GATE CE 2026 Set 2 — Question 40

MCQ+2 / -0.67MediumDistresses in Concrete PavementsPavement DesignTransportation Engineering

Transportation Engineering → Pavement Design → Distresses in Concrete Pavements

Last updated 5 September 2026

Question

Consider the following statements with respect to rigid pavements: Statement-1: Bottom-up cracking (BUC) in rigid pavements is caused at the edge of the slab due to combined effect of single or tandem rear axle load and positive temperature differential. Statement-2: Top-down fatigue cracking (TDC) in rigid pavements is caused due to repeated cycles of axle loads and negative temperature differential. The CORRECT option is:

Correct answer (A) Both statements are TRUE. Solution Statement-1: Bottom-up cracking (BUC) occurs at the bottom of the slab, typically at the edge, due to tensile stresses from wheel loads and positive temperature gradients (daytime, top hotter than bottom). This is true. Statement-2: Top-down fatigue cracking (TDC) occurs at the top of the slab, often due to negative temperature gradients (nighttime, bottom hotter than top) combined with wheel loads. This is also true. Therefore, both statements are TRUE. Turn this into a strength. Explore AI-powered practice and doubt support with Success Tracker.

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Correct answer (A) Both statements are TRUE. Solution Statement-1: Bottom-up cracking (BUC) occurs at the bottom of the slab, typically at the edge, due to tensile stresses from wheel loads and positive temperature gradients (daytime, top hotter than bottom). This is true. Statement-2: Top-down fatigue cracking (TDC) occurs at the top of the slab, often due to negative temperature gradients (nighttime, bottom hotter than top) combined with wheel loads. This is also true. Therefore, both statements are TRUE.

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