250+ TOP MCQs on Serviceability Limit States and Answers

Prestressed Concrete Structures Multiple Choice Questions on “Serviceability Limit States”.

1. The computation of ultimate flexural strength of under and over reinforced sections, as well as of sections is provided by ____________
a) Indian code
b) British code
c) American code
d) France code
Answer: c
Clarification: The Indian and British code methods are limited to under reinforced sections in flexure based on the effective reinforcement ratio, the American code method provides empirical relations to compute the ultimate flexural strength of under and over reinforced sections as well as of sections with compression reinforcement.

2. The strain compatibility method of analysis involves the use of ____________
a) Tension compression curves
b) Stress strain curves
c) Bending bondage
d) Elasticity curve
Answer: b
Clarification: The rigorous strain compatibility method of analysis, which involves the use of idealized stress strain curves of steel and concrete, can also be used for an accurate assessment of the flexural strength of sections with reinforcements in the tension and compression zones.

3. The current Indian, British and American codes have more or less similar provisions for the computation of ____________
a) Shear strength
b) Shear stress
c) Shear strain
d) Shear principle
Answer: a
Clarification: The current Indian, British and American codes have more or less similar provisions for the computation of the shear strength of prestressed members that fail in web – shear or flexure – shear cracking modes.

4. The primary serviceability limit state corresponds to excessive ____________
a) Compression and tension
b) Deflection and cracking
c) Shear and Friction
d) Torsion and mass
Answer: b
Clarification: Serviceability limit state corresponds to excessive deflection and cracking and it is customary in most codes to safeguard against excessive deflection under serviceability limit state, either indirectly by prescribing minimum span/depth ratio for the member or directly specifying a maximum permissible deflection expressed as a fraction of the span.

5. The permissible deflections vary from a maximum of ____________
a) Span/180
b) Span/100
c) Span/160
d) Span/40
Answer: a
Clarification: According to the American code ACI: 318-1989, the permissible deflection vary from a maximum of span/180 to a minimum of span/480 depending upon the type of member and the seriousness of damage to the adjoining structural element.

6. The short term deflections of prestressed members of class-1 and class-2 types under service loads are influenced by?
a) Length of prestressing force
b) Depth of prestressing force
c) Magnitude of prestressing force
d) Eccentricity of prestressing force
Answer: c
Clarification: Short term deflections of prestressed members of class-1 and class-2 types under service loads are influenced by: magnitude of the prestressing force and its profile, applied load and self weight of the member and flexural rigidity of the Un cracked concrete sections.

7. The limit state of cracking is important in the case of ____________
a) Partially prestressed members
b) Fully prestressed members
c) Tangential prestressed members
d) Hollow prestressed members
Answer: a
Clarification: The limit state of cracking is particularly important in the case of partially prestressed members according to Abeles, who has contributed much information about members with limited prestress.

8. The Class 1-type members are preferred for ____________
a) Block structures
b) Containment structures
c) Cracked structures
d) Aged structures
Answer: b
Clarification: No tensile stresses are permitted under service loads and hence the structure is crack-free at the working load stage and the members are often referred to as fully prestressed, requiring higher quantity of prestressing steel associated with higher cost, generally class 1 type members are preferred for containment structures housing atomic reactors, pressure pipes and in important structures where cracking at service loads is not acceptable.

9. In class 2 structures limited tensile stresses of magnitude not exceeding the modulus of rupture of concrete are permitted under?
a) Tensile loads
b) Compressive loads
c) Principle loads
d) Working loads
Answer: d
Clarification: Class 2 structures limited tensile stresses of magnitude not exceeding the modulus of rupture of concrete are permitted under working loads members are often referred to as moderately prestressed visible cracks are not permitted in this type abeles has used such structures in British railways with very satisfactory results.

10. Which type of class structure is considered as econimal?
a) Class-1
b) Class-2
c) Class-3
d) Class-4
Answer: c
Clarification: Tensile stresses of magnitude exceeding both the modulus of rupture of concrete and the visible cracking of limited width are permitted under service loads as compiled and members are referred to as partially prestressed class-3 type constitute the most economical of prestressed concrete structures due to limited prestressing forces and high tensile steel requirements.