
The wobble refers to the change in position of the tendon along the duct. The losses due to
friction and wobble are grouped together under friction.
4. What is the condition for the location of cable for load balancing?
The concept of load balancing is useful in selecting the tendon profile which can supply the most
desirable system of forces in concrete. In general, this requirement will be satisfied if the cable
profile in a prestressed member corresponds to the shape of the bending moment diagram
resulting from the external loads.
5. What is pressure line in PSC members?

B. Vidya, Assistant Professor, GVP College for Degree and PG courses, Visakhapatnam Page 16
 Reinforced concrete structures-II
Previous year question and answers (Andhra university syllabus)
The locus of the centroid of the prestressing force along the structure is the line of prestress or
centre of gravity of the steel line or pressure line.
The concept of pressure line is very useful in understanding the load carrying mechanism of a
prestressed concrete section, if a prestressed concrete member is cracked, it behaves similar to
that of a reinforced concrete section, in contrast to the direct method of analysis of resultant
stresses at a section of a prestressed concrete beam outlined the pressure or thrust line concept
can also be used to evaluate stresses.
6. What is the condition for the pressure line for load balancing?
Same as Ans.5
7. What is cracking moment?
The bending moment at which visible cracks develop in prestressed concrete members is
generally referred to as the ‘cracking moment’.
8. Sketch Freyssinet system of pre stressing?

Freyssinet system was introduced by the French Engineer Freyssinet and it was the first method
to be introduced. High strength steel wires of 5mm or 7mm diameter, numbering 8 or 12 or 16 or
24 are grouped into a cable with a helical spring inside. Spring keeps proper spacing for the wire.
Cable is inserted in the duct.

Freyssinet system of Post-tensioning

Anchorage device consists of a concrete cylinder with a concentric conical hole and corrugations
on its surface, and a conical plug carrying grooves on its surface (Fig. 3). Steel wires are carried
along these grooves at the ends. Concrete cylinder is heavily reinforced. Members are fabricated
with the cylinder placed in position. Wires are pulled by Freyssinet double acting jacks which can
pull through suitable grooves all the wires in the cable at a time. One end of the wires is anchored
and the other end is pulled till the wires are stretched to the required length. An inner piston in the
jack then pushes the plug into the cylinder to grip the wires.

9. Define cable profile. Why is it necessary in PSC?

The concept of load balancing is useful in selecting a tendon profile and they provide suitable
force system in concrete member, consider a pre stressed concrete beam which is provided with a
tendon at an eccentricity and is subjected to a hogging moment
10. What is the basic difference between pre tensioning and post tensioning?

B. Vidya, Assistant Professor, GVP College for Degree and PG courses, Visakhapatnam Page 17
 Reinforced concrete structures-II
Previous year question and answers (Andhra university syllabus)
Pre-tensioning and Post-tensioning both method are used under pre-stressing process which
have few edge over the orthodox non-stressed structures like more span to depth ration, higher
moment and shear capacity. Generally used PSC are Girders, sleepers etc.
Pre-tensioning:
In this method the tendons (group of wires) are pulled between two end bulkhead prior to
casting. This pre-stress is later transferred to concrete due to bonding between the concrete and
tendons.

11.
Post-tensioning:
In this process first the casting of structure is done and later the tensioning is done. Stressing in
Post-Tensioning is done in two-stages in which the order of selection of tendon is done based on
the drawing provided.
1st stage- is done after 7 days of casting.
2nd stage- after 28 days of casting.
This tendons are installed via duct pipe in the structure (PSC Girder) which after stressing process
are sealed with a mix of cement+water+intraplaster (sika or civax-100). This process is known
as Grouting.

12. What is anchorage loss in PSC members?

The anchorage slip is observed in post tensioned members at the time of transfer of prestress to
the concrete and the friction wedges employed to grip the wires, slip over a small distance before
the wires are firmly housed between the wedges.
13. Differentiate eccentric pre stressing from concentric pre stressing?
Same as Ans.1
14. Enlist advantages of Pre stressed concrete over Reinforced concrete?
i. The use of high strength concrete and steel in prestressed members results in lighter and
slender members than is possible with reinforced concrete.

B. Vidya, Assistant Professor, GVP College for Degree and PG courses, Visakhapatnam Page 18
 Reinforced concrete structures-II
Previous year question and answers (Andhra university syllabus)
ii. The effectiveness of carrying external loads is only by the section above the neutral axis
is reinforced concrete but the entire cross section is effective is prestressed concrete.
iii. The reinforced concrete sections are heavy and shear reinforcement is essential where as
in prestressed concrete the section is smaller & curved tendons helps to resistance.
iv. Do the long span structures the prestressed concrete is generally more economical than
reinforced concrete & also prestressed members are decrease in weight reduces the
design loads and the cost of construction.
v. Due to utilization of concrete in the tension zone a savings of 15 to 30% in concrete 60 to
80% savings in steel.
15. What is pre-tension system in pre stressing the structure? Or Hoyer system

Hoyer system or long line method is often adopted in pre-tensioning. Two bulk heads or
abutments independently anchored to the ground are provided several meters apart, say, 100m.
wires are stretched between the bulkheads. Moulds are placed enclosing the wires. Concrete is
placed surrounding the wires. With this Hoyer system, several members can be produced along
one line. This method is economical and is used in almost all pre-tensioning factories. For
tensioning, a hydraulic jack is used. Wires are gripped at the bulkheads, using split-cone wedges.
These wedges are made from tapered conical pins. Flat surface of the pin carries serrations to grip
the wire (fig. 1 and 2).
The advantage in pre-tensioning system is that there is no expenditure on end anchorages and on
rubber core or metal sheath required for post-tensioning system. There is greater certainty about
the prestressing force. In post-tensioned members certainty of the force depends on the two end
anchorages.
Disadvantages in this system are that the end abutments should be very strong and are provided
only in pre-cast factories. This naturally limits the size of the member as large sizes are difficult
to transport from factory to the site of construction. Loss is more in pre-tensioned members.

B. Vidya, Assistant Professor, GVP College for Degree and PG courses, Visakhapatnam Page 19
 Reinforced concrete structures-II
Previous year question and answers (Andhra university syllabus)

16. What are the various losses of pre stressing?

1. Loss due to elastic shortening of concrete.
2. Loss due to shrinkage of concrete.
3. Loss due to creep of concrete.
4. Loss due to relaxation of stress in steel.
5. Loss due to Anchorage slip.
6. Loss due to friction.
17. What are the advantages and disadvantages of Pre stressed concrete?

ADVANTAGES OF P.S.C OVER R.C.C

1. P.S.C. is more durable since there are no tensile cracks, whereas in R.C.C tensile cracks are
unavoidable, hence there is greater danger of adverse environmental effects.

2. As high strength concrete is used and also since dead load moments can be neutralized
P.S.C., dead weight of P.S.C. member is much less compared to what is required for R.C.C.
member. The dead weight of P.S.C member is about one-third of equivalent R.C. members.
3. The material cost in P.S.C. is much less than that in equivalent R.C. members.
4. The deformation of P.S.C. members is much less compared to that for an equivalent R.C.
member. In case of beams deflection of P.S.C. beams is about one - Fourth of that of
equivalent R.C. beams.
5. P.S.C has high resilience that is., a considerable capacity for recovering completely from the
effect of occasional overloadings, without suffering any serious harm. In case of P.S.C.
cracks in such situation which develop temporarily will close up completely.
6. The fatigue strength of P.S.C. is very good.

DISADVANTAGES OF P.S.C. OVER R.C.C

1. It requires skilled labour and good quality control.

2. It needs special technique to apply prestressing forces and Anchorage the wires.

B. Vidya, Assistant Professor, GVP College for Degree and PG courses, Visakhapatnam Page 20
 Reinforced concrete structures-II
Previous year question and answers (Andhra university syllabus)
or
Advantages of Prestressed Concrete

1. Longer span length increases untroubled floor space and parking facilities.
2. Thinner slabs, that are important for high rise building as with the same amount of cost, it can
construct more slabs than traditional thicker slabs.
3. As the span length is larger, fewer joints are needed than traditional RC structures.
4. Because of fewer joints, maintenance cost also becomes reduced during the design life as
joints are the major locus of weakness in a concrete building.
5. Long-term Durability.
6. Better finishing of placed concrete.
7. It requires a smaller amount of construction materials.
8. It resists stresses are higher than normal RCC structures and is free from cracks.

Disadvantages of Prestressed Concrete

1. It requires high strength concrete and high tensile strength steel wires.
2. The main disadvantage is construction requires additional special equipment like jacks,
anchorage etc.
3. It requires highly skilled workers under skilled supervision.
4. Construction cost is little higher than RCC structures.

18. Explain load balancing concept in PSC?

Same as Ans. 4
19. Classification of types of pre-stressing?
Prestressing of concrete can be classified in several ways.
Source of prestressing force
This classification is based on the method by which the prestressing force is generated. There are
four sources of prestressing force: Mechanical, hydraulic, electrical and chemical.
1. Mechanical prestressing
In this type of prestressing, the devices includes weights with or without lever transmission,
geared transmission in conjunction with pulley blocks, screw jacks with or without gear drives
and wire-winding machines. This type of prestressing is adopted for mass scale production.
i) External or internal prestressing
This classification is based on the location of the prestressing tendon with respect to the concrete
section.
External Prestressing
When the prestressing is achieved by elements located outside the concrete, it is called external
prestressing. The tendons can lie outside the member (for example in I-girders or walls) or inside
the hollow space of a box girder. This technique is adopted in bridges and strengthening of
buildings. In the following figure, the box girder of a bridge is prestressed with tendons that lie
outside the concrete.
Internal Prestressing
When the prestressing is achieved by elements located inside the concrete member (commonly,
by embedded tendons), it is called internal prestressing. Most of the applications of prestressing
are internal prestressing. In the following figure, concrete will be cast around the ducts for
placing the tendons.

B. Vidya, Assistant Professor, GVP College for Degree and PG courses, Visakhapatnam Page 21
 Reinforced concrete structures-II
Previous year question and answers (Andhra university syllabus)
ii) Pre-tensioning or post-tensioning
This is the most important classification and is based on the sequence of casting the concrete and
applying tension to the tendons.
Pre-tensioning
The tension is applied to the tendons before casting of the concrete. The precompression is
transmitted from steel to concrete through bond over the transmission length near the ends.
Post-tensioning
The tension is applied to the tendons (located in a duct) after hardening of the concrete. The pre-
compression is transmitted from steel to concrete by the anchorage device (at the end blocks).
iii) Linear or circular prestressing
This classification is based on the shape of the member prestressed.
Linear Prestressing
When the prestressed members are straight or flat, in the direction of prestressing, the
prestressing is called linear prestressing. For example, prestressing of beams, piles, poles and
slabs. The profile of the prestressing tendon may be curved. The following figure shows linearly
prestressed railway sleepers.
Circular Prestressing
When the prestressed members are curved, in the direction of prestressing, the prestressing is
called circular prestressing. For example, circumferential prestressing of tanks, silos, pipes and
similar structures. The following figure shows the containment structure for a nuclear reactor
which is circularly prestressed.
iv) Full, limited or partial prestressing
Based on the amount of prestressing force, three types of prestressing are defined.
Full Prestressing
When the level of prestressing is such that no tensile stress is allowed in concrete under service
loads, it is called Full Prestressing (Type 1, as per IS:1343 - 1980).
Limited Prestressing
When the level of prestressing is such that the tensile stress under service loads is within the
cracking stress of concrete, it is called Limited Prestressing (Type 2).
Partial Prestressing
When the level of prestressing is such that under tensile stresses due to service loads, the crack
width is within the allowable limit, it is called Partial Prestressing (Type 3).
v) Uniaxial, biaxial or multi-axial prestressing
As the names suggest, the classification is based on the directions of prestressing a member
Uniaxial Prestressing
When the prestressing tendons are parallel to one axis, it is called Uniaxial Prestressing. For
example, longitudinal prestressing of beams.
Biaxial Prestressing
When there are prestressing tendons parallel to two axes, it is called Biaxial Prestressing. The
following figure shows the biaxial prestressing of slabs.
2. Hydraulic Prestressing
This is the simplest type of prestressing, producing large prestressing forces. The hydraulic jack
used for the tensioning of tendons, comprises of calibrated pressure gauges which directly
indicate the magnitude of force developed during the tensioning.

B. Vidya, Assistant Professor, GVP College for Degree and PG courses, Visakhapatnam Page 22
 Reinforced concrete structures-II
Previous year question and answers (Andhra university syllabus)
3. Electrical Prestressing
In this type of prestressing, the steel wires are electrically heated and anchored before placing
concrete in the moulds. This type of prestressing is also known as thermoelectric prestressing.
4. Chemical prestressing

This is a method of prestressing using expanded cement. A concrete member made by using expanding
cement is held at both its ends by rigid supports. As the concrete tends to expand a prestress is induced in
the members. In an alternative method a concrete member is made using ordinary cement. At each end a
gap is left between the end and a rigid support. Now the gap is filled with expanding cement. As this filler
cement tends to expand a prestress is induced in the member.

20. Define pressure line?

The locus of the centroid of the prestressing force along the structure is the line of prestress or
centre of gravity of the steel line or pressure line.
21. Write about the necessity of high strength concrete and high tensile steel for pre stressed
concrete?
i. High strength concrete is necessary for prestress concrete as the material offers highly resistance
in tension, shear bond and bearing. In the zone of anchorage the bearing stresses being hired; high
strength concrete is invariably preferred to minimizing the cost. High strength concrete is less
liable to shrinkage cracks and has lighter modulus of elasticity and smaller ultimate creep strain
resulting in a smaller loss of prestress in steel. The use of high strength concrete results in a
reduction in a cross sectional dimensions of prestress concrete structural element with a reduced
dead weight of the material longer span become technically and economically practicable.
ii. Tensile strength of high tensile steel is in the range of 1400 to 2000 N/mm2 and if initially stress
upto 1400 N/mm2 their will be still large stress in the high tensile reinforcement after making
deduction for loss of prestress. Therefore high tensile steel is made for prestress concrete.
22. Name all the types of losses in pre-tensioning system?
1. Loss due to elastic shortening of concrete.
2. Loss due to shrinkage of concrete.
3. Loss due to creep of concrete.
4. Loss due to relaxation of stress in steel.
23. What do you mean by term pre stressing?
Prestressing is the process by which a concrete element is compressed, generally by steel wires or
strands. Precast elements may be prestressed during the construction process (pre-tensioning) or
structures may be stressed once completed (post-tensioning). Prestressing compensates for the
tensile stresses introduced when the element is loaded. Hence the concrete generally remains in
compression.

POST-TENSIONING SYSTEMS
A metal tube or a flexible hose following intended profile is placed inside the mould and concrete is laid.
Flexible hose is then removed leaving a duct inside the member. Steel cable is inserted in the duct. The
cable is anchored at one end of the member and stretched using a hydraulic jack at the other end. After

B. Vidya, Assistant Professor, GVP College for Degree and PG courses, Visakhapatnam Page 23
 Reinforced concrete structures-II
Previous year question and answers (Andhra university syllabus)
stretching the cable is anchored at the other end also. Therefore post tensioning system consists of end
anchorages and jacks. The popular post-tensioning systems are the following:

1. Freyssinet system

2. Magnel Blaton system

3. Gifford-Udall system

4. Lee-McCall system

1. Freyssinet System:
Freyssinet system was introduced by the French Engineer Freyssinet and it was the first method to be
introduced. High strength steel wires of 5mm or 7mm diameter, numbering 8 or 12 or 16 or 24 are
grouped into a cable with a helical spring inside. Spring keeps proper spacing for the wire. Cable is
inserted in the duct.

Fig.3: Freyssinet system of Post-tensioning

Anchorage device consists of a concrete cylinder with a concentric conical hole and corrugations on its
surface, and a conical plug carrying grooves on its surface (Fig. 3). Steel wires are carried along these
grooves at the ends. Concrete cylinder is heavily reinforced. Members are fabricated with the cylinder
placed in position. Wires are pulled by Freyssinet double acting jacks which can pull through suitable
grooves all the wires in the cable at a time. One end of the wires is anchored and the other end is pulled
till the wires are stretched to the required length. An inner piston in the jack then pushes the plug into the
cylinder to grip the wires.

2. Magnel Blaton system:

B. Vidya, Assistant Professor, GVP College for Degree and PG courses, Visakhapatnam Page 24
 Reinforced concrete structures-II
Previous year question and answers (Andhra university syllabus)
In Freyssinet system several wires are stretched at a time. In Magnel Blaton system, two wires are
stretched at a time. This method was introduced by a famous engineer, Prof. Magnel of Belgium. In this
system, the anchorage device consists of sandwich plate having grooves to hold the wires and wedges
which are also grooved. Each plate carries eight wires. Between the two ends the spacing of the wires is
maintained by spacers. Wires of 5mm or 7mm are adopted. Cables consists of wires in multiples of 8
wires. Cables with as much as 64 wires are also used under special conditions. A specially deviced jack
pulls two wires at a time and anchors them. The wires with the sandwich plate using tapered wedge is
shown in fig.4.

Fig.4: Anchorage of Magnel System

3. Gifford Udall System:

This system originated in Great Britain, is widely used in India. This is a single wire system. Each wire is
stressed independently using a double acting jack. Any number of wires can be grouped together to form
a cable in this system. There are two types of anchorage device in this system.

a) Tube anchorages

b) Plate anchorages

Tube anchorage consists of a bearing plate, anchor wedges and anchor grips. Anchor plate may be square
or circular and have 8 or 12 tapered holes to accommodate the individual prestressing wires. These wires
are locked into the tapered holes by means of anchor wedges. In addition, grout entry hole is also
provided in the bearing plate for grouting. Anchor wedges are split cone wedges carrying serrations on its
flat surface. There is a tube unit which is a fabricated steel component incorporating a thrust plate, a steel

B. Vidya, Assistant Professor, GVP College for Degree and PG courses, Visakhapatnam Page 25
 Reinforced concrete structures-II
Previous year question and answers (Andhra university syllabus)
tube with a surrounding helix. This unit is attached to the end shutters and form an efficient cast-in
component of the anchorage (fig.5).

Fig.5: Plate Anchorage

4. Lee McCall System:

This method is used to prestress steel bars. The diameter of the bar is between 12 and 28mm. bars
provided with threads at the ends are inserted in the performed ducts. After stretching the bars to the
required length, they are tightened using nuts against bearing plates provided at the end sections of the
member (fig.6).

Fig.6: End Anchorage for Lee McCall System

5. Other Methods of Prestressing:

a) Electrical Prestressing:
in this method, reinforcing bars is coated with thermoplastic material such as sulphur or low melting alloy
and buried in the concrete. After the concrete is set, electric current of low voltage but high amperage is
passed through the bar. Electric current heats the bar and the bar elongates. Bars provided with threads at
the other end are tightened against heavy washers, after required elongation is obtained. When the bar
cools, prestress develops and the bond is restored by resolidification of the coating.

B. Vidya, Assistant Professor, GVP College for Degree and PG courses, Visakhapatnam Page 26
 Reinforced concrete structures-II
Previous year question and answers (Andhra university syllabus)
b) Chemical Prestressing:
Chemical prestressing is done using expanding cement. Prestressing can be applied b embedding steel in
concrete made of expanding cement. Steel is elongated by the expansion of the concrete and thus gets
prestressed. Steel in turn produces compressive stress in concrete.

B. Vidya, Assistant Professor, GVP College for Degree and PG courses, Visakhapatnam Page 27