Materials and Methods of Construction Flashcards
7 cards from real General Contractor License practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Materials and Methods of Construction flashcards as text
Which wood treatment method is most effective for lumber used in ground-contact applications such as fence posts and deck footings?
Answer: Pressure-treated with preservative chemicals (e.g., CA, ACQ)
Pressure treating forces preservative chemicals deep into the wood fibers, providing long-term protection against decay and insect damage in ground-contact conditions.
What does the R-value of insulation measure?
Answer: The material's thermal resistance to heat flow
R-value quantifies a material's resistance to conductive heat flow; a higher R-value means better insulating performance and reduced energy transfer through the assembly.
What distinguishes hot-mix asphalt (HMA) from cold-mix asphalt in paving applications?
Answer: HMA is mixed and placed at elevated temperatures, providing superior density and strength
Hot-mix asphalt is produced and placed at high temperatures (typically 275–325°F) to allow proper compaction, resulting in a denser, stronger, and more durable pavement than cold-mix.
Which structural system transfers loads to the foundation through a series of joists, beams, and girders rather than load-bearing walls?
Answer: Post-and-beam (platform) framing
Post-and-beam (or timber frame) construction uses vertical posts and horizontal beams to carry gravity loads directly to the foundation, with walls acting as non-structural infill.
What is the purpose of a control joint (contraction joint) in a concrete slab?
Answer: To create a weakened plane that controls where shrinkage cracks occur
Control joints are tooled or sawed grooves that create a weakened plane, predetermining where shrinkage cracks will form as the concrete cures and dries.
Which masonry unit is classified as a hollow concrete masonry unit (CMU) with a density typically less than 105 pcf?
Answer: Lightweight CMU
Lightweight CMUs use expanded shale, clay, or slag as aggregate to achieve densities below 105 pcf, reducing dead load and improving thermal performance compared to normal-weight units.
According to ASTM standards, what minimum cure time is generally specified before testing concrete cylinder specimens for compressive strength?
Answer: 28 days
ASTM C39 specifies 28-day cylinder tests as the standard acceptance criterion because portland cement concrete reaches approximately 99% of its design strength at that age.