Construction Materials & Systems Flashcards
7 cards from real CSI 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 & Systems flashcards as text
What type of glass is produced by heating annealed glass and rapidly cooling it to create surface compression?
Answer: Tempered glass
Tempered glass is produced through a thermal tempering process that creates surface compression, making it approximately four times stronger than annealed glass and causing it to dice into small fragments when broken.
In masonry construction, what is the purpose of a relieving angle (shelf angle)?
Answer: To transfer accumulated masonry dead load to the building structure at each floor
Shelf angles transfer the accumulated dead load of masonry veneer above to the building's structural frame at each floor or intermediate level.
Which insulation material has the highest R-value per inch among commonly used rigid insulation products?
Answer: Polyisocyanurate (polyiso)
Polyisocyanurate (polyiso) typically achieves R-6 to R-6.5 per inch, the highest among common rigid board insulations, though it can lose R-value at cold temperatures.
What does the term 'galvanic corrosion' describe in the context of construction materials?
Answer: Electrochemical corrosion when dissimilar metals contact each other in the presence of an electrolyte
Galvanic corrosion occurs when two dissimilar metals are in electrical contact with an electrolyte (such as water), causing the less noble metal to corrode preferentially.
In wood-frame construction, what is the structural purpose of a rim joist (band joist)?
Answer: To provide lateral bracing for interior floor joists against overturning
Rim joists run perpendicular to floor joists at the perimeter and resist overturning (rotation) of the parallel floor joists while also capping the floor system.
What is the primary function of a cavity (drainage) wall construction method in masonry systems?
Answer: To provide a drainage path for water that penetrates the outer wythe
Cavity walls include an air space between wythes that allows any water penetrating the outer masonry wythe to drain down and exit through weep holes at the base.
Which property of steel is defined as the stress at which a material exhibits a specified limiting permanent set?
Answer: Yield strength
Yield strength is the stress level at which steel undergoes a specified amount of permanent plastic deformation (typically 0.2% offset) rather than elastic recovery.