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The prestressed concrete pavements for highways can be built without joints in continuous length up to how many metres?
90 metres
60 metres
45 metres
120 metres
120 metres
Prestressed concrete pavements are engineered to resist tensile stresses induced by traffic loads and thermal expansion. By applying a longitudinal compressive force, engineers can extend the length of pavement slabs to 120 metres without requiring expansion or contraction joints.
IRC: 68-1988 (Guidelines for Construction of Prestressed Concrete Pavements)
Prestressed concrete pavements are engineered to resist tensile stresses induced by traffic loads and thermal expansion. By applying a longitudinal compressive force, engineers can extend the length of pavement slabs to 120 metres without requiring expansion or contraction joints.
╧ГeffтАЛ=╧ГpreтАЛтИТ╧ГtensileтАЛ тАФ Represents the effective stress where ╧ГpreтАЛ is the prestressing force and ╧ГtensileтАЛ is the stress from external loads.
╬ФL=╬▒тЛЕLтЛЕ╬ФT тАФ Describes thermal change where ╬▒ is the coefficient of thermal expansion and ╬ФT is the temperature differential.
The principle involves applying an initial compressive stress to the concrete, which neutralizes the tensile stresses developed during service life. By creating a continuous slab up to 120 metres, the design reduces the number of jointsтАФwhich are common weak points in pavement structureтАФthereby minimizing maintenance and enhancing load transfer efficiency through slab continuity.
Prestressing allows for thinner slab designs compared to conventional dowel-jointed concrete pavements.
Joints are the primary cause of pavement failures; long continuous lengths significantly improve service life.
The 120-metre length is constrained by the friction between the slab and the sub-base, which resists movement.
Reduced number of joints leading to smoother ride quality.
Increased load-carrying capacity with reduced slab thickness.
Decreased maintenance costs due to fewer joint-related distresses.
High initial construction cost due to specialized prestressing equipment.
Requires skilled labor and precise tensioning protocols.
Complexity in accommodating large movements at the end anchorages.
High-speed highway projects.
Airport runways subject to heavy aircraft loading.
Industrial floorings requiring high load-bearing capacity.
The 120-metre limit is chosen to balance the benefits of continuity with the practical limitations of sub-base friction and anchorage requirements.
Shorter lengths like 45, 60, or 90 metres would not fully utilize the economic potential of the prestressing technique in modern highway applications.
D is correct тАФ Prestressed concrete pavements allow for continuous slab lengths up to 120 metres, effectively reducing joint-related degradation.
Always remember that in rigid pavements, joints are the most frequent point of failure; any technology that increases slab length while maintaining structural integrity is preferred in modern highway design.
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