07 CE 6324: DESIGN OF PRESTRESSED CONCRETE STRUCTURES

QUESTION BANK
MODULE I

1. Explain the basic concepts in pre-stressed concrete systems.

2. Explain why high strength steel and concrete are required for prestressed concrete
structures.
3. Explain the concept of load balancing in prestressed concrete systems.
4. Explain losses of prestress.
5. Advantages and disadvantages of pretensioning and post tensioning.
6. Explain the analysis of pre-stressed members under transfer and service conditions of
serviceability limit state.
7. Explain the difference in moment resisting mechanism of pre stressed beams from that of
reinforced concrete beams based on the concept of pressure thrust line.
8. A prestressed concrete beam of section 250mm wide by 320mm deep is used over an
effective span of 6m to support an imposed load of 5kN/m, at the centre of span of section
of the beam, find the magnitude of a)The concentric prestressing force necessary for zero
fiber stress at the soffit when the beam is fully loaded b)the eccentric prestressing force
located at 100mm from the bottom of the beam which would nullify the bottom fibre stress
due to loading.
9. A pretensioned concrete beam 200mmwide and 300mm deep is prestressed by 15,5mm dia
wires located at 65mm from the bottom of the beam and 3,5mm dia wires located at 25mm
from the top of the beam. If the wires are initially tensioned to a stress of 840 N/mm 2,
Estimate the % loss in stress in steel due to elastic deformation of concrete. The modulus
of elasticity of steel and concrete are 210 and 31.5 kN/mm2 respectively.
10. A pre tensioned simply supported beam of span 8m, has a cross section of 400mm wide
and 800mm deep. It is prestressed with a force of 2000 kN at transfer. The cable has a
cross sectional area of 2000mm2 of steel and has a straight profile with an eccentricity of
100mm. given that ES= 2.1 X 105N/mm2 , Ec= 3X 104N/mm2 and initial stress in steel is
0.5fp . Find the loss in prestress due to elastic shortening of concrete and relaxation of
stress in steel.
11. A post tensioned concrete beam , 100wide and 300mm deep is prestressed by three cables
,each with a cross sectional area of 50mm2 and with an initial stress of 1200 N/mm2 . All
the three cables are straight and located at 100mm from the soffit of the beam. If m is 6,
calculate the loss of stress in the three cables due to elastic deformation of concrete for a)
simulataneous tensioning and anchoring all the three cables.b) successive tensioning of the
three cables: one at a time.
12. A post-tensioned cable of beam 10 m long is initially tensioned to a stress of 1000 N/mm 2 at
one end. If the tendons are curved so that the slope is 1 in 24 at each end, with an area of 600
 mm2, Calculate the loss of pre-stress due to friction given the following data. Coefficient of
friction between duct and cable = 0.55; friction coefficient for ‘wave’ effect = 0.0015 per m.
During anchoring, if there is a slip of 3 mm at the jacking end; Calculate the final force in the
cable and the percentage loss of pre-stress due to friction and slip. Es = 210 kN/mm2.
13. A pre-tensioned beam 250 mm wide and 300 mm deep is pre-stressed by 12 wires each
of 7 mm dia initially stressed to 1200 N/mm2 with their centroids located 100 mm from
the soffit. Estimate the final percentage loss of stress due to elastic shortening and
shrinkage. Es = 210 kN/mm2, Ec= 35 kN/mm2 and the residual shrinkage strain is 300X10-
6.

14. Determine maximum loss of prestress due to friction and curvature effect for a prestressed
beam of 20 m span if the pre stressing is done from both the end. Ap = 1200 mm 2, fpi =
1300 N/mm2. µ=0.35, k=0.0015/m, Es 210 kN/mm2. The cable is parabolic in shape with
zero eccentricity at supports and 520 mm eccentricity at the centre.

MODULE II

1. Distinguish clearly between short-term and long-term deflections of pre-stressed concrete

members.
2. Explain with examples the effect of tendon profile on deflection of prestressed concrete
beams.
3. Explain different modes of failure of prestressed beams.
4. A pre-tensioned T section has a flange 300mm wide and 200mm thick, the rib is 150 mm
wide by 350mm deep the effective depth given is 500mm.Aps= 200 mm2, fck = 50 N/mm2,
fpu = 1600 N/mm2. Estimate the ultimate moment capacity of the T – section.
5. Determine the ultimate moment of resistance of the post–tensioned I-section shown in
figure below having bonded tendons with the following data: fck = 40 N/mm2, fp = 1800
N/mm2, fpe = 0.7fp, cross sectional area of tendons is 1000 mm2 with the centroid at a
distance of 100 mm from the bottom fibre.

6. A concrete beam with across sectional area of 32 x 103 mm2, I=166 x 106 mm4 is
prestressed by a parabolic cable carrying an effective stress of 1000 N/ mm2, the span of
 the beam is 8 m.The cable composed of 6 wires of 7 mm dia, has an eccentricity of 50 mm
at the centre and zero at the supports. Neglecting all losses, find the central deflection of
the beam for following conditions
a) Self weight + prestress
b) Self weight + prestress + a live load of 2 kN/m
7. A rectangular concrete beam of c/s 150mm wide and 300mm deep is simply supported
over a span of 8m and is prestressed over a span of 8m and is prestressed by means of a
symmetric parabolic cable at a distance of 75mm from the bottom of the beam at mid span
and 125mm from the top of the beam at support sections. If the force in the cable is 350
kN and the EC= 38 kN /mm2 , calculate a)the deflection at mid span when the beam is
supporting its own weight. b) the concentrated load which must be applied at mid span to
restore it to the level of supports.
8. A post tensioned bonded T beam has a section with flange width 800 mm and thickness
250 mm. The web thickness is 200 mm. The depth of the beam is 1300 mm and the area of
the high tensile steel located with an effective cover of 100 mm at the mid span is 4000
mm2. fp=1500 N/mm2 and fck= 40 N/mm2. Effective prestress after all losses is 900 N/mm2.
Estimate the ultimate moment capacity of the section.
9. A rectangular concrete beam of 200 mm wide and 300 mm deep is simply supported over
a span of 10 m. it is prestressed by a symmetric parabolic cable with an eccentricity of 75
mm at the mid span and an eccentricity of 25 mm in the upwards direction at supports. If
the force in the cable is 350 kN, find the magnitude of the UDL which will restore the mid
span to the level of the supports. Take Ec as 38 kN/mm2.
10. The cross section of a symmetrical I- section prestressed beam is 300mm X 750mm
(overall) with flanges and web 100 mm thick. The beam is post tensioned by cables
containing 48 wires of 5mm dia. high tensile steel wires at an eccentricity of 250mm. The
28 day strength of concrete in compression is 40N/mm2 and the ultimate tensile strength
of wire is 1700N/mm2. Assuming that the grouting of the tendons is 100% effective,
determine the ultimate moment of the section as per IS 1343.

MODULE III

1. Explain the different types of shear cracks in prestressed concrete beams with sketches.
2. Explain in detail about end zone stresses in post- tensioned beam.
3. Write various steps involved in the design of a pre-tensioned beam
4. Explain the various guidelines for dimensioning pre-stressed T or I beams.
5. Explain with the help of sketches, the method of estimating the ultimate flexural strength of
flanged pre-stressed concrete sections as per IS 1343. State why it is important to estimate the
ultimate flexural strength.
6. A post tensioned beam of span 15m has a symmetrical section with an overall depth 900
mm. Area of cross section is 2x105mm2 and I = 212x108mm4. The pre-stress is provided
 by a cable tensioned to a force of 1450kN at transfer. If the live load is 21kN/m and at
the time of transfer the only load exists is the self-weight, calculate the vertical limits
within which the cable must lie along the beam length. The permissible compressive
stress at transfer is 14 N/mm2 and 16.8 N/mm2 at working load. Permissible tension is
1.75 N/mm2 at all stages. Take unit weight of concrete as 24kN/m3 and the loss in pre-
stress as 20%.
7. A post tensioned prestressed beam of rectangular section 300 mm wide is to be designed
for an imposed load, UDL of 15kN/m on a span of 15m, The stress in the concrete must
not exceed 18 N/mm2 in compression and 1.5 N /mm2 in tension at any time and the
loss of prestress may be assumed to be 15 % .Calculate the minimum possible depth of
the beam and the minimum prestressing force and the corresponding eccentricity
8. The support section of a prestressed concrete beam 100 mm wide and 250 mm deep is
required to support an ultimate shear force of 80 kN. The compressive prestress at the
centroidal axis is 5N/mm2 . fck= 40 N/mm2. The cover to the tension reinforcement is 50
mm. If the characteristic tensile strength of steel is 250 N/mm2. Design suitable shear
reinforcement at the section.
9. A pre-stressed girder of rectangular section 200 mm wide by 350 mm deep is to be
designed to support an ultimate shear force of 140kN. The uniform pre-stress across the
section is 5N/mm2. Given the characteristic cube strength of concrete as 40N/mm2 and Fe
415 HYSD bars of 8 mm diameter, design suitable spacing for the stirrups conforming to
the Indian Standard code IS: 1343 recommendations. Assume cover to the reinforcement
as 50mm
10. A Post-tensioned pre-stressed beam of rectangular section 250 mm wide is be designed
for an imposed load of 12 kN/m, uniformly distributed on a span of 12 m. The stress in
the concrete must not exceed 17 N/mm2 in compression or 1.4 N/mm2 in tension at any
time and the loss of pre-stress may be assumed as 15%. Calculate
A) The minimum possible depth of the beam and
B) For the section provided find the minimum pre-stressing force and the corresponding
eccentricity.
11. The cross section of a prestressed beam is an unsymmetrical T section with an overall
depth of 1200mm. tw =200mm, width and depth of flange are 1000mm and 200mm res
pectively. At a particular section the beam is subjected to an ultimate moment are 2000
kN and shear force 250 kN. Design the shear reinforcement necessary. Effective
depth=1100mm, cube strength of concrete = 40 N/mm2 , effective prestress at the extreme
tensile face of the beam= 19.3 N/mm2 , I= 7.533 X 1010mm4 . Ap = 2000mm2 .tensile
strength of tendons ,fp=1500 N/mm2 and effective stress in tendons after all losses, fpe
=900 N/mm2 .
12. A presterssed beam of span 12 m is to be designed for a live load of 10 kN/m. The grade
of concrete is M40. Permissible stress in compression and tension are 14 N/mm2 and 1.4
N/mm2 respectively. The initial stress that can be applied to steel is 1000 N/mm2 Loss of
 pre stress is 15%. Design a rectangular section satisfying the minimum requirement of
modulus of section. Find the corresponding value of pre stressing force and eccentricity.

MODULE IV

1. Write down the design procedure for a pre-stressed cylindrical water tank.
2. What are the salient design features of prestressed concrete one way and two way slab
panels?
3. Explain the design steps involved in the design of a post tensioned two way slabs.
4. Explain the procedure for the design of pre stressed members subjected to axial tension.
5. A road bridge deck slab of span 8m is to be designed as a one way prestressed concrete
slab with post tensioned cables of which the force at transfer is 600 kN. If the deck slab is
required to support a UDL of 25 kN /m2 with the compressive and tensile stress at any stage
not exceeding 15 and 0 N/mm2. Calculate the maximum horizontal spacing of the cables.
Assume loss ratio as0. 80
6. A bridge deck slab of span 8m is to be designed as a one way pre-stressed concrete slab
with parallel post-tensioned cables carrying an effective pre-stressing force of 580kN. The
deck slab is required to support a U.D.L of 20 kN/m2. The permissible stresses in concrete
should not exceed 15N/mm2 in Compression and no tension is permitted at any stage.
Design the spacing of the cables and their position at mid-span. Assume loss of pre-stress
as 20%.
7. Design a post tensioned prestressed concrete two way slab 6m X 9m with discontinuous
edges to support an imposed load of 3 kN/m2 . Cables of four wires of 5mm diameter
carrying an effective force of 100 kN are available for use.Design the spacing of cables in
the two directions and check for the safety against collapse and deflection. Assume fck =
40N/mm2 , fp = 1600 N/mm2 and Ec= 38 kN/mm2 .
8. The floor slab of an industrial structure spanning over 8m is to be designed as a oneway
prestressed concrete slab with parallel post-tensioned cables. The slab is required to support
a live load of 10kN/m2 with the compressive and tensile stress in concrete at any stage not
exceeding 14 and zero N/mm2 respectively. Design a suitable thickness for the slab and
estimate the maximum horizontal spacing of freyssinet cables (12 numbers of 5mm dia
initially stressed to 1200N/mm2) and their eccentricity at mid-span section. The loss ratio
is 0.8.
9. Design a post tensioned prestressed concrete two way slab 6m X 9m with discontinuous
edges to support an imposed load of 3 kN/m2 . Cables of four wires of 5mm diameter
carrying an effective force of 100 kN are available for use.Design the spacing of cables in
the two directions and check extreme fibre stresses at transfer and service loads. Assume
fck = 40N/mm2 , fp = 1600 N/mm2 and Ec= 38 kN/mm2, αx=0.081, αy=0.056
10. Design a post tensioned prestressed concrete two way slab to cover an area 10 m X 15 m
with four edges discontinuous. The live load I 4 kN/m2. The compressive stress in concrete
should not exceed 16 N/mm2 and no tensile stresses are permitted in concrete. Cables with
 6 nos. of 5 mm high tensile rods which can be stressed to 1000 N/mm2 are available. Design
the slab and check for extreme fibre stresses at transfer and service loads. Assume losses
in prestress as 20% αx=0.081, αy=0.056.

MODULE V

1. What are the advantages and disadvantages of continuous beams over simply supported
beam?
2. Explain the concepts of concordant cable profile and linear transformation.
3. Explain in brief about design criteria and manufacturing methods of PC poles.
4. Explain in brief about design criteria and manufacturing methods of PC sleepers.
5. Explain Guyons theorem, Linear transformation, concordant profile, P-line, C-line
6. The cable profile for a two span continuous beam is shown in fig. If the prestressing force =
1200kN, locate the pressure line due to prestressing force alone.

7. A continuous prestressed concrete beam as shown in figure with an effective prestressing

force of 1250 kN . Corresponding to the cable profile provided locate the pressure line due
to prestress alone.

8.
8. A continuous prestressed concrete beam as shown in figure. The tendon has an eccentricity
at A and is bent sharply at D and B and has a parabolic profile for the span BC. Locate the
line of pressure due to prestress alone. The prestressing force is 1000 kN
9. A prestressed beam having a rectangular cross section with a width of 120mm and depth of 300
mm is continuous over two spans,AB=BC=8m.The cable with zero eccentricity at the ends and an
eccentricity of 50mm towards the top fibers of the beam over the central support,carries an
effective force of 500kN.
a) Calculate the secondary moment developed at B
b) If the beam supports concentrated loads of 20kN each at midpoints of span,evaluate the
resultant stresses at the central support section B
c) Locate also the position of the pressure line at section.

10.A prestressed beam having a rectangular cross section with a width of 120mm and depth of 300
mm is continuous over two spans,AB=BC=8m.The cable with zero eccentricity at the ends and an
eccentricity of 50mm towards the top fibers of the beam over the central support,carries an
effective force of 500kN.
a) Calculate the secondary moment developed at B
b) If the beam supports concentrated loads of 20kN each at midpoints of span,evaluate the
resultant stresses at the central support section B
c) Locate also the position of the pressure line at section.

MODULE VI

1. What is partial prestressing? Also explain the design approach.

2. What is a composite section? Write advantage of pre-stressd composite sections
3. What is differential shrinkage? Explain its importance in composite construction.
4. Explain different types of composite constructions with advantages.
5. In a precast pre-tensioned beam (100mm by 200mm) of span 5m is pre-stressed by tendons
coinciding with the bottom kern. The initial force in tendons is 150kN and loss of pre-stress
is assumed to be 15%.The beam is incorporated in a composite T-beam by casting a top flange
of breadth 400 mm and thickness 40 mm. If the composite beam supports a live load of
8kN/m2, compute the resultant stresses developed for the unpropped case if the modulus of
elasticity of concrete in slab and beam are different. Assume Ec (pre stressed beam)
=35kN/mm2 and E for cast in slab be 28kN/mm2.
6. In a precast pre-tensioned beam (100mm by 200mm) of span 5m is pre-stressed by tendons
coinciding with the bottom kern. The initial force in tendons is 150kN and loss of pre-stress
is assumed to be 15%.The beam is incorporated in a composite T-beam by casting a top flange
of breadth 400 mm and thickness 40 mm. If the composite beam supports a live load of
8kN/m2, compute the resultant stresses developed for the unpropped case if the modulus of
elasticity of concrete in slab and beam are same. Assume E = 28kN/mm2.
7. A composite T-beam is made up of a pre-tensioned rib 100mm wide and 200mm deep, and a
 cast in situ slab 400mm wide and 40mm thick having a modulus of elasticity of 28kN/m 2. If
the differential shrinkage is 100 x 10-6 units, determine the shrinkage stresses developed in
the precast and cast in situ units .
8. A precast pretensioned unit of rectangular section of size 120mm X 240mm is used as a part
of a composite beam of span 6.25m. This unit is prestressed by tendon with their centroid
coinciding with the bottom kern point. The initial force in the tendon is 240kN. The loss of
prestress is assumed to be 15%. The unit is incorporated as a web of a composite beam by
cating a slab of flange width of 480mm and thickness of 40mm. on the top of the precast unit
the composite beam supports a live load of 4kN/m. calculate the resultant stresses developed
in the precast and cast insitu concrete, assuming the pretensioned unit as unpropped white
casting the insitu slab. The modulaii of elasticity between the precast unit and cast insitu slab
is 1.25.
9. A composite beam of rectangular section is made up of a pretensioned inverted T beam
having a slab thickness and width of 150 and 1000mm respectively. The rib size is 150mm
and 850mm. The cast in situ concrete has a thickness and width of 1000mm. If the differential
shrinkage is 100 x 10-6 units, determine the shrinkage stresses developed in the precast and
cast in situ units. Take E = 30 kN/mm2 .
10. A composite T-beam is made up of a pre-tensioned rib 250 mm wide and 1000 mm deep, and
a cast in situ slab 200mm thickness and 1500 mm width having a modulus of elasticity of cast
in situ concrete 28N/mm2. If the differential shrinkage plus creep is 1/10000 units, determine
the stresses caused by this on the precast and cast in situ concretes.