Construction Materials & Methods Flashcards

What is the primary difference between 'cut' and 'fill' in earthwork operations?

Answer: Cut removes earth from high areas; fill places earth in low areas to reach grade

Cut operations excavate material from areas above design grade, while fill operations place and compact material in areas below design grade.

Which roofing membrane system requires hot asphalt or torch application to bond layers?

Answer: Built-up roofing (BUR)

Built-up roofing (BUR) consists of multiple plies of bitumen-saturated felt bonded with hot asphalt or coal tar pitch applied in successive layers.

In soil classification per USCS, what does 'SP' designate?

Answer: Poorly graded sand

In the Unified Soil Classification System (USCS), SP designates poorly graded sand — coarse-grained soil with limited range of particle sizes.

What is the purpose of 'strike-off' during concrete finishing operations?

Answer: Leveling freshly placed concrete to the desired elevation using a screed

Strike-off (screeding) levels freshly placed concrete to the required grade and elevation by dragging a screed board along form edges or screed guides.

What does 'shop drawing' submittal review by the inspector primarily verify?

Answer: Contractor's interpretation of design intent and conformance to contract documents

Shop drawing review verifies that the contractor's detailed fabrication or installation drawings correctly interpret and conform to the design engineer's contract documents.

Which type of wall formwork system uses prefabricated panels with steel frames for repeated use on large projects?

Answer: Gang forming

Gang forming systems use large prefabricated panel units assembled on the ground and lifted into place by crane, enabling rapid reuse and reduced labor costs.

What is the significance of 'bleed water' in fresh concrete, and when does it become a problem?

Answer: It is water that rises to the surface; finishing before it evaporates traps water weakening the top layer

Bleed water rises to the concrete surface due to settlement of solids; finishing operations performed before bleed water evaporates trap water near the surface, creating a weak, dusting layer.