Vicat needle is used in determination of

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

Initial setting time of cement should not be less than

(a)
15 minutes
(b)
30 minutes
(c)
28 minutes
(d)1 hour (IES 1992)
Final setting time of cement should not be more than
(a)
1 hour
(b)
2 hours
(c)
5 hours
(d)
10 hours

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)

 The ability of cement to maintain a constant volume is called

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

Ans- C
Ans- A
Honeycombs are hollow spaces and cavities left in concrete
mass on surface or inside the concrete mass where
concrete could not reach. These look like honey bees nest.
Flash set - concrete stiffens quickly and is difficult to place,
consolidate, and finish If inadequate amounts of gypsum
are added to the cement, flash set can occur
Soundness means the ability to resist volume expansion.

 Soundness of cement is tested by

(a)
Vicat apparatus
(b)
Le Chatalier apparatus
(c)
soundness meter
(d)Duff Abrams apparatus

In the soundness test, the whole assembly is immersed in water at a

temperature of
(a)
19 10 degree C
(b)
27 10 degree C
(c)
37 10 degree C
(d)47 10 degree C
In the soundness test, the whole assembly is immersed in water for
(a)
30 minutes
(b)
1 hour
(c)
24 hours
(d)
48 hours

 Sulphate resisting cement is useful in structures

(a)
in river waters
(b)
sea waters
(c)
in cold environment
(d)in hot environment
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
Pozzolana contains
(a)
silica
(b)
alumina
(c)
both (a) and (b)
(d)
neither (a) nor (b)

Ans-b
Ans-a
Ans-c

For given water content, workability decreases if the

concrete aggregates contain an excess of

1. Thin particles
2. Flat particles
3. Elongated particles
4. Flaky particles
5. All of the above

For ensuring quality of concrete, use

1.
2.
3.
4.

single sized aggregates

two sized aggregate
graded aggregates
Coarse aggregates.

 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)
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)

Ans- d
Ans a

 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

Ans- A
Factors affecting workability:
1.Water content in the concrete mix
2.Amount of cement & its Properties
3.Aggregate Grading (Size Distribution)
4.Nature of Aggregate Particles (Shape, Surface
Texture, Porosity etc.)
5.Temperature of the concrete mix

 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
The risk of segregation is more for:
A.
wetter mix
B.
larger proportion of maximum size aggregate
C.
coarser grading
D.
all the above.

Ans- b
Ans- d

The volume increase of fine aggregate due to

presence of moisture content is known as
bulking.
Concrete creep is defined as: deformation of
structure under sustained load. It is a long term
effect.

 Select the incorrect statement

a) Lean mixes bleed more as compared to rich ones.
b) Bleeding can be minimized by adding pozzolona finer
aggregate.
c) Bleeding can be decreased by addition 'of calcium
chloride.
d) none of the above

Ans- d

 To determine the modulus of rupture,

the size of test specimen used is
a)150 x150 x500 mm
b) 100 x100 x700 mm
c) 150 x150 x700 mm
d) 100 x100 x500 mm

Ans: c
Modulus of Rupture, frequently abbreviated as MOR,
(sometimes referred to as bending strength or
FLEXURAL STRENGTH), is a measure of a specimen's
strength before rupture.

COMPRESSIVE STRENGTH- Cube (150x150x150mm)

SPLIT TENSILE STRENGTH- Cylinders (300x150mm dia)
FLEXURAL STRENGTH- Beams or Prisms
(150x150x700mm)

 The effect of adding calcium chloride 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)

Ans- b

Addition of calcium chloride

Improves workability
Reduces bleeding...this is due to the early
stiffening produced by acceleration and
allows earlier final finishing.

Bulking of sand is directly related to

A. Moisture content
B.
Air entrainment
C. Both A and B
D. None of the above

Ans- b
The bulking of sand is largely depends on
grain size Small the grain size, larger
will be bulking effect and vice versa.
moisture content 5 8 % moisture can
result in 20-35 % increase in volume

 How many times is each layer of concrete rodded

in a slump cone?
a.75
b.25
c.12 to 15
How many layers are placed to fill a slump cone?
a.5 layers
b.3 equal layers by volume
c.3 equal layers by height

 Wp and Wf are the weights of a cylinder

containing partially compacted and fully
compacted concrete. If the compaction
factor is 0.95, the workability of concrete
is
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.

extremely low
very low
low
high
none of these.

Ans- d

Compaction factor is the ratio of the weight of fresh,

partially compacted concrete/ to fully compacted
concrete.
Theoretically the maximum value is 1.0, nearer the
value higher is the workability

M10 grade of concrete approximates

A.
B.
C.
D.
E.

1 : 3 : 6 mix
1 : 1 : 2 mix
1 : 2 : 4 mix
1 : 1.5 : 3 mix
none of these.

Ans-a
M 5- 1:5:10
M7.5- 1:4:8
M10- 1:3:6
M15- 1:2:4
M20- 1:1.5:3
M25- 1:1:2