UNIVERSITY OF MORATUWA
FACULTY OF ENGINEERING
DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING
B.SC. ENGINEERING
SEMESTER 6 EXAMINATION
CE 4012 – DESIGN OF CONCRETE STRUCTURES II
Time allowed: 3 Hours July 2023
INSTRUCTIONS TO CANDIDATES:
This paper contains 4 questions on 6 pages
This examination accounts for 70 % of the module assessment. The total maximum mark
attainable is 100. The marks assigned for each question and sections there of are indicated in
square brackets.
This is an open book examination.
Answer All questions. Use separate books for Section A and Section B.
Mobile phones are not permitted. Only equipment allowed is a calculator approved and
labelled by the faculty of Engineering.
Assume reasonable values for any data not given in or with the examination paper. Clearly
state such assumptions made on the script.
If you have any doubt as to the interpretation of the wording of a question, make your own
decision, but clearly state it on the script.
Additional Materials
mm graph sheets
Continued ….
Page 1 of 6
CE 4012
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Section A
Question 1
It has been proposed to construct an open circular water tank for a housing scheme located in
Rathmalana. The internal dimensions of the circular water storage tank built on the ground
are shown in Figure Q.1. The base of the tank wall is designed as a sliding joint. A complete
movement joint is provided at the periphery of the floor slab and the base of the wall. Grade
35A concrete is specified for all parts of the tank.
Figure Q.1
The following information is also available.
Density of reinforced concrete – 25 kN/m3
Coefficient of thermal expansion of concrete – 10 x 10-6 /°C
Fall in temperature between hydration peak and ambient (T1) – 30 °C
Fall in temperature due to seasonal variations (T2) – 10 °C
Density of water – 10 kN/m3
Steel reinforcement – Grade 460 (type 2 deformed bars)
Young’s modulus of steel reinforcement – 200 kN/mm2
You may assume any missing information but state your assumptions clearly.
(a) Determine the ring tension at the base of the wall under serviceability condition. Plot the
variation of ring tension along the height of the wall. [4 marks]
(b) Calculate the amount of reinforcement required for the tank wall to resist
(i) serviceability ring tension at the base of the wall due to water load,
(ii) thermal and moisture effects in immature concrete.
Consider 12 mm bars (both directions) and the limiting steel stress method where appropriate
in calculating the amount of reinforcement. You may assume design crack width of 0.2 mm.
[10 marks]
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(c) Provide a suitable arrangement of reinforcement considering the amount of reinforcement
calculated in (b) (i) and (ii). [3 marks]
(d) Calculate the maximum crack width based on the reinforcement arrangement provided in
(c). [8 marks]
(e) It is required to design a cantilever wall in a ground reservoir having a rectangular shape.
State three different ways that you can improve the stability of the retaining wall against
sliding. [3 marks]
(f) If the above cantilever wall is considerably long, what would be the appropriate spacing
of the complete contraction joints to have full freedom of movement? Support your
answer with necessary calculations. [4 marks]
(g) Briefly explain the benefits of keeping temporary open sections between panels during
the construction of a wall in a rectangular tank. [3 marks]
(h) What is the rationale behind specifying grade 35A concrete in BS 8007 for water
retaining structures? [3 marks]
[A Total of 38 marks for Question 1]
Question 2
Briefly comment on the following statements. State whether you agree or disagree. Ensure
that the main issues involved are briefly explained, giving arguments (reasons) and/or
counter-arguments:
(a) Concreting of water retaining structures is often scheduled to take place during nighttime.
(b) Recommendations for the span/effective depth ratio given in BS8110 can be used to
check the deflection of a cantilever wall in a ground reservoir.
(c) Euro code provides a more realistic approach when determining the design crack width
compared to the BS 8007.
(d) Plastic shrinkage cracking can be controlled by covering the concrete surface after
placing the concrete with a polythene sheet.
(e) It is essential to provide reinforcement more than the critical steel ratio all the time.
(f) Limiting steel stress method provides an economical solution compared to crack width
limitation method.
[2 x 6 = 12 marks]
[A Total of 12 marks for Question 2]
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Page 3 of 6
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Section B
Question 3
For a multi-storeyed building, it is proposed to use prestressed precast concrete double T
beams for the floor. Figure Q.3 below shows the cross section of the double T beam, which
needs to be designed to span 12.0 m. The simply supported double T beams will be placed
adjacent to each other to form the floor and it will be covered by an insitu concrete topping of
50 mm thickness. The insitu concrete topping is not considered as a structural member. The
pretensioned Double T sections are designed as class 2 members with Grade 50 concrete. The
concrete strength at transfer is 40 N/mm2. The imposed load on the floor is 3.0 kN/m2. The
load on the slab due to finishes and partitions can be taken as 1.0 kN/m2. The density of
concrete is 24 kN/m3. The initial losses and the total prestress losses can be assumed as 10%
and 25% of the Jacking force.
3600 mm
150 mm
600 mm
200 mm 200 mm
Figure Q.3
(i) Using BS 8110: Part 1: 1985, find the allowable stresses at service and transfer, hence
check the adequacy of the double T - section for pretensioned prestressed concrete beams.
[14 marks]
(ii) If 9.3 mm diameter standard strands of f pu = 1770 N/mm2 (cross sectional area =
52 mm2) are to be used, determine a suitable effective prestressing force and eccentricity
by drawing a Magnel diagram, to satisfy SLS of cracking at the critical section. Clearly
show the lines correspond to inequalities derived for the stress conditions and an estimated
emax value in your Magnel Diagram. [14 marks]
[A Total of 28 marks for Question 3]
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CE 4012
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Question 4
(a) Segmental prestressed concrete box girder bridge construction is a popular form of bridge
construction, introduced to Sri Lanka recently. In this approach, prestressed concrete box
girder sections are cast in a precast yard and taken to the construction site and assembled
using erection gantries by adopting balanced cantilever method.
(i) Explain the different types of prestressing methods involved in the segmental
prestressed concrete box girder bridge construction and the corresponding prestress
losses expected. [4 marks]
(ii) In such a construction, sketch the bending moment diagram while assembling match
cast box girder segments by adopting balanced cantilever method. Recommend a
profile for prestressing strands to avoid flexural cracks due to expected bending
moments during construction in the box girder sections. [4 marks]
(iii) Briefly explain how the calculation of prestress losses are used in a prestressed
concrete beam design. [2 marks]
(b) Write short notes explaining whether each of the following statements is true or false.
(i) The blade of a framed saw (see Figure Q.4 below) is a good example for prestressing.
When sawing the wood, the blade is pushed or pulled through the wood being cut.
Figure Q.4: A framed saw
(ii) Crack widths in prestressed concrete beams are roughly proportional to the stress in
the prestressing reinforcement and for this reason the stresses in the prestressing
reinforcement must be limited to control crack widths.
(iii) Pretensioning of prestressed concrete beams improves the serviceability and ultimate
limit state behaviour of beams.
Continued ….
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(iv) In prestressed concrete beam design by checking the maximum shear stress with
5.0N/mm2 or 0.8√𝑓𝑐𝑢 the requirement for shear reinforcement can be identified.
[3 x 4 = 12 marks]
[A Total of 22 marks for Question 4]
End of the Paper
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