RCC Design (IS 456) MCQ for GATE Civil Engineering
813 Questions5 Difficulty Levels20-25% in GATEFree Practice
RCC Design is the single most important topic in GATE Civil Engineering, carrying 8-12 marks every year. It covers the design of reinforced concrete beams, slabs, columns, and footings using the limit state method as per IS 456:2000. Understanding the stress block parameters (0.36fck for average stress, 0.42xu for depth), neutral axis limits, and minimum reinforcement requirements is essential. The 2016 revision of IS 13920 introduced stricter seismic detailing provisions that are increasingly tested in GATE — particularly the special confining reinforcement formula and strong-column-weak-beam criterion.
Difficulty Levels
L1 · Foundation · 275 Qs
L2 · Understanding · 127 Qs
L3 · Application · 253 Qs
L4 · Analysis · 134 Qs
L5 · GATE Ready · 4 Qs
Key Topics Covered
Singly & doubly reinforced beams
One-way & two-way slabs
Short & slender columns
Shear design (Table 19, 20)
Development length & lap splicing
Deflection control (L/d ratios)
Nominal cover (Table 16)
Seismic detailing (IS 13920)
Key Formulas
Mu = 0.36 fck·b·xu(d − 0.42xu)
Ast = (0.5fck/fy)[1 − √(1 − 4.6Mu/fck·b·d²)]·b·d
Ld = φ·σs/(4·τbd)
Pu = 0.4fck·Ac + 0.67fy·Asc
τv = Vu/(b·d)
GATE Exam Tip: Focus on Table 5 (exposure/grade), Table 16 (cover), Table 19 (shear strength), and the flexure formula. GATE often gives a beam section and asks for Ast — practice this calculation until it's automatic. For seismic detailing, know the stirrup spacing rule: min(d/4, 8φ, 24φhoop, 300mm) in the plastic hinge zone.
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Q1 · Level 1 · SE-RCC-1304
The post-tensioning method of concrete construction is characterized by which of the following?
Q2 · Level 1 · SE-RCC-1011
What is the formula for the maximum shear stress (q) in the concrete of a reinforced cement concrete beam?
Q3 · Level 1 · SE-RCC-1242
Regarding Reinforced Concrete (RC) sections, which statement most accurately reflects engineering principles?
Q4 · Level 2 · SE-RCC-1159
A raft foundation is typically recommended when its plan area surpasses the building's footprint by:
Q5 · Level 2 · SE-RCC-1267
Inclined cracks in the bottom of an RCC beam, without shear reinforcement, typically form at an angle of approximately:
Q6 · Level 2 · SE-RCC-1410
When concrete is mixed manually, what is the additional quantity of cement required compared to machine mixing?
Q7 · Level 3 · SE-RCC-1515
Assertion (A): A composite cement-lime mortar is generally favored over pure cement mortar for equivalent structural performance. Reason (R): Composite cement-lime mortar exhibits a higher degree of drying shrinkage compared to cement mortar. Evaluate the validity of the assertion and reason.
Q8 · Level 3 · SE-RCC-1035
A portion of a slab can be considered as the effective flange of a T-beam under which condition?
Q9 · Level 3 · SE-RCC-1125
The thickened portion of a flat slab situated directly above its supporting column is technically referred to as:
Q10 · Level 3 · SE-RCC-1019
As per IS: 456, when a slab spans in two directions and its corners are restrained, it's divided into middle and edge strips. What is the defined width of the middle strip in each direction?
Q11 · Level 3 · SE-RCC-1221
In the context of foundation slab design, the extent of the toe projection is generally considered to be:
Q12 · Level 4 · SE-RCC-1171
To achieve a uniform distribution of pressure beneath a foundation, its thickness should be:
Q13 · Level 4 · SE-RCC-1433
Relative to its 28-day strength, the compressive resistance of concrete after one year is approximately:
Q14 · Level 4 · SE-RCC-0041
A column 300 x 450 mm has an unsupported length of 3.6 m. Both ends are fixed in a braced frame (k = 0.65). Check if the column is short or slender.
Q15 · Level 4 · SE-RCC-1336
When the shear stress in a slab surpasses its allowable limit, reduction is achieved by:
Q16 · Level 5 · SE-RCC-0055
A beam section 300 x 650 mm (d = 600 mm, d' = 50 mm) with M25 and Fe500 is subjected to Mu = 400 kN-m. Calculate: (i) Mu,lim, (ii) whether doubly reinforced is needed, and (iii) if yes, the compression steel Asc required.
Q17 · Level 5 · SE-RCC-0058
A seismic beam (300 x 600 mm, d = 560 mm) in Zone IV has top steel = 4-20 mm and bottom steel = 3-20 mm at the face of a column. Check if IS 13920 Clause 6.2 requirements for positive-to-negative steel ratio are satisfied.
Q18 · Level 5 · SE-RCC-0060
Design a complete beam section: A simply supported beam 300 x 700 mm (d = 650 mm, d' = 50 mm) spans 7 m in a Zone IV building. M25, Fe500. Factored loads: Mu = 380 kN-m, Vu = 180 kN at d from support. Determine: (i) whether singly/doubly reinforced, (ii) Ast required, (iii) stirrup spacing in the plastic hinge zone per IS 13920, and (iv) check shear adequacy.
Q19 · Level 5 · SE-RCC-0056
A beam-column joint in Zone IV has beams framing into only 3 faces. The column is 300 x 450 mm. As per IS 13920:2016, what is the maximum hoop spacing in the joint region, and what is the required Ash for the confining reinforcement using 8 mm hoops at the governing spacing?