BMC QUESTION ANSWER BANK

Explain the composition of ordinary cement

What are the tests carried out for sand

Test to determine the sand quality Silt content test

Organic impurities test

Source: LoviBondColour

Sand may come with certain organic impurities

such as fine silt, clay, tannic acid and fine dust.
The presence of these impurities in the sand
makes it unsuitable for concrete constructions.
To make sure that your sand is free of these
impurities, you need to take the organic
impurities test.

Take a small sample of your sand and put it in a

bottle of sodium hydroxide solution. Cap the
bottle and shake it properly so that sand Sil Content Test Source: Civilblog
particles and NaOH solutions get mixed well. If
Silt and clay content in the natural sand
the solution changes its color to brown, perhaps
shouldn’t exceed 8%. To test the sand for clay
it contains organic impurities. A lighter color of
and silt, add sand to a glass of water and shake
the solution is often a sign of impurity-free
it properly. Allow the sand to settle down at the
sand.
bottom. If a layer forms on the sand, then
perhaps it has silt.

If the dry sand sticks to your palms upon

dropping it, then perhaps it has some amount
of clay in it. It is also important to note that the
sand needs to be washed if the weight of silt
exceeds 3 percent.

Sand bulking test

 Source: Aquanova

Sand Bulking Test Deleterious particles in sand can trigger a

number of concerns, such as pitting, popouts,
map cracking and also D-cracking. Weathered
rocks, porous cherts, shale and laminated rocks
Source: TheConstructionCivil
are few examples of these materials found in
Sand bulking takes place when dry sand comes sand.
in contact with atmospheric moisture, forming a
To test it, fill a bottle with 4.5 ounces of sand
thin layer around sand particles that increase
and add 3 percent diluted sodium hydroxides
the sand’s volume. Such a type of sand is less
(NaOH) solution to it. Cap the bottle and shake
durable for use in constructions.
it vigorously. Allow the solution to stand for
Ideally, sand with 5 percent moisture content twenty-four hours. If the solutions take a darker
should be used. To take the test, fill 2/3rd of a shade of color, perhaps it has deleterious
container with sand and measure its exact materials.
height (H1). Then fill 2/3rd of it with water. Let
the sand settle down. Measure the height of the
sand in the water now (H2). To find the Sieve analysis
percentage of bulking of sand, use the formula:
(H1-H2)/H2*100.

Test for deleterious materials in sand

S
ource: Civilblog
Lastly, you can perform a sieve analysis to check
the sand’s gradation. Take the aggregate
sample and arrange the number of sieves in a
descending order. Shake the sieve set
vigorously for two minutes and allow it to
stand. Measure the sand’s weight and express it
as the percentage value passed through the
sieve.
Grading limits for fine and coarse aggregates
are different. Make sure you compare your
value with the recommended values on the
chart. This test helps in identifying any changes
that have taken place in the grading of sand.
Properties of cement concrete
It possesses a high compressive strength.
It is a corrosion resistance material and
atmospheric agent has no appreciable effect on
it.
Finding good-quality sand for construction can
be challenging. But thanks to Cendrol’s Natural
River Sand that has come as a gust of fresh air
for constructors. Not only is the sand physically
and chemically tested but also certified by the
Bureau of Indian Standards for establishing its
superior quality. It’s easier to use, safer and
much superior in quality compared to most
sand aggregates found in the marketplace
today.
It hardens with age the process of hardening
continues for a long time after the concrete has
attained sufficient strength. It is this property of
cement concrete which gives it a distinct place
among building materials.
It is more economical than steel. which concrete is composed may be subjected
to rigid specifications.
It binds rapidly with steel and as it is weak in
tension, the steel reinforcement is placed in
cement concrete at suitable places to take up
the tensile stresses. This is termed as the
reinforced cement concrete or simply as R.C.C.

Under the following two conditions, it has a

tendency to shrink:

There is initial shrinkage of cement concrete

which is mainly due to the loss of water through
forms, absorption by surfaces of forms etc.

The shrinkage of cement concrete occurs as it

hardens. This tendency of cement concrete can
be minimized by proper curing of concrete.

It has a tendency to be porous. This is due to

the presence of voids which are formed during
and after its placing. The two precautions
necessary to avoid this tendency are as follows:

There should be proper grading and

consolidating of the aggregates.

The minimum water-cement ratio should be

adopted.

It forms a hard surface, capable of resisting

abrasion.

It should be remembered that apart from other

materials, the concrete comes to the site in the
form of raw materials only. Its final strength and
quality depend entirely on local conditions and
persons handling it. However the materials

Difference between corrosion and rusting

What is meant by workability of concrete

Workability of concrete is the property of freshly mixed concrete which determines the ease and
homogeneity with which it can be mixed, placed, consolidated and finished’

What is bulking of sand

The increase in the volume of sand due to increase in moisture content is known as bulking of sand. A
film of water is created around the sand particles which forces the particles to get a side from each
other and thus the volume is increased.

Explain the term integral water proofing

Instead of water proofing with membrane will be time consuming and not permanent, admixtures can
be used in the process of making concrete by adding Hydrophobic admixtures / densifying admixture for
water proofing.

Hydrophobic admixtures absorb less than 1% of water, and give superior performance compared with
densifying admixtures. They considerably reduce the amount of water absorbed by dry concrete, and
also protect against further water ingress when concrete is wet. They also protect against water ingress
from hydrostatic pressure.

These admixtures work by forming barriers in the concrete matrix, which stop water from getting in
through capillaries. They also coat reinforcing steel, protecting against corrosion.

What are the causes of dampness

The 5 major sources of dampness are as follow.

Due to capillary action, the water present in ground soil may rise above the ground level through the
walls. If ground water table is nearer to the building foundation then also it can also become a source of
dampness.
Condensation of atmospheric moisture can also be a source of dampness. Because this form of water
gets deposited on different components and gradually find their way to penetrate into the building
causing dampness.

Rain water falling on external walls, parapets also causes dampness.

Rain water can also penetrate through the roofs if the roof is of bad quality. Inadequate roof slopes or
defective junction between roof slab and parapet wall may cause dampness

Presence of gutter near the building will store the rain water and subsequently this water will create
dampness in the external walls.

Wet areas of buildings (such as kitchens, bath rooms) having sub standard plumbing fitting can also be a
source of dampness.

Write short notes on glass blocks

Glass brick, also known as glass block, is an architectural element made from glass. The appearance of
glass blocks can vary in color, size, texture and form. Glass bricks provide visual obscuration while
admitting light.

Describe the manufacturing process of ordinary cement

Discuss the types of mortars

Explain with sketches the types of joints which are to be provided in concrete structures

Types of joints in concrete constructions are:

Construction Joints

Expansion Joints

Contraction Joints

Isolation Joints

1. Construction Joints

Construction joints are placed in a concrete slab

to define the extent of the individual
placements, generally in conformity with a
predetermined joint layout.
Construction joints must be designed in order
to allow displacements between both sides of
the slab but, at the same time, they have to
transfer flexural stresses produced in the slab
by external loads.

Construction joints must allow horizontal

displacement right-angled to the joint surface
that is normally caused by thermal and
shrinkage movement. At the same time they
must not allow vertical or rotational
displacements. Fig.1 summarizes which
displacement must be allowed or not allowed
by a construction joint.

2. Expansion joints

The concrete is subjected to volume change due

to many reasons. So we have to cater for this by
way of joint to relieve the stress. Expansion is a
function of length. The building longer than
45m are generally provided with one or more
expansion joint. In india recommended c/c
spacing is 30m. The joints are formed by
providing a gap between the building parts.

3. Contraction Joints
A contraction joint is a sawed, formed, or
tooled groove in a concrete slab that creates a
weakened vertical plane. It regulates the
location of the cracking caused by dimensional
changes in the slab.

Unregulated cracks can grow and result in an

unacceptably rough surface as well as water
infiltration into the base, subbase and
subgrade, which can enable other types of
pavement distress.
If slabs are connected to walls or columns or
pipes, as they contract or settle there will be
restraint, which usually cracks the slab—
Contraction joints are the most common type of
although it could also damage pipes (standpipes
joint in concrete pavements, thus the generic
or floor drains).
term “joint” generally refers to a contraction
joint. Contraction joints are chiefly defined by
their spacing and their method of load transfer.
They are generally between 1/4 – 1/3 the depth Expansion joints are virtually never needed with
of the slab and typically spaced every 3.1 – 15 m interior slabs, because the concrete doesn’t
expand that much—it never gets that hot.
4. Isolation Joints

Joints that isolate the slab from a wall, column

or drainpipe
Isolation joints have one very simple purpose—
they completely isolate the slab from something
else. That something else can be a wall or a
column or a drain pipe. Here are a few things to
consider with isolation joints:
Expansion joints in concrete pavement are also
seldom needed, since the contraction joints
open enough (from drying shrinkage) to
account for temperature expansion. The
exception might be where a pavement or
parking lot are next to a bridge or building—
then we simply use a slightly wider isolation
joint (maybe ¾ inch instead of ½ inch).

Walls and columns, which are on their own

footings that are deeper than the slab
subgrade, are not going to move the same way
a slab does as it shrinks or expands from drying
or temperature changes or as the subgrade
compresses a little.
Blowups, from expansion of concrete due to hot
weather and sun, are more commonly caused
by contraction joints that are not sealed and
that then fill up with non-compressible
materials (rocks, dirt). They can also be due to
very long unjointed sections.
 How are pre
cast
concrete
products
prepared
highlight
advantage
and

disadvantages

What are different methods of consolidation of concrete?

What is the slump test of concrete how it is conducted? Mention different types of concrete for
different purposes

Explain in detail methods of damp proofing

Explain general principles of damp proofing

How materials are selected for damp proofing

State special varieties of glass and explain in detail.

Describe various treatments to glass.