Question

Reinforcement in cement concrete slab of road pavements, is placed ____________

(a) longitudinally

(b) longitudinally and transversely

(c) in the form of welded wire mesh

(d) transversely

I had been asked this question during an interview.

This intriguing question comes from Detailed Specifications of Road Work in section Specifications, Estimation of Quantities of Materials and Transport of Civil Engineering Drawing

Answer 1

Right choice is (c) in the form of welded wire mesh

The explanation is: In concrete pavement the longitudinal reinforcing steel is continuous throughout the pavement length. It is a joint less concrete pavement sufficiently reinforced to control cracking, without the aid of weakened transverse joints such as are used in ordinary or conventional type of jointed concrete pavement. Reinforced bars in the concrete are lapped to form continuous reinforcement holding the pavement together in all kinds of weather and preventing formation of large cracks that would otherwise reduce the service life of the pavement. CRCP has all the good features of concrete pavements such as durability, high structural strength, non-skid surface and good visibility at night, wet or dry—features which make concrete, and especially continuously reinforced concrete, a permanent road surfacing material.