GATE CE 2026 Set 1 — Question 45
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Structural Engineering → Slabs, Columns & Prestressed → Prestressed Concrete Beams
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Question
Select ALL CORRECT option(s) which can be considered to check whether the flexural stresses in a prestressed concrete beam are within the allowable stresses at the transfer and the service stages.
Correct answer
(A) Limiting zone for prestressing; (B) Magnel’s graph
Solution
To ensure that the flexural stresses in a prestressed concrete beam remain within permissible limits at both the transfer and service stages, specific design and checking tools are utilized:
1.Limiting zone for prestressing (A): This is a graphical representation of the range within which the center of gravity of the steel (CGC) must be located. It ensures that the resultant stresses at the extreme fibers (top and bottom) do not exceed the allowable tensile and compressive stresses at any section for both the transfer (initial prestress + self-weight) and service (effective prestress + total load) stages.
2.Magnel’s graph (B): This is a plot of the reciprocal of the prestressing force () against the eccentricity (). It is derived from the four fundamental stress inequality equations (two for the transfer stage and two for the service stage). The intersection of the regions defined by these inequalities provides a feasible zone for selecting a suitable combination of and .
Hoyer effect (C) refers to the wedge action and bond development at the ends of pre-tensioned members due to the lateral expansion of the tendon upon release. Load balancing method (D) is a design concept where the transverse component of the tendon profile is used to balance a portion of the external loads, but it is not a primary tool for checking allowable stress limits across both stages in the same way as the limiting zone or Magnel's plot.Continue learning with Success Tracker
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