PlacementPrepThe standard size of a modular brick in India is:
Solution
Nominal size with mortar is 200 × 100 × 100 mm.
Answer: (A) 190 mm × 90 mm × 90 mm
Technical · Civil Engineering
Building Materials MCQs for placement tests
20 technical questions of moderate difficulty, as asked in campus placement and company tests. Each has a short explanation.
Ordinary Portland cement mainly gains strength by:
Solution
Cement compounds react with water to form strong hydrates.
Answer: (A) Hydration
The initial setting time of ordinary Portland cement should be at least:
Solution
As per IS codes, initial setting time is not less than 30 minutes.
Answer: (D) 30 minutes
The final setting time of ordinary Portland cement should not exceed:
Solution
IS 269 limits the final setting time to 600 minutes.
Answer: (C) 600 minutes (10 hours)
Which compound of cement gives early strength?
Solution
C₃S hydrates quickly and gives strength in the first weeks.
Answer: (A) Tricalcium silicate (C₃S)
Gypsum is added to cement to:
Solution
It slows the rapid reaction of C₃A.
Answer: (C) Control setting time
The fineness of cement is tested using:
Solution
Vicat tests setting time and consistency; Le Chatelier tests soundness.
Answer: (C) Sieve test or Blaine's air permeability apparatus
Soundness of cement is tested using:
Solution
It measures expansion due to free lime.
Answer: (C) Le Chatelier apparatus
Seasoning of timber is done to:
Solution
Seasoned timber is stronger and more durable.
Answer: (D) Reduce its moisture content
Which stone is metamorphic?
Solution
Marble forms from limestone under heat and pressure.
Answer: (B) Marble
Granite is an example of:
Solution
It forms from slowly cooled magma.
Answer: (B) Igneous rock
Efflorescence on brick walls is caused by:
Solution
Water carries salts to the surface, where they crystallise.
Answer: (A) Soluble salts in the bricks
Water absorption of first-class bricks should not exceed:
Solution
Good bricks absorb less water.
Answer: (C) 20% of dry weight
Lime that sets by absorbing carbon dioxide from air is:
Solution
Fat (non-hydraulic) lime hardens by carbonation.
Answer: (D) Fat lime
Which steel is most commonly used as reinforcement in RCC in India?
Solution
High-yield deformed bars bond well with concrete.
Answer: (A) HYSD / TMT bars (Fe 415, Fe 500)
Bitumen is mainly used in:
Solution
It is a binder for flexible pavements.
Answer: (B) Road construction and waterproofing
Which test checks the workability of fresh concrete?
Solution
The slump cone measures how much the concrete settles.
Answer: (A) Slump test
The process of keeping concrete moist for strength gain is called:
Solution
Curing allows proper hydration.
Answer: (A) Curing
Which admixture speeds up the setting of concrete?
Solution
Accelerators are used in cold weather or for early strength.
Answer: (A) Accelerator (e.g. calcium chloride)
Fly ash in concrete acts as a:
Solution
It reacts with calcium hydroxide to form extra binding compounds.
Answer: (C) Pozzolanic material
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