QUESTION BANK
CE6702 – PRESTRESSED CONCRETE STRUCTURES
UNIT 5 – MISCELLANEOUS STRUCTURES
PART – A (2 marks)
1. Write the advantages of prestressed concrete bridges.
(AUC May/June 2013, Nov/Dec 2011, 2012 & 2013, Apr/May 2012)
High strength concrete and high tensile steel, besides being economical make for
slender sections which are aesthetically superior.
In comparison with steel bridges prestressed concrete bridges require very little
maintenance.
Prestressed concrete bridges can be designed as class 1 type structures without any
tensile stresses under service loads, thus resulting in a crack free structure.
2. Draw a typical cross section of pretensioned prestressed concrete bridge decks.
(AUC May/June 2013, Nov/Dec 2011 & 2012)
3. What are span range for solid slab and T-beam slab decks? (AUC Nov/Dec 2013)
Span ranges
For solid slab decks – 10 to 20 m
For T-beam slab decks – 20 to 40 m
4. Draw the cross sectional profile of most commonly used prestressed concrete beams in
bridges. (AUC Apr/May 2010)
5. Write a short note on post tensioned bridge decks. (AUC Apr/May 2012)
Post tensioned bridge decks are generally adopted for longer spans exceeding 20 m.
bridge decks with precast post tensioned girders of either T – type or box – type in conjunction
with a cast in situ slab are commonly adopted for spans exceeding 30 m.
6. Why the deck slab of prestressed concrete bridges is mostly made of non prestressed
concrete? (AUC Apr/May 2010)
The pretensioned girders are provided with straight tendons. The use of seven wire
strands has been found to be advantageous in comparison with plain or indented wires. The
deflected strands are employed in larger girders.
7. What are the advantages of post tensioning system? (AUC Apr/May 2011)
Post tensioning is suitable for heavy cast in place members.
The waiting period in the casting bed is less.
The transfer of prestress is independent of transmission length.
8. Draw neat sketches of two efficient sections used for prestressed concrete bridges.
(AUC Apr/May 2011)
9. List any four mechanical prestressing systems adopted for bridges in India.
(AUC Nov/Dec 2010)
Includes weights with or without lever transmission
Geared transmission in conjunction with pulley blocks
Screw jacks with or without gear drives
Wire winding machines
10. What is meant by kern distance in a prestressed concrete bridge? (AUC Nov/Dec 2010)
Kern is the core area of the section in which if the load applied tension will not be
induced in the section.
Kt = Zb / A, Kb = Zt / A,
If the load applied at Kt compressive stress will be the maximum at the top most
fiber and zero stress will be at the bottom most fiber. If the load applied at Kb compressive
stress will be the maximum at the bottom most fiber and zero stress will be at the top most fiber.
11. What are the disadvantages of post tensioning system?
The relative disadvantage of post tensioning as compared to pretensioning is the
requirement of anchorage device and grouting equipment.
12. Where the prestressed concrete construction is suited?
The prestressed concrete is ideally suited for the construction of medium and long span
bridges.
13. Define pretensioned prestressed concrete bridge decks.
Pretensioned prestressed concrete bridge decks generally comprise precast
pretensioned units used in conjunction with cast in situ concrete, resulting in composite bridge
decks which are ideally suited for small and medium spans in the range of 20 to 30 m.
14. What is the span ranges for different types of slabs and beams?
Solid slab decks – 10 to 20 m
T-beam slab decks – 20 to 40 m
Single or multicell box girder – 30 to 70 m
Precast box girders – more than 50 m
Simply supported, continuous beams – 20 to 500 m
Composite bridge decks – 20 to 30 m
Precast prestressed I and T - beam – 7 to 36 m
Y – beams – 15 to 30 m
PART – B (16 marks)
1. What are the general aspects of prestressed concrete bridges and its advantages over
RC bridges? (AUC May/June 2013, Nov/Dec 2013)
Advantages over RC bridge:
High strength concrete and high tensile steel, besides being economical make for
slender sections which are aesthetically superior.
In comparison with steel bridges prestressed concrete bridges require very little
maintenance.
Prestressed concrete bridges can be designed as class 1 type structures without any
tensile stresses under service loads, thus resulting in a crack free structure.
Prestressed concrete is ideally suited for composite bridge construction in which precast
prestressed girders support the cast in situ slab deck. This type of construction is very
popular since it involves minimum disruption of traffic.
Post tensioned prestressed concrete finds extensive applications in long span
continuous girder bridges of variable cross section. Not only does it make for sleek
structures, but it also effects considerable saving in the overall cost of construction.
In recent years, partially prestressed concrete (type – 3 structures) has been preferred
for bridge construction, because it offers considerable economy in the use of costly high
tensile steel in the girder.
2. Explain in detail about design aspects of pretensioned prestressed bridge decks.
(AUC Nov/Dec 2011)
3. Draw neat sketches showing the typical cross sections of pre tensioned PSC bridge
decks. (AUC Nov/Dec 2012)
4. Explain in detail the general aspects of post tensioned concrete bridges decks.
(AUC Apr/May 2010, Nov/Dec 2010, 2012 & 2013)
5. Draw neat sketches showing the typical cross sections of post tensioned PSC bridge
decks. (AUC Nov/Dec, Apr/May 2012)
6. Briefly outline the design procedure of post tensioned prestressed concrete slab bridge
deck. (AUC May/June 2013, Nov/Dec 2011 & 2013)
Design procedure of post tensioned prestressed concrete slab bridge deck:
Step 1: Data collections
Clear span, width of bearing, clear width of roadway, footpath, kerbs, thickness of wearing
coat, live load and type of structure.
Step 2: Permissible stresses
The permissible compressive stresses in concrete at transfer and working loads as
recommended in IRC – 18.
Step 3: Depth of slab and effective span
Assuming the thickness of the slab at span for highway bridge decks and to find the
overall thickness of the slab.
Step 4: Dead load bending moments
To calculate the dead weight of the slab and find the dead load bending moment.
Step 5: Live load bending moments
Generally the bending moment due to live load will be maximum for IRC class AA
tracked vehicle.
Step 6: Shear due to class AA tracked vehicle
For maximum shear force at the support section the IRC class AA tracked vehicle is
arranged.
Step 7: Check for minimum section modulus
Step 8: Minimum prestressing force
Step 9: Eccentricity of cables
Step 10: Check for stresses at service loads
Step 11: Check for ultimate strength (IRC: 18 – 2000)
Step 12: Check for ultimate shear strength
Step 13: Supplementary reinforcement
Step 14: Design of end block reinforcement
7. Write the design procedure of post tensioned PSC T - beam slab bridge deck.
(AUC Apr/May 2010, Apr/May 2011)
Design procedure of post tensioned PSC T - beam slab bridge deck:
Step 1: Data collections
Clear span, width of bearing, clear width of roadway, footpath, kerbs, thickness of wearing
coat, live load and type of structure.
Step 2: Permissible stresses
The permissible compressive stresses in concrete at transfer and working loads as
recommended in IRC – 18.
Step 3: Cross section of deck
Step 4: Design of the interior slab panel
Step 5: Design of longitudinal girders
i. Reaction factors
ii. Dead load from slab per girder
iii. Dead load of the main girder
iv. Dead load moments and shears in the main girder
v. Live load bending moments in the girder
vi. Live load shear forces in girders
vii. Design bending moments and shear forces
viii. Properties of main girder section
ix. Check for minimum section modulus
x. Minimum prestressing force
xi. Permissible tendon zone
Step 6: Check for stresses
Step 7: Check for ultimate flexural strength
i. Failure by yielding of steel
ii. Failure by crushing of concrete
Step 8: Check for ultimate shear strength
Step 9: Supplementary reinforcement
Step 10: Design of end block reinforcement
Step 11: Cross girders
8. Explain the advantages of prestressed concrete bridges. (AUC Apr/May 2012)
High strength concrete and high tensile steel, besides being economical make for
slender sections which are aesthetically superior.
In comparison with steel bridges prestressed concrete bridges require very little
maintenance.
Prestressed concrete bridges can be designed as class 1 type structures without any
tensile stresses under service loads, thus resulting in a crack free structure.
Prestressed concrete is ideally suited for composite bridge construction in which
precast prestressed girders support the cast in situ slab deck. This type of construction
is very popular since it involves minimum disruption of traffic.
Post tensioned prestressed concrete finds extensive applications in long span
continuous girder bridges of variable cross section. Not only does it make for sleek
structures, but it also effects considerable saving in the overall cost of construction.
In recent years, partially prestressed concrete (type – 3 structures) has been preferred
for bridge construction, because it offers considerable economy in the use of costly high
tensile steel in the girder.
