Building Construction Questions

• Retaining wall design — identify the incorrect statement (choose the wrong requirement) Which of the following statements about retaining wall safety and drainage is incorrect? Select the one that does not reflect good engineering practice.
• Concrete curing — definition and purpose in construction In concrete technology, the process of maintaining adequate moisture (and favorable temperature) in freshly placed concrete for a specified period after finishing is known as what?
• Brick bonds in masonry — Dutch bond classification In traditional brickwork, the Dutch bond is regarded as a modification of which standard bond system?
• Improving soil bearing capacity — identify the method that does NOT help Which of the following actions does not improve the bearing capacity of soils for foundations?
• Brick units — dimensions of a half queen closer In brick masonry terminology, what are the dimensions (in cm) of a half queen closer when using standard bricks corresponding to the given options?
• Foundations on sandy soils — typical limit for differential settlement For building foundations resting on sandy soil, what is the usual maximum permissible differential settlement to be adopted in design and serviceability checks?
• Parts of an arch — name of the lower half between crown and skewback In masonry arches, what is the term for the lower half portion of the arch ring located between the crown and the skewback at the springing?
• Strength of brick masonry in 1:6 cement mortar — typical value For brick masonry constructed with a 1:6 cement mortar mix, what is the typical compressive strength taken for design/estimation purposes (in tonnes/m²)?
• Choosing foundations for heavy structures on sandy soil For heavy structures founded on sandy deposits, which type of shallow foundation is generally preferred to distribute loads effectively?
• Grillage foundation detailing — minimum 15 cm cover location In steel grillage foundations, a minimum concrete cover of about 15 cm is typically provided at which location to protect the steelwork?
• Raft (mat) foundations — typical uses and advantages Select the most appropriate combined statement describing when raft foundations are adopted in building and civil works.
• Building Construction – Expansion joints in long masonry walls For masonry walls in buildings, expansion joints are provided when the uninterrupted wall length exceeds which limit?
• Masonry Terminology – Name of an arch built with finely dressed stone blocks An arch constructed using carefully finished, finely dressed stone voussoirs is known as what type of arch?
• Cement Concrete Flooring – Layer composition (identify the incorrect layer specification) For a typical multilayer cement concrete floor over ground, which of the following layer specifications is incorrect?
• Brick Masonry – Practices that ensure good bonding Which single practice listed below most directly promotes good bonding in brick masonry work?
• Ashlar Masonry – Joint thickness limit for finely dressed work In which type of ashlar masonry are stones finely chisel-dressed so that the thickness of joints does not exceed about 3 mm?
• Soil Mechanics – Which ground has the highest ultimate bearing capacity? Considering common natural grounds, which category typically provides the maximum bearing capacity for shallow foundations?
• Cost Planning – Statements about economical building design Which of the following statements about minimizing building cost is correct?
• Building Pathology – Effects of dampness on finishes and fabric Which of the following problems can be caused by dampness in buildings?
• Expansive Soils – Behaviour of black cotton soil (high-plasticity clay) Which statements describe the characteristic behaviour of black cotton soil?