RANGANATHAN POLYTECHNIC COLLEGE

DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING

CE21032 - CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS &

Construction practice

ONE MARK

PREPARED BY

Devdarsan rAJENDRAN

LECTURER/CIVIL DEPARTMENT

UNIT I

1. Define density.

It is defined as the ratio of mass of the materials to the volume of the

materials of similar materials is called as density.

2. Define bulk density.

The term bulk density is defined as the ratio between the mass to the volume

of any material in natural state is called as bulk density.

3. Define specific gravity.

The ratio of the mass of the given volume of the substance to the mass of the

equal volume of the water at the temperature of 27°C is known as specific gravity.

4. What is porosity?

It indicates the degree by which the volume of the materials is occupied by

the pores.

5. What is water absorption?

The capacity of a material to absorb and retain water is called as water

absorption.

6. Define permeability.

The ability of a material to allow water to pass through it under pressure is

known as permeability.

7. What is meant by chemical resistance?

It is defined as the ability to withstand the actions of acids, alkali, gases and

salt solution is known as chemical resistance.

8. What is fire resistance?

It is the property of a material to absorb heat is called as fire resistance.

9. Define weather resistance.

The term weather resistance is used to mean the ability of a material to resist

the action of high temperature without loss of strength and deformation in shape.

10. Define durability.

It is the property of a material to resist combined action of atmospheric and

other actions is called as durability.

11. What are the classifications of rocks?

Rock s are classified in three ways

Geological classification,

Physical classification and

Chemical classification

12. What are the geological classifications of rocks?

The geological classifications of rocks are

Igneous rocks,

Sedimentary rocks and

Metamorphic rocks.

13. What are the physical classifications of rocks?

The physical classifications of rocks are

Stratified rocks,

Unstratified rocks,

Foliated rocks.

14. What are the chemical classifications of rocks?

The chemical classifications of rocks are

Siliceous rocks,

Argillaceous rocks,

Calcareous rocks,

15. What are the uses of stones?

Used vastly to build monuments,

As foundations to buildings,

In ornamental works,

Aggregate for concrete making.

16. What are the requirements of a good building stone?

The stones should be strong, hard and durable

The stones should be easy to dressing, carving, moldings and cutting,

The grains of stones should be well cemented and sharp.

17. Give some examples of natural stones.

The examples of natural stones are

Cuddappa slabs,

Kota stones,

Sand stone,

Shahabad stone,

Granite and marble.

18. Give some examples for artificial stones.

Cement concrete,

Mosaic tiles,

Terrazzo,

Victoria stones,

Ransom stones.

19. What is a brick?

Bricks are made of clay molded in a requisite size and shape and dried in the

sun.

20. Define pukka bricks.

When a brick is molded to required shape and size, dried in the sun and are

hardened by burning in a kiln is called as pukka bricks.

21. What are the compositions of good brick earth?

Silica 60%

Alumina 20%

Oxides of Fe, Ca, Mg, Na, K, etc... 20%

22. What is the functions of silica?

It produces hardness, resistance to heat and prevents shrinkage and warping.

23. What are the functions of alumina?

It makes the earth plasticity and gives hardness to the bricks.

24. What are the manufacturing processes of brick?

Preparation of earth,

Molding,

Drying and

Hardening.

25. What are the advantages of hardening a brick in a kiln?

Brick are burnt equally and evenly

Heat can be regulated within the chamber,

Fuel can be saved to an extent

Supplies of bricks are throughout.

26. What are the classifications of bricks?

Un burnt bricks

Burnt bricks.

27. What are the properties of good bricks?

Good brick should be free from cracks, flaws, air bubbles, etc...

They should be regular in shape and uniform in size,

Length should be equal to twice the width.

28. Mention the formula to fine the compressive strength of the brick.

C.S = Max.load at failure/loaded area of the bricks.

29. What are the sources of lime?

Limestone from stone hills,

Boulders of limestone from beds of old mines

Kankar found below the ground

Shells of sea animals.

30. What are the classification of lime?

Fat lime,

Hydraulic lime

Poor lime.

UNIT II

1. Define is mortar.

It is paste prepared by adding required quantity of water to mixture of

cement or lime, fine aggregate.

2. What are the properties of mortar?

It should have strength

It should be workable and durable

It should be good binding materials.

3. What are the uses of mortar?

The uses of mortar are

It forms joints of pipe

Helps to prepare moulds,

Improves appearance of structure.

4. What are the constituents of concrete?

Binding materials (cement), fine aggregate, coarse aggregate and water.

5. What are the uses of concrete?

Concrete are used in many works namely in,

Foundation work,

Walls and retaining walls,

Terrace, roof and floor.

6. What are the classifications in concrete based on the bulk density?

Heavy concrete,

Light concrete.

7. How are concrete classified?

Concrete are classified on basis of

Bulk density,

Kind of bonding material,

Nature of application,

Special mortar.

8. How concrete are classified based on the binding materials?

Lime concrete,

Cement concrete,

Gauged concrete,

Mud concrete.

9. How concrete are classified based on the special mortars?

Fire resisting mortar,

Light weight mortar,

Packing mortar,

Sound absorbing mortar.

10. Name some types of concrete.

Lime concrete,

Cement concrete,

Light weight concrete

High strength concrete.

11. Define workability in concrete.

The ease, with which the concrete can be manufactured, transported, placed

and compacted.

12. What is the outline procedure in concrete structure making?

Mixing of ingredients Apply the concrete Compaction of concrete

Curing the concrete.

13. What are the types of compaction?

Hand compaction and

Mechanical compaction.

14. What are the types of mixing?

Hand mixing and

Machine mixing.

15. What are paints?

It is coating a surface with impervious material for the protection against

weather, climate, and impact load and gives good appearance.

16. What are the types of paints?

Oil painting,

Enamel painting,

Emulsion painting,

Distempers,

Cement painting and

Aluminum painting.

17. What are the good qualities of paints?

It should have appearance,

It should dry quickly,

It should spread evenly,

It should be rough and durable.

18. What are the defects in painting?

Chalking

Slow drying

Bloom

Fading, flaking

Running and sagging

19. Define varnish.

It is a solution of resin like lac, copal in oil, turpentine or alcohol, when

applied on a surface dries quickly, leaving a hard, transparent or glossy film.

20. What are the characteristics of good varnish?

It should dry rapidly,

It should form hard, tough and durable film,

It should be resistant to weathering.

21. What are the types of varnish?

Oil varnish,

Turpentine varnish,

Spirit varnish and water varnish.

22. What are the types of metals used in construction?

Cast iron,

Aluminum,

Iron,

Steel,

Galvanized iron,etc…

23. What are the market forms of steel available?

Steel bars of many shades, grades of strength,

High tensile steel for prestressed concrete works,

Stainless steel for special uses.

24. Define plastics.

These are polymers of carbon, compounds along wit h other elements like

hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen etc, and the resins are capable of plastic deformation.

25. What are the characteristics of plasticizers?

Can be made in attractive colors,

Good resistance against almost all chemicals,

Many plastics are quite durable if protected,

Good insulators

26. What are the uses of plastics?

Bath, sink units

Cistern ball float,

Corrugated and plain sheet,

Water tanks and pipes.

27. What are the types of plastics?

Thermo plastics and

Thermo setting plastics.

28. What are the advantages in plastics?

Light weight, handles easily,

Do not attacked by vermins and fungus,

High resistance to corrosion and disintegration.

29. What are the disadvantages of plastics?

High cost, high coefficient of expansion and combustibility.

30. What is asbestos?

When cement is mixed with 15% of asbestos, a paste like fiber is formed

which can be rolled with grooves on teeth.

UNIT- 3

1. What is meant by sub structures?

Any structural component of a building that is underneath the earth surface

is called as substructureEg.foundation.

2. What is meant by superstructure?

Any structural component of a building that is above the ground level is

called as superstructure.Eg.beams, columns.

3. What is a load bearing structure?

The structural component which takes load along with the self weight and

transfers it is called as load bearing structure.

4. What is non load bearing structure?

The structural which takes only the self weight and transfers s called as non

load bearing structure.

5. What is a framed structure?

It consists of series of frames formed of columns and pillars which are

connected by means of beams at floor or roof level is called as framed structure.

6. Define cladding.

The thin sheets required to enclose the panels of the light framed structure is

called as cladding.

7. What are the materials used for cladding?

Thin concrete slabs and tiles are the examples for cladding materials.

8. What are the advantages of framed structure?

Thin wall panels

Economy in construction

Speed in construction

Resistance to vibrations.

9. Define foundation.

A structure which transfers load from the building to the ground (earth) in a

building is called as foundation.

10. What are the objectives of foundation?

Provides a leveled and hard surface,

Transfers load of the super structure to the soil

Gives stability to the structure.

11. Define bearing capacity of the soil.

Load carrying capacity of the soil per unit area is called as bearing capacity.

12. What is safe bearing capacity of the soil?

SBC = ultimate bearing capacity /factor of safety.

13. Define ultimate bearing capacity.

It is defined as the minimum gross pressure intensity at the base of the

foundation at which the soil fails in shear.

14. What are the factors affecting the bearing capacity of the soil?

Type of the soil,

Physical property of the soil,

Type of foundation,

Size and shape of the foundation.

15. What are the requirements of the good foundation?

The foundation should be stable against any possible failure,

Bearing pressure of the foundation should be within allowable soil

pressure

Settlement of the foundation should be within reasonable limits.

16. What are major types of foundation?

Shallow foundation (depth of foundation=width of the foundation)

Deep foundation.

17 What are the types of shallow foundation?

Isolated foundation

Spread foundation

Continuous foundation

Raft foundation

Combined foundation.

18. What are the types of piles?

Bearing piles,

Friction piles and

Under reamed piles.

19. What are the causes of failure of a foundation?

Unequal settlement of the subsoil adjacent to the structure

Horizontal movement of the soil adjacent to the structure

Alternate swelling and shrinkage during change of season.

20. What are the remedial measures for foundation failure?

Foundation should be on hard rock.

Loading should be axial, if eccentric in unavoidable situation it should be

within permissible limits.

21. What is meant by stone masonry?

Any construction made by using stone blocks with mortar is known as stone

masonry.

22. What are points to be considered in the construction of stone masonry?

Stone should confirm the required specification,

Stone should be well watered before use,

Stone should be laid on natural bed,

No tensile strength should be developed.

23. What are the tools used in stone masonry?

Trowel, spirit level, plumbob, chisel, etc…

24. Define brick masonry.

Construction carried using brick and mortar is called as brick masonry.

25. What are the permissible stresses in bricks?

Brick masonry in mud 140KN/m2

Brick masonry in lime mortar 220 to 400 KN/m2

Brick masonry in cement mortar440 to 550 KN/m2

26. Define bond in brick masonry.

The interlocking arrangement of brick so as to prevent the occurrence of

continuous vertical joints is called as bond.

27. What are the types of the bond?

Header bond (arranged in direction of breathe of the wall)

Stretcher bond (arranged in direction of length of the wall)

English bond.

30. What is English bond?

Alternative courses of stretcher and header, strongest of all bonds.

UNIT 4

1. Define doors.

It is a structure which is hinged at one end and movable at the other,can be

moved along the hinged axis.

2. What are the uses of the door?

Gives access to each and every room in a house

Can be used and safety and security purpose

3. What are the factors affect the width of the road?

The size of the room,

Location of the door,

Climatic condition,

Direction of the wind flow.

4. Where should doors and windows be located?

Should be located near the corner of the room

Should not cause disturbance to interior decorations,

Should not affect light and air flow.

5. What are the different materials used to manufacture doors?

Glass, wood, metal and plastics.

6. What are the component parts of a door?

Frame, style, head, top rail, bottom rail, panel.

7. What are the different types of doors available?

Framed door and panel door,

Glazed door,

Sliding door,

Flush door, etc…

8. What are the different types of window available?

Casement window, glazed window,

Bay window,

Cornered window,

Circular window.

9. What is a hollow block in construction?

It is a type of block which is manufactured by using cement and concrete of

desired size and shape.

10. What are the advantages of hollow blocks?

Cost of plastering is reduced,

Requirement of cement mortar is reduced,

Cost of the block is less,

Good thermal and acoustical insulation.

11. What are the grades of hollow blocks?

Grade A, density of 1500 kg/m3

Grade B , density <1500 kg/m3.

12. What are the physical properties of hollow blocks?

Compressive strength,

Drying shrinkage,

Water absorption,

Moisture movement and

Appearance.

13. What are the uses of light weight aggregate?

It is used in blocks manufacturing, used for non load bearing walls only.

14. What are the advantages of autoclave cellular blocks?

It is used for partition,

The blocks will not shrink on drying.

15. Define stairs.

It is a structure having series of steps that helps to connect floors at different

levels.

16. What is stair case?

It is an enclosure in which stairs are located in a building is called as stair

case.

17. What are the types of stair case?

Based on the materials used,

Brick stairs,

RCC stairs,

Stone, timber and steel stairs.

Based on the shape,

Straight stairs,

Dog legged stairs,

Open well stairs,

Spiral stairs, etc...

18. What is meant by escalators?

The stairs which keeps on moving automatically due to the mechanical

energy is called as escalators.

19. Define lift.

It is defined as an enclosure that is raised and lowered in a vertical way

between the floors is called as lift.

20. What are the types of lift?

Box lift ,

Platform lift and

Stair lift.

21. What are the advantages of lifts?

Consumes less power,

Saves time,

Quick transportation.

22. Under what circumstances to recommend lift?

When there are lot people,

Used in hospitals and in commercial buildings for aged people.

23. Define floor.

It is the horizontal element of a building structure which divides the building

into two different levels.

24. What are the types of timber floors?

Ground floor of timber,

Single joist timber floor,

Double joist timber floor,

Triple joist timber floor.

25. What are the materials used for flooring?

Asphalt, brick, concrete, marble, glass, etc...

26. What are the factors affecting selection of floors?

Appearance of the floor,

Cleaning,

Comfort,

Slippery,

Fire and noise resistance.

27. What are the types of floors?

Mosaic floors,

Granolithic floors,

Tiled floor,

Concrete floor,

Marble floor and PVC floor.

28. Define roof.

The uppermost part of the building which is supported on structural member

and covered with roofing materials.

29. What is flat roof?

A roof which is commonly flat is known as flat roof. The construction of the

flat roof is as same as the rest except the top surface.

30. What is meant by pitched roof?

The roof which is commonly used for roofing large spanned structures like

factories,waer houses is called as pitched roof.

UNIT 5

1. What are the objectives of providing points?

To improve the appearance of the structure,

To protect the exposed surface from the atmospheric action,

To rectify defective workmanship.

2. Define pointing.

Generally in brick or stone masonry mortar joints are considered weakest

spots, so the finishing of these joints is called as pointing.

3. What are the types of pointing?

Flush of flat pointing,

Recessed pointing,

Weathered pointing,

Key or grooved pointing.

4. Define plastering.

The process of covering the rough surface with a plastic material to obtain

an even, smooth, clean and durable surface.

5. What are the objectives of plastering?

To conceal defective workmanship,

To preserve and to protect the surface from the atmospheric influence,

To provide, even, smooth and durable surface.

6. What are the requirements of good plaster?

Should provide smooth, non absorbent and washable surface,

Should not contract in volume on drying,

Should provide high resistance against thermal and climatic condition.

7. What are the methods of plastering?

Plastering in two coats,

Plastering in three coats.

8. What are the defects in plastering?

Blistering of plastic surface,

Cracks,

Efflorescence,

Flaking,

Peeling and

Rust stains.

9. What is stucco plastering?

These are decorative plaster used on both interior and exterior wall which

resembles like marble finish.

10. What are the special requirements in plastering?

High durability,

Fire proofing.

Heat insulation and

Sound insulation.

11. Define acoustic plasters.

These are used as sound proofing materials used in the building such as

theatres,musichalls,churches,etc..

12. What are the uses of wall papers?

Widely used for decorative purposes,

To conceal poor workmanship.

13. What is the procedure in applying wall papers?

Surface should be dried, cleaned made free from chalk and lime

solution,

Cracks are filled, surface is covered with suitable paste,

Wall paper is pasted above the surface.

14. What are the steps followed in white wash?

Preparation of white wash,

Preparation of surface,

Application of white wash.

15. What is distempering?

It is the process of applying distempers over the surface, it is less cost than

paints.

16. Define varnish.

The process of applying suitable plastic materials over wooden surface is

called as varnish.

17. Define anti termite treatment.

Termite proofing is given in building so as to prevent or control the termite

in the building.

18. What are the methods of termite proofing?

Soil treatment with chemicals,

Structural barriers.

19. Define scaffoldings.

It is a temporary structure which is used in building operations to support

platform for workman, materials, etc...

20. What are the component parts of scaffoldings?

Strandards,

Putlogs,

Ledgers,

Plank and guard boards.

21. What are the types of scaffoldings?

Single scaffoldings,

Double scaffoldings and

Steel scaffoldings.

22. Define shoring.

It is a temporary structure in a building which aids in supporting an unsafe

structure.

23. When does a structure becomes unsafe?

Due to unequal settlement of foundation,

Due to the removal of adjacent building,

When any alterations are being made.

24. What are the types of shoring?

Racking shoring,

Fly shoring,

Dead shoring.

25. Under what circumstance dead shoring is used?

When lower part of the wall becomes defective,

When foundations are to be deepened,

When lower portion of wall is reconstructed.