DHANALAKSHMI SRINIVASAN COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY

CE6702 – PRESTRESSED CONCRETE STRUCTURES

UNIT 1- INTRODUCTION – THEORY AND BEHAVIOUR

PART – A (2 marks)

1. List out the advantages of prestressed concrete. (AUC Nov/Dec 2011 & 2012)
In case of fully prestressed member, which are free from tensile stresses under working
loads, the cross section is more efficiently utilized when compared with a reinforced
concrete section which is cracked under working loads.
The flexural member is stiffer under working loads than a reinforced concrete member of the
same length.
2. What is meant by pretensioned and post tensioned concrete?

(AUC Nov/Dec 2010 & 2011)

Pre tensioning: A method of Pre stressing concrete in which the tendons are tensioned
before the concrete is placed. In this method, the prestress is imparted to concrete by bond
between
Post steel and
tensioning: concrete.
A method of pre stressing concrete by tensioning the tendons against
hardened concrete. In this method, the prestress is imparted to concrete by bearing.

3. Why is high tensile steel needed for prestressed concrete construction?

(AUC Nov/Dec 2012)
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.
2
Tensile strength of high tensile steel is in the range of 1400 to 2000 N/mm and if initially
2
stress upto 1400 N/mm 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.
4. What are the various methods of prestressing? (AUC May/June 2013, Apr/May 2010)
Pre-tensioning

Post-tensioning
5. What are the systems of prestressing? (AUC May/June 2013)
Pre-tensioning system
Post-tensioning system
6. List the loss of prestress. (AUC Nov/Dec 2010 & 2013)
Nature of losses of prestress.
Loss due to elastic deformation of concrete.
Loss due to shrinkage of concrete.
Loss due to creep of concrete.
Loss due to relaxation of stress in steel.
Loss of stress due to friction.
Loss due to anchorage slip.
7. What are the classifications of prestressed concrete structures? (AUC Nov/Dec 2013)
Externally or internally prestressed
Pretensioning and post tensioning
End-Anchored or Non-End Anchored Tendons
Bonded or unbonded tendons
Precast, cast-in-place, composite construction
Partial or full prestressing
8. Define load balancing concept. (AUC Apr/May 2011 & 2012)
It is possible to select cable profiles in a prestressed concrete member such that the traverse
component of the cable force balances the given type of external loads. This can be readily
illustrated by considering the free body of concrete with the tendon replaced by forces
acting on the concrete beam.
9. What are the factors influencing deflections? (AUC Apr/May 2011)
Length of the deflection field
Spacing between the deflection plate
Difference of potential between the plates
Accelerating voltage of the second anode.
10. What are the sources of prestress force? (AUC Apr/May 2012)
Mechanical
Hydraulic
Electrical
Chemical
11. Define kern distance. (AUC Apr/May 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 K t 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 K b compressive stress will be
the maximum at the bottom most fiber and zero stress will be at the top most fiber.
12. What is Relaxation of steel?
When a high tensile steel wire is stretch and maintained at a constant strain the initially force
in the wire does not remain constant but decrease with time. The decrease of stress in steel
at constant strain is termed relaxation of steel.
13. What is concordant prestressing?
Pre stressing of members in which the cable follow a concordant profile. In case of statically
indeterminate structures. It does not cause any changes in support reaction.
14. Define bonded and non bonded prestressing concrete.
Bonded prestressing: Concrete in which prestress is imparted to concrete through bond
between the tendons and surrounding concrete. Pre tensioned members belong to this group.
Non-bonded prestressing: A method of construction in which the tendons are not bonded to the
surrounding concrete. The tendons may be placed in ducts formed in the concrete members or they
may be placed outside the concrete section.

15. Define axial prestressing.

Members in which the entire cross-section of concrete has a uniform compressive prestress.
In this type of prestressing, the centroid, of the tendons coincides with that of the concrete section.

16. Define prestressed concrete.

It is basically concrete in which internal stresses of a suitable magnitude and distribution are
introduced so that the stresses resulting from external loads (or) counteracted to a desire degree
in reinforced concrete member the prestress is commonly introduced by tensioning the
steel reinforcement.
17. Define anchorage.
A device generally used to enable the tendon to impart and maintain prestress to the
concrete is called anchorage. E.g. Fressinet, BBRV systems, etc.,
18. What are the main factors for concrete used in PSC?
Ordinary Portland cement-based concrete is used but strength usually greater than 50
2
N/mm ;
A high early strength is required to enable quicker application of prestress; A
larger elastic modulus is needed to reduce the shortening of the member; A mix
that reduces creep of the concrete to minimize losses of prestress;
19. What are the uses of prestressed concrete?
Railway Sleepers;
Communications poles;
Pre-tensioned precast “hollow core” slabs;
Pre-tensioned Precast Double T units - for very long spans (e.g., 16 m span for car parks);
Pre-tensioned precast inverted T beam for short-span bridges;
Post-tensioned ribbed slab;
This is “glued segmental” construction;
20. Define Magnel diagram.
A Magnel Diagram is a plot of the four lines associated with the limits on stress. As can be
seen, when these four equations are plotted, a feasible region is found in which points of 1 P and e
simultaneously satisfy all four equations. Any such point then satisfies all four stress limits.

PART B
1. A rectangular concrete beam 100mm wide & 250mm deep spanning over 8m BT4
is prestressed by a straight cable carrying a effective prestressing force of 250kN
located at an eccentricity of 40mm. The beam supports a live load of 1.2 kN/m.
(i).Calculate the resultant stress distribution for the centre of the span cross section of
the beam assuming the density of concrete as 24kN/m2
(ii)Find the magnitude of prestressing force with an eccentricity of 40mm which can
balance the stresses due to dead load & live load at the soffit of the centre
span section.

2. A PSC beam of 120mm wide and 300mm deep is used over a span of 6m to support BT4
a udl of 4kN/m including its self weight. The beam is prestressed by a straight
cable carrying a force of 180kN & located at an eccentricity of 50mm.
Determine the location of the thrust line in beam & plot its position at quarter
& central span sections.
3. A Prestressed pretensioned beam of 200mm wide and 300mm deep is used over BT5
an span of 10m is prestressed with a wires of area 300mm2 at an eccentricity of
60mm carrying a prestress of 1200 N/mm2 Find the percentage of loss of stress,
Ec= 35 kN/mm2 Shrinkage of concrete = 300 x 10-6 , creep coefficient =1.6
4. A PSC beam of 120mm wide and 300mm deep is used over an span of 6m BT3
is prestressed by a straight cable carrying a force of 200 kN & located at an
eccentricity of 50mm. Ec= 38 kN/mm2 .
(i) Find the deflection at centre span Under prestress + self weight
(ii) Find the magnitude of live load udl which will nullify the deflection due to
prestress & self weight.
5. A PSC beam of 230mm wide and 450mm deep is used over an span of 4m is BT2
prestressed by a cable carrying a force of 650kN & located at an eccentricity of
75mm. The beam supports three concentrated loads of 25kN at each quarter span
points. Determine the location of the pressure line in beam at centre, quarter &
support sections. Neglect the moment due to self weight of the beam.
6. A PSC beam with rectangular section, 150mm wide 300mm deep is prestressed by BT1
three cables each carrying a effective prestress of 200kN. The span of the beam is
12m. The first cable is parabolic with an eccentricity of 50mm below the centroidal
axis at the centre of the span and 50mm above the centroidal axis at the supports.The
second cable is parabolic with an eccentricity of 50mm at the centre of the span and
zero eccentricity at the supports. The third cable is straight with an eccentricity of
50mm below the centroidal axis.If the beam supports an UDL of 6kN/m and
Ec=38kN/mm2 Estimate the instantaneous deflection for the following stages
(i) Prestress + self weight of the beam
(ii)Prestress + self weight of the beam + live load
7. (i) Explain why high strength concrete and high strength steel are needed for BT4
PSC construction
(ii) State different types of prestressing.
8. (i) Explain shrinkage of concrete in PSC members BT2
(ii) Explain durability, fire resistance and cover requirements for PSC members

9. A PSC beam supports an imposed load of 5kN/mm2 over a simply supported span of
10m.The beam has an I section with an overall depth of 450mm.Thickness of flange
and web are 75mm and 1000mm respectively. The flange width is 230mm. The
BT6
beam is prestressed with an effective prestressing force of 350kN at a suitable
eccentricity such that the resultant stress at the soffit of the beam at mid span is
zero. Find the eccentricity required for the force.
10 .A PSC beam of section 120mm wide and 300mm deep is used over an effective
span of 6m to support an udl of 4kN/m including self weight. The beam is
prestressed by a straight cable with a force of 180kN and located at an BT2
eccentricity of 50mm. Determine the location of thrust line in the beam and plot its
position.
11 .A pre-stressed concrete beam, 250 mm wide and 350 mm deep, is used over an BT3
 UNIT 2
DESIGN OF FLEXURE AND SHEAR
PART-A
1. What is meant by end block in a post tensioned member?
The zone between the end of the beam and the section where only longitudinal stress exists is generally
referred to as the anchorage zone or end block.
2. List any two applications of partial prestressing.
□ Used in large diameter concrete pipes
□ Used in railway sleepers
□ Water tanks
□ Precast concrete piles to counter tensile stress during transport and erection. used in bridges
construction
3. What is meant by partial prestressing?
The degree of prestress applied to concrete in which tensile stresses to a limited
degree are permitted in concrete under working load. In this case, in addition to
tensioned steel, a considerable proportion of untensioned reinforcement is generally
used to limit the width of cracks developed under service load.
4. Define degree of prestressing
A measure of the magnitude of the prestressing force related to the resultant stress
occurring in the structural member at working load.
5. Define Bursting tension.
The effect of transverse tensile stress is to develop a zone of bursting tension in a
direction perpendicular to the anchorage force resulting in horizontal cracking.
6. Define Proof stress
The tensile stress in steel which produces a residual strain of 0.2 percent of the
original gauge length on unloading.
7. Define cracking load.
The load on the structural element corresponding to the first visible crack.
8. Define Debonding.
Prevention of bond between the steel wire and the surrounding concrete.
9. Write formula for Moment of resistance in BIS code. Mu =
Apb Aps (d-dn)
10. What are the types of flexural failure?
□ Fracture of steel in tension
□ Failure of under-reinforced section
□ Failure of over-reinforced section
□ Other modes of failure

PART-B
1. A pretensioned T section has a flange width of 1200mm and 150mm thick. The BT4
width and depth of the rib are 300mm and 1500mm respectively. The high tension
steel has an area of 4700mm2 and is located at an effective depth of
1600mm. If the characteristic cube strength of the concrete and the tensile
strengthof steel are 40 and 1600Mpa respectively; calculate the flexural strength of
2. A PSC beam of effective span 16m is of rectangular section 400mm wide BT1
and 1200mm deep. A tendon consists of 3300mm2 of strands of characteristic
strength 1700 N/mm2 with an effective prestress of 910 N/mm2 . The strands
are located 870mm from the top face of the beam. If fcu =60 N/mm2 , estimate
the flexural strength of the section as per IS1343 provisions for the following cases:
(i) Bonded tendons
(ii) Unbonded
3. A post tensioned bridge girder with unbonded tendons is of size 1200mm wide by BT1
1800mm deep is of box section with wall thickness of 150mm. The high tensile steel
has an area of4000mm2an di slocate da ta neffectiv e depth of 1600mm. Theeffective
prestress in steel after loss is 1000 N/mm2 & effective span is 24m. If fck = 40
N/mm2 , fp = 1600 N/mm2 Estimate the flexural strength.
4. Enumerate the Permissible stresses in steel and concrete as per I.S.1343 Code. BT2

5. Layout of cables in post-tensioned beams and Location of wires in pre-tensioned BT5

beams.
6. The cross section of a prestressed concrete beam is an unsymmetrical T-section BT4
with an overall depth of1300 mm. thickness of web is 150 mm. Distance of top and
bottom fibres from the centroid are 545 mm and 755 mm respectively. At a
particular section, the beam is subjected to an ultimate moment M = 2130 kNm and
a shear force V=237
, I= 665X108
mm4,Ap=2310 mm2,fp=1500 N/mm ,fep=890 N/mm .Estimate the flexural-shear
7. A symmetrical I section prestressed beam of 300mm wide and 750mm overall depth BT3
with flanges and web 100mm thick. The beam is post tensioned with the cables
containing 48 wires of 5mm diameter high strength steel wires at an eccentricity of
250mm. The compressive strength of concrete is 40N/mm2 and the ultimate tensile
strength of wire is 1700 N/mm2 . Assuming that the grouting of tendons is 100%
effective determine the ultimate moment of section as per IS1343:1980.
8. What do you understand by Type I and Type II members? Explain in details. BT3

9. (i) Discuss the Basic assumptions for calculating flexural stresses. (ii) Explain concept of limit states. BT6

10. b) Explain about the types of shear cracking occurs in prestressed concrete section. BT1

11. The cross-section of a symmetrical I-section prestressed beam is 500 mm by 650 mm (overall), with flanges BT2
and web 150 mm thick. the beam is post-tensioned by cables containing 45 wires of 5 mm diameter high-
tensile steel wires at an eccentricity of 250 mm. The 28-days strength of concrete in compressing is 40
N/mm2 and the ultimate tensile strength of wires is 16500 N/mm2 . Assuming that the grouting of the
tendons is 100 percent effective, determine the ultimate moment of the section as per IS 1343.
12. Write the recommendations for Design for shear based on I.S. 1343 Code. BT2
UNIT III DEFLECTION AND DESIGN OF ANCHORAGE ZONE

1. Define partial prestressing. (AUC May/June 2013, Nov/Dec 2011)

The degree of prestress applied to concrete in which tensile stresses to a limited degree
are permitted in concrete under working load. In this case, in addition to tensioned steel, a
considerable proportion of untensioned reinforcement is generally used to limit the width of
cracks developed under service load.
2. Mention any two functions of end blocks. (AUC May/June 2013, Nov/Dec 2013)

o Provide Lateral (horizontal) stability from wind and other horizontal (Racking) loads.

o Provide additional vertical load capacity for the ends of the joists from point loads above.
3. Define anchorage zone. (AUC Nov/Dec 2011)
Prestressed concrete contains tendons which are typically stressed to about 1000 MPa.
These tendons need to be anchored at their ends in order to transfer (compressive) force to the
concrete. The zone of region is called Anchorage zone.
4. How can PSC beam be considered to carry its own weight? (AUC Nov/Dec 2012)
By providing an external initial stress (the prestress) which compresses the beam.
Now they can only separate if the tensile stress induced by the self weight of the beam
is greater than the compressive prestress introduced.

5. Mention the advantages of partial prestressing. (AUC Nov/Dec 2012 & 2013)
1) Limited tensile stresses are permitted in concrete under service loads with controls on the
maximum width of cracks and depending upon the type of prestressing and environmental
condition.
2) Untensioned reinforcement is required in the cross-section of a prestressed member
for various reasons, such as to resist the differential shrinkage, temperature effects
and handling stresses.
3) Hence this reinforcement can cater for the serviceability requirements, such as control of
cracking, and partially for the ultimate limit state of collapse which can result in considerable
reduction in the costlier high tensile steel.
4) Saving in the cost of overall structure.

6. Write any two assumptions on the compatibility of strains. (AUC Apr/May 2012)
• The stress distribution in the compression zone of concrete can be defined by means of
coefficients applied to the characteristic compressive strength and the average compressive
strength stress and the position of the centre of compression can be assessed.
• The distribution of concrete strain is linear (plane sections normal to axis remain plane after
bending).
• The resistance of concrete in tension is neglected.
• The maximum compressive strain in concrete at failure reaches a particular value.

7. What is effective reinforcement ratio? (AUC Apr/May 2012)

Ratio of effective area of reinforcement to the effective area of concrete at any section
of a structural member is known as effective reinforcement ratio.
 8. At initial stage what forces are considered in prestressed concrete design?
(AUC Apr/May 2011)
Prestressing force is considered in prestressed concrete design at initial stage.
9. Why anchorage zone has to be given special attention in design? (AUC Apr/May 2011)
Because the main reinforcement in the anchorage zone should be designed to withstand
the bursting tension, which is determined by the traverse stress distribution on the critical axis,
usually coinciding with the line of action of the largest individual force.
10. Draw a sketch showing the stress distribution in end block by double anchor plate. (AUC
Apr/May 2010)

11. Explain conventional failure of an over reinforced prestressed concrete beam.

(AUC Apr/May 2010)
An Over reinforced members fail by the sudden crushing of concrete. The failure being
reinforced members fail by the sudden crushing of concrete. The failure being characterized by small
deflections and narrow cracks, the area of steel being comparatively large, the stresses developed
in steel at failure of the member may not reach the tensile strength.
12. What is meant by end block in a post tensioned member? (AUC Nov/Dec 2010)
The zone between the end of the beam and the section where only longitudinal stress
exists is generally referred to as the anchorage zone or end block.
13. List any two applications of partial prestressing. (AUC Nov/Dec 2010)
• Used in large diameter concrete pipes
• Used in railway sleepers
• Water tanks
• Precast concrete piles to counter tensile stress during transport and erection.
• Used in bridges construction
14. Define degree of prestressing.
A measure of the magnitude of the prestressing force related to the resultant stress
occurring in the structural member at working load.

15. Define Bursting tension.

The effect of transverse tensile stress is to develop a zone of bursting tension in a

direction perpendicular to the anchorage force resulting in horizontal cracking.
16. Define Proof stress.
The tensile stress in steel which produces a residual strain of 0.2 percent of the original
gauge length on unloading.

17. Define cracking load.

The load on the structural element corresponding to the first visible crack.

18. Define Debonding.

Prevention of bond between the steel wire and the surrounding concrete.

19. Write formula for Moment of resistance in BIS code.

Mu = A pbA ps(d - d n)

20. What are the types of flexural failure?

• Fracture of steel in tension
• Failure of under-reinforced section
• Failure of over-reinforced section
• Other modes of failure

PART – B
1. A concrete beam having a rectangular cross section 150mm wide and 300mm deep BT-5
is prestressed by a parabolic cable of eccentricity 75mm at the at the centre of
thespan towards the soffit, and an eccentricity of 25mm towards the top at the
support section. The effective force in the cable is 350kN. The beam supports the
concentrated load of 20kN at the centre of the span in addition to the self
weight. If the modulus of elasticity of the concrete is 38kN/m2 and the span is 8m,
Evaluate,
(i) Short term deflection at the centre of the span under prestress, dead
load and
live load.
(ii) Long term deflection assuming a loss ratio as 0.8 and creep coefficient
2. A PSC beam with rectangular section, 150mm wide 300mm deep is prestressed BT-4
by three cables each carrying a effective prestress of 200kN. The span of the
beam is 12m. The first cable is parabolic with an eccentricity of 50mm below the
centroidal axis at the centre of the span and 50mm above the centroidal axis at
the supports. The second cable is parabolic with an eccentricity of 50mm at the
centre of the span and zero eccentricity at the supports. The third cable is straight
with an eccentricity of 50mm below the centroidal axis. If the beam supports an
UDL of 6kN/m and Ec=38kN/mm2 . Estimate the instantaneous deflection for the
following stages
i) Prestress + self weight of the beam
ii) Prestress + self weight of the beam+ live load
3. A prestressed concrete bean of span 8m has a section of area 42 x l03 mm2 . BT-4
The moment of inertia of the section being 1.75 x 108 mm4 . The beam is
prestressed with a parabolic cable providing a prestressing force of 245 kN.
The cable has an eccentricity of 50mm at the centre and zero eccentricity at
the ends. Ignoring all losses, examine the deflection at the centre when
(a) The beam carries its own weight and prestress.
(b) The beam carries in addition to its own weight and prestress, a superimposed
load of 1.8kN/m. consider concrete weight 24kN/m3 and Ec = 40kN/mm2 .
4. A simply supported beam of 6m span and rectangular section 125mm x 250mm is BT-3
prestressed by a cable in which the total tensile force as 220kN. The cable is
aa
bt a constant eccentricity of 75mm above the soffit at the middle third of the beam
=nd the cable is curved towards the extreme ends and the eccentricity of the cable at
oth ends are 50mm above the centre line. Consider concrete weight 24kN/m3 and
E40kN/mm
c 2 . Interpret the deflection of the beam

(i) when it is supporting its own weight,

5. A PSC(ii) beamwhenofthe120mm wide and
beam carries 300mmload
an imposed deepof is used over an span of 6m BT-2
is prestressed by a straight cable carrying a force of 200kN & located at an
eccentricity of 50mm.Ec=38 kN/mm2 . Estimate the deflection at centre span
a) Under prestress + self weight
b) Find the magnitude of live load udl which will nullify the deflection due to
prestress & self weight
6. The end block of a PSC beam with rectangular cross section is 100mm wide and BT-1
200mm deep. The prestressing force of 100kN is transmitted to the concrete by
a distribution plate of 100mm x 50mm, concentrically loaded at the ends. Calculate
the position and the magnitude of tensile stress on the horizontal section
through the centre and edge of the anchor plate. Compute the bursting tension on
the horizontal planes.
7. The end block of a post tensioned bridge girder is 500mm wide by 1000mm deep. BT-6
Two cables, each comprising 90 high tensile wires of 7mm dia are anchored using
square plates of side length 400mm with their centres located at 500mm from the
top and bottom of the edges of the beam. The jacking force in each cable is
4000kN. Design a suitable anchorage reinforcement using Fe 415 grade
HYSD bars conforming to IS: 1343 provision.
8. The end block of a post tensioned concrete beam 300mm X 300mm is subjected to BT-2
a concentric anchorage force of 832800N by a freyssinet anchorage system of
area 117200mm2 . Discuss and detail the anchorage reinforcement for the end block.
9. (i) Define the terms (a) end block (b) Anchorage zone (c) Bursting tension BT-1
(ii) Explain withsketches the effect of varying the ratio of depth anchorage
to the depth of end block on the distribution of bursting tension
10. A PSC beam of 300mm wide and 400mm deep is used over an span of 8m is BT-4
prestressed by a cable carrying high tensile wires of cross sectional area 2000mm2.
If the beam supports a live load of 20kN/m excluding its self weight, examine the
initial deflection due to prestress, self weight and live loads for the following:
(i) Cable profile is straight with a constant eccentricity of 100mm
(ii) Cable profile is parabolic with a dip of 100mm at the mid span and
concentric
at supports. Assume E c = 36kN/mm2
11. Explain .the factors influencing the deflection and the effect of tendon profile in the BT-2
deflection of PSC members with a neat sketch
12. Explain the various methods used for the investigation of anchorage zone stresses. BT-3
13. Write about the Magnel’s method and Guyon’s method for end block BT-1
14. A PSC beam 250mm wide and 650mm deep is subjected to an effective prestressing BT-1
force of 1360kN along the centroidal axis. The cable is placed symmetrically overthe
ck
= 30N/mm 2 .A ssume initial prestressing force is 1.2 times the effective
prestressing force.
UNIT IV COMPOSITE BEAMS AND CONTINUOUS BEAMS

1. Define propped construction. (AUC May/June 2013, Nov/Dec 2013)

The dead load stress developed in the precast prestressed units can be minimized by
propping them while casting the concrete in situ. This method of construction is termed as propped
construction.

2. How to achieve compositeness between precast and cast in situ part and show the
sketches? (AUC May/June 2013, Nov/Dec 2013)
The composite action between the two components is achieved by roughening the
surface of the prestressed unit on to which the concrete is cast in situ, thus giving a better frictional
resistance or by stirrups protruding from the prestressed unit into the added concrete or by
castellations on the surface of the prestressed unit adjoining the concrete which is cast in situ.

3. What is meant by composite construction of prestressed and in situ concrete?

(AUC Nov/Dec & Apr/May 2011)
In a composite construction, precast prestressed members are used in conjunction with
the concrete cast in situ, so that the members behave as monolithic unit under service loads. The
high strength prestressed units are used in the tension zone while the concrete, which is the cast in
situ of relatively lower compressive strength is used in the compression
zone of the composite members.

4. How deflections in composite members are computed? (AUC Nov/Dec 2011)

In the case of composite members, deflections are computed by taking into account the
different stages of loading as well as the differences in the modulus of elasticity of concrete
in the precast prestressed unit and the in situ cast element.
5. What do you mean by unpropped construction? (AUC Nov/Dec 2012)
If the precast units are not propped while placing the in situ concrete, stresses are
developed in the unit due to the self weight of the member and the dead weight of the in situ
concrete. This method of construction is referred to as unpropped construction.

6. What are the forces considered in the calculation of deflection of prestressed concrete
beams? (AUC Apr/May 2010)
Prestressing force
Self weight of the beam
Dead load of the concrete
Live load acting on the concrete
7. What are the roles played by shear connectors in composite construction?
(AUC Apr/May 2010)
It is generally assumed that the natural bond at the interface contributes a part of the
required shear resistance depending upon the strength of the in situ cast concrete and the
roughness of the precast element. Any extra shear resistance over and above this should be
provided by shear connectors.

8. What are the advantages in using precast prestressed units?

(AUC Apr/May 2011, Nov/Dec 2010 & 2012)
Saving in the cost of steel in a composite member compared with a reinforced or prestressed
concrete member.
Sizes of precast prestressed units can be reduced due to the effect of composite action.
Low ratio of size of the precast unit to that of the whole composite member.
 Composite members are ideally suited for construction bridge decks without the disruption of
normal traffic.

9. Name the loadings to be considered for computing initial deflection.

(AUC Nov/Dec 2010)
Prestress
Self weight of the beam
Weight of the in situ cast concrete

10. How do you compute the shrinkage and resultant stresses in composite member?
(AUC Nov/Dec 2012)
The magnitude of differential shrinkage is influenced by the composition of concrete and
the environmental conditions to which the composite member is exposed. In the absence of exact
data, a general value of 100 micro strains is provided for computing shrinkage stresses.
11. Distinguish between propped and unpropped construction methods.
(AUC Nov/Dec 2012)

S.No Propped construction Unpropped construction

1 The dead load stress developed in If the precast units are not propped while
the precast prestressed units can be placing them in situ concrete, stresses
minimized by propping them while are developed in the unit due to the self
casting the concrete in situ. This weight of the member and the dead
method of construction is termed as weight of the in situ concrete. This
propped construction. method of construction is referred to as
unpropped construction.

2 If the pretensioned beam supports If the slab is externally supported while

the weight of the slab while casting. casting.

12. What are the assumptions made in stresses developed due to differential shrinkage?
The shrinkage is uniform over the in situ part of the section.
Effect of creep and increase in modulus of elasticity with age and the component of
shrinkage, which is common to both the units are negligible.

13. Name the loadings to be considered for computing deflection if the beam is propped
section.
Prestress
Self weight of the beam
Dead weight of the in situ cast concrete
Live load of the in situ cast concrete
14. Name the loadings to be considered for computing deflection if the beam is unpropped
section.
Prestress
Self weight of the beam
Live load of the in situ cast concrete

15. Sketch the typical cross section of precast prestressed concrete beam.
PART – B
1. A precast pretensioned beam of rectangular section has a breadth of 100mm BT-1
and depth of 200mm. The beam with an effective span of 5m is prestressed by the
tendons with their centroids coinciding with the bottom kern. The initialforce in
the tendons is 150kN. The loss of prestress is 15%. The top flange width is
400mm with the thickness o
the
resultant stresses developed if the section is unpropped. M40 and M20 concrete
2. Design a composite slab for the bridge deck using a standard inverted T-section. The BT-3
top flange is 300mm wide and 110mm thick. The bottom flange is 550mm wide and
250mm thick. The web thickness is 100mm and the overall depth of the inverted T.
Section is 655mm. The bridge deck has to support a characteristic imposed load of
50 kN/m2 , over an effective span of 12m. Grade 40 concrete is specified for the
precast pretensioned T-with a compressive strength at transfer of 36 N/mm2 .
 grade-30 is used for the insitupart. Calculate the minimum prestress necessary and
check for safety under serviceability limit state.
3. Design a composite PSC beam for the following data: BT-6
Span=12m; live load = 5kN/m2 ; σci = 14 N/mm2 ; η
Depth
=85%;of the slab
Breadth of the web = 150mm; bf= 1500mm. Assume post tension.
4. A simply Supported PSC beam of span 5m and size l50mm x 300 mm has 15 MPa BT-5
prestress at soffit and Zero at top after all losesis Prestress. A slab of 450mm wide
and 60 mm deep is cast on the top of the beam to induce composite T-beam action.
Evaluate the maximum udl that can be supported without any tensile stress at soffit
for the following conditions.
(i) Slab is externally supported during casting
(ii) Slab is supported by the PSC beam during
casting
5. i. List the advantage of using precast prestressed elements along with in BT-1
situ Concrete.
ii.
List the different types of composite construction with neat sketches
6. The cross-section of a composite beam consists of a 300mm x 900mm precast BT-4
stem and cast-in-situ flange 900mm x 150mm. The stem is a post-tensioned unit
with an initial prestressing force of 2500 kN. The effective prestress available
after making deduction for losses is 2200 kN. The dead load moment at mid
span due to the weight of the precast section is 250 kNm. The dead load moment
due to the weight of the flange is 125 kNm. After hardening of the flange
concrete, the composite section has to carry a live load which produces a
bending moment of 700 kNm. Examine the stress distribution in concrete at the
7. A composite prestressed concrete beam consists of a prefabricated stem of 300mm BT-1
X ifferential shrinkage is
X
1.210-4 mm/mm, evaluate the shrinkage str esses at the extreme edges of the slab and

8. Briefly explain the necessity of using composite section in PSC structures. Also BT-2
discuss about the shear in composite beams. What are the provisions usually made to
counteract the effects.
9. A composite T-girder of span 5m is made up of a pre-tensioned rib, 100mm wide BT-4
by 200mm depth, with an insitu cast slab, 400mm wide and 40mm thick. The
rib is prestressed by a straight cable having an eccentricity of 33.33 mm and
carrying initial he composite
T-beam for the limit state of deflection if its supports an imposed load of 3.2kN/m
for (i) unpropped (ii) propped. Assume modulus of Elasticity of 35kN/mm2 for
both precast & insitu cast elements.

10. A prestressed beam with rectangular cross section with a width of 120mm and BT-4
depth of 300mm is continuous over two spans AB=BC= 8m. The cable
with zero eccentricity at the ends and an eccentricity of 50mm towards the top
fibres of the beam over the central support, carries an effective force of 500kN.
(i) Calculate the secondary moments developed at B.
(ii) If the beam supports the concentrated load of 20kN each at mid points of
the
span, evaluvate the resultant stresses at the central support section
(iii) B. Also locate the position of pressure line at the section.
UNIT V MISCELLANEOUS STRUCTURES

1. What are the functions of water stopper (water bar) in water tank construction?

(AUC May/June 2013)

1) The base slab is subdivided by joints which are sealed by water stops.
2) The reinforcement in the slab should be well distributed to control the cracking of the

a. slab due to shrinkage and temperature.

2. Differentiate prestressed cylinder and non-cylinder pipe. (AUC May/June 2013) Prestressed
cylinder pipe:
1) It is developed by the Lock Joint Company.
2) A welded cylinder of 16 gauge steel is lined with concrete inside and steel pipe wrapped
with a highly stressed wire.
3) Tubular fasteners are used for the splices and for end fixing of the wire and pipe is finished
with a coating of rich mortar.
4) It is suitable upto 1.2 m diameter.
Prestressed non-cylinder pipe:
• It is developed by Lewiston Pipe Corporation.
• At first concrete is cast over a tensioned longitudinal reinforcement.
• A concrete pipes after curing are circumferentially stressed by means of a spiral wire wound
under tension and protected by a coat of mortar.
• The main function of longitudinal prestress is to prevent cracking in concrete during
circumferential winding and cracking due to the bending stresses developed during the
handling and installation of pipes.

3. Define circular prestressing. (AUC Nov/Dec 2011, 2012, 2013, 2010)

When the prestressed members are curved in the direction of prestressing, the prestressing
is called circular prestressing.
For example, circumferential prestressing in pipes, tanks, silos, containment structures and
similar structures is a type of circular prestressing.

4. What are the design criteria for prestressed concrete tanks? (AUC Nov/Dec 2011)
1) It is to resist the hoop tension and moments developed are based on the considerations of
desirable load factors against cracking and collapse.
2) It is desirable to have at least a minimum load factor of 1.2 against cracking and 2 against
ultimate collapse as per IS code.
3) It is desirable to have at least a minimum load factor of 1.25 against cracking and 2.5 against
ultimate collapse as per BS code.
4) The principal compressive stress in concrete should not exceed one-third of the characteristic
cube strength.
5) When the tank is full, there should be a residual compressive stress of at least 0.7n/MM2
2
6) When the tank is empty, the allowable tensile stress at any point is limited to 1 N/mm .
7) The maximum flexural stress in the tank walls should be assumed to be numerically equal to
0.3 times the hoop compression.
5. What are the design criteria for prestressed concrete pipes? (AUC Nov/Dec 2012)
• Circumferential prestressing, winding with or without longitudinal prestressing.
• Handling stresses with or without longitudinal prestressing.
• Condition in which a pipe is supported by saddles at extreme points with full water load but
zero hydrostatic pressure.
• Full working pressure conforming to the limit state of serviceability.
• The first crack stage corresponding to the limit state of local damage.

6. How are the tanks classified based on the joint? (AUC Nov/Dec 2013)
• Tank wall with fixed base.
• Tank wall with hinged base.
• Tank wall with sliding base.

7. Define two stage constructions. (AUC Apr/May 2012)

In the first the concrete is cast over a tensioned longitudinal reinforcement. In the
second stage the concrete pipes after curing are circumferentially stressed by means of a spiral
wire wound under tension and protected by a coat of mortar.

8. Write any two general failures of prestressed concrete tanks. (AUC Apr/May 2012)
• Deformation of the pre-cast concrete units during construction.
• Manufacturing inaccuracies led to out of tolerance units being delivered to the site
under investigation.
• It May have affected the ability to achieve a good seal.

9. What is the stress induced in concrete due to circular prestressing? (AUC Apr/May 2010)
The circumferential hoop compression stress is induced in concrete by prestressing
counterbalances the hoop tension developed due to the internal fluid pressure.

10. Explain the effect of prestressing force in concrete poles. (AUC Apr/May 2010)
It should be reduced in proportion to the cross section by the techniques of debonding or
dead ending or looping some of the tendons at mid height.

11. Write the various types of loadings that act on prestressed concrete poles.
(AUC Nov/Dec 2010)
• Bending due to wind load on the cable and on the exposed face.
• Combined bending and torsion due to eccentric snapping of wires.
• Maximum torsion due to skew snapping of wires.
• Bending due to failure of all the wires on one side of the pole.
• Handing and erection stresses.
12. What are the advantages of prestressing water tanks? (AUC Apr/May 2011)
• Water storage tanks of large capacity are invariably made of prestressed concrete.
• Square tanks are used for storage in congested urban and industrial sites where land space
is a major constraint.
• This shape is considerable reduction in the thickness of concrete shell.
• The efficiency of the shell action of the concrete is combined with the prestressing at the
edges
13. Mention the importance of shrinkage in composite construction?
The time dependent behavior of composite prestressed concrete beams depends upon
the presence of differential shrinkage and creep of the concretes of web and deck, in addition
to other parameters, such as relaxation of steel, presence of untensioned steel, and
compression steel etc.

15. What are the different types of joints used between the slabs of prestressed concrete
tanks?
• Movement joint
• Expansion joint
• Construction Joint
• Temporary Open Joints.

16. What are the advantages of partially prestressed concrete poles?

• Resistance to corrosion in humid and temperature climate and to erosion in
desert areas.
• Easy handling due to less weight than other poles.
• Easily installed in drilled holes in ground with or without concrete fill.
• Lighter because of reduced cross section when compared with reinforced
concrete poles.
• Fire resisting, particularly grassing and pushing fire near ground line.

17. What are the types of prestressed concrete pipes?

• Monolyte construction
• Two stage construction

18. Distinguish between non-cylinder and cylinder

pipes. Non-cylinder pipes:
The design principles are used for determining the minimum thickness of concrete required and
the pitch of circumferential wire winding on the pipe.
Cylinder pipes:
The design principles of cylinder pipes are similar to those of the non-cylinder pipes except that
the required thickness of concrete is computed by considering the equivalent area of the light
gauge steel pipe embedded in the concrete.

19. Define the losses of prestress.

Due to elastic deformation of concrete during circumferential wire winding, there is a loss
of prestress which depends upon the modular ratio and the reinforcement ratio.

20. What are the advantages of prestressed concrete piles?

• High load and moment carrying capacity.
• Standardization in design for mass production.
• Excellent durability under adverse environmental conditions.
• Crack free characteristics under handling and driving.
• Resistance to tensile loads due to uplift.
• Combined load moment capacity.

PART – B
 A cylindrical PSC water tank of internal diameter 30m is required to store water over BT-6
a depth of 7.5m. The permissible compressive stress in concrete at transfer is 13
N/mm2 and the minimum compressive stress under working pressure is 1 N/mm2 .
laoss ratio is 0.75. Wires of 5mm diameter with an initial stress of 1000 N/mm2 are
The
1.
vailable for circumferential winding and Freyssinet cables made up of 12 wires of
8mm diameter stressed to 1200 N/mm2 are to be used for vertical prestressing.
Design of concrete is 40
Design a non cylindrical PSC pipe of 600mm internal diameter to withstand a
working hydrostatic pressure of 1.05 N/mm2 using 2.5mm HYSD stressed to
1 000N/mm2 at transfer. Permissible maximum and minimum stresses in concrete at BT-1
2. t
ransfer and service load are 14 N/mm2 and 0.7 N/mm2. The loss ratio is 0.75. Es =
210kN/mm2 and Ec =35kN/mm2
A prestressed cylindrical pipe is to be designed using a steel cylinder of
700mm diameter and thickness 2.5mm with a layer of spun concrete 35mm thick. If
the pipe is required to withstand a hydraulic pressure of 0.85 N/mm2 , without
developing any tensile stress in concrete, evaluate:
(i) The required pitch of 4mm wires, wound around the cylinder at the tensile
strength of 1000 N/mm2 .
(ii) Test pressure to produce a tensile stress of 1.4 N/mm2 in the concrete BT-5
3.
immediately after winding, and
(iii) The appox bursting
pressure, Modular ratio = 6
Tensile strength of the wire = 1700 N/mm2
Yield stress of the cylinder = 280 N/mm2
Loss ratio =0.85
Design a electric pole 12m high to support wires at its top at which can exert
a reversible horizontal force of 3kN. The tendons are initially stressed to 1000N/mm2
and the loss of stress due to shrinkage and creep is 15%. Maximum compressive BT-3
stress in concrete is limited to 12N/mm2 . Assume modular ratio=6, angle of
4. repose=30o and the specific weight of the soil is 18kN/mm3 .
i. With neat sketches, explain the various cross sectional profiles adopted for
PSC Poles BT-3
ii.
5. State the general advantages of PSC poles.
A cylindrical PSC water tank of capacity 3.5 X 106 litres and ratio of diameter to
height is 4.The maximum permissible compressive stress in concrete at transfer is
14N/mm2 and the minimum compressive stress under working pressure is 1N/mm2 .
Prestressed Wires of 5mm diameter are available for circumferential winding and
BT-1
6. Freyssinet cables made up of 12 wires of 7mm diameter. The stress in wires at
transfer is 1000N/mm2 . Loss ratio is 0.75 Design the tank walls and circumferential
wire winding and vertical cables for the following joint condition at the base. Sliding
base (assume co efficient of friction as 0.5).
(i) Explain the general features of prestressed concrete tanks. (8)
7. (ii) Explain the junctions of tank wall and base slab with neat sketch BT-2
(8)
 (i) What is meant by partial prestressing?Discuss the advantages and disadvantages
if p
8. BT-2
(ii) Discuss the difference in load deflection behavior of under prestressed, partial
prestress ed andover prestressed
design
cases. (10) Whypartial prestressing is preferred in the

Evaluate and design a free edge water tank of diameter 36m to store water for a
depth of 5m. Assume ultimate stress in steel = 1500N/mm2 . Stress in steel at
9. transfer =70% of ultimate stress. Safe stress in concrete = 0.5fck .Compressive BT-4
stress in concrete at service condition = 0.1fck. Final stress in steel = 0.8 x stress in
steel at transfer. Take modular ratio= 5.5, fck= 45N/mm2

Explain the criteria of design and design procedure for prestressed concrete
10. circular tanks. BT-2

A prestressed concrete pipe of 1.2m diameter having a core thickness of 75mm is

required to withstand a service pressure intensity of 1.2 N/mm2 . Examine the pitch
11. of 5mm diameter high tensile wire winding if the initial stress is limited to BT-4
1000N/mm2 . Permissible stresses in concrete are being 12 N/mm2 in compression in
zero in tension. The loss ratio is 0.8, if the direct tensile strength of concrete is
2.5N/mm2 ; Estimate the load factor against cracking.
12. List and explain the types of prestressed concrete pipes with neat sketches. BT-1
Explain any the methods of circumferential wire winding adopted in
13. circular prestressing with a neat sketch. BT-1

Examine and design a prestressed concrete pipe of internal diameter 900mm to

withstand the internal pressure of 0.8N/mm2 . The maximum permissible
14. compressive stress in concrete is 18N/mm2and no tensile stress is to be permitted. BT-4
Modular ratio between steel and concrete is 5.8. Adopt 5mm diameter high tensile
wires which can be stressed to 1100 N/mm2 . Expected loss of prestress is 25%.