50 Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) on Building Materials & Construction by home academy
Section A: Bricks, Stones, Cement, Concrete, Timber, Steel (Properties & Uses)
-
The compressive strength of a good quality brick should not be less than:
A) 3.5 MPa
B) 5 MPa
C) 7 MPa
D) 10 MPa
✅ Answer: C -
The first class bricks are usually burnt at:
A) 500°C
B) 700°C
C) 900°C
D) 1100°C
✅ Answer: D -
The main constituent of brick earth which imparts plasticity is:
A) Lime
B) Silica
C) Alumina
D) Magnesia
✅ Answer: C -
Which stone is best suited for carving?
A) Granite
B) Marble
C) Basalt
D) Quartzite
✅ Answer: B -
The main chemical compound in cement responsible for early strength is:
A) C2S
B) C3S
C) C3A
D) C4AF
✅ Answer: B -
Concrete gains most of its strength in:
A) 3 days
B) 7 days
C) 14 days
D) 28 days
✅ Answer: D -
Seasoning of timber is done to remove:
A) Bark
B) Hardness
C) Moisture
D) Colour
✅ Answer: C -
Which of the following is a hardwood?
A) Deodar
B) Mango
C) Sal
D) Pine
✅ Answer: C -
Steel is an alloy of:
A) Iron and Carbon
B) Iron and Zinc
C) Iron and Aluminium
D) Iron and Lead
✅ Answer: A -
Ductility of steel means it can:
A) Withstand fire
B) Be hardened
C) Be drawn into wires
D) Resist corrosion
✅ Answer: C
🔹 Section B: Types of Cement, Mortar & Concrete
-
Portland Pozzolana Cement (PPC) contains:
A) Slag
B) Fly ash
C) Gypsum
D) None
✅ Answer: B -
White cement is prepared from:
A) Limestone free from iron
B) Clay
C) Shale
D) Magnesia
✅ Answer: A -
The initial setting time of ordinary Portland cement should not be less than:
A) 30 min
B) 45 min
C) 1 hr
D) 15 min
✅ Answer: A -
The strongest type of mortar is made with:
A) Lime and sand
B) Cement and sand
C) Mud and straw
D) Gypsum and sand
✅ Answer: B -
Which concrete is used in underwater construction?
A) Ready mix
B) Precast
C) Tremie
D) Fiber reinforced
✅ Answer: C -
The slump test is used to measure:
A) Strength
B) Durability
C) Workability
D) Setting time
✅ Answer: C -
Quick setting cement sets within:
A) 5 minutes
B) 15 minutes
C) 30 minutes
D) 1 hour
✅ Answer: B -
Hydraulic cement sets in:
A) Open air
B) Sunlight
C) Water
D) Dry conditions
✅ Answer: C -
The ratio of cement:sand for rich mortar is:
A) 1:2
B) 1:6
C) 1:4
D) 1:3
✅ Answer: A -
Which cement is most suitable for massive concrete structures like dams?
A) Quick setting cement
B) Sulphate resisting cement
C) Low heat cement
D) Ordinary Portland cement
✅ Answer: C
🔹 Section C: Curing, Workability
-
Minimum curing period for concrete is:
A) 3 days
B) 7 days
C) 10 days
D) 28 days
✅ Answer: B -
Curing is done to:
A) Reduce cost
B) Increase strength
C) Improve setting time
D) Increase workability
✅ Answer: B -
Water-cement ratio mainly affects:
A) Colour
B) Strength
C) Weight
D) Durability
✅ Answer: B -
The workability of concrete can be improved by:
A) Increasing sand
B) Decreasing water
C) Using admixtures
D) Reducing cement
✅ Answer: C -
Which test is used to check workability of concrete?
A) Slump test
B) Impact test
C) Compression test
D) Fineness test
✅ Answer: A
🔹 Section D: Foundations, Walls, Floors, Roofs, Plastering, Pointing
-
The most commonly used foundation in buildings is:
A) Deep foundation
B) Pile foundation
C) Raft foundation
D) Spread footing
✅ Answer: D -
Which foundation is suitable for black cotton soil?
A) Spread footing
B) Mat foundation
C) Under-reamed piles
D) None of these
✅ Answer: C -
The main function of a foundation is to:
A) Add beauty
B) Increase height
C) Transfer load to soil
D) Provide space
✅ Answer: C -
Partition walls are usually:
A) Load-bearing
B) Non-load bearing
C) Waterproof
D) Horizontal
✅ Answer: B -
The minimum thickness of a load-bearing brick wall should be:
A) 100 mm
B) 150 mm
C) 200 mm
D) 230 mm
✅ Answer: D -
The floor most suitable for dance halls is:
A) Brick
B) Wooden
C) Mosaic
D) Mud
✅ Answer: B -
The roof used in RCC construction is:
A) Sloped roof
B) Flat roof
C) Shell roof
D) Pitched roof
✅ Answer: B -
The inclined members of a sloping roof are called:
A) Rafters
B) Beams
C) Joists
D) Trusses
✅ Answer: A -
Plastering is done to:
A) Increase weight
B) Make surface smooth
C) Strengthen walls
D) Reduce cost
✅ Answer: B -
The process of finishing mortar joints in brickwork is called:
A) Plastering
B) Jointing
C) Pointing
D) Rendering
✅ Answer: C -
The best type of pointing for water resistance is:
A) Flush
B) V-pointing
C) Recessed
D) Weathered
✅ Answer: D -
The most suitable floor for bathrooms is:
A) Mud
B) Stone
C) Tile
D) Concrete
✅ Answer: C -
Bitumen is commonly used in:
A) Roofs
B) Walls
C) Flooring
D) Foundations
✅ Answer: A -
The term "DPC" in buildings stands for:
A) Damp Proof Course
B) Direct Pressure Column
C) Dry Plaster Coat
D) Drainage Protection Coating
✅ Answer: A -
Lintel is provided:
A) Under foundation
B) Over doors and windows
C) On roof
D) In columns
✅ Answer: B
🔹 Bonus MCQs (General & Mix)
-
Bulking of sand is maximum at:
A) 4% moisture
B) 8% moisture
C) 10% moisture
D) 15% moisture
✅ Answer: A -
Which cement is best for cold weather concreting?
A) OPC
B) PPC
C) Rapid hardening cement
D) Low heat cement
✅ Answer: C -
Workability of concrete increases with:
A) Less water
B) More cement
C) More sand
D) More water
✅ Answer: D -
Which admixture is used for waterproofing concrete?
A) Plasticizer
B) Superplasticizer
C) Water repellent
D) Accelerator
✅ Answer: C -
Efflorescence in bricks is caused by:
A) Presence of silica
B) Excess alumina
C) Soluble salts
D) Lime
✅ Answer: C -
The property of soundness in cement means:
A) Strength
B) Setting time
C) Volume stability
D) Colour
✅ Answer: C -
The slump value of concrete for mass concrete work is:
A) 25-50 mm
B) 75-100 mm
C) 100-125 mm
D) 150-200 mm
✅ Answer: A -
The ideal shape of aggregate for concrete is:
A) Angular
B) Rounded
C) Flaky
D) Irregular
✅ Answer: B -
Admixture that delays setting time is:
A) Accelerator
B) Retarder
C) Plasticizer
D) Hardener
✅ Answer: B -
The IS code for plain and reinforced concrete is:
A) IS 383
B) IS 456
C) IS 10262
D) IS 2386
✅ Answer: B