Building Materials (Aggregate)

Q.1. When the particle thickness is less than 0.6 times the mean sieve size fraction to which
particle belong; the particle is called
(a) irregular
(b) elongated
(c) flaky
(d) round

Q.2. If a particle passes through 20 mm sieve and retains on 16 mm sieve, then the mean size of
the particle is
(a) 20 mm
(b) 16 mm
(c) 18 mm
(d) 2 mm

Q.3. If mean size of a particle is 18 mm then thickness of flaky particle would be

(a) 10.8 mm
(b) more than 10.8 mm
(c) less than 10.8 mm
(d) 32.4 mm

Q.4. When the particle longest dimension is greater than 1.8 times the mean sieve size fraction to
which particle belong; the particle is called
(a) round
(b) flaky
(c) elongated
(d) angular
Q.5. If mean size of a particle is 18 mm then longest dimension of elongated particle would be
(a) 10.8 mm
(b) 32.4 mm
(c) less than 10.8 mm
(d) more than 32.4 mm

Q.6. Surface texture of brick is

(a) smooth & porous
(b) honeycombed & porous
(c) granular
(d) crystalline

Q.7. Surface structure of gravel is

(a) smooth
(b) rough
(c) granular
(d) crystalline

Q.8. Surface texture of sandstone is

(a) granular
(b) rough
(c) glassy
(d) honeycombed

Q.9. Surface structure of limestone is

(a) glassy
(b) rough
(c) honeycombed
(d) none of these

Q.10. The ration between weight of aggregate dried in saturated surface dry condition and weight
of water occupying then volume equal to that of solids including permeable pores , is called
(a) specific density
(b) apparent specific gravity
(c) specific gravity based on saturated surface dry basis
(d) none of these

Answers
1. c 2. c 3. c 4. c 5. d 6. b 7. a 8. a 9. b 10. c
 Building Materials (Aggregate)
Q.1. The aggregate in which particle of all sizes are present in various proportions is called
(a) graded aggregate
(b) all-in-aggregate
(c) single size aggregate
(d) none of these

Q.2. The aggregate in which majority of particles are one and same size is called
(a) graded aggregate
(b) all-in-aggregate
(c) continuous aggregate
(d) none of these

Q.3. The maximum size of coarse aggregate for the concrete in a column of size 400 x 400
mm should be
(a) 40 mm
(b) 35 mm
(c) 25 mm
(d) 20 mm (AMIE June99)

Q.4. As the size of coarse aggregate decreases, the workability of concrete

(a) decreases
(b) increases
(c) first increases then decreases
(d) first decreases then increases
(IES 1992)

Q.5. Shape of crushed rocks is

(a) rounded
(b) irregular
(c) flaky
(d) angular

Q.6. The shape of laminated rock is

(a) rounded
(b) flaky
(c) irregular
(d) angular

Q.7. River gravel is

(a) flaky
(b) irregular
(c) angular
(d) rounded

Q.8. Following shape of particle is not desirable in aggregate

(a) rounded
(b) irregular
(c) angular
(d) flaky

Q.9. Flaky shape is not desirable because it has

(a) lowest surface area for given volume
(b) highest surface area for given volume
(c) lowest perimeter for a given volume
(d) none of these

Q.10. Flaky particle in aggregate

(a) reduces workability
(b) reduces durability
(c) hardened concrete looks like a stratified rock
(d) all these

Answers
1. a 2. d 3. d 4. a 5. d 6. b 7. d 8. d 9. b 10. d
 Building Materials (Aggregate)
Q.1. A 20 mm size aggregate means
(a) minimum size of individual particle is 20 mm
(b) maximum size of individual particle is 20 mm
(c) average size of individual particle is 20 mm
(d) none of these

Q.2. An individual perticle is of 20 mm size if

(a) it retains on 20 mm sieve
(b) passes through 20 mm sieve and retained on next lower sieve
(c) passes through 20 mm sieve and all the other lower sieves
(d) none of these

Q.3. According to IS:460-1962, sieve size varies from

(a) 160 mm to 25 micron
(b) 120 mm to 50 micron
(c) 80 mm to 75 micron
(d) none of these

Q.4. In a sieve set, the size next to 80 mm is

(a) 63 mm
(b) 50 mm
(c) 40 mm
(d) 20 mm

Q.5. In a sieve set, the size next to 4.75 mm is

(a) 3.25 mm
(b) 3.00 mm
(c) 2.50 mm
(d) none of these

Q.6. Coarse aggregate always retains on

(a) 80 mm sieve
(b) 50 mm sieve
(c) 6.3 mm sieve
(d) 4.75 mm sieve

Q.7. Fine aggregate passes through

(a) 80 mm sieve
(b) 50 mm sieve
(c) 4.75 mm sieve
(d) 75 micron sieve

Q.8. Fine aggregate retains on

(a) 4.75 mm sieve
(b) 150 micron sieve
(c) 75 micron
(d) none of these

Q.9. The dividing line between coarse aggregate and fine aggregate is
(a) 20 mm
(b) 2.36 mm
(c) 10 mm
(d) 4.75 mm (AMIE June99)
Q.10. The combination of coarse and fine aggregate is called
(a) single size aggregate
(b) graded aggregate
(c) all-in-aggregate
(d) none of these

Answers
1. b 2. b 3. c 4. a 5. d 6. d 7. c 8. c 9. a 10. c
 Building Materials (Cement)
Q.1. The percentage of tricalcium aluminates in sulphate resisting cement is
(a) more than 6%
(b) less than 6%
(c) more than 16%
(d) less than 16%

Q.2. Sulphate resisting cement is useful in structures

(a) in river waters
(b) sea waters
(c) in cold environment
(d) in hot environment

Q.3. Portland blast furnace slag cement can be used

(a) in under water structures
(b) in structures in alkaline soils
(c) in all places where ordinary Portland cement is used
(d) all these

Q.4. Slag from blast furnace contains

(a) alumina
(b) lime
(c) silica
(d) all these

Q.5. Blast furnace slag has approximately

(a) 45% calcium oxide and about 35% silica
(b) 50% alumina and 20% calcium oxide
(c) 25% magnesia and 15% silica
(d) 25% calcium sulphate and 15% alumina (IES 1996)

Q.6. White cement is used in

(a) interior decoration
(b) architectural finish
(c) costly
(d) all these

Q.7. In white Portland cement manufacturing

(a) china clay is used
(b) oil is used as a fuel
(c) raw material contains very little manganese and iron
(d) all these

Q.8. Portland pozzolana cement is used in

(a) dams
(b) weirs
(c) barrages
(d) all these

Q.9. Pozzolana contains

(a) silica
(b) alumina
(c) both (a) and (b)
(d) neither (a) nor (b)
Q.10. Pozzolanic materials are
(a) fly ash & volcanic ash
(b) alkaline soil & fly ash
(c) crushed lime & pumice
(d) none of these

Answers
1. b 2. b 3. c 4. d 5. a 6. d 7. d 8. d 9. c 10. a
 Building Materials (Cement)
Q.1. Blaines air permeability method is used to determine
(a) permeability of cement
(b) fineness of cement
(c) soundness of cement
(d) remoulding effect (AMIE Dec97)

Q.2. Vee-Bee consistency test is carried out to measure

(a) permeability of cement
(b) fineness of cement
(c) setting time of cement
(d) remoulding effect (AMIE Dec97)

Q.3. Properly ground cement should have an specific surface of

(a) 1500 sq. cm per gram
(b) 2000 sq. cm per gram
(c) 2250 sq. cm per gram
(d) 2450 sq. cm per gram
(AMIE June1997)

Q.4. Quick setting cement is used

(a) under running water
(b) in mass concrete
(c) for interior decoration
(d) to impart architectural finish

Q.5. Quick setting cement contains a higher percentage of

(a) silicate
(b) sulphate
(c) lime
(d) alumina

Q.6. Quick setting cement hardens in

(a) 5 minutes
(b) 15 minutes
(c) 30 minutes
(d) 2 hours

Q.7. Low heat cement contains lower percentage of

(a) C3A
(b) C3S
(c) Both (a) and (b)
(d) neither (a) nor (b)

Q.8. Low heat cement contains higher percentage of

(a) C2S
(b) C2S
(c) both (a) and (b)
(d) neither (a) nor (b)

Q.9. Low heat cement is used in

(a) RCC slabs
(b) Columns
(c) Dams
(d) Tunnels

Q.10. Sulphate resisting cement contains a small proportion of

(a) silicate
(b) tricalcium aluminates
(c) dicalcium silicates
(d) alumina

Answers
1.b 2. d 3. c 4. a 5. d 6. c 7. c 8. d 9. c 10. b
 Building Materials (Cement)
Q.1. In soundness test, after immersing whole assembly in water for 24 hours, distance
between the indicator points is measured
(a) assembly then returned to water
(b) brought to boiling in 25 to 30 minutes & boiled for 1 hour
(c) after cooling, distance between indicator points is again measured
(d) all these

Q.2. In soundness test, the difference between distance between indicator points before and
after cooling should not be more than
(a) 5 mm
(b) 10 mm
(c) 15 mm
(d) 20 mm

Q.3. In determining tensile strength of cement, test briquettes are made of

(a) cement
(b) sand
(c) mortar
(d) concrete

Q.4. In determining tensile strength of cement, the ratio of cement and sand in mortar meant
for test briquette is
(a) 1:1
(b) 1:2
(c) 1:3
(d) 1:6
Q.5. In determining tensile strength of cement, the water content(by weight) used in mortar
meant for test briquette is
(a) 8% of cement and sand combined
(b) 12% of cement and sand combined
(c) 16% of cement and sand combined
(d) what required for standard consistency

Q.6. Tensile strength of concrete is measured by

(a) direct tension test in the universal testing machine
(b) applying compressive load along the diameter of the cylinder
(c) applying third point loading on a prism
(d) applying tensile load along the diameter of the cylinder (IES 1996)

Q.7. The total surface area of one gram cement per square centimeters is known as
(a) fineness
(b) specific surface
(c) specific volume
(d) none of these

Q.8. turbid meter test is used for measuring

(a) setting time
(b) soundness
(c) tensile strength
(d) specific surface

Q.9. In turbid meter test, cement is kept in suspension in

(a) petrol
(b) diesel
(c) white kerosene
(d) any of these

Q.10. In the turbid meter test to determine fineness of cement

(a) a laser beam passes through the solution
(b) an X ray passes through the solution
(c) a ray of light passes through the solution
(d) none of these

Answers
1. d 2. b 3. c 4. c 5. a 6. b 7. b 8. d 9. c 10. c
 Building Materials (Cement)
Q.1. Vicat needle is used in determination of
(a) initial setting time
(b) final setting time
(c) consistency
(d) both (a) and (b)

Q.2. In Vicat test, the final setting is assumed when the attachment of the needle fails to make
any impression on the mould but the needle
(a) Penetrates the sample by 5 mm
(b) makes just an impression on the sample
(c) does not penetrate the sample
(d) pierce the sample by 10 mm

Q.3. Initial setting time of cement should not be less than

(a) 15 minutes
(b) 30 minutes
(c) 28 minutes
(d) 1 hour (IES 1992)

Q.4. Final setting time of cement should not be more than

(a) 1 hour
(b) 2 hours
(c) 5 hours
(d) 10 hours

Q.5. Which of the following pairs in respect of ordinary Portland cement are correctly
matched?
1. Initial setting time30 min.
2. Final setting time.10 hours
3. Normal consistency..10%
Select the correct answer using the codes given below
(a) 1,2 and 3
(b) 2 and 3
(c) 1 and 2
(d) 1 and 3 (IES 1997)

Q.6. The ability of cement to maintain a constant volume is called

(a) flashing
(b) honeycombing
(c) soundness
(d) creep

Q.7. Soundness test of cement is done to determine its

(a) durability in sea water
(b) free lime content
(c) iron oxide content
(d) alumina content (IES 1994)

Q.8. Soundness of cement is tested by

(a) Vicat apparatus
(b) Le Chatalier apparatus
(c) soundness meter
(d) Duff Abrams apparatus
Q.9. In the soundness test, the whole assembly is immersed in water at a temperature of
(a) 19 10C
(b) 27 10C
(c) 37 10C
(d) 47 10C

Q.10. In the soundness test, the whole assembly is immersed in water for
(a) 30 minutes
(b) 1 hour
(c) 24 hours
(d) 48 hours

Answers
1. d 2. b 3. b 4. d 5. c 6. c 7. b 8. b 9. a 10. c
 Building Materials (Cement)
Q.1. Tube mill is used in
(a) grinding
(b) burning
(c) mixing
(d) none of these

Q.2. In the dry process of cement manufacturing, raw material is first crushed to a size of
about
(a) 5 mm
(b) 10 mm
(c) 15 mm
(d) 25 mm

Q.3. In the dry process, finely grounded cement passes to

(a) godown
(b) silos
(c) packaging plant
(d) shops

Q.4. Match List I with List II

List I(Laboratory tests)
A. Vicat apparatus
B. Le-Chatelier apparatus
C. Slump test
D. Turbid meter
List II(Property)
1. Soundness of cement
2. Initial setting time of cement
3. Workability of cement concrete
4. Specific surface
(a) A1,B2,C3,D4
(b) A1,B4,C3,D4
(c) A3,B4,C2,D4
(d) A2,B1,C3,D4 (IES 1993,95,96)

Q.5. Setting time of cement is determined by

(a) Le Chatelier apparatus
(b) Vicat apparatus
(c) Turbid meter test
(d) none of these

Q.6. The height of standard Vicat mould is

(a) 10 mm
(b) 20 mm
(c) 30 mm
(d) 40 mm

Q.7. In a paste of standard consistency, Vicat plunger penetrates the sample in standard Vicat
mould
(a) 5 to 7 mm
(b) 33 to 35 mm
(c) 10 mm
(d) 20 mm
Q.8. In Vicat test, the initial setting is assumed when the needle fails to pierce the sample
completely and reaches upto
(a) 5 mm from bottom
(b) 10 mm from bottom
(c) 15 mm from bottom
(d) 20 mm from bottom

Q.9. Vicat plunger is used in determination for

(a) initial setting time
(b) final setting time
(c) consistency
(d) both (a) and (b)

Q.10. Vicat needle is used in determination of

(a) initial setting time
(b) final setting time
(c) consistency
(d) both (a) and (b)

Answers
1. a 2. d 3. b 4. d 5. b 6. d 7. b 8. a 9. b 10. d
 Building Materials (Cement)
Q.1. The rate of setting of cement is directly proportional to the temperature upto
(a) 900C
(b) 900F
(c) 270C
(d) 270F

Q.2. In the wet process of cement manufacturing, raw material is fed into the kiln in the form
of
(a) dry powder
(b) wet powder
(c) slurry
(d) clinker

Q.3. In the wet process of cement manufacturing raw material is heated to about
(a) 5000F
(b) 10000F
(c) 17000F
(d) 27000F

Q.4. In the wet process, slurry is fed in the kiln at

(a) top end
(b) bottom end
(c) centre
(d) none of these

Q.5. In the wet process, the kiln is

(a) horizontal
(b) vertical
(c) inclined slightly from horizontal
(d) inclined slightly from vertical

Q.6. In the wet process of manufacturing cement, the material discharged from the bottom end
is called
(a) granules
(b) ground powder
(c) clinker
(d) gypsum

Q.7. In the dry process of cement manufacturing, in the first stage, raw material is reduced to a
size of
(a) 20 mesh
(b) 200 mesh
(c) 300 mesh
(d) 400 mesh

Q.8. In the dry process of cement manufacturing, in the second stage, raw material is reduced
to a size of
(a) 20 mesh
(b) 200 mesh
(c) 300 mesh
(d) 400 mesh

Q.9. In the dry process, crushing of stone takes place in two stages. The first stage is done in
(a) tube mill
(b) rotary mill
(c) ball mill
(d) kiln

Q.10. The size of clinker varies from

(a) 1 mm to 50 mm
(b) 3 mm to 18 mm
(c) 25 mm to 50 mm
(d) 15 mm to 50 mm

Answers
1. b 2. c 3. d 4. a 5. c 6. c 7. a 8. b 9. c 10. b
 Building Materials (Cement)
Q.1. The colour of cement is mainly due to
(a) lime
(b) silica
(c) alumina
(d) oxides of iron

Q.2. Excess quantity of sulphur in cement makes the cement

(a) sound
(b) hard
(c) coloured
(d) unsound

Q.3. All the compounds in cement are

(a) in hydrous state
(b) in anhydrous state
(c) have different rate of hydration
(d) both (b) and (c)

Q.4. All compounds in cement reacts only

(a) in the presence of water
(b) without presence of water
(c) for 28 days
(d) for three years

Q.5. Tricalcium silicate is responsible for

(a) later strength of cement
(b) early strength of concrete
(c) progressive strength of cement
(d) both (a) and (c)

Q.6. Dicalcium silicate is

(a) slowest compound to hydrate
(b) imparts early strength to cement
(c) imparts progressive strength to cement
(d) both (a) and (c)

Q.7. To achieve higher rate of cement the rate of cooling of clinker should be
(a) quick
(b) moderate
(c) slow
(d) very slow

Q.8. Setting action of cement

(a) does not produce heat
(b) produces heat due to tricalcium silicate
(c) produces heat due to tricalcium aluminate
(d) both (b) and (c)

Q.9. One gram of Portland cement after hydration, produces about

(a) 50 calories
(b) 75 calories
(c) 80 calories
(d) 120 calories
Q.10. In the process of hydration, two third of the heat is produced in first
(a) 28 days
(b) week
(c) month
(d) year

Answers
1. d 2. d 3. d 4. a 5. b 6. d 7. b 8. d 9. d 10. b
 Building Materials (Cement)
Q.1. Consider the following statements:
A high lime content in a composite cement-lime mortar results in
1. slow hardening
2. quick setting
3. weaker mortar

Of these statements
(a) 2 and 3 are correct
(b) 1 and 2 are correct
(c) 1 and 3 are correct
(d) 1,2 and 3 are correct (IES 1994)

Q.2. An excess of lime in cement

(a) increases its soundness
(b) causes it to shrink
(c) make it less disintegrable
(d) none of these

Q.3. Alumina makes cement set

(a) slowly
(b) quickly
(c) very slowly
(d) none of these

Q.4. An excess of Alumina

(a) strengthens cement
(b) hardens cement
(c) weakens cement
(d) none of these

Q.5. In Portland cement, Silica imparts

(a) hardness
(b) soundness
(c) colour
(d) strength

Q.6. In Portland cement, gypsum

(a) hardens cement
(b) accelerates initial setting action
(c) slows down setting action in general
(d) both(b) and (c)

Q.7. In the manufacture of cement, gypsum is added to

(a) increase to strength of cement
(b) reduce the strength of cement
(c) retard the setting time of cement
(d) provide column to the cement
(IES 1992,93)

Q.8. Gypsum is added

(a) after clinker is formed
(b) after raw material is crushed
(c) before raw material is crushed
(d) after the clinker is formed

Q.9. To prevent flash-set in cement__ is added

(a) clinker
(b) aluminates
(c) gypsum
(d) all these (AMIE June97)

Q.10. Oxides of iron in Portland cement imparts

(a) hardness
(b) colour
(c) strength
(d) all of the above

Answers
1. a 2. d 3. b 4. c 5. d 6. d 7. c 8. d 9. c 10. d
 Building Materials (Cement)
Q.1. Chemical formula of tricalcium aluminate is
(a) C3A.3CaO.Al2O3
(b) C3S.CaO.SiO2
(c) C2S.2CaO.SiO2
(d) C3S.3CaO.Al2O3

Q.2. Chemical formula of tricalcium silicate is

(a) C3A.3CaO.Al2O3
(b) C3S.CaO.SiO2
(c) C2S.2CaO.SiO2
(d) C3S.3CaO.Al2O3

Q.3. The acidic constituent of Portland cement is about

(a) 10%
(b) 32%
(c) 42%
(d) 63.5%

Q.4. The alkaline constituent of Portland cement is about

(a) 10%
(b) 32%
(c) 42%
(d) 63.5%

Q.5. The ratio of acidic constituents to alkaline constituents in Portland cement is

(a) 2
(b) 0.5
(c) 1
(d) 1.5

Q.6. Portland cement constitutes around

(a) 62% Lime, CaO
(b) 1.5% MgO
(c) 22.0% Silica(SiO2)
(d) all these (IES 1992)

Q.7. The percentage of C3A in cement is

(a) 1 to 4%
(b) 5 to 11 %
(c) 21 to 35 %
(d) 35% to 50% (IES 1992)

Q.8. Portland cement constitutes around

(a) 7% alumina
(b) 3% oxide of iron
(c) 1.4% Sulphur trioxide
(d) all these

Q.9. In Portland cement, loss on ignition is

(a) 1%
(b) 1.5%
(c) 2%
(d) none of these
Q.10. Deficiency of lime in Portland cement
(a) increases strength of cement
(b) decreases strength of cement
(c) causes it to set slowly
(d) both (a) and (c)

Answers
1. a 2. b 3. b 4. d 5. b 6. d 7. b 8. d 9. b 10. b
 Building Materials (Cement)
Q.1. Portland cement is obtained by calcination at
(a) low temperature
(b) high temperature
(c) very high temperature
(d) very low temperature

Q.2. Portland cement is mixture of

(a) calcareous materials
(b) argillaceous materials
(c) both(a) and (b)
(d) neither (a) nor (b)

Q.3. Calcined product is called

(a) cement
(b) gypsum
(c) calcium sulphate
(d) clinker

Q.4. Clinker is formed into cement by mixing

(a) calcium aluminate
(b) tricalcium silicate
(c) dicalcium silicate
(d) calcium sulphate

Q.5. Calcium sulphate is also called

(a) clinker
(b) active compound
(c) gypsum
(d) none of these

Q.6. In Portland cement, percentage of tricalcium silicate is around

(a) 10%
(b) 25%
(c) 35%
(d) 48%

Q.7. In Portland cement, percentage of dicalcium silicate is around

(a) 10%
(b) 25%
(c) 35%
(d) 48%

Q.8. In Portland cement, percentage of tricalcium aluminate is around

(a) 10%
(b) 25%
(c) 35%
(d) 9%

Q.9. In Portland cement, percentage of gypsum is around

(a) 1%
(b) 2%
(c) 3%
(d) 5%
Q.10. In Portland cement, percentage of tetracalcium alumino ferrite is around
(a) 10%
(b) 25%
(c) 9%
(d) 35%

Answers
1. c 2. c 3. d 4. d 5. c 6.d 7. b 8. a 9. c 10. c
 Building Materials (Concrete)
Q.1. Shrinkage in concrete can be reduced by using
(a) small maximum size of aggregate
(b) large maximum size of aggregate
(c) small maximum size of aggregate with high modulus of elasticity
(d) large maximum size of aggregate with high modulus of elasticity

Q.2. The rise of temperature in concrete would cause

(a) contraction
(b) expansion
(c) no effect
(d) contraction followed by expansion

Q.3. Concrete made of Portland cement disintegrates in the presence of sulphates of

(a) calcium
(b) sodium
(c) magnesium
(d) all these

Q.4. The product of disintegration in concrete made of Portland cement is/are

(a) tri calcium aluminates
(b) calcium sulpho aluminates
(c) tri calcium silicates
(d) all these

Q.5. In concrete, resistance to chemical attack can be increased using a cement with
(a) reduced tri calcium aluminate
(b) increased tri calcium aluminate
(c) reduced tri calcium silicate
(d) increased tri calcium silicate

Q.6. Resistance of concrete to water flow in pores, is called

(a) honeycombing
(b) workability
(c) soundness
(d) none of these

Q.7. Impermeability can be increased by adopting

(a) low water cement ratio
(b) graded aggregate
(c) continuous curing
(d) all these

Q.8. Increased impermeability in concrete results

(a) increased resistance to weathering
(b) reduced resistance to chemical attack and corrosion
(c) both (a) and (b)
(d) neither (a) nor (b)

Answer
1. d 2. b 3. d 4. b 5. a 6. d 7. d 8. a
 Building Materials (Concrete)
Q.1. In a cement paste, greater expansion would result, if
(a) cement is finer
(b) Mgo and C3A are higher
(c) C3S is higher
(d) both (a) and (b)

Q.2. If in a cement paste, C3S is higher then

(a) expansion would be less under water
(b) contraction would be greater in air
(c) Both(a) and (b)
(d) neither (a) nor (b)

Q.3. Compared to neat cement, shrinkage of concrete is

(a) same
(b) less
(c) more
(d) zero

Q.4. Shrinkage of concrete is

(a) more with richer mixes
(b) less with aluminium cements
(c) inversely proportional to the amount of water in the mix
(d) solely dependent on drying rate
(IES 1992)

Q.5. For a given environment, the most significant factor that influence the total shrinkage of
concrete is
(a) cement content of mix
(b) total amount of water added at the time of mixing
(c) size of the member concreted
(d) maximum size of the coarse aggregate used

Q.6. The shrinkage of concrete is less than that of neat cement owing to the presence of
(a) water
(b) cement
(c) aggregate
(d) C3S

Q.7. In a concrete under no external stress, aggregate is subjected to

(a) tensile forces
(b) compressive forces
(c) no force
(d) various forces

Q.8. In a concrete under no external stress, cement paste is subjected to

(a) tensile forces
(b) compressive forces
(c) no force
(d) various forces

Q.9. Tensile forces in cement paste in a concrete, cause

(a) bleeding
(b) segregation
(c) honeycombing
(d) cracking

Q.10. Less shrinkage is possible in concrete by using

(a) aggregate with low modulus elasticity
(b) aggregate with medium modulus of elasticity
(c) aggregate with high modulus of elasticity
(d) none of these

Answers
1. d 2. c 3. b 4. a 5. b 6. c 7. b 8. a 9. d 10. c
 Building Materials (Practice Test)
Q.1. The amount of creep per unit applied stress is called
(a) drying creep
(b) basic creep
(c) specific creep
(d) none of these

Q.2. In absence of specific data, specific creep may be taken as

(a) 1 x 10-4 per MPa
(b) 1.5 x 10-4 per Mpa
(c) 2.0 x 10-4 per MPa
(d) 2.5 x 10-4 per MPa

Q.3. Higher rate of creep results from

(a) higher water-cement ratio
(b) lower water-cement ratio
(c) lesser degree of hydration
(d) both (a) and (c)

Q.4. For a large mass subjected to sustained loading, the creep would be
(a) less
(b) more
(c) unaffected
(d) zero

Q.5. The rate of creep in tension is greater than the rate of creep in compression
(a) for the first few months
(b) for the first year
(c) for the first few years
(d) for the first few weeks

Q.6. The rate of creep in tension is lower than the rate of creep in compression
(a) for the first few months
(b) for the first year
(c) after few weeks
(d) this statement is not true

Q.7. During wetting and drying, calcium silicate gel formed after hydration undergoes
(a) no volume change
(b) small volume changes
(c) large volume changes
(d) none of these

Q.8. The ratio of volume of hydrated cement to the sum of this volume and that of capillary
pores, is called
(a) gel-pores ratio
(b) gel cement ratio
(c) gel water ratio
(d) gel space ratio

Q.9. The Powers equation is

(a) S = Anx
(b) S = Axn
(c) S = A/xn
(d) S = An/x, S is compressive strength of cement paste, A is constant.
Q.10. In Powers equation, n has a value between
(a) 1 and 1.5
(b) 1.5 and 2
(c) 2 and 2.5
(d) 2.5 and 3.0

Answers
1. c 2. b 3. d 4. a 5. d 6. c 7. c 8. d 9. b 10. d
 Building Materials (Concrete)
1. Too prevent bleeding
(a) excess of mortar should be avoided
(b) too much vibration should be avoided
(c) too much floating should be avoided
(d) all these

2. Yielding of concrete due to sustained stresses, is called

(a) bleeding
(b) segregation
(c) honeycombing
(d) creep

3. If there is a seepage of absorbed water from cement gel, then it causes

(a) bleeding
(b) segregation
(c) honeycombing
(d) creep

4. In creep curve, there is/are

(a) only one stage
(b) two stages
(c) three stages
(d) no stages at all

5. In the primary creep range, rate of creep

(a) remains unaltered
(b) increases with time
(c) decreases with time
(d) none of these

6. In creep curve, tertiary creep

(a) will always exist
(b) will never exist
(c) may exist
(d) none of these

7. Presence of tertiary creep depends upon

(a) a decrease in stress
(b) a decrease in strain
(c) an increase in strain
(d) an increase in stress

8. When there is no water passes between concrete and environment then

(a) drying creep develops
(b) specific creep develops
(c) basic creep develops
(d) both (a) and (c)

9. Drying creep is
(a) reversible
(b) irreversible
(c) partly reversible
(d) none of these
10. Basic creep is
(a) reversible
(b) irreversible
(c) partly reversible
(d) none of these

Answers
1. d 2. d 3. d 4. c 5. c 6. c 7. d 8. d 9. c 10. b
 Building Materials (Concrete)
Q.1. If in a concrete mix, water cement ratio is such that water is just sufficient to hydrate each
cement particle fully, then
(a) cement paste will give lowest strength
(b) cement paste will give maximum strength
(c) cement paste will cause bleeding
(d) both (a) and (c)

Q.2. If in a concrete mix, water cement ratio is such that water is more than required for full
hydration each cement particle fully, then
(a) free water occupies certain space in concrete
(b) free water evaporates leaving behind pores
(c) strength of concrete will reduce
(d) all of the above

Q.3. According to Duff Abram, water-cement ratio is related to compressive strength of concrete
as per equation(x = w/c ratio by volume, S = compressive strength of concrete)
(a) S = 948/7x
(b) S = 7x/948
(c) S = 948(7x)
(d) none of these

Q.4. Strength of concrete is proportional to

(a) water content in cement
(b) cement content in concrete
(c) sand content in cement
(d) water-cement ratio
Q.5. To avoid evaporation of water from pores in concrete during hydration, internal moisture
conditions should be maintained. This statement is
(a) false
(b) nonsense
(c) true
(d) debatable

Q.6. For determining compressive strength of concrete, size of specimen cube is

(a) 10 cm
(b) 15 cm
(c) 20 cm
(d) 30 cm

Q.7. The approximate ratio of strength of 15 cm x 30 cm concrete cylinder to that of 15 cm cube

of the same concrete is
(a) 1.25
(b) 1.00
(c) 0.85
(d) 0.50 (IES 1996)

Q.8. Compressive strength of concrete(in N/mm2) is specified at

(a) 270C 30C
(b) 28 days age
(c) 90% relative humidity
(d) all these

Q.9. In a given concrete mix, if 25 kg of water is added per 50 kg of cement, then w/c ratio is
(a) 2
(b) 0.5
(c) 1
(d) none of these

Q.10.For good workability of concrete

(a) grading of all-in-aggregate should be continuous
(b) correct quantity of mortar should be present
(c) too much vibration and floating should be avoided
(d) all these

Answers
1. a
2. d
3. a
4. d
5. c
6. b
7. c
8. d
9. b
10. d
 Building Materials (Concrete)
1. Active compounds of cement when reacts with water, cause
(a) initial setting of cement
(b) final setting of cement
(c) contributes little after 24 to 72 hours
(d) both (a) and (c)

2. The reaction of C3S is responsible for strength development for the

(a) first 14 days
(b) first 28 days
(c) whole life
(d) first three years

3. The reaction of C2S is responsible for

(a) earlier strength of concrete
(b) later strength of concrete
(c) both (a) and (b)
(d) neither (a) nor (b)

4. In concrete, compressive strength developed after 28 days is 75% of the

(a) initial strength
(b) strength after 3 years
(c) strength after 5 years
(d) ultimate strength

5. During hydration, cement gel

(a) increases in volume
(b) decreases in volume
(c) causes segregation
(d) causes bleeding

6. Reaction product after hydration, consists of

(a) calcium aluminate
(b) calcium hydroxide
(c) calcium silicate
(d) all these

7. The composition of calcium hydroxide and hydrated calcium silicates, is called

(a) Portland cement
(b) high alumina cement
(c) cement gel
(d) none of these

8. High alumina cement is produced by fusing together a mixture of

(a) limestone and bauxite
(b) limestone, bauxite and gypsum
(c) limestone, gypsum and clay
(d) limestone, gypsum, bauxite and clay (IES)

9. During hydration, cement gel

(a) increases in volume
(b) decreases in volume
(c) causes segregation
(d) causes bleeding
10. The total volume occupied by gel after full hydration is
(a) more than the volume of water and cement before hydration
(b) less than the volume of water and cement before hydration
(c) same as the volume of water and cement before hydration
(d) none of these

Answers
1. d
2. b
3. b
4. d
5. a
6. d
7. c
8. a
9. a
10. c
 Building Materials (Concrete)
Q.1. At lower temperatures, strength development is
(a) unaffected
(b) steady
(c) fast
(d) slow

Q.2. If aggregate temperatures are above freezing temperature, then the desired concrete
temperature is obtained by heating
(a) cement
(b) sand
(c) aggregate
(d) mixing water

Q.3. Amount of cement in concrete alone determines strength of concrete. This statement is
(a) true
(b) false
(c) countered by Duff Abrams in 1919
(d) both (b) and (c)

Q.4. Water to cement ratio determines strength of concrete. This statement is

(a) true
(b) false
(c) given by Duff Abrams
(d) both (a) and (c)

Q.5. The minimum water to cement ratio for cement concrete to hydrate is
(a) 0.65
(b) 0.5
(c) 0.35
(d) 0.27 (AMIE)

Q.6. For complete hydration of cement the w/c ratio needed is

(a) < 0.25
(b) more than 0.25 but less than 0.35
(c) more than 0.35 but less than 0.60
(d) more than 0.60

Q.7. If p is the standard consistency of cement, the amount of water used in conduction the
initial setting time test on cement is
(a) 0.65p
(b) 0.85p
(c) 0.6p
(d) 0.8p (IES)

Q.8. Water cement ratio by weight ___ as compared to water cement ratio by volume.
(a) greater than
(b) less than
(c) equal to
(d) not equal to (IES)

Q.9. The reaction of cement with water is called

(a) curing
(b) segregation
(c) bleeding
(d) hydration
Q.10. Active compounds of cement are
(a) C2S
(b) C3A
(c) C3S
(d) all these

Answers
1. d
2. d
3. d
4. d
5. c
6. c
7. b
8. d
9. d
10. d
 Building Materials (Concrete)
1. Vibrators are used for
(a) consolidation of concrete
(b) compaction of concrete
(c) segregating concrete
(d) all of the above

2. Immersion vibrators are also called

(a) needle vibrators
(b) form vibrators
(c) surface vibrators
(d) none of these

3. A needle vibrator is specified by

(a) dia. of needle
(b) length of needle
(c) frequency of vibrations
(d) both (a) and (b)

4. Curing of concrete is done for

(a) promoting hydration of concrete
(b) promoting hardening of concrete
(c) both (a) and (b)
(d) neither (a) nor (b)

5. High temperature of concrete

(a) reduces slump
(b) increases water requirement
(c) increases cement requirement
(d) all these

6. High temperature of concrete

(a) increases hydration
(b) causes poor gel formation
(c) reduces strength and setting time
(d) all these

7. The temperature of concrete is maintained during hot weather conditions by cooling

(a) coarse aggregate
(b) sand
(c) cement
(d) water (AMIE June99)

8. Setting time can be retarded by using

(a) sugar, 0.05% by weight of cement
(b) lime
(c) clay
(d) none of these

9. Concrete strength is mentioned on a specified age of

(a) 7 days
(b) 14 days
(c) 21 days
(d) 28 days
10. At 7 days age of curing, a concrete cube gives comprehensive strength on testing,
about____% of its 28 days strength.
(a) 80%
(b) 70%
(c) 50%
(d) 45% (AMIE June97, IES 1995)
 Building Materials (Concrete)
Q.1. For a 1:2.5:4.5 concrete mix, sand required per bag of cement would be
(a) 35 litres
(b) 88 litres
(c) 160 litres
(d) none of these

Q.2. For a 1:2.5:4.5 concrete mix, coarse aggregate required per bag of cement would be
(a) 35 litres
(b) 88 litres
(c) 160 litres
(d) none of these

Q.3. For a 1:2.5:4.5 concrete mix, if bulk densities of fine aggregate(sand) and coarse
aggregate are 1.5 kg/litre and 1.6 kg/litre respectively, then sand required per bag of cement
would be
(a) 50 kg
(b) 132 kg
(c) 256 kg
(d) none of these

Q.4. For a 1:2.5:4.5 concrete mix, if bulk densities of fine aggregate(sand) and coarse
aggregate are 1.5 kg/litre and 1.6 kg/litre respectively, then coarse sand required per bag of
cement would be
(a) 50 kg
(b) 132 kg
(c) 256 kg*
(d) none of these
Q.5. The dry volume of cement concrete is about ____ than is wet volume.
(a) 50% more
(b) 55% more
(c) 50% less
(d) 55% less (AMIE June98)

Q.6. 100NT concrete mixer is

(a) a non tilting concrete mixer
(b) a tilting type concrete mixer
(c) capable of yielding 100 litres of finally mixed concrete
(d) both (a) and (c)

Q.7. Consider the following statements:

A concrete mixer is specified by the
1. Volume of the mixing drum
2. horse power of the prime mover
3. volume of mixed concrete discharged
4. mixer drum speed
(a) 1,2 and 5 are correct
(b) 1,3 and 4 are correct
(c) 3 and 5 are correct
(d) 2 and 4 are correct (IES 1997)

Q.8. The optimum number of revolutions over which concrete is required to be mixed in a
mixer machine is
(a) 10
(b) 20
(c) 50
(d) 100 (IES 1997)

Q.9. Presence of 5% voids would reduce strength of concrete by

(a) 5%
(b) 10%
(c) 15%
(d) 30%

Q.10. In mechanical compaction of concrete, stiffer mixes can be used with

(a) higher w/c ratio
(b) lower w/c ratio
(c) any w/c ratio
(d) none of these

Answers
b
c
b
c
a
d
b
b
d
b
 Building Materials (Concrete)
Q.1. In a warehouse, number of cement bags placed one above the other should not be more
than
(a) 5
(b) 10
(c) 15
(d) 20
Q.2. In a warehouse, height of one pile of cement bags should not be more than
(a) 1m
(b) 1.5 m
(c) 1.7 m
(d) 2.7 m
Q.3. In a warehouse, width of one pile of cement bags should not be more than
(a) 1m
(b) 1.5 m
(c) 2.0 m
(d) 3.0 m
Q.4. In a warehouse, cement bag occupies on an average
(a) 25 litres of space
(b) 50 litres of space
(c) 75 litres of space
(d) none of these
Q.5. Average height of one cement bag is
(a) 10 cm
(b) 15 cm
(c) 18 cm
(d) 25 cm
Q.6. In a warehouse, distance between stacks of cement and outside walls is
(a) 10 cm
(b) 20 cm
(c) 30 cm
(d) 40 cm
Q.7. Weigh batching of cement is
(a) more accurate than volume batching
(b) less accurate than volume batching
(c) used for important works
(d) both (a) and (c)
Q.8. For 50 litres of cement, a container should have dimensions(L x B x H)
(a) 25 cm x 25 cm x 40 cm
(b) 27 cm x 27 cm x 48 cm
(c) 31 cm x 31 cm x 52 cm
(d) none of these
Q.9. For 25 litres of cement, a container should have dimensions(L x B x H)
(a) 25 cm x 25 cm x 40 cm
(b) 27 cm x 27 cm x 48 cm
(c) 31 cm x 31 cm x 52 cm
(d) none of these
Q.10. A cement bag contains
(a) 25 litres of cement
(b) 35 litres of cement
(c) 50 litres of cement
(d) none of these (IES 1992)
Q.11. A cement bag contains
(a) 25 kg of cement
(b) 35 kg of cement
(c) 50 kg of cement
(d) none of these

Answers
c
d
d
b
c
c
d
c
a
b
c
 Building Materials (Concrete)
Q.1. Compaction factor test is used to measure
(a) water cement ratio
(b) workability
(c) compressive strength
(d) tensile strength (IES 1992,94)

Q.2. Compaction factor test is used for

(a) dry mixes where slump test generally fails
(b) wet mixes where slump test generally fails
(c) both dry and wet mixes
(d) none of these

Q.3. In compaction factor(C.F.) test, the two top and middle hoppers are
(a) cylindrical
(b) hexagonal
(c) rectangular
(d) conical

Q.4. In compaction factor test, the bottom container is

(a) conical
(b) rectangular
(c) hexagonal
(d) cylindrical

Q.5. In compaction factor test, if the weight of concrete in bottom cylinder(without

compaction) is w and that of after filling a similar concrete and compaction, is W, then
(a) C.F. = W/w
(b) C.F. = w/W
(c) C.F. = loge(W/w)
(d) C.F. = loge(w/W)

Q.6. C.F. for concreting of small sections with vibration should be

(a) 0.75 to 0.80
(b) 0.80 to 0.85
(c) 0.85 to 0.92
(d) greater than 0.92
Q.7. C.F. for concreting of lightly reinforced sections with vibration should be
(a) 0.75 to 0.80
(b) 0.80 to 0.85
(c) 0.85 to 0.92
(d) greater than 0.92

Q.8. C.F. for concreting of lightly reinforced sections without vibration should be
(a) 0.75 to 0.80
(b) 0.80 to 0.85
(c) 0.85 to 0.92
(d) greater than 0.92
Q.9. C.F. for concreting of heavily reinforced sections without vibration should be
(a) 0.75 to 0.80
(b) 0.80 to 0.85
(c) 0.85 to 0.92
(d) greater than 0.92

Q.10. Slump for concreting of lightly reinforced sections without vibration should be
(a) 10 to 15 mm
(b) 15 to 25 mm
(c) 25 to 75 mm
(d) 75 to 125 mm

Answers:
1. b
2. a
3. d
4. d
5. b
6. a
7. b
8. c
9. d
10. c
 Building Materials (Concrete)
Q.1. Slump test is used to measure
(a) water cement ratio
(b) bleeding
(c) segregation
(d) workability

Q.2. Slump test is used for

(a) comparing mixes of different proportions
(b) lean dry mixes where the water/cement ratio is low
(c) measuring consistency of successive batches
(d) all the above (IES 1992)

Q.3. The truncated cone used in slump test has a top diameter of
(a) 10 cm
(b) 20 cm
(c) 25 cm
(d) none of these

Q.4. The truncated cone used in slump test has a bottom diameter of
(a) 10 cm
(b) 20 cm
(c) 25 cm
(f) none of these

Q.5. The truncated cone used in slump test has a top height of
(a) 10 cm
(b) 20 cm
(c) 25 cm
(d) none of these

Q.6. In slump test, concrete is poured in

(a) one layer
(b) two layers
(c) three layers
(d) four layers

Q.7. In slump test, each layer of concrete is temped uniformly by

(a) 12 mm dia. and 60 cm long tamping rod
(b) 16 mm dia. and 60 cm long tamping rod
(c) 20 mm dia. and 60 cm long tamping rod
(d) none of these

Q.8. In above question, the tamping rod is

(a) egg shaped
(b) bullet ended
(c) arrow shaped
(d) none of these

Q.9. If the slump of concrete is less than the desired then

(a) fine particles in aggregate has decreased
(b) fine particles in aggregate has increased
(c) coarse particles in aggregate has decreased
(d) coarse particles in aggregate has increased
Q.10. If the slump of concrete is more than the desired then
(a) aggregate grading is becoming coarser
(b) aggregate grading is becoming finer
(c) aggregate grading needs adjustment in proportioning of fine aggregate and coarse aggregate
(d) both (a) and (c)

Answers
1. d
2. c
3. a
4. d
5. c
6. c
7. b
8. b
9. b
10. d
 Building Materials (Concrete)
Q.1. Concrete grows with age. This statement is
(a) true
(b) false
(c) debatable
(d) given by Duff Abrams

Q.2. Concrete in the structural member has to pass through

(a) plastic stage
(b) hardened stage
(c) both (a) and (b) above
(d) neither (a) nor (b)

Q.3. Separation of the coarse aggregate from mortar is called

(a) bleeding
(b) segregation
(c) compaction
(d) none of the these

Q.4. The ease with which concrete can be compacted fully without segregation is called
(a) bleeding
(b) segregation
(c) workability
(d) none of these

Q.5. Segregation can be prevented by

(a) properly grading the aggregate
(b) controlling water content in a mix
(c) using correct handling procedures
(d) all the above

Q.6. Separation of cement paste from sand in the mortar allowing the water or cement paste to
appear at the surface is called
(a) bleeding
(b) segregation
(c) honeycombing
(d) none of these

Q.7. Consider the following statements

Sand in mortar is needed for
1. decreasing the quantity of cement
2. reducing shrinkage
3. decreasing the surface area of the binding material
4. increasing the strength
Of these statements
(a) 2,3, and 4 are correct
(b) 1,2 and 3 are correct
(c) 1,3 and 4 are correct
(d) 1,2 and 4 are correct

Q.8. Bleeding can be prevented by

(a) controlling water content
(b) using finely ground cement
(c) controlling compaction
(d) all the above
Q.9. Bleeding of concrete may be due to
1. excess of water
2. too much finishing
3. coarse aggregates
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1,2 and 3

Answers:
1.(a)
2.(c)
3.(b)
4.(c)
5.(d)
6.(a)
7.(b)
8.(d)
9.(a)