Construction Materials and Properties Flashcards
7 cards from real Building Engineering practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Construction Materials and Properties flashcards as text
What is the typical compressive strength range of normal-weight concrete used in standard building construction?
Answer: 3,000–5,000 psi
Normal-weight structural concrete typically falls in the 3,000–5,000 psi range, providing adequate strength for most building applications.
Which type of Portland cement is designated for general-purpose use in US building construction?
Answer: Type I (General Purpose)
Type I Portland cement is the standard general-purpose cement used when no special properties are needed.
In concrete mix design, what does a lower water-to-cement (w/c) ratio primarily result in?
Answer: Higher strength and improved durability
Reducing the w/c ratio decreases capillary porosity, which increases both compressive strength and long-term durability.
What is the minimum specified yield strength of ASTM A992 steel, the standard for wide-flange structural shapes?
Answer: 50 ksi
ASTM A992 requires a minimum yield strength of 50 ksi and a maximum of 65 ksi, replacing A36 as the standard for W-shapes.
Which material property allows structural steel to undergo large plastic deformations before fracture, making it valuable in seismic design?
Answer: Ductility
Ductility enables steel to absorb and dissipate seismic energy through plastic deformation without sudden brittle fracture.
What is a concrete admixture?
Answer: A material added during mixing to alter specific concrete properties
Admixtures are chemical or mineral materials added to concrete beyond the basic ingredients to modify properties such as workability, set time, or air content.
Which grading system is most widely used for assigning structural values to dimension lumber in US construction?
Answer: Visual Stress Grading
Visual Stress Grading assigns structural design values to lumber based on observable characteristics like knots, slope of grain, and wane.