Reinforced Concrete Structures MCQ Quiz - Objective Question with Answer for Reinforced Concrete Structures - Download Free PDF
Last updated on Jun 13, 2025
Latest Reinforced Concrete Structures MCQ Objective Questions
Reinforced Concrete Structures Question 1:
Which of the following losses of pre-stress occurs only in pre-tensioning and not in post-tensioning?
Answer (Detailed Solution Below)
Reinforced Concrete Structures Question 1 Detailed Solution
Explanation:
-
Elastic Shortening of Concrete occurs when the pre-stressing force is transferred to the concrete, causing the concrete to shorten elastically.
-
In pre-tensioning, tendons are tensioned before casting concrete, so when concrete is cast and the force transfers, elastic shortening happens immediately.
-
In post-tensioning, tendons are tensioned after concrete has hardened, so the elastic shortening loss in concrete is negligible or does not occur at the same stage.
-
Other losses like shrinkage, creep, and friction can occur in both systems (though friction loss specifically applies only to post-tensioning).
Additional Information
- Prestressed concrete involves introducing internal stresses in concrete using high-strength steel tendons to counteract tensile stresses during use.
- It enhances the load-carrying capacity and reduces cracking by keeping concrete mainly under compression.
- There are two main methods: pre-tensioning, where tendons are stressed before concrete casting, and post-tensioning, where tendons are stressed after the concrete hardens.
- This technique is commonly used in bridges, beams, and slabs that require longer spans and higher strength.
- Compared to ordinary reinforced concrete, prestressed concrete results in lighter, more durable structures with better control over deflections and cracks.
Reinforced Concrete Structures Question 2:
A slab is designed as one way if the ratio of long span to short span is
Answer (Detailed Solution Below)
Reinforced Concrete Structures Question 2 Detailed Solution
Explanation:
-
A slab is considered one-way slab if the longer span is more than twice the shorter span (i.e., ratio of long span to short span > 2).
-
In one-way slabs, loads are primarily carried by the shorter span, and reinforcement is provided mainly in that direction.
-
If the ratio is less than or equal to 2, the slab behaves more like a two-way slab, distributing loads in both directions.
-
This classification helps in deciding the design approach and reinforcement detailing for slabs.
Additional InformationOne-Way Slab
-
Load is primarily carried in one direction (shorter span).
-
Occurs when the ratio of long span to short span is greater than 2.
-
Reinforcement is provided mainly in the short span direction.
-
Supported on two opposite sides only (usually beams on two sides).
-
Simpler design and less reinforcement compared to two-way slabs.
Two-Way Slab
-
Load is carried in both directions (long and short spans).
-
Happens when the ratio of long span to short span is less than or equal to 2.
-
Reinforcement is provided in both directions.
-
Supported on all four sides (beams or walls).
-
More complex design, with bending moments distributed in two directions.
Reinforced Concrete Structures Question 3:
The minimum cover to the ties or spirals should not be less than
Answer (Detailed Solution Below)
Reinforced Concrete Structures Question 3 Detailed Solution
Explanation:
-
As per IS 456:2000, the minimum concrete cover to the ties or spirals in reinforced concrete columns should not be less than 25 mm.
-
This cover protects the reinforcement against corrosion and fire and ensures proper bond between concrete and steel.
Additional InformationMinimum Cover to Ties or Spirals — IS 456:2000
-
Concrete cover protects the reinforcement against corrosion, fire, and mechanical damage.
-
It ensures bond strength between concrete and steel for proper composite action.
-
Proper cover improves durability and longevity of the structure.
-
Clause 26.4.2 of IS 456:2000 specifies minimum covers for reinforcement in different exposure conditions and types of elements.
-
For tied columns and spirally reinforced columns, the minimum cover to ties or spirals should not be less than 25 mm.
-
This applies for normal exposure conditions (not severe or aggressive environments).
Reinforced Concrete Structures Question 4:
According to Whitney's theory, depth of stress block for a balanced section of a concrete beam is limited to
Answer (Detailed Solution Below)
Reinforced Concrete Structures Question 4 Detailed Solution
Explanation:
-
According to Whitney’s stress block theory and IS 456, the depth of the neutral axis for a balanced section (where steel yields just as concrete reaches its ultimate strain) is limited to about 0.53 to 0.537 times the effective depth .
-
This ensures the maximum permissible depth of the stress block for safe design before concrete crushing dominates.
Additional Information
-
Whitney simplified the actual nonlinear stress distribution in concrete to an equivalent rectangular block.
-
The factor 0.53d is key in limiting the depth of compression zone in design calculations.
-
It helps distinguish between under-reinforced, balanced, and over-reinforced sections in concrete beam design.
Reinforced Concrete Structures Question 5:
The purpose of reinforcement in pre-stressed concrete is
Answer (Detailed Solution Below)
Reinforced Concrete Structures Question 5 Detailed Solution
Explanation:
-
In pre-stressed concrete, the concrete is pre-compressed by applying a compressive force using tendons or cables.
-
However, concrete is weak in tension, so reinforcement (steel tendons or wires) is provided to resist tensile stresses that occur when the structure is loaded.
-
The reinforcement carries tensile forces and prevents cracking in the concrete.
-
The initial compressive stress is imparted by the pre-stressing process itself (not the reinforcement alone).
-
Bond stress develops between concrete and steel to transfer forces, but the primary purpose of reinforcement is to resist tension.
Additional Information
-
Pre-stressed concrete combines concrete's strength in compression with steel's strength in tension.
-
Reinforcement ensures durability and serviceability by controlling cracks.
-
It allows longer spans and thinner sections compared to conventional reinforced concrete.
Top Reinforced Concrete Structures MCQ Objective Questions
The main reinforcement of an RC slab consists of 10 mm bars at 10 cm spacing. If it is desired to replace 10 mm bars by 12 mm bars, then the spacing of 12 mm bars should be
Answer (Detailed Solution Below)
Reinforced Concrete Structures Question 6 Detailed Solution
Download Solution PDFConcept:
Spacing between the bars for 1 m(1000 mm) width:
\({s} = \frac{a}{{{A_{st}}}} \times 1000\)
Where, a = Area of one bar = \(\frac{\pi \ \times \ ϕ^2}{4}\)
ϕ = Diameter of bar
s = spacing of bars
Ast = Area of total main reinforcement
Calculations:
Given,
Case 1: when ϕ = 10 mm then spacing(s1) = 10 cm = 100 mm
Case 2: when ϕ = 12 mm then spacing(s2) = ?
Case 1:
When the main reinforcement of an RC slab consists of 10 mm bars at 10 cm spacing, Ast will be
\({s_1} = \frac{a}{{{A_{st}}}} \times 1000\)
\(\Rightarrow {A_{st}} = \frac{{\frac{{\pi \times 10^2 }}{4}}}{{100}} \times 1000 = 785.4\;m{m^2}\)
Case 2:
⇒ If 10 mm bars is to be replaced by 12 mm bars, then the spacing of 12 mm bars
As the Area of the main reinforcement will be the same so Ast = 785.4 mm2
\({s_2} = \frac{a}{{{A_{st}}}} \times 1000\)
\(\Rightarrow \;{s_2} = \frac{{\frac{{\pi \times 12^2}}{4}}}{{785.4}} \times 1000 = 14.40\;cm\)
Shortcut Trick
\(S_2 \ ={\left( {\frac{{{d_2}}}{{{d_1}}}} \right)^2} \times {S_1} = {\left( {\frac{{12}}{{10}}} \right)^2} \times 10 = 14.4\;cm\)
In case of one-way continuous slab, maximum bending moment will be at:
Answer (Detailed Solution Below)
Reinforced Concrete Structures Question 7 Detailed Solution
Download Solution PDFOne-way slab:
Design of one way RCC slab is similar to design of beam but the only difference is during the design of one way slab we take unit width of slab as a beam width.
Slabs are designed for bending and deflection and not designed for shear.
- Slabs have much small depth than beams.
- Most of slabs subjected to uniformly distributed loads.
Note:
In one way slab, the maximum bending moment at a support next to end support.
The recommended imposed load on staircase in residential buildings as per IS 875 is:
Answer (Detailed Solution Below)
Reinforced Concrete Structures Question 8 Detailed Solution
Download Solution PDFAs per IS 875 Part 2, clause 3.1, Imposed Floor load for residential building are:
S.No |
Residential Buildings (Dwelling houses) |
U.D.L (kN/m2) |
1. |
All rooms and kitchens |
2.0 |
2. |
Toilet and Bath rooms |
2.0 |
3. |
Corridors, passages, staircases including tire escapes and store rooms |
3.0 |
4. |
Balconies |
3.0 |
The minimum eccentricity to be considered for an axially loaded RCC column of size 400 mm × 400 mm with unsupported length of 5 m is:
Answer (Detailed Solution Below)
Reinforced Concrete Structures Question 9 Detailed Solution
Download Solution PDFConcept:
As per IS 456: 2000, clause 25.4,
Minimum Eccentricity
All columns shall be designed for minimum eccentricity, equal to the addition of the unsupported length of column divided by 500 and lateral dimensions divided by 30, subject to a minimum of 20 mm.
Where biaxial bending is considered, it is sufficient to ensure that eccentricity exceeds the minimum about one axis at a time.
Calculation:
Unsupported length = 5000 mm
Size of the column = 400 mm
Minimum eccentricity = \(\frac{L}{{500}} + \frac{B}{{30}} \)
\(e_{min}= \;\frac{{5000}}{{500}} + \frac{{400}}{{30}} = 23.33\;mm\;\)
But, in no case, the minimum eccentricity should be less than 20 mm.
In mix design for M25 concrete, the assumed standard deviation for estimation of target mean strength of concrete mix, as recommended by IS 456 ∶ 2000 is (in N/mm2):
Answer (Detailed Solution Below)
Reinforced Concrete Structures Question 10 Detailed Solution
Download Solution PDFThe assumed value of standard deviation for initial calculations as per IS 456 – 2000 are given below in the table:
Sl. No |
Grade of Concrete |
Characteristic compressive strength (N/mm2) |
Assumed standard deviation (N/mm2) |
1. |
M10 |
10 |
3.5 |
2. |
M15 |
15 |
|
3. |
M20 |
20 |
4.0 |
4. |
M25 |
25 |
|
5. |
M30 |
30 |
5.0 |
6. |
M35 |
35 |
|
7. |
M40 |
40 |
|
8. |
M45 |
45 |
|
9. |
M50 |
50 |
|
10. |
M55 |
55 |
A reinforced concrete beam is subjected to the following bending moments.
Moment due to dead load = 50 kNm
Moment due to live load = 50 kNm
Moment due to seismic load = 20 kNm
The design bending moment for limit state of collapse is:
Answer (Detailed Solution Below)
Reinforced Concrete Structures Question 11 Detailed Solution
Download Solution PDFGiven:
Moment due to Dead load (DL)= 50 kNm
Moment due to live load (LL) = 50 kNm
Moment due to Seismic load (EL) = 20 kNm
Computation:
Design bending moment is Maximum of the following
1) Mu considering moment due to dead load and live load
Mu = 1.5 (DL+LL) = 1.5 x (50+50) = 150 kN-m
2) Mu considering moment due to dead load and Seismic load
Mu = 1.5 (DL+EL) = 1.5 x (50+20) = 105 kN-m
3) Mu considering moment due to dead load, live load and seismic load together
Mu = 1.2 (DL+LL+EL) = 1.2 x (50+50+20) = 144 kN-m.
So the answer is Max of (150, 105, 144 kN-m) = 150 kN-mThe minimum stripping time of soffit formwork to beams (props to be refixed immediately after removal of formwork) is:
Answer (Detailed Solution Below)
Reinforced Concrete Structures Question 12 Detailed Solution
Download Solution PDFExplanation:
Type of formwork | Minimum period before sticking formwork |
Vertical formwork to columns, beams, and walls | 16 - 24 hour |
Soffit formwork to slabs (props to be refixed immediately after removal of formwork) | 3 days |
Soffit formwork to beams (props to be refixed immediately after removal of formwork) | 7 days |
Props to slab | |
|
7 days |
|
14 days |
Props to beams | |
|
14 days |
|
21 days |
For M20 Grade of concrete, modular ratio would be:
Answer (Detailed Solution Below)
Reinforced Concrete Structures Question 13 Detailed Solution
Download Solution PDFAs per IS 456: 2000, ANNEX B
This value of the modular ratio partially takes into account the long-term effects of creep.
\({\sigma _{cbc}}\) for M20 is 7 MPa and the modular ratio comes out to be 13.
The modular ratio is given by
\(m = \frac{{280}}{{3{\sigma _{cbc}}}}\)
For M20 concrete
σcbc = 7 N/mm2
\(\therefore m = \frac{{280}}{{3 \times 7}} = 13.33\)
Note: It is expected from students to know value of \({\sigma _{cbc}}\) which is nearly 1/3rd of characteristics compressive strength. Please don't report questions for no data or wrong question.
Additional InformationThe permissible stresses under bending and direct compression as per IS 456 for different grades of concrete are given below in the tabulated form.
Grade of Concrete |
Permissible Stress in Compression |
|
Bending σ cbc (N/mm2) |
Direct σcc (N/mm2) |
|
M15 |
5.0 |
4.0 |
M20 |
7.0 |
5.0 |
M25 |
8.5 |
6.0 |
M30 |
10.0 |
8.0 |
M35 |
11.5 |
9.0 |
M40 |
13.0 |
10.0 |
M45 |
14.5 |
11.0 |
A reinforced concrete beam, supported on columns at ends, has a clear span of 5 m and 0.5 m effective depth. It carries a total uniformly distributed load of 100 kN/m. The design shear force for the beam is
Answer (Detailed Solution Below)
Reinforced Concrete Structures Question 14 Detailed Solution
Download Solution PDFExplanation:
Given,
Clear span = 5 m, Effective depth = 0.5 m
Uniformly distributed load(W) = 100 KN/m
The shear force of the beam in case of uniformly distributed load,
V = \(\frac{W\ × \ l}{2}\) = \(\frac{100\ × \ 5}{2}\) = 250 KN
The location of critical section for shear design is determined based on the conditions at the supports. The location of critical shear is at a distance of effective depth d.
Design shear force for the beam:
Vu = 250 - 100 × 0.5 = 200 KN
If design bond stress = 1.5 N/mm2 is assumed, then the development length of an Fe 500 HYSD bar of nominal diameter 12 mm - which is fully stressed in tension - will be:
Answer (Detailed Solution Below)
Reinforced Concrete Structures Question 15 Detailed Solution
Download Solution PDFConcept:
Development length:
(i) The cal culated tension or compression in any bar at any section shall be developed on each side of the section by an appropriate development length or end anchorage or a combination thereof.
(ii) Development length can be calculated as:
\({L_d} = \frac{{ϕ × 0.87{f_y}}}{{4{τ _{bd}}}}\)
Where, ϕ = Diameter of bar
τbd = Design bond stress = Permissible value of average bond stress
The value of bond stress is increased by 60% for a deformed bar in tension and a further increase of 25% is made for bars in compression.
Calculation:
Given,
ϕ = 12 mm
τbd = 1.5 N/mm2
So, τbd = 1.5 × 1.6 N/mm2
Development length, \({L_d} = \frac{{ϕ × 0.87{f_y}}}{{4{τ _{bd}}}}\)
\({L_d} = \frac{{12 × 0.87 × 500}}{{4×1.6 × 1.5}}\) = 543.75 mm ≈ 544 mm