Q.
1) To determine the modulus of rupture, the size of test
specimen used is
a. 150 × 150 × 500 mm
b. 100 × 100 ×700 mm
c. 150 × 150 × 700 mm
d. 100 × 100 × 500 mm
Answer C
Specimen size is 150 × 150 × 700 mm
Q. 2 The property of fresh concrete, in which the water in
the mix tends to rise to the surface while placing and
compacting, is called
a. Segregation
b. Bleeding
c. Bulking
d. Creep
Answer B
Fresh concrete is that stage of concrete in which concrete can be moulded and it is in
plastic stage.
Segregation is the separation of ingredients to each other in concrete.
Three types:-
[Link] of Coarse aggregate from the concrete mixture,
[Link] of Cement pastes from the concrete during its plastic stage.
[Link] of water from the concrete mix (Bleeding in concrete)
Factors causing segregation in concrete:-
Transporting concrete mixes for long distances.
Poorly proportioned mix
Dropping concrete from more than 1m.
Vibrating concrete for a long time.
Concrete creep is defined as: deformation of structure under sustained load (long
term).
Bleeding of concrete
Q. 3) Select the incorrect Sataement
a. Lean mixes bleed more as compared to rich ones
b. Bleeding can be minimised by adding pozzuolana finer
aggregate
c. Bleeding can be increased by addition of calcium
chloride
d. None of the above
Answer C
Lean concrete - cement content used in concrete is less than about 10% of the total
contents.
Normal concrete - cement content is more than 10 and less than 15%
Rich concrete - cement content in concrete is more than about 15%
Bleeding can be controlled by: -
-Increasing cement content
-Increasing sand content
-Using finer sand
-Using less water
-Using admixtures, Ex. Calcium chloride
-Using a rounded natural sand rather than an angular
Q. 4) The property of the ingredients to separate from
each other while placing the concrete is called
a. Segregation
b. Compaction
c. Shrinkage
d. Bulking
Answer A
b. Compaction is the process that expels entrapped air from freshly placed concrete
and packs the aggregate particles together so as to increase the density of the
concrete.
c. Shrinkage is an inherent property of concrete. The shrinkage in concrete can be
defined as the volume changes observed in concrete due to the loss of moisture at
different stages due to different reasons.
d. The volume increase of fine aggregate due to presence of moisture content is
known as bulking. Fine sand bulks more as compared to coarse sand.
What causes bulking of aggregate: -
The moisture present in aggregate forms a film around each particle. These films of
moisture exert a force, known as surface tension, on each particle. Due to this
surface tension each particles gets away from each other. Because of this no direct
contact is possible among individual particles and this causes bulking of the volume.
Q. 5) Workability of concrete is directly proportional to
a. Aggregate cement ratio
b. Time to transit
c. Grading of the aggregate
d. All of above
Answer C
The property of fresh concrete which is indicated by the amount of useful internal work required
to fully compact the concrete without bleeding or segregation in the finished product.
Factors affecting workability of concrete:
1. Water content or w/c ratio – Increase workability.
2. Mix Proportions - Rich concrete mix is more workable because due to sufficient cement
aggregates will have proper lubrication for easy movement which means more workability.
3. Size of Aggregates - Finer particles require more water for a larger surface,
hence aggregate with finer particles need more water to make it workable.
[Link] Shape of Aggregates - Irregular shape and rougher texture of angular aggregate demand
more water than the round shaped aggregate.
[Link] of Aggregates - Well-graded aggregates tend to fill up voids and easily get workability.
6. Time - Fresh concrete stiffens with time and loss workability
[Link] Cement ratio - More ratio, less workability. Since less cement mean less water, so the
paste is stiff.
[Link] – The use of fine pozzolanic materials also have better lubricating effect and more
workability. Use of air entraining agent produces air bubbles which acts as a sort of ball bearing
between particles and increases mobility, workability
Q. 6) Workability of concrete is inversely proportional to
a. Time of transit
b. Water-cement ratio
c. The air in the mix
d. Size of aggregate
Answer A
Q. 7) Approximate value of shrinkage strain in concrete, is
a 0.003
b 0.0003
c 0.00003
d 0.03
Answer B
Shrinkage is an inherent property of concrete. The shrinkage in concrete
can be defined as the volume changes observed in concrete due to the
loss of moisture at different stages due to different reasons.
The approximate value of the shrinkage strain for design is taken 0.0003
Q. 8) Air entrainment in the concrete increases
a. Workability
b. Strength
c. The effects of temperature variations
d. The unit weight
Answer A
Entrained air are microscopic voids, intentionally introduced to improve the properties of the
concrete but entrapped air are voids of bigger sizes as a result of improper compaction
Effects of entrained air On Fresh Concrete:
Increases workability: By entraining air which can behave has fines it allow the movement of
aggregates by lubricating the concrete paste thus increasing workability.
Reduces segregation and bleeding: Entraining air will improve the mutual adhesion between
cement and aggregate thus reducing segregation.
Effects Of entrained air On Hardened Concrete:
Reduces scaling: The scaling in concrete occurs due to freezing and thawing cycles, in conventional
concrete when temperature falls below freezing point, the water in concrete freezes in the
entrapped air voids, since ice has an increased volume it causes plastic shrinkage cracks and
scaling on the surface of concrete. But in air entrained concrete since the air voids are microscopic
in size the increase in volume of the water freezed will not cause any cracks or scaling.
Effect on strength – entraining air will reduce the strength of concrete.
Q. 9) The relation between modulus of rupture fcr,
splitting strength fcs, and direct tensile strength fct is given
by
a. fcr = fcs = fct
b. fcr > fcs > fct
c. fcr < fcs < fct
d. fcs > fcr > fct
Answer B
Approximate relations are
fcs = 0.66fcr
fct = 0.50fcr
Q. 10) Approximate value of the ratio between direct
tensile strength and flexural strength is
a 0.33
b 0.5
c 0.75
d 1.0
Answer B
Q. 11) strength of concrete increases with
a. Increase in water-cement ratio
b. Increase in fineness of cement
c. Decrease in curing time
d. Decrease in size of aggregate
Answer B
a. The ratio of the weight of water to the weight of cement is called Water/Cement
ratio. Generally, the water/cement ratio of 0.45 to 0.60 is used.
b. Increasing the fineness of cement
1. Reduces the amount of bleeding in concrete.
2. The workability of concrete is increased.
[Link] strength of concrete increases.
c. Curing provides sufficient water to concrete for completing the hydration process
d. Greater the size of coarse aggregate, greater strength of concrete with two
conditions: -
1. Coarse aggregate properly graded
2. Maximum size of aggregate should not be greater than 1/5th of least size.
Q. 12) The relation between modulus of rupture fcr and
characteristic strength of concrete fck is given by
a. fcr = 0.35√fck
b. fcr = 0.5√fck
c. fcr = 0.7√fck
d. fcr = 1.2√fck
Answer C
Q. 13) The compressive strength of 100 mm cube as
compared to 150 mm cube is always
a. Less
b. More
c. Equal
d. None of the above
Answer B
Q. 14) According to IS: 456-1978, the modulus of
elasticity of concrete Ec (in N/mm²) can be taken as
a. Ec = 5700√fck
b. Ec = 570√fck
c. Ec = 5700fck
d. Ec= 700√fck
Where fck is the characteristic strength in N/mm²
Answer A
Ec = 5700√fck as per IS 456 : 1978
Ec = 5000√fck as per IS 456 : 2000
Q. 15) Increase in the moisture content in concrete
a. Reduces the strength
b. Increases the strength
c. Does not change the strength
d. All of the above
Answer A
Excess water creates greater spaces between aggregate materials.
Voids fill with air after the moisture evaporates.
Decrease strength of concrete.
Q. 16) As compared to ordinary Portland cement, use of
pozzolanic cement
a. Reduces workability
b. Increases bleeding
c. Decreases shrinkage
d. Increases strength
Answer C
Pozzolana materials namely fly ash, volcanic ash, are added to the OPC so
that it becomes PPC.
Workability:- Defined as the relative ease with which concrete can be
mixed ,transported, moulded and compacted.
Bleeding:- Bleeding in fresh concrete refers to the process where free
water in the mix is pushed upward to the surface due to the settlement
of heavier solid particles such as cement and water.
Shrinkage:- The volumetric changes of concrete structure due to the loss
of moisture by evaporation is known as concrete shrinkage. It is time
dependent deformation which reduces the volume of concrete without
the impact of external forces.
Q. 17) Admixtures which cause early setting and hardening
of concrete are called
a. Workability admixtures
b. Accelerators
c. Retarders
D. Air entraining agents
Answer B
Accelerating admixtures
Is use for reduce setting time.
Use in cold weather.
eg calcium chloride.
Retarding admixtures
Is use for increase setting time.
Use in hot weather and transport for long distance
eg Gypsum, sugar etc.
Q. 18) The most commonly used admixture which
prolongs the setting and hardening time is
a. Gypsum
b. Calcium chloride
c. Sodium silicate
d. All of the above
Answer A
Q. 19) The percentage of voids in cement is approximately
a. 25%
b. 40%
c. 60%
d. 80%
Answer B
Q. 20) The strength of concrete after one year as
compared to 28 days strength is about
a. 10 to 15% more
b. 15 to 20% more
c. 20 to 25% more
d. 25 to 50% more
Answer C
Age Strength per cent
1 day 16%
3 days 40%
7 days 65%
14 days 90%
28 days 99%
Q. 21) As compared to ordinary Portland cement, high
Alumina cement has
a. Higher initial setting time but lower final setting time
b. Lower initial setting time but higher final setting time
c. Higher initial and final setting times
d. Lower initial and final setting times
Answer A
OPC
initial setting time 30 minutes
Final setting time 10 hours
High alumina cement
Initial setting time 3.5 hours
Final setting time 5 hours
Q. 22) Modulus of rupture for concrete is a measure of
a. Flexural tensile strength
b. Direct tensile strength
c. Compressive strength
d. Split tensile strength
Answer A
Q. 23) In order to obtain the best workability of concrete,
the preferred shape of aggregate is
a. Rounded
b. Elongated
c. Angular
d. All of the above
Answer A
Factors affecting workability of concrete:
1. Water content or w/c ratio– Increase workability.
2. Mix Proportions - Rich concrete mix is more workable because due to sufficient cement
aggregates will have proper lubrication for easy movement which means more workability.
3. Size of Aggregates - Finer particles require more water for a larger surface,
hence aggregate with finer particles need more water to make it workable.
[Link] Shape of Aggregates - Irregular shape and rougher texture of angular aggregate demand
more water than the round shaped aggregate.
[Link] of Aggregates - Well-graded aggregates tend to fill up voids and easily get workability.
6. Time - Fresh concrete stiffens with time and loss workability
[Link] Cement ratio - More ratio, less workability. Since less cement mean less water, so the
paste is stiff.
[Link] – The use of fine pozzolanic materials also have better lubricating effect and more
workability. Use of air entraining agent produces air bubbles which acts as a sort of ball bearing
between particles and increases mobility, workability
Q. 24) The effect of adding calcium carbide in concrete is
(I) To increase shrinkage
(II) To decrease shrinkage
(III) To increase setting time
(IV) To decrease setting time
The correct answer is
a. (I) and (III)
b. (I) and (IV)
c. (II) and (III)
d. (II) and (IV)
Answer B
Q. 25) Bulking of sand is maximum if moisture
content is about
a 2%
b 4%
c 6%
d 10%
Answer B
Presence of moisture content forms a thin layer around sand
particles. This layer generates the force which makes particles to
move aside to each other. This results in the increase of the
volume of sand, is called bulking of sand.
As per IS2386-3 Bulking in Sand, Presence of 4% of moisture
content in sand increases 25% of its volume.
Q. 26) Finer grinding of cement
a. Affects only the early development of strength
b. Affects only the ultimate strength
c. Both (a) and (b)
d. Does not affect the strength
Answer A
Cement is in the form of powder, which obtained by grinding the various
raw materials.
The degree to which the cement is ground to smaller to smaller particles
is called fineness cement.
A chemical reaction take places between water and cement is called
hydration.
The strength of cement concrete or motor develops with hydration. More
the rate of hydration faster development of strength.
Finer cement higher the rate of hydration and so faster the development
of strength.
This is because finer cement offer great surface area of particle of
hydration
Q. 27) Poisson’s ratio for concrete
a. Remains constant
b. Increases with richer mixes
c. Decreases with richer mixes
d. None of the above
Answer B
Poisson's ratio is the ratio of lateral strain to longitudinal strain in
a material subjected to loading.
Poisson's ratio varies between 0.1 and 0.2
It is normally taken as 0.15 for strength design.
Q. 28) 1% of voids in a concrete mix would reduces
it’s strength by about
a 5%
b 10%
c 15%
d 20%
Answer A
Smallair bubbles are intentionally introduced into the mix using
admixtures is entrained air.
Larger bubbles are during mixing is entrapped air
Any air voids reduce the strength of concrete.
About a 5% reduction in strength for each 1% increase in the volume of
air voids.
Air voids improve the workability of concrete. Therefore, air-entrained
concrete at a lower w/c can be prepared to provide similar workability to
non-airentrained concrete.
Q. 29) The fineness modulus of fine aggregate is in
the range is
a. 2.0 to 3.5
b. 3.5 to 5.0
c. 5.0 to 7.0
d. 6.0 to 8.5
Answer A
Fineness modulus is an index number which represents the mean
size of the particles. It is calculated by performing sieve analysis
with standard sieves. The cumulative percentage retained on
each sieve is added and divided by 100 gives the value
of fineness modulus.
Fine aggregates FM 2.0 to 3.5
Mixed aggregate FM 5.0 to 7.0
Coarse aggregates (< 38.1 mm) FM 6.0 to 8.5
Q. 30) The factor of safety for
a. Steel and concrete are same
b. Steel is lower than that for concrete
c. Steel is higher than that for concrete
d. None of the above
Answer B
In Limit satate disign (LSM)
Partial Safety factor for steel (1.15) is comparatively lower than
that of concrete (1.5) because the steel for reinforcement is
produced in steel plants and commercially available in specific
diameters with expected better quality control than that of
concrete.
In working stress method (WSM)
factor of safety
Concrete 3 in bending and 4 in direct compression
Yield strength of steel, the value is 1.8.
Q. 31) Examine the following statements
(I) Factor of safety for steel should be based on its yield stress.
(II) Factor of safety for steel should be based on its ultimate stress.
(III) Factor of safety for concrete should be based on its yield stress
(IV) Factor of safety for concrete should be based on its ultimate stress.
The correct statement are
a. (I) and (III)
b. (I) and (IV)
c. (II) and (III)
d. (II) and (IV)
Answer B
A beam collapses when stress in steel is equal to its yield strength and
stress in concrete reaches its ultimate strength.
In Limit satate disign (LSM)
Partial Safety factor for steel (1.15) is comparatively lower than that of
concrete (1.5) because the steel for reinforcement is produced in steel
plants and commercially available in specific diameters with expected
better quality control than that of concrete.
In working stress method (WSM)
The factor of safety used with respect to cube strength of the concrete is
3 for bending and 4 for direct compression and with respect to the yield
strength of steel, the value is 1.8.
Q. 32) For a reinforced concrete section, the shape of
shear stress diagram is
a. Wholly parabolic
b. Wholly rectangular
c. Parabolic above neutral axis and rectangular below
neutral axis
d. Rectangular above neutral axis and parabolic below
neutral axis.
Answer C
Q. 33) Diagonal tension in a beam
a. Is maximum at neutral axis
b. Decreases below the neutral axis and increases above
the neutral axis
c. Increases below the neutral axis and decreases above
the neutral axis
d. Remains same
Answer C
The tension which is caused in the tensile zone of the beam due
to shear, at or near the supports is called as diagonal tension.
Which is caused by shear, cannot be resisted by concrete alone.
So shear reinforcement is provided in the R.C.C. beams to take
up diagonal tension and prevent cracking of beam.
Q. 34) If a beam fails in bond, then its bond strength can
be increased most economically by
a. Increasing the depth of beam
b. Using thinner bars but more in number
c. Using thicker bars but less on number
d. Providing vertical stirrups
Answer B
Bond strength: - is the measure of the effectiveness of the grip between
concrete and steeel.
σbu = Pb / (π x d x l)
where,
σbu = ultimate bond stress
Pb = Bond failure load
d = diameter of bar
l = length of bar
bond strength increases as compressive strength of concrete
increases and the diameter of bar decreases.
Q. 35) If nominal shear stress τv exceeds the design
shear strength of concrete τc, the nominal shear
reinforcement as per IS: 456-1978 shall be provided
for carrying a shear stress equal to
a. τv
b. τc
c. τv – τc
d. τv + τc
Answer C
Nominal shear (τv) : It is simply the shear force generated in
structure due to imposed force(vertical/horizontal) on a given
cross sectional area.
Design shear (τc) is the actual shear strength of the structure
which it can resist
Case 1
If τc > τv then only minimum shear reinforcement will be
provided by
Case 2
If τc < τv then shear reinforcement will be provided for If τv - τc
Q. 36) If the depth of actual neutral axis in a beam is
more than the depth of critical neutral axis, then the
beam is called
a. Balanced beam
b. Under-reinforced beam
c. Over-reinforced beam
d. None of the above
Answers C
1. Balanced Sections
A balanced sections is that in which stress in concrete and steel
reach their permissible value at the same time.
The percentage of steel corresponding to this section is called as
balanced steel and the neutral axis is called as critical neutral axis
2. Under Reinforced Section
The percentage of steel provided is less than that provided in
balanced section.
So the actual neutral axis will shift upwards i.e., Nc > Na
The stress in steel first reaches it permissible value, while the
concrete is under stressed.
3. Over Reinforced Section
The percentage of steel provided is greater than the balanced
section.
So the actual neutral axis shift downward i.e., Na > Nc
Stress in concrete reaches its permissible value while steel is not
fully stressed.
Q. 37) If the depth of neutral axis for a singly reinforced rectangular
section is represented by Kd in working stress design, then the value of k
for balanced section
a. Depends on σst only
b. Depends on σcbc only
c. Depends on both σst and σcbc
d. Is independent of both σst and σcbc
Where d is the effective depth, σst is permissible stress in Steel in tension and σcbc
is permissible stress in concrete in bending compression
Answer A
Critical Depth of Neutral Axis n
d = Efffective depth
σcbc = permissible stress in concrete
σst = permissible stress in steel
Q. 38) If the permissible stress in steel in tension is
140 N/mm², then the depth of neutral axis for a
singly reinforced rectangular balanced section will be
a. 0.35d
b. 0.40d
c. 0.45d
d. Dependent on Grade of Concrete also
Answer B
Q. 39) Modulus of elasticity of Steel as per IS : 456 -1978
shall be taken as
a. 20 KN/cm²
b. 200 KN/cm²
c. 200 KN/mm²
d. 2 × 10^6 N/cm²
Answer C
The ratio of stress to strain of
an elastic substance is
the modulus of elasticity or
young’s modulus.
Steel 200Gpa or 200KN/mm²
Concrete 30 Gpa 30KN/mm³
Q. 40) Minimum grade of concrete to be used in reinforced
concrete as per IS : 456 1978 is
a. M15
b. M20
c. M10
d. M25
Answer A
Minimum grade of concrete to be used in reinforced
concrete as per IS : 456 1978 is M15
Minimum grade of concrete to be used in reinforced
concrete as per IS : 456 2000 is M20
Q. 41) For concreting of heavily reinforced section without
vibration, the workability of concrete expressed as
compacting factor should be
a 0.75 – 0.80
b 0.80 – 0.85
c 0.85 – 0.92
d above 0.92
Answer D
Q. 42) Maximum quantity of water needed per 50kg of
cement for M15 grade of concrete is
a 28 litres
b 30 litres
c 32 litres
d 34 litres
Answer C
Q. 43) In case of hand mixing of concrete, the extra
cement to be added is
a 5%
b 10%
c 15%
d 20%
Answer B
Hand Mixing
For hand mixing, the materials are stacked on a water-tight platform,
which may be either of wood, brick or steel.
Materials mixed at least three times in dry condition.
Mix should be consumed in 30 minutes after adding water.
The mixing by hand is allowed in case of small works of unimportant
works where small quantity of concrete is required.
For important works, if hand mixing is to be adopted, it is advisable to
use 10 percent more cement than specified.
Machine mixing
For machine mixing, all the materials of concrete, including water, are
collected in a revolving drum and then the drum is rotated
Q. 44) For walls, columns and vertical faces of all
structural members, the form work is generally
removed after
a 24 to 48 hours
b 3 days
c 7 days
d 14 days
Answer A
Forms should not be removed until the concrete has sufficiently
hardened in order that it can carry safely its own weight and any other
live loads it is subjected to.
1. Walls, columns and vertical sides of beams → 24 to 48 hours
2. Slabs (props left under) 3 days
3. Beam (props left under) 7 days
Removal of props of slabs
3. Slabs spanning up to 4.5 m → 7 days
4. Slabs spanning Over 4.5 m → 14 days
Removal of props of slabs and arches
5. Removal of beams and arches (Spanning upto 6 m) → 14 days
6. Removal of beams and arches (Spanning over 6 m) → 21 days
Q. 45) The individual variation between test strength of
sample should not be more than
a ± 5% of average
b ± 10% of average
c ± 15% of average
d ± 20% of average
Answer C
Even under strict quality control there may be non uniformity in
the strength of a batch due to non homogenous nature of
concrete as well as human error is obtaining the sample, casting,
curing, testing and strength calculations.
Batching of concrete means measuring different ingredients of
concrete i.e. cement, sand, coarse aggregate and water before
mixing of concrete
IS 456 requires that individual strength must lie within ± 15% of
the average of three specimens.